Amidst ongoing discussions about constitutional amendments, Michigan is laying the groundwork for a potential federal constitutional convention. A Michigan House Committee recently reviewed a strategy to ensure the state is ready if such an event occurs.
Central to this strategy are a concurrent resolution and a bill that detail the selection and duties of Michigan’s convention delegates. The proposal outlines that both the majority and minority leaders of the state’s House and Senate would appoint one delegate each, and these delegates would collectively choose a fifth member.
The legislation also imposes strict boundaries on delegate conduct, threatening felony charges and up to five years’ imprisonment for those who act beyond their designated authority, such as engaging in bribery or coercion.
Under Article 5 of the U.S. Constitution, a constitutional convention can be initiated by the legislatures of 34 states, two-thirds of the total. As the prospect looms, some believe it is imperative for Michigan to be prepared now. “Michigan may not be one of the 34 states when a convention is called. But I don’t think Michigan wants to be unrepresented at a convention; that seems to be very, very important. So, this would be a step to ensure that Michigan’s voice is not absent in the event of an Article 5 convention,” stated Sarah Santana, the Michigan state director for the Convention of States, during the committee meeting.
Santana’s organization reports that 20 states, including Florida, Indiana, and Wisconsin, have already taken steps to request a constitutional convention.
However, not all lawmakers see the urgency. State Representative John Fitzgerald (D-Wyoming), the minority vice chair of the Government Operations Committee, questioned the necessity of the policy. “This chamber cannot hold another, or hold a future legislature to completing their work. And so, I don’t exactly understand what is the need for it right now. The concern was we need to be prepared. But prepared for how many months?” Fitzgerald remarked to the press.
On a national scale, Republican Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is rallying support for four constitutional amendments he advocates, and he recently visited Kentucky to push for a balanced budget amendment.
The initiative in Michigan is spearheaded by State Representative Luke Meerman (R-Coopersville), who anticipates that a constitutional convention is on the horizon. “As states look at the federal government and see the problems that are magnifying themselves there and not getting solved, I think a convention of the states is going to start making a lot more sense to almost everybody,” he commented.
Meerman believes that even if the convention does not materialize immediately, the proposed bill and resolution could set the stage for future efforts.
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