“Service” means the period of time, computed in years and fractions thereof, a member has held office as a Member of the Senate or of the Assembly or as an elective officer of the state in any office provided for by the Constitution, except that of judge. “Service,” with respect to a legislative statutory officer, shall be construed to refer to “state service,” as defined in Section 9350.56.

In computing years of service under this act, each full term served as a Member of the Senate shall be deemed to constitute four (4) calendar years, each full term served as a Member of the Assembly shall be deemed to constitute two (2) calendar years, and each period of service from the commencement of one general session of the Legislature to the commencement of the next, prior to the term commencing in 1967, shall be deemed to constitute two (2) calendar years. Commencing in 1967, each period of service from the commencement of one regular session of the Legislature to the commencement of the next shall be deemed to constitute one (1) calendar year. Commencing in 1973, each period of service from the commencement of one regular session of the Legislature to the commencement of the next shall be deemed to constitute two (2) calendar years. Each full term served as an elective officer of the state whose office is provided for by the Constitution shall be deemed to constitute four (4) calendar years.