SF 5

as introduced - 84th Legislature (2005 - 2006) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
proposing an amendment to the Minnesota Constitution,
article IV, section 4; providing staggered four-year
terms for senators.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1. new text begin CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.
new text end

new text begin An amendment to the Minnesota Constitution, article IV,
section 4, is proposed to the people.
new text end

new text begin If the amendment is adopted, article IV, section 4, will
read:
new text end

Sec. 4.

Representatives shall be chosen for a term of two
years, except to fill a vacancy. Senators shall be chosen for a
term of four years, except to fill a vacancy and except there
shall be an entire new election of all the senators at the first
election of representatives after each new legislative
deleted text begin apportionment deleted text end new text begin redistricting new text end provided for in this article new text begin and the
senators chosen at that election from districts with odd numbers
shall serve for an initial term of two years new text end . The governor
shall call elections to fill vacancies in either house of the
legislature.

Sec. 2.

new text begin QUESTION AND SCHEDULE.
new text end

new text begin The amendment shall be submitted to the people at the 2006
general election and be effective for senators elected at the
2012 general election. The question submitted to the people
shall be:
new text end

new text begin "Shall the Minnesota Constitution be amended to provide
staggered four-year terms for senators beginning in 2012?
new text end

new text begin Yes .......
No ........"
new text end