Restricting Delegates to an Article V Convention

Update: this bill failed to pass through the second funnel and is not expected to move forward this legislative session.

A bill HF2311 is moving through the Iowa House that would restrict what delegates to a constitutional could vote on, both the rules covering the operation of the convention and the amendments that could be voted on.  Furthermore the delegate that votes on something the legislature has not given the delegate permission on will face a criminal charge of a class D felony.  The penalty is up to 5 years in prison and a fine of at least $1,025 and not more than $10,245.  The bill does not specify what topics the delegate can vote on. 

So, you might be asking yourself, what is going on?

A movement is underway to have the Iowa House and the Iowa Senate approve legislation requesting an Article V convention that will propose amendments to the US Constitution.  Their goal is that the convention would approve amendments that will impose fiscal restraints on the federal government, limit the power and jurisdiction of the federal government, and impose term limits on members of Congress. 

Article V of the United States Constitution provides mechanisms for amending the Constitution.  One way is for a convention that allows delegates from each state to propose amendments to the Constitution.  That process involves several steps:

• 2/3 of the states must call for a convention
• The convention approves the proposed amendments
• 3/4 of the state legislatures would be required to ratify the amendment for it to become part of the constitution

The Iowa Chapter of the Sierra Club is opposed to an Article V convention. 

What you can do:

This bill is expected to come to the House floor for for a vote this week.  Ask your state representative to oppose legislation (bill HF2311) calling on an Article V convention and how delegates are to operate.