Proposal to extend legislative terms stalled

A proposed constitutional amendment that would extend legislative term limits failed to advance from select file April 13.

Currently, a state senator can serve two consecutive four-year terms. LR7CA, introduced by Columbus Sen. Paul Schumacher, originally would have extended this to two six-year terms. An amendment adopted on general file changed the resolution to instead propose three four-year terms.

Schumacher introduced a select file amendment, adopted 27-15, to return the proposal to two six-year terms and provide a more comprehensive transition plan. Beginning in 2020 and 2022, the Legislature would proportion the number of members to be elected for either a four- or six-year term. This would result in just one-third of senators being up for election every even-numbered year beginning with the November 2024 election.

Schumacher said the amendment would lower legislative turnover with each election.

“Voters have already spoken on three four-year terms,” he said. “This gives the voters a chance to vote on something they’ve never had the chance to vote on before.”

Venango Sen. Dan Hughes supported the amendment, saying there is a steep learning curve in the Legislature.

“The melding of skills with time, through the process of doing the work of the people, only makes us better,” he said. “The longer we have to hone those skills, to do the work, the better off the people of Nebraska will be.”

Sen. Mike Groene of North Platte opposed the changes, saying it is time to respect the will of the people.

“This is a big issue to the people of Nebraska who went to the trouble to get [term limits]. The issue has been decided four or five times so we need to leave it alone,” he said.

The amended resolution failed to advance on a 20-22 vote. It is unlikely to be debated again this session.