Senators voted overwhelmingly for a resolution that could lead to term limits for West Virginia’s constitutional officers.
The resolution was adopted by the Senate 30-3 during a Saturday session. The resolution was explained, but nobody debated it.
It will now go to the House of Delegates, where it would need a two-thirds majority to pass because it is a resolution that could lead to a constitutional amendment.
If the resolution passes both chambers, West Virginia voters in the 2022 General Election would be asked to determine whether the state Constitution should be amended.
Senate Joint Resolution 11 could result in limiting the terms of the Secretary of State, Auditor, Treasurer, Agriculture and Attorney General to no more than three consecutive terms.
The governor is already limited to two consecutive terms.
The proposed constitutional language is:
For the offices of secretary of state, auditor, treasurer, commissioner of agriculture, or attorney general, a person who has served in one such office for all or any part of three consecutive terms beginning in the calendar year of 2024 or later is ineligible to serve in that same office during any part of the term immediately following the third consecutive term.
Earlier this month, elected constitutional officers came out in support of the resolution.
“Those of us who have replaced long-time incumbents know how difficult it is to reform an office after decades of one-person control,” Agriculture Secretary Kent Leonhardt said at a March 3 press conference.
“We have to spend too much time during our terms to simply right the ship. Establishing term limits will help guarantee that these offices are constantly improving, forcing politicians to be more focused and seek faster change.”
State Attorney General Patrick Morrisey, who is into his third term, did not attend the news conference but released a statement in support of the resolution.
“I’m happy to support the resolution to establish term limits for the Board of Public Works,” Morrisey said in a news release. “I have pushed for a similar resolution in the past and believe it will restore more power back to the people.