House declines to declare urgency for constitutional amendment to limit governor terms

The House voted against a motion to suspend the rules and declare urgency for House File 1849, which would place a two-term limit on the offices of governor and lieutenant governor beginning with candidates elected in 2026.

Representative Gordon presented the proposed amendment on the floor, saying the change would limit the terms of governor and lieutenant governor beginning with those elected in 2026 and that the limit would not be retroactive. "Shall the Minnesota Constitution be amended to place a limit of 2 terms on the offices of governor and Lieutenant governor beginning with candidates elected in 2026?" Gordon asked in presenting the measure.

Representative Freiburg urged members to vote no on urgency, noting the amendment "wouldn't take effect until 2030," that it was not moving in the Senate, and there was no urgency to pass it. A roll call followed; the clerk announced the motion did not prevail, with the transcript recording 64 ayes and 69 nays.