Representative Jim Kasper (R-Fargo)
BISMARCK, N.D. (KFGO/PRAIRIE PUBLIC) – The North Dakota House has approved a constitutional measure, to amend the new term limits law.
The law, approved in the general election last year, limits state lawmakers and the governor to eight years in office, or two four-year terms.
The new proposal sponsored by Fargo Republican Rep. Jim Kasper would lengthen that to 12 years for lawmakers, the governor, and the other executive branch offices. It would also allow legislators to serve another 12 years, after being away from the House or Senate for four years. They could also serve 12 years in the other chamber.
“Assume you’re a business owner with 94 employees. Let’s further assume that the law of North Dakota is that every eight years, you must fire 100 percent of your employees and replace them with all new employees,” Kasper said.
Opponents of Kasper’s proposal said when voters okayed the term limits bill, they assumed that legislators could not propose changes to term limits.
Minot Republican Rep. Lori VanWinkle argued that Kasper’s measure is unconstitutional.
The bill passed 63 to 29 and will now be considered in the Senate.
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