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A HANDBOOK FOR STATE LAWMAKERS .I
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A HANDBOOK FOR STATE LAWMAKERS .I
Aboutthe American Legislave Exchange Council
Pri Ct Amdmt by Cv th
Stt: A Hdbk r Stt Lwmkr h b bihd
by th Amric Liv Exch Cci (ALEC) rt
it mii t dic, dv, d dimit bic ici,
which xd r mrkt, rmt cmic rwth, imit
th iz vrmt, d rrv idivid ibrty. ALEC
i th rt -r, vtry mmbrhi r-
iz tt itr, with 2,000 mmbr cr th
. ALEC i vrd by Brd Dirctr tt -
itr, which i dvid by Privt Etrri Brd, rr-
mjr crrt d d r. ALEC i c-
id by th Itr Rv Srvic 501(c)(3) rt,
bic icy d dc riz. Idivid, hi-
thric d, crr, cmi, r ci
r iib t rt ALEC wrk thrh tx-ddcb i.
About ALECs Tax and Fiscal Policy Task Force
Th mii ALEC Tx d Fic Picy Tk Frc i t x-
r icy tht rdc xciv vrmt d-
i, rmt d tx icy, d hc trrcy
vrmt r.
Pbic Sctr Chirm: Idi S. Jim Bck
Privt Sctr Chirm: Bb Wiim
Tk Frc Dirctr: Jth Wiim
Pbihd by
Amric Liv Exch Cci
1101 Vrmt Av., NW, 11th Fr
Whit, D.C. 20005
Ph: (202) 466-3800
Fx: (202) 466-3801
www.c.r
Pri Ct Amdmt by Cv th
Stt: A Hdbk r Stt Lwmkr
2011, 2013 Amric Liv Exch Cci
A riht rrvd. Exct rmid dr th Uitd
Stt Cyriht Act 1976, rt thi bic my
b rrdcd r ditribtd i y rm r by y m, r
trd i dtb r rtriv ytm witht th rir r-
mii th bihr.
Aboutthe Author
Rb Nt i Amric bt kw c-
t chr. H rvd w rr r 25
yr t thr dirt ivr-
i. Am thr bjct, h
tht Ct Lw d
bcm rcizd
xrt th rmi d
d th Uitd Stt
Ct. H ird th
rc mtri, ch
imrtt Fdi Er w
bk, vrkd by thr
writr, d h h b th
rt t cvr ky ct bt
m th mt iict
rt th Ct. Rb
h wri r m th
mt ri cdmic bihr, icdi Cm-
brid Uivrity Pr, th Harvard Journal of Lawand
Public Policy,d Texas Law Review.
Thr r vr ky t Rb cc chr. U-
ik mt ct writr, h h cdmic trii
t mry i w r i hitry, bt i bth, w i
th L cic tht wr th mity Fdi-Er
dc. H wrk hrd t k hi hitric iv-
bjcv. Mt cric, hwvr, hv b -
d hbit rd i th r wrdbr hicdmic crr b, Rb rccd w i tw tt,
r tw rt bi, d rvd rr
r tt w cmit r th Rocky Mountain News.
Ltr, h crtd d htd Mt rt ttwid
cmmrci rdi tk hw d bcm Mt bt
kw ic cvitdi, m thr cm-
ith mt cc rrdm driv
i th hitry th tt. H hd h thrh
vr imrtt ic Mt i, d i
J 2000, w th rr- m v cdidt i
th rty rimri r Gvrr Mt. Fr rc-
r, Rb d m i th rt tdr, whrh rcry jy hiki d kii with hi wi d
thr dhtr.
Rb crrty rv Sir Fw i Ct J-
rirdc t th Iddc Itt i Dvr, C-
rd, d Sir Fw i Ct Jrirdc
t th Mt Picy Itt i Bzm, Mt.
Nthi i thi Hdbk hd b ctrd
dvic; k cmtt c i yr w tt.
