Iowa Senate Bill SF2130

Iowa 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/29/24
• Refer: 1/29/24

Caption

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 penalties, and including effective date provisions.

Impact

The legislation directly affects the accountability and governance structure regarding how Iowa representatives engage with the Article V convention process. By clearly defining unauthorized amendments and rules, SF2130 aims to ensure that state representatives strictly adhere to a defined mandate when participating in constitutional discussions. The implications of this bill indicate an attempt to protect the state's interests by ensuring that any proposals made at these conventions align with the original intentions laid out by the Iowa legislature.

Summary

Senate File 2130 (SF2130) establishes specific regulations and penalties for individuals appointed as commissioners to attend an Article V convention, which is a convention called by the United States Congress to propose amendments to the Constitution. The bill lays out the requirements for these commissioners, including an oath to uphold state and federal laws and a prohibition against voting on unauthorized amendments or rules at the convention. A breach of this oath or the associated prohibitions will lead to potential removal from the position and the classification of such violations as simple misdemeanors.

Contention

Discussions surrounding SF2130 may revolve around concerns about potential overreach in restricting the commissioners' voting options and their ability to advocate for amendments that might be beneficial for the state, but not explicitly authorized by prior legislative definitions. This limitation could lead to a debate on the balance between maintaining state sovereignty and the collaborative nature of proposing constitutional amendments at a national level. Consequently, lawmakers might find themselves divided on how to strike a fair balance between structured guidelines and the flexibility needed to represent state interests effectively.