Alabama State Representative David Wheeler wants to make sure that he and other Representatives don’t get too comfortable in their elected positions. Wheeler filed HB 67 which would amend the Alabama Constitution and limit both Representatives and Senators to 2 term limits each.

The exact wording of the bill:

Commencing with the general election in November 2022, no individual may serve as a legislator in the Senate or the House of Representatives for more than two full terms of office in each respective house. In addition to the two full terms, a legislator may fill an unexpired term caused by a vacancy for any reason for up to two years in each respective house. Notwithstanding the foregoing, service in the Senate before November 2020 shall not disqualify, in whole or in part, an individual from service in the Senate for two additional terms following that date, and service in the House of Representatives before November 2020 shall not disqualify, in whole or in part, an individual from service in the House of Representatives for two additional terms following that date.

As per above, the bill does not take effect until 2022 and current elected officials will be eligible to run for 2 more terms from that date. The bill also takes into consideration special elections to fill vacant districts, providing for up to 2 full years to not count towards a term.

In 2018, two bills also took aim at term limits but never gained any traction. HB 340 would have limited to 4 terms and HB 492 would have limited to 3 terms.

Currently, a term for Representatives and Senators in Alabama is 4 years. State Senator J. T. Waggoner is currently Alabama’s longest serving active member, first being elected to the Alabama House of Representatives in 1966.

Does this bill peak your interest? Head over to the Alabama Secretary of State website to find your elected officials and let them know your thoughts. Just type in your zip code.

Update: Matt Fridy has filed HB 192 which would limit to four terms (16 years) total for the Alabama Legislature.