BISMARCK, ND (KXNET) — After failing April 1 on the House floor, a resolution set to reinstate lawmakers' ability to propose changes to their term limits has passed the House on a second vote. Senate Concurrent Resolution 4008 aims to repeal the section of the state Constitution that voters pas sed in 2022 preventing legislators from proposing changes to their term limits. It would also allow lawmakers to serve up to four complete terms in the legislature. The law currently says they can serve no more than two terms in the Senate and two in the House. If it passes, the resolution will be placed on the next ballot, as this is the only way to change term limits in the state constitution. Representative Lori VanWinkle (R-Minot) spoke on the bill, arguing that it would send a negative message to the people of North Dakota. "So right here, we are basically going to try to tell the people that the work that they have done, their citizen right to petition, the government, we're not okay with that," Rep. VanWinkle said. "And so, from the inside out, we're going to break this constitutional prohibition that you placed on us and we're going to demand it anyway if we pass this bill." Minot mayoral special election details, Ross’s resignation letter Supporters of the bill argued it would be good to let the people decide if they want to keep term limits the way they are. Others, like Representative Austen Schauer (R-West Fargo), believe the bill could be useful in allowing the Supreme Court to review the constitutionality of limiting the amendments that legislators could suggest. "Would it be fair if the Constitution limited an initiated measure on a certain issue, saying it could not be altered or repealed?" Rep. Schauer said. "Section 16 of Article 4 allows the legislature to submit amendments to the Constitution." According to some legislators, many people believed they were voting on Congressional term limits on the last ballot, when they were really voting on limits for the state legislature. Some lawmakers, such as Representative Mike Brandenburg, say their constituents should have another chance to determine what they really want term limits to look like. The resolution narrowly passed the Senate, 24-23. It then overcame a do not pass House committee recommendation and a failed vote on the House floor, 46-43, before being reconsidered and passed, 53-39. Two similar resolutions failed earlier in the assembly. HCR 3034 and SCR 4028 both proposed changes to term limits which would allow lawmakers to serve for 12 years in one chamber, and return to the chamber for another three terms after a four-year break. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Today's Top Stories SIGN UP NOW ...read more read less