AUSTIN (March 19, 2013)--Statewide officeholders would be limited to two consecutive terms under a proposed constitutional amendment the Texas Senate approved Tuesday in Austin.

In a 27-4 vote Tuesday, the Senate approved an amendment that would apply to future governors, attorneys general and state agency commissioners, but not to judges or the legislators themselves.

It also would not apply to current officeholders such as Gov. Rick Perry, who has been elected to three consecutive terms since 2000.

State Sen. Kevin Eltife, R-Tyler, said his proposal would bring "new ideas" to government.

He ran for the legislature after local term limits prevented him for running for re-election as mayor of Tyler.

Republican Sen. Craig Estes of Wichita Falls put up a fight against the proposal, saying it would take power away from voters.