Iowa House Bill HJR1

Iowa 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/20/23
• Refer: 1/20/23

Caption

A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Iowa altering the terms of service for members of the house of representatives.

Impact

The change would potentially transform the legislative landscape of Iowa, allowing for longer uninterrupted terms which advocates argue could enhance legislative effectiveness and continuity. By lengthening terms, the resolution intends to lessen the campaign frequency for lawmakers, potentially allowing them to focus more on governance rather than constant reelection efforts. Proponents view this as a means to enable representatives to develop deeper relationships with their constituents and focus on long-term policy goals.

Summary

House Joint Resolution 1 (HJR1) proposes an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Iowa that alters the terms of service for members of the House of Representatives. This resolution seeks to extend the term length for representatives from the current two years to four years. Under this proposed amendment, representatives would be elected on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of every even-numbered year, with approximately half of the representatives up for election every two years. This aims to provide more stability within the legislature and reduce the frequency of elections for state representatives.

Contention

One notable point of contention surrounding HJR1 is the balance between maintaining democratic accountability and enhancing legislative efficiency. Critics of the amendment may express concerns that extending terms could lead to complacency among representatives and reduce their responsiveness to constituents since they would spend less time in campaign mode. Furthermore, there might be apprehensions regarding the shifting dynamics of power within the state legislature, as longer terms could consolidate influence among incumbents and challenge new candidates seeking to enter the political arena.