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A M E R I C A N L E G I S L A T I V E E X C H A N G E C O U N C I L
PROPOSING CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
ii
Acknowledgements
Th Amric Liv Exch Cci wih t
ckwd th wi r wh ctrib-
td t thi Hdbk:
Firt, w thk Jth Wiim, Mh Archr,
Lr Ei, K Sic, Ki Tkcz, d Chri
Hrbi r thir wrk thi bic. W
thk R Schbr, Mich Bwm, d th rt
th ALEC t wh hd mk thi bic
ib.
Fiy, w thk Idi Str Jim Bck, Ariz
Str D Shtr, Bb Wiim, Dr. Brry
P, L Br, Pt S, d Brt Md r
thir rt d xr.
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A HANDBOOK FOR STATE LAWMAKERS
Foreword
Sicry,
Jim Bck
Idi Stt Str
Chir, Tx d Fic Picy Tk Frc
Amric Liv Exch Cci
cv t r bcd bdt mdmt t
th Ct. Sic th, my thr tt hv -
wd it.
Bci r bdt trcd rty ic. N mt-
tr wh ctr Cr r th ridcy, r $15
trii dr (d rwi) dbt wi rmi
vr-rt hrd t cmic rwth d rcvry.
Th rbm wt b i wy y m , ithr.
Mr th 30 yr dcit ct b vd with
y yr icy.
Tdy Amric c crti cmic tr.
Mii Amric r myd, d m v
t Amric c w rm i cmic mdic-
rity. Sdi rv it mr dbt wt v tht
rbm; i ct, di wi y mk it wr. Stt
itr mt tk th -ihtd viw d xrci
r riht withi th Ct t imit Cr bi-
ity t driv r it rthr cmic dcy. Thi
Hdbk i yr id t chivi tht .
Dr ALEC Mmbr,
Tim i ri t. Or i trii dr i
dbt witht crdib t t di. Th b
i Cr h ctd t it whr ic t-
wih th ct r cmic tr, d thr i i
h r dr wi mk th th chic
tht d t b md i rdr t ri i r dbt d
rviv r cmy. Frtty, thr i t-
id Cr tht Prr Rb Nt
ti i thi Hdbk.
Or Fdr kw th imrtc chck d b-
c. I th Uitd Stt Ct, thy mr-
td th mt imrtt r tt hv i
ki th dr vrmt i chck. Udr Arc
V, tt r rtd th riht t rqir Cr t c
cv th tt, dri which tt c r-
mdmt t th Ct. Fr dcd w
hv wd Cr t r rmt, di it
. I 30 yr, Cr h md t bc
th bdt y twic.
It i r t y r th rritr r
d t d witht imit d tid r, bttht i mthi tht c b rmdid. Th i
mdmt t th Ct tht im rt-
r cctbiity Cr d rqir bcd
bdt. Th ch mdmt wd
d t r di d t xcd rv d
rhibit brrwi my t mk r y hr.
I 1957, my tt Idi w th rt t y r
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A M E R I C A N L E G I S L A T I V E E X C H A N G E C O U N C I L
PROPOSING CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
iv
h bcd bdt mdmt i vrwhm-
iy rtd by th Amric .P by
CNN, Fx Nw, d M-Dix hw tht ry
thr-rth Amric vr bcd bdt
mdmt t th U.S. Ct. With th
dbt rchi it k mr th $15 trii d ri-
i, th m t bc th bdt i w. Nry vry
tt i th i y bd by thir ct-
t bc it bdt. With xric i bc-
i bdt yr r yr, tt r mt itd t
r mdmt t th U.S. Ct tht
rqir bcdfederalbdt. Stt itr c
ccmih thi by ci Arc V Cv th
tt.
Th Hdbk y r bt t rd, wri by c-
t chr Rbrt G. Nt, rvid tt i-
tr th rr t t th Arc V rc y
d cvy. Addiy, it r rib irm-
bt th tt ic d cv rc
bd thrh d bjcv chrhi.
I th rt c th Hdbk, Nt y th
rdwrk r th Arc V rc. Imrtty, hxi wht th cv rc i t: i-
try, r th cmt rwri r Ct.
Nt mmriz th Fdr it b-
hid icdi Arc V i th Ct d dcrib
hw hitry c b r wht cv
wd k ik tdy. My q bt th rc
ccr th r crt i Arc V. Ui bth c
w d hi xtiv ct w bckrd,
Nt hihiht hw th crt miht b ivvd i
thi rc.
