SF 425

1st Engrossment - 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 terms of office 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. If the amendment is adopted, the section 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 new text begin , new text end and except new text begin as
otherwise required by this article. new text end There shall be an entire new election of all the senators
at the first election of representatives after each new legislative apportionment provided
for in this article new text begin , and at that election senators elected from odd-numbered districts shall
be elected to two-year terms new text end . The governor shall call elections to fill vacancies in either
house of the legislature.

Sec. 2. new text begin QUESTION.
new text end

new text begin The proposed amendment shall be submitted to the people at the 2006 general
election. The question proposed shall be:
new text end

new text begin "Shall the Minnesota Constitution be amended to require one-half of the members
of the senate, as nearly as practical, to stand for election at each biennial election of
legislators, commencing in 2012?
new text end

new text begin Yes ....... new text end

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