Senator calls on legislature to take action on term limits for state officials in Delaware.
Senate Bill 79 (SB 79) has taken center stage, igniting discussions about term limits for members of the Delaware General Assembly and other statewide elected officials. This proposed constitutional amendment, introduced on April 6, 2023, by Senator Eric Buckson, has gained momentum in the 152nd General Assembly and is currently awaiting consideration in the Senate Executive Committee.
SB 79, the first leg of a constitutional amendment, aims to establish term limits for various public offices, including the Attorney General, Insurance Commissioner, Auditor of Accounts, and State Treasurer, as well as members of the Delaware General Assembly. The core of this legislation revolves around the principle that an individual should not hold any of these offices for more than a specified number of terms.
Under the proposed amendment, an individual would be limited to serving as the Attorney General, Insurance Commissioner, Auditor of Accounts, or State Treasurer for a maximum of two terms. Senators would be restricted to four terms, while Representatives would be capped at seven terms. This move is seen as a way to prevent individuals from making elected public service a career and to promote a more dynamic and representative political landscape.
The legislative process for SB 79 is not without its challenges. To amend the Delaware Constitution, a greater-than-majority vote is required for passage. Specifically, Section 1 of Article XVI of the Delaware Constitution mandates the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the members elected to each house of the General Assembly. Consequently, the road to enacting this constitutional change demands substantial support from Delaware’s lawmakers.
Senator Eric Buckson, the primary sponsor of SB 79, has been at the forefront of advocating for this reform. In a statement issued today, Senator Buckson called upon the Senate Executive Committee to take action on SB 79 and move it forward in the legislative process. He emphasized that implementing term limits is not merely a campaign promise but a necessary step toward fostering responsive governance.
On Monday Buckson sent a letter to members of the Senate Executive Committee requesting the committee take action on Senate Bill 79 (SB 79), the first leg of an amendment to the Delaware Constitution to implement term limits for members of the Delaware General Assembly and other statewide elected officials.
Senator Buckson articulated his belief that elected officials should be representatives of the people rather than entrenched career politicians. He argued that term limits could reinvigorate Delaware’s political landscape and lead to more responsible governance. Notably, he pointed out that this proposal is not a radical departure from established norms but represents a continuation of past efforts by members of the Delaware General Assembly to address this issue.
SB 79’s journey through the legislative process is far from straightforward. To become part of the Delaware Constitution, it must pass two consecutive General Assemblies. If successful, the amendment would impose term limits on legislators and various statewide elected officials, ultimately reshaping the way Delaware’s government operates.
Below is Buckson’s statement:
“I am formally calling for the Senate Executive Committee to take action on SB 79. Adding term limits for members of the legislature, Attorney General, Auditor, and more was not simply a campaign promise, but rather is a move that must be made.
Our system was not designed with the idea that individuals would make elected public service a career. To make the best decisions for the constituents one represents, you must be of the people, not above them. This isn’t a radical new idea, but rather my bill is the latest of many attempts by members of the Delaware General Assembly to place term limits either in Delaware Code or the Delaware Constitution.
“I firmly believe term limits would be a step in the right direction to bringing back good, responsible governance, and I call on the Senate Executive Committee to release SB 79 and bring the bill to the floor of the Senate for a vote.”
SB 79 is the first leg of a constitutional amendment and would need to pass two consecutive General Assemblies before being implemented.
If successful, the constitutional amendment would establish term limits for legislators, the Attorney General, Insurance Commissioner, Auditor of Accounts, and State Treasurer.
Senator Eric Buckson is a retired public educator and represents the 16th Senate District.”