More than one-third of Michigan's state representatives will not have the opportunity to run for re-election this fall, as term limits on legislators take effect for the first time since voters approved them in 1992.

The limits, which took effect in 1998, restrict state representatives from serving more than three two-year terms in office.

This year, 37 of the state's 110 House members will not be eligible for re-election. There also is a vacant seat in the House that will be filled next year.

Among the legislators who will be not be returning to the Capitol is Speaker of the House Rick Johnson, R-Leroy, who opposes the imposition of a six-year limit on state representatives.

"Speaker Johnson believes we should extend term limits for the House," said Johnson's spokesman Keith Ledbetter, adding that there is a proposal in the House to increase the limit to 12 years. "When his term is over, he'll go back to being a farmer."

Rep. David Woodward, D-Royal Oak, also is being term-limited this year. Woodward, who also opposes the imposition of term limits, said limits do not allow legislators a chance to get used to their positions.

"There's a huge learning curve that's part of this job," he said. "When you finally get good at it, you're done, so the people you represent are the ones who really suffer."

Woodward said that term limits don't give legislators the chance to build connections with their colleagues.

But proponents of term limits say they afford people with fresh ideas and perspectives a chance to make a difference in the state.

Bill Ballenger, editor and publisher of Lansing-based newsletter Inside Michigan Politics, said only people who would benefit from the absence of term limits oppose them.

"Term limits are still very popular among voters outside a three-block radius of the Capitol," he said. "It's only legislators, lobbyists and special-interest groups that don't like them."

Ballenger, who voted against the imposition of term limits in his days as a legislator, said they have not had the effects that opponents claimed they would.

"Term limits are just saying that legislators should only serve for a small amount of time and then get out of dodge and do something useful," he said.

State House members are not the only legislators who are term limited. The offices of governor, state senator, attorney general and secretary of state are limited to two four-year terms each.

Michigan is one of 16 states that have statutory term limits for high-ranking public officials.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.