Statewide Term Limits Measure Passes House

Statewide office holders would be limited to a maximum of 12 years in office if legislation passed out of the House today becomes law.

The change would also have to be approved by a vote of the people this fall.

Currently, state lawmakers are limited to 12 years in office, and the governor is limited to two, four year terms.

Senate Bill 1987, by Rep. Trebor Worthen, would add all statewide elected officials like the lieutenant governor and the attorney general to the state’s term limits law. The governor would remain limited to eight years in office.

“The people of Oklahoma have shown they support term limits as a way to bring fresh ideas into the legislative process,” said Worthen, R-Oklahoma City. “I am confident that if given the chance, they would expand the term limits law to statewide elected officials to ensure they stay accountable to the voters.”

The resolution would appear on the ballot in November, and if approved, would then apply to officeholders first elected in the 2010 election.

The bill passed the House today with a vote of 56-44 and will now return to the Senate for final consideration. The measure does not require the governor’s signature.

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