North Dakota Senate Bill SB2192

North Dakota 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/10/23
• Refer: 1/10/23
• Report Pass: 1/18/23
• Engrossed: 1/20/23
• Refer: 2/17/23
• Report Pass: 3/10/23
• Enrolled: 3/17/23
• Passed: 3/23/23

Caption

AN ACT to provide for a legislative management study relating to the impact of term limits on the legislative assembly.

Impact

If passed, SB2192 would not change existing law directly but would lay the groundwork for potential future legislative adjustments based on the findings of the study. Lawmakers will gather insights on legislative dynamics under term limits, guiding them on possible reforms and enhancing the operational efficiency of legislative activities. The outcomes may include proposals for changing the structure or resources available to ensure that the legislative assembly can function optimally despite high turnover rates caused by term limits.

Summary

Senate Bill 2192 aims to initiate a legislative management study on the impact of term limits on the legislative assembly's operations. The bill directs that during the 2023-24 interim, a comprehensive assessment be conducted to evaluate how these term limits affect legislative business. A significant focus includes understanding how shortened tenures may necessitate increased educational resources for members and the potential need for additional support staff to aid new legislators in their duties. This approach seeks to ensure that newly elected officials are well-equipped and informed to fulfill their responsibilities effectively.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding SB2192 reflects a proactive approach towards addressing issues stemming from term limits, with most legislators viewing the study as a beneficial way to support both new and experienced members. The majority support can be inferred from the robust voting results, which indicate 91 yeas compared to only 2 nays during the house's second reading. This suggests a strong consensus on the need to investigate and possibly reform how term limits impact legislative capacity and governance.

Contention

While the bill appears to have widespread support, some potential points of contention may arise concerning the recommendations that result from the study. Opponents could argue about the implications of further institutionalizing additional educational resources or staffing, particularly in terms of budgetary impacts or whether such measures could unintentionally create more bureaucracy. The ongoing dialogue within the legislative assembly regarding the ideal balance between structured support for members and maintaining an effective governance model is likely to be a critical focal point as the study progresses.