A bill for an act concerning persons appointed to a convention called by the United States Congress to propose amendments to the United States Constitution, providing a penalty, and including effective date provisions.(See HF 336, HF 2311.)
The bill establishes restrictions on the actions of commissioners during an Article V convention, explicitly prohibiting them from proposing or voting on any unauthorized amendments or rules. This limitation aims to ensure that commissioners act within the confines of the instructions given to them by the Iowa legislature and maintain a clear focus on the issues designated by the state's joint resolution for the convention. Violating these provisions may subject a commissioner to removal and classification as having committed a simple misdemeanor.
House File 34 pertains to the appointment of individuals selected by the Iowa General Assembly to represent the state at a convention called by the United States Congress, which aims to propose amendments to the U.S. Constitution as outlined in Article V. The bill outlines specific definitions related to this process, including what constitutes an Article V convention, what is defined as an unauthorized amendment, and what qualifies as an unauthorized rule governing the convention. It requires appointees, referred to as commissioners, to adhere to these definitions strictly.
One point of contention surrounding HF34 relates to the broader implications of restricting commissioners in the context of a constitutional convention. Supporters argue that clear guidelines and penalties are necessary to uphold the integrity of Iowa’s representation at the convention, guarding against deviations that could undermine the state’s position or interests. Conversely, critics may see these limitations as overly prescriptive, potentially stifling legitimate discourse and debate within the convention process, which is fundamentally meant to explore constitutional amendments.