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— -5. 22. S4 08 : 55 .4.Z.2 ,,c7... EAQUE OF MN CITIES PCS House Research DepartmentNovember 1993pis S Term Limits for Elective Office Depending on the office, term limits could become law in Minnesota by.constitutional amendment or statute. • .. ' depends on which elective offices are The method for adopting tam limits in Minnesota being covered. •for constitutionally created offices term limits would legislature ap se of any :._..._ constitutional amendment. For elective offices in localgovernmentunits, set term limits in statute. For federal elective offices there is a strong argument that a state cannot impose term limits.• The issue remains open pending litigation in other states that have -.adopted teras limits for thembers of Congress. A constitutional amendment is required to adopt tern limits for constitutional offices because the state constitution sets the standards of eligibility to hold office and the particular qualifications for individual constitutional offices. Article VIII, section 6, of the Minnesota • ...—..Constitution allows every-eligible voter,.21.or morre years old, residing in the relevant district 4rhe bili link: ons to the eligibility d --t;-74r for 30 days prior to the elethiaa,,� seek ofi�zx. . t� A y��M�� the language are those "otherwise provided in,this^constittstion, o�r the constitution and law of - United States." By the terms of this press.Ia�nguage only a state constitutional amendment could change the eligibility requirements for seeking an ounce created by the Constitution.' officee,•In Contrast, can be subject tatatery term limits. The Minnesota''' "' 1: . Local government Constitution eiressly authorizes the legislature to provide by law for the creation of local government units and the qualifications for local elective offices. • 3C-oyez-sox, Lieutenant Governor. 3=atsry of State. Attorney Genesi, Treasurer. Representative, Senator, ud$e. 'S:.hcice4 v. Paviair. 282 N.W.2d 343 (Minn. 1979). ''~Lianem..cta Constitution. a rie;e . se:'_'an 3.