The governor, county council members and mayors face term limits.
Should state legislators?
State Sen. Russell Ruderman, a Democrat representing Puna and parts of Ka‘u who is seeking his second term, thinks so, and he introduced a bill capping the time a lawmaker can stay in the same office at 12 consecutive years.
That means a limit of three consecutive terms for a senator and six for a representative.
In Hawaii County, council members are limited to four consecutive two-year terms, while mayors cannot serve more than two consecutive four-year terms. The governor also is limited to two four-year terms.
Ruderman said term limits for legislators would increase accountability and reduce the number of “career politicians.”
“I think a lot of voters are kind of tuned out,” he said. “I think a lot of people feel like they can’t affect what state government does.”
The bill would take effect in 2020, so it can’t be used to target any sitting lawmakers, Ruderman said.
It would require a constitutional amendment, meaning the bill needs to be passed by two-thirds of the House and Senate and approved by voters by ballot, according to the state Office of Elections.
But Ruderman, noting term limits are common for state lawmakers elsewhere, said he at least wants to get the conversation started.
“We think it deserves a conversation and a discussion, and that’s what we’re hoping to start here,” he said.
Ruderman introduced the bill — SB 2753 — along with Sen. Lorraine Inouye, D-North Hawaii, and Oahu Democratic Sen. Laura Thielen.
He also has teamed up with Thielen and Sen. Maile Shimabukuro, D-Oahu, on another bill seeking to increase direct democracy in the state.
SB 2754 would allow voters to get initiatives on the ballot without going through the Legislature. It would also require a constitutional amendment.
Currently, statewide ballot measures must be approved by lawmakers.
Under Ruderman’s bill, petitions would get on the ballot if they obtain signatures at least equal to 10 percent of the voter turnout in the last gubernatorial election and are certified legal by the state attorney general.
Voter initiatives also would not be able to address an individual, company, changes to the state constitution or budget issues. Lawmakers could also overturn approved initiatives through a supermajority five years after they are enacted.
Email Tom Callis at tcallis@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
