Annapolis, MD – February 2, 2017, Delegate David Vogt introduced House Bill 0706, General Assembly – Limitation of Terms. Term Limits – HB 706
This bill is limiting the number of consecutive terms as either a Senator or a Delegate to which a person may be elected to three; limiting the total number of terms as a member of the General Assembly to which a person may be elected to five, whether or not the terms are served consecutively; specifying how service for a specified partial term shall be considered for purposes of the term limits; and submitting the amendment to the qualified voters of the State for their adoption or rejection.
This bill was developed as a direct response to our state not having term limits on the elected officials of the state legislature. When asked about why Delegate Vogt proposed this piece of legislation he had this to say, “Fundamentally, I believe that improvement of government necessitates the inception of fresh ideas, not just beliefs, and agendas of career politicians.”
Term Limits do not just exist in republican or democratic states. Many states have passed legislation that puts term limits on its elected officials. In California and Oklahoma, a legislator may serve a total of 12 years in the legislature during his or her lifetime. The total time may be split between the two chambers, or spent in its entirety in a single chamber. Before 2012, California’s limits were six years in the assembly and eight years in the senate. “The argument that elections should determine term limits is typically used by elected officials protected by special interests because of their time in office. This argument is a farce and should not be accepted as why term limits are unnecessary.” Vogt explained.
This bill will be heard in front of the Rules and Executive Nominations Committee on March 3, 2017, at 1:00 pm. If you would like to submit letters in support and help to institute term limits, please email Delegate Vogt’s Office at david.vogt@house.state.md.us.