HJR 22-FEDERAL CONST. CONVENTION: TERM LIMITS  3:18:42 PM CHAIR CARRICK announced that the first order of business would be HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 22, Requesting the United States Congress to propose an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to set a limit on the number of terms that a person may be elected as a member of the United States House of Representatives and as a member of the United States Senate; and requesting the United States Congress to call for a constitutional convention of the states to propose a single amendment to the Constitution of the United States to set a limit on the number of terms that a person may be elected as a member of the United States House of Representatives and as a member of the United States Senate. 3:19:13 PM REPRESENTATIVE FRANK TOMASZEWSKI, Alaska State Legislature, as prime sponsor introduced HJR 22. He stated that a conducted in January 2025 showed that 84 percent of Alaskans favor term limits. Twelve states have similar legislation, and 14 others have legislation in committees. He said it takes 34 states to bypass Congress to call a constitutional convention. 3:22:00 PM CONNOR MERRINER, Staff, Representative Frank Tomaszewski, Alaska State Legislature, presented and answered questions on behalf of Representative Tomaszewski, prime sponsor of HJR 22. MR. MERRINER began a PowerPoint presentation titled "HJR 22: U.S. Term Limits," [hard copy in the committee file]. On slide 2, he outlined reasons why there is a need for U.S. term limits: to restore a citizen legislature, bring state-specific and private sector experience to D.C. On slide 4, he shared reasons for restoring a citizen legislature. As states were intended to be laboratories of innovation, bringing state experience to D.C. is important. He shared reasons on slide 6 to bring private sector expertise to D.C. He reiterated the bill sponsor's statement that 84 percent of Alaskans support implementing U.S. term limits. Currently, 12 states have passed calls for term limit amendments, while 14 states have similar legislation.   3:26:00 PM REPRESENTATIVE ST. CLAIR asked how long resolutions last. 3:26:10 PM CONSTANTIN QUERARD, Regional Director, U.S. Term Limits, replied that resolutions last into perpetuity. States can rescind resolutions. REPRESENTATIVE STORY asked whether, when a constitutional convention is called, the issue is just limited to term limits. MR. MERRINER replied that it doesn't open the entire constitution, it is just a single item resolution. CHAIR CARRICK asked, since this is a resolution, what would prevent it from becoming a more open discussion. MR. MERRINER replied a delegation is called for a proposed amendment to the constitution. The states must ratify that amendment. REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT asked in other democracies whether there are term limits. MR. QUERARD replied yes, he can provide a list. 3:29:47 PM CHAIR CARRICK opened public testimony on HJR 22. MR. QUERARD began his invited testimony in favor of HJR 22. He said he is here on behalf of Alaskans who are in support of this cause. The presentation already outlined several good reasons for this change and there are many more. Everyone seems to support it for a lot of different reasons. Congress is dysfunctional because [the length of time members of Congress are in office]. Incumbents lean into seniority as a selling point. It takes a while to get influence in Congress, usually ten to twenty years. 3:33:10 PM ED MARTIN, representing self, testified in support of HJR 22. This is a very good subject for state affairs. He said he has voted in many elections since 1973. U.S. Representative Don Young stayed in Congress his whole career. He said too many people have made this a career. Their oath is subject to their egos instead of the people. He asked the committee to please pass this resolution to Congress. 3:35:05 PM CHAIR CARRICK after ascertaining no further testimony, she closed public testimony on HJR 22. REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT stated that she hasn't come to terms with term limits. She comes from a rural area with fewer people. The seniority system gives more say on what happens in the legislature. She said there should be an exception for rural folks. MR. QUERARD replied that with a small delegation like Alaska, it is difficult. He said states with term limits use more subject area expertise. He stated this would be good for a state like Alaska to send congressmen with expertise in an area that interests the state. With term limits, there will be times when the congressman has seniority. REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT replied that she doesn't disagree. The state system is partisan. She said at the state level, there is power and influence in staff. At the federal level, there is professional level staff with this knowledge. 3:40:47 PM MR. QUERARD stated that staff influence is not a bad thing. He is more concerned about a chairperson not having subject area expertise and being managed by the staff. REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT commented on investment potential. She asked, "How many years has Chuck Grassley been in office?" MR. QUERARD replied that he is the longest serving congressman. 3:42:25 PM CHAIR CARRICK said she appreciated the presentation. She acknowledged that term limits are supported by Alaskans. She shares some of the concerns that Representative Himschoot expressed. Legislators are public figures and the staff is less accountable to the public. MR. QUERARD said he disagrees that legislators are accountable to their districts. He said congressmen are not as accountable to voters. The system is broken and the re-election rates are high. He gave examples of a couple of Senators. Staff expertise will not eliminate institutional knowledge, but staff get hired or fired. Voters don't have many options. He said quality staff survive and staff and members work well together. This job wasn't ever meant to be a career. CHAIR CARRICK said she appreciates the dialog. She still has some concerns with challenges on election reform and the money in politics. The United States needs to address that Congress is like a retirement home. She liked the potential for more subject-matter experts who work well across the aisle. 3:49:50 PM REPRESENTATIVE HIMSCHOOT said that some of the ballot issues are due to open primaries and rank choice voting. MR. QUERARD replied that rank choice is a newer idea. The incumbent is still the one to win the election. He asked, "What changes can be made that will stand up to the courts?" Term limits are popular in all states. REPRESENTATIVE MCCABE stated he is excited to hear that the committee is interested in campaign finance reform as he is sponsoring a bill on this issue. He is a member of U.S. Term Limits. He agrees that the United States needs to stop the retirement home in Congress. As an elected official, he oversees the staff as a leader. 3:54:07 PM REPRESENTATIVE VANCE stated that she fully supports [term limits] and has co-sponsored previous related bills. The first President realized that it was not healthy to stay in office. The Founding Fathers were visionaries. Term limits encourage more people to participate in self-governance. She opined that 12-year term limits provide a good balance and a respectable amount of time. She is in support of this resolution. 3:57:20 PM CHAIR CARRICK announced that HJR 22 was held over.