Ar dici Arc V hitry d it ky yr,
Nt tk tt itr thrh th rc t-
by-t. Frm mki ic t rc, tt
itr wi r th mi th Arc V rc
d hw bt t rr ic i thir tt.
Frthr, thi Hdbk dbk th myth rwy
cv. Nt mk cmi rmt r
why tt hd t wrry bt cric r tht
cv th tt wd rt i cmt tk-
vr th U.S. Ct.
Fiy, Nt rvid rcc rcmmd
r tt tht ch t y r cv thrh
th Arc V rc. Nt cr itr t
rmt th riht mdmt, th riht mt
cicity, d k th rc withi th tt c-
tr.
W h tht y wi d thi Hdbk irmv
d y mbrk dvtr vr br
ccmihd i r hitry. W wih y th
bt ck.
T
Executive Summary
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A M E R I C A N L E G I S L A T I V E E X C H A N G E C O U N C I L
PROPOSING CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
6
I. Introduction
My tt wmkr, ik Amric ry, biv
tht ici i Whit, D.C. hv t ccy
ctrd di i rct yr. Tht h t xi
tr bic itrt i bcd bdt mdmt,
m thr r. Bid mi h dbt,
dr chdr hv dirrdd idivid
ibrty d ct imit thir w wr.
Mrvr, my dr chdr m t ct
th ct r th tt. Icriy, tt
wmkr drtd wht th Fdr id rt-
dy: Federalism works only if the states respond eec-
vely when the federal government exceeds or abuses its
powers.
This Handbook:
r rib irm bt th tt
ic d cv rc, bd
thrh d bjcv chrhi;
crrct miirm; d
mk it ir r tt wmkr t
th rc y d cvy.
O r th Fdr irtd it th Ct
mthd mdmt w t b tr r
hrh Arc V, r Amric Fdr ddd
wy r th tt t rmt mdmt
t th Ct dircty, rthr th by mry
i Cr. Thi i cd th state applicaon
and convenon process. Rct dbt vr bcd
bdt mdmt t th Ct h rvkd
itrt i thi rcdr. Thi Hdbk i yr id t
drtdi d i it.
Thi Hdbk i wri r tt wmkr, rt
t, d thr itrtd Amric. Th i t -
b tt wmkr t my th tt ic d
cv rc th Fdr itdd: y,cvy, d y. Thi Hdbk r ccrt,
w-rrchd irm bt th rc, icdi
hw t trir it, vb rd, d rm.
Thi Hdbk crrct cmm myth bt th
rcdrrh th rmt which i tht th
cv thrizd by Arc V i ct
cv.
Federalism works only
if the states respondeectively when the federal
government exceeds or
abuses its powers.
T
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A HANDBOOK FOR STATE LAWMAKERS I
t k r Bic Lw t dtbt tht w t th
y r. Th Fdr irtd th mdmt
rcdr t r rvi ct dit
d r crrc xc d b. Bc thy rc-
izd tht xc d b cd cm rm ithr
th tt r th dr vrmt, thy hid tw
trv wy r ri mdmt r tt
rc:
by r dtd by tw-third bth
h Cr, d
by thri dt tt itr
tht th Ct c convenon for propos-
ing amendments.
Othr cctb m r cv r r-
i mdmt r amendments convenon, conven-
on of the states, dArcle V convenon. (Fr r
xid i c II it i iccrt d midi t
c cv r ri mdmt ct-
cv.)
Th cri-r mthd h b d v-
r m t crrct state b. Fr xm, Cr
rd th 14th, 15th, d 24th Amdmt t r-
tri tt ri miri.1Bt th r th
tt hv vr xrcid thir crrdi wr
t crrctfederal b. A rt, th ct
di h bcm bcd.
T crrct r thi imbc, th Amric Liv
Exch Cci (ALEC) h rcmmdd vr
ct mdmt t imit m th wrt
b dr wrm th, bcd bd-
t mdmt (BBA).2Exct r r Prhibi,
hwvr, Cr h t rwrdd t th tt y
mdmt imi it w wr ic rvi th
Bi Riht i 1789. Th, dit rcrrt h
tk bt hw Cr miht dt BBA r thr cr-
rcv mdmt it w, hitry t rrm-
r ct dd tht. Th tt mt d th jb,
r Fdr xctd thm t d.
