Convention of States Tennessee has created an initial draft proposing a comprehensive Faithful Commissioner Law to address implementation of an anticipated Article V Convention of States, under the call passed in Tennessee in 2016: to impose fiscal restraints on the federal government, to limit the power and jurisdiction of the federal government, and to limit the terms of federal officials including the judiciary.
The matter of the planning for an Article V Convention was referred to summer study in 2017 by the House Government Committee. COS met with Chairman Ramsey, who arranged for the COS volunteers to work with legal services to develop and strengthen the existing Faithful Delegate Law. (Tenn. Code. Ann. 3-18-101, et seq.)
With an Article V Convention closer to reality, COS Tennessee developed a proposed Faithful
Commissioner Law to address pre-convention, convention, and post-convention actions that will allow citizens to work through the General Assembly regarding, among other things, the creation of a Joint House/Senate Committee to oversee the process and shepherd it through the General Assembly while engaging the public.
Among other things, the Joint Committee will select qualified Commissioners, Alternate Commissioners, and Commissioner Advisors; will develop the commissions including proposed convention rules and Commissioner instructions; publish Convention proceedings, recall commissioners when appropriate, and update instructions; and then conduct post-convention debriefing, archive materials, and work with the General Assembly through the ratification process for proposed amendments to the U.S. Constitution.
Under Article V, the ratification method is selected by the U.S. Congress. Each step of the process will be open for public comment through a website and public hearings.
COS Tennessee volunteers will be meeting with their legislators and conducting area meetings to introduce the comprehensive proposal for its passage during the 2018 legislative session.
Greg Clements
State Director, Convention of States Tennessee
Greg.Clements@cosaction.com (615) 680-4411
