Alabama House Bill HB317

Alabama 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/9/22
• Refer: 2/9/22

Caption

Legislature, term limits of two terms plus two years in each house provided, prior service not counted, const. amend.

Impact

The passage of HB 317 could significantly alter the landscape of political representation in Alabama. By instituting term limits, the bill aims to enhance governmental accountability and freshness in leadership, as it would prevent long-term incumbents from dominating the legislative branches. Supporters argue that this could lead to more diverse perspectives and opportunities for new candidates to emerge, fostering a more responsive government by encouraging legislators to consider the wishes of their constituents with a finite time in office.

Summary

House Bill 317 proposes a constitutional amendment to the Alabama Constitution aimed at limiting the number of terms that members of the Alabama Senate and House of Representatives can serve. Specifically, it sets a maximum of two full terms plus the ability to serve up to two additional years to fill a vacancy in each house. This change is intended to commence with the legislators elected during the 2026 General Election. The amendment specifies that prior service in either legislative body will not count against the new term limits, thus allowing current legislators to potentially serve additional terms beyond the proposed limit.

Contention

Nonetheless, the bill has its critics, who argue that term limits could result in a loss of experienced legislative leadership and continuity in policy development. Opponents claim that while the intention is to increase accountability, such measures could inadvertently empower lobbyists and unelected officials who remain behind the scenes while elected representatives change frequently. Additionally, there are concerns about whether the amendment adequately protects the public's right to choose their representatives, as it may limit options at the ballot box in future elections.