Athh tt wmkr hv iitd th tt i-
c d cv rc my m, thy vr
hv crrid it t cm. Hitricy, thr r
my r r thi, bt ic th 1960 rici
r r thi ct h b rmim bd mi-
irm ( tic xid tr i c V). Idd,
my th wri bihd bt th tt ic-
d cv rc ic th 1960 hv b
bd mr wrk th ri hitric r
iv. My mr wri th bjct
r imy bri rm d rthr th
rc cmt d ccrt irm. Hwvr,
thr hv b w id tdi th rc, d
th rcmmd i thi Hdbk r bd
thir rrch d cci ( Adix D).
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A M E R I C A N L E G I S L A T I V E E X C H A N G E C O U N C I L
PROPOSING CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
8
h 55 Frmr wh mt i Phidhi dri th
ri d mmr 1787 drtd tht thy
wr dri Ct t t vry m.
W r t rmi r Dy Mth Yr r A,
dt Jh Dicki wrt, bt r Etrity.
O cr, dcmt did t t vry m
mt icd mthd mdmt. I cri thir
mdmt rcdr, th Frmr rrtd t tw
mchim widy myd t th m: itr
d cv.
Dri th Fdi Er, cv w y
ad hoc mby did t ich-hit r itr.
Tdy w td t thik cv ct-
cv, bt dri th Fdi Er mt
th thri wr t ct t . Mt
wr imy tk rc id t rcmmd -
t r-cid rbm. Othr wr tbihd
t ry th wrk d by thr. Th Ct -
thriz thr kid imitd r cv: O
kid t ry th Ct it, thr t ry
mdmt, d third t ct tk rc t rcm-
md t r-cid rbm. Th cv- r ri mdmt i i th third ctry.
Th hitric rcrd t wht th Fdr hd i
mid wh thy thrizd cv r ri
mdmt: Thy viid itrtt r d-
r cvtht i, mby cmd
tt d (cmmi) rib t thir
rcv tt itr d r, t t ii-
y, ccrdi t r tt/ vt. Athh
th ct i t widy kw tdy, itr-ci d
(r Iddc) itrtt cv wr cm-
mc dri th 18 ctry: Thr wr w vr
twty thm.3 Thy wr mdd r dimc
cv m rt vri.
Th d d wr itrtt cv wr
xd by th rci tt, mm r c-
ri rcmmd, mm t. Uy th
d w iry rrw. Fr itc, th itrtt
cv hd i Yrktw, Pyvi i 1777 w
trtd y with i ric i. Th 1781
itrtt cv hd i Prvidc, Rhd Id
w rtrictd t miitry y r i yr.
Th c cv r ri mdmt i
imiry rrw. A Jm Mdi md cr, it i t
wht di Fdr cd itry cv-
. I thr wrd, it i t mby with vry wid
thrity, ch chrd with dri r dt-
i Ct. Thus, it is simply incorrect to refer to
a convenon for proposing amendments as a constu-onal convenon. Thy r dirt crtr ry.4
Th cv r ri mdmt w bd
cmrb rvii i tt ct tht r-
dtd th U.S. Ct. O th w Arc 63
th 1777 Gri Ct. It rtd t mjr-
ity c th wr t r mdmt,
T
II. The Constitutions State Application and Convention Process: What It Is
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In summary, please note:
Jt thr rt th Ct rt
Cr crti itd (mrtd) w-
r, Arc V rt mrtd wr.
Arc V rt thm t named assemblies
(convenons and legislatures) and not to
states or the federal government as a whole.6
Th xcv brch dr d tt
vrmt d t hv y r i th
mdmt rc.
Pri mdmt thrh cv-
, i Cr, i y mthd
proposing mdmt. N mdmt i
cv rd by thr-rth
th tt (w 38 50).
T b dy raed, mdmt rt mt
b dyproposedby Cr r by itr-
tt cv cd t th bht tw-
third (w 34) th tt itr.
