DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of
the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of
the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Champagne HB No. 88
Abstract: Provides a limit of three consecutive terms for election to the same statewide elected
office (except for the office of governor) by prohibiting a person who has served for more
than 2-1/2 terms in three consecutive terms from being elected to the same statewide
elected office for the succeeding term (applicable to service on or after Jan. 9, 2012).
Present constitution provides that the governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, attorney
general, treasurer, commissioner of agriculture, and commissioner of insurance are statewide
elected officials, and each shall be elected for a four-year term and that the term of each such
official shall begin at noon on the second Monday in Jan. next following the election.
Present constitution additionally provides that no person who has served as governor for more
than 1-1/2 terms in two consecutive terms shall be elected governor for the succeeding term.
Proposed constitutional amendment retains present constitution and additionally provides that,
except as otherwise provided for the governor, no person who has served in one of the statewide
elected offices for more than 2-1/2 terms in three consecutive terms, that service being during a
term of office that began on or after Jan. 9, 2012, shall be elected to that same office for the
succeeding term.
Present constitution, relative to the offices of commissioner of agriculture, commissioner of
insurance, superintendent of education, and commissioner of elections, authorizes the legislature,
by 2/3rds vote, to decide whether these positions are filled by appointment or statewide election.
Proposed constitutional amendment applies to any of these offices if filled by election.
Provides for submission of the proposed amendment to the voters at the statewide election to be
held Nov. 4, 2014.
(Amends Const. Art. IV, ยง3(B))