Requires the voters to approve the repeal of any term limit

1 Multi-sponsor

• Fred Thiele

BILL NUMBER:A10282

Title of bill

An act to amend the election law, in relation to requir- ing the voters to approve the repeal of any term limit

Purpose or general idea of the bill

This bill would require that the repeal of any term limits legislation would have to be approved by the voters of the municipality before any changes in term limits could take effect.

Summary

This bill amends the election law by adding a new section 1-108 that would require that any legislative body wishing to amend or repeal term limits legislation in their municipality would have to pass a resolution and bring the matter before the voters at the next election.

Justification

Increasingly, communities are looking to revise their charters to impose limits on the number of terms that local elected officials can serve. The public confidence is damaged if the elected officials affected by the term limits can simply repeal the legislation. The power of government should rest with the people. They are the elec- torate and elected officials have a responsibility to do the will of the people. If the people want the term limits repealed, then they should have the right to do so by referendum.

Prior legislative history

2008: A.4830; Referred to Election Law 2007: A.4830; Referred to Election Law 2006: A.1866; Held for consideration in Election Law 2005: A.1866; Referred to Election Law 2004: A.2315; Held for consideration Election Law 2003: A.2315; Referred to Election Law 2002: A.7516; Held for consideration in Election Law 2001: A.7516; Referred to Election Law

Fiscal implications

None

Effective date

Immediately