A cv r ri mdmt h
rciy th m wr tht Cr h
t r mdmt. It wr t r-
i imitd by th bjct mr ci-
d i tt icbut by no other
authority whatsoever. Th cv i
dibrv bdy wh mmbr wr t
th tt itr thy rrt.
Th cv r ri mdmt i
bicy dri cmmi r tk rc,
cvd t rdc r mr r
id t cic .
A HANDBOOK FOR STATE LAWMAKERS II
which th mby [itr] h rdr
cv t b cd r tht r, ciyi th
tr t b md, ccrdi t th r-
rrd t th mby by th mjrity th c
rid. I thr wrd, th Gri Ct
bd th c t dit wht kid md-
mt thy wtd, rdrd th itr t c th
cv, d mwrd tht cv t writ
th cic .
I th U.S. Ct tw-third tt itr
(w 34 50) itd mjrity c:
Th Cr, whvr tw third bth
H h dm it cry, h r
Amdmt t thi Ct, or, on the
Applicaon of the Legislatures of two thirds of
the several States, shall call a Convenon for
proposing Amendments, which, i ithr C,
h b vid t Itt d Pr,
Prt thi Ct, wh rd by th
Litr thr rth th vr Stt,
r by Cv i thr rth thr, th
r th thr Md Rc my b
rd by th Cr; Prvidd tht . . .
Stt, witht it Ct, h b drivd
it q Sr i th St.5(Itic ddd.)
A i th Gri rtty, th U.S. Ct rt
md mbi (itr, cv) ditd
r i th mdmt rc. Th Ct iv
Cr thrity t r mdmt d, r y
mdmt (hwvr rd), t ch m tw
md rc. Th Ct mwr
tt itr t rc Cr t c mdmt
cv d mwr th cv t r.
Th Ct rthr thriz tt itr d
tt cv t ry. Thi viw Arc V
rt mrtd wr t md mbih
b dtd by th U.S. Srm Crt.
W kw th cv rc wrk rcc
mr, bc r th Ct w dtd,
th tt d y th m rcdr r th
Whit Crc Cv i 1861.
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A M E R I C A N L E G I S L A T I V E E X C H A N G E C O U N C I L
PROPOSING CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
10
h rcrd th Ct Cv
hw tht iiy th dt cid-
rd dr which only itrtt c-
v wd dr d ry mdmt.
O th Axdr Hmit
Nw Yrk, th Frmr trd th tht
Cr bcm th drr/rr d
th tt bcm rr. Hmit rd
tht Cr hd hv wr t r
bc it diy cvity wd t dd
ch.
Thi bthrd Gr M Virii, wh
brvd tht Cr miht bcm r-
iv d r t r crrcv md-
mtrcry mdmt imi it
w wr. S by im vt th tt,
th dt ddd mdmt cv-
t w th tt t by Cr. Th
wrdi Arc V i y th wrk
Jm Mdi.
Why Not Just Leave Amendments to the
Discretion of Congress Alone?
TIn summary, please note:
Th rici r r th tt ic-
d cv rc i t b th
tt t chck riv r rwy
Crthh th Ct d
t cty imit th rc t tht r.
Th Frmr xicity did th rc
t b th tt t bty bypass
Cr.
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III. Judicial Review
A HANDBOOK FOR STATE LAWMAKERS III
it m t th ctrry rm d
Srm Crt dcii,7it i w cr tht the
courts can and will resolve Arcle V disputes. A crt
miht hv t dcid whthr iv r
qi ic, ic r cit
t rqir Cr t c cv, r cv
r i vid r tht c b rd.
Fr tt wmkr, th bd w i jdici rviw i
tht r d t mdmt my t bck
thm. Th d w twih tht, bc it i bt-
tr tht th crt, rthr th Cr, d d
rc th tt ic d mdmt rc.
I Cr r t crry t th d mdtd by
Arc V, th crt c rdr Cr t d . I d-
di, jdici rviw hd rtct th ct
r th tt itr. Rc tht th ctr r-
th tt ic d cv rc t
b tt itr t by Cr i ri
mdmt. Crt ry ctr rvii
t rthr thir ctr r.
D
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A M E R I C A N L E G I S L A T I V E E X C H A N G E C O U N C I L
PROPOSING CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
12
IV. The State Application and Convention Process: Step-By-Step
What is an applicaon? A tt itr ki
mdmt cv dt r cd
ic. Th ic hd b ddrd t
Cr. It hd rt cicy d qivc-
y tht it i ic t Cr r cv
rt t Arc V. Th r hd t mry
rqt tht Cr r rcr mdmt,
r hd it mry rqt tht Cr c cv-
. A xm cv i w:
Th itr th Stt ______ hr-
by i t Cr, dr th rvi-
i Arc V th Ct th
Uitd Stt, r th ci cv-
th tt . . .
Who may apply? Th Ct rt th riht t
y xcivy t th tt legislatures. Aic
d t b id by th vrr, d my t b v-
td, ythi i th tt ct r w twith-tdi. Mrvr, yi ct b dtd t th
vi iiv r rrdm, ythi i th tt
ct r w twithtdi. Hwvr, th i-
tr th vrr d t ividt ic-
, r d iiv r rrdm tht i ry
advisory i tr.
The scope of the convenon sought. A itr my
y r cvtht i, t imitd t
bjct mr. Sch ic miht rd:
Th itr th Stt ______
hrby i t Cr, dr th r-
vii Arc V th Ct
th Uitd Stt, r th ci c-
v th tt r ri md-
mt t th Ct.
Fw , hwvr, r itrtd i c-
v r i cv r th k cv.
Gry, th i t dvc mdmt di-
ct ty, with th cv imitd t tht r.
A ic r imitd cv miht rd:
Th itr th Stt ______
hrby i t Cr, dr th r-
vii Arc V th Ct
th Uitd Stt, r th ci c-
v th tt imitd t ri
mdmt t th Ct th
Uitd Stt rqiri [here state generalnature of the amendment].8
Athh ic my imit cv t r
mr bjct, th xi c w strongly t
tht ic my t mt t dictt rcr
wrdi r r t th cv r my th i-
c mt t crc Cr r thr tt i-
A. Making an applicaon.
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A M E R I C A N L E G I S L A T I V E E X C H A N G E C O U N C I L
PROPOSING CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
14
th Ct requiresCr t c cv
r ri mdmt. Bth th hitric d -
bckrd Arc V d mdr cmmtry
criy tht th cri r t thi it i mry
miitri rthr th dicrry. I thr wrd,
th Ct i Cr r dty it mt
rrm. It i imrtt t t, hwvr, tht cr-
i rcit 34 ic i t cit; th
ic mt rt t th m bjct mr.
Hitricy m mmbr Cr hv trid t d
xc r vidi y dty t c cv.10O
ibiity i tht Cr my r t rt t-
wrd th tw-third thrhd y ic tht try
t dictt t th cv dirt wy vi th
m rbm. Th, i 17 tt hv id r c
bcd bdt mdmt d thr 17 hv -
id r bcd bdt mdmt with rqir-
mt tw-third vt t ri tx, Cr my
r t trt bth r ddri th m b-
jct. Th mr dirc xhibitd by th ic,
th mr jc Cr wi hv i ri t
rt thm.
O wy t rt ch btrc i t ciy i th
ic tht it b rtd with crti thr tt
ic. Fr xm, ic my icd
th wi :
Thi ic i t b cidrd cv-
ri th m bjct mr y thr
ic r bcd bdt md-
mt, irrcv th trm th
ic, d h b rtd with
thm r th r rchi th tw
third tt cry t rqir th
ci cv.
A trv miht b t m ic rdy
bmid by thr tt:
Thi ic i t b cidrd cv-
ri th m bjct mr rty-
ttdi bcd bdt ic
rm Nbrk, K, d Ark, d
h b rtd with thm r th r-
rchi th tw-third tt
cry t rqir th ci cv-
.
This process is for the states, not Congress. I th t,
w-mi mmbr Cr hv itrdcd
bi t rv i tht rry r r th tt -
itr r r th cv t rv. I dtd,
th bi wd hv dicttd hw dt r -
ctd, hw my dt ch tt my hv t th
cv, d wht v d thr r th cv-
mt w.
Tht kid i i rbby ct r
vr r. Firt, cri rt t ctr
th cv wd hdic it dmt r
mchim r th states t md th Ct
witht itrrc rm Cr. A, th hitric
rcrd hw tht ch rvii xcd th c
wht th Ct m by ci itrtt
cv. Th wr t c itrtt cv
thriz Cr y t ct d ctriz th -
ic by bjct mr, c wht bjct
th tw-third thrhd h b rchd, d t th
m d c th cv. Ay rthr rcri-
by Cr xcd th c wr r-
by icidt t th ct wr t c.11
A td bv, th Fdr mdd th itrtt
cv itr dimc rcc. A i
dimc m, ch vrity dcid hw t
ct it w d r cmmi d hw my
t d. Th rcrd th Fdi-Er itrtt c-
v t tht tt ctd dt (cmmi-
ir) i y vr wy:
(1) Ec by h th tt itr,
bjct t ccrrc by th thr, with jit
cmmi y dirc;
D.Selecon of delegates
(commissioners)
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A HANDBOOK FOR STATE LAWMAKERS IV
(2) Ec by jit i bth h th
tt itr;
(3) Di by th xcv;
(4) Sc by ditd cmmi.
Mrvr, wh c dt t th Cdr
Cr (which, tricty ki, w iv bdy
rthr th cv), Rhd Id rvidd r di-
rct c by th .
Fr th 1861 Whit Crc Cv, which
rvd rt dry r r mdmt cv-
, mt tt itr ctd thir w cmmi-
ir, bt m thrizd th xcv t it
cmmiir r mit thm bjct t th ct
th tt t.
Ec by iv jit bt h vr dvt.
Firt, it mk r th itr t ct cmmi-
ir, bc thy rv iv t bjct
t iv itrc d rmv. Scd, jit bt
c r r t ddck th c by ch
chmbr rim. Third, bc th ic d
iv itrc wi d th icy bhid th
mdmt, th cmmiir r t th cv
i rimriy t rv dri cmmi, ci
r tchic bii d dimc ki. Lwmkr r
iky t kw which idivid th bii.
Ech cmmiir i mwrd t ct by dcmt
cd cmmii, id i ch mr th tt
itr dirct.
A tt, t mry th yi tt, r td t
d cmmi t cv r ri md-
mt. Th cv i, Jm Mdi c rt-
d, bjct t th rm th Ct. I thr
wrd, it i t itry (r ct) i
tr. Accrdiy, cv r ri md-
mt h thrity t vit Arc V r y thr
rt th Ct. Accrdi t th r i Arc
V, th cv my t r ch i th r
tht ch tt h q Sr i th St,12nor
my it tr th rc rcdr.13
Prir r d rcc vri itrtt cv
hw tht cv mt hr th trm thir c
d imit thmv t th c th bjct mr
thy r chrd with ddri. Th c th b-
jct mr i t by th c th 34 r mr cc-
ic, d idy Cr hd rrdc
tht c i it c.
Dt t Amric cv ry hv hd
wr t ct thir w cr d dt thir w
r, d thi h b ivry tr itrtt
cv. Th r icd th tdrd d-
bt, diy m cvi d djri, whthr
th rcdi r r crt, d thr mr
itr rcdr. Itrtt cv trdiy
hv dtrmid i ccrdi t tt/
vt, thh cv i r t ch th r
r. Th cv my imit hw my cm-
miir rm ch tt c ccy th r t m.
Lik thr dimc r, cv cmmi-
ir r bjct t itrc rm hmi thi
c rm th itr r th itr di.14
Th di cd b cmmi, th xcv, r -
thr r r bdy. Athh tt ic c-
t ciy rcr wrdi r mdmt, tt
cd itrct it cmmiir t t r t y
mdmt tht did t icd rcr . I
ccrdc with Fdi Er rcc d th cv-
r, ch tt hd y it w dt.
Th cv my t t r r mr md-
mt withi th ditd bjct mr r it my
djr witht ri ythi. U trd by
cv r, r rqir y mjrity vt.
Sm hv rd tht rm r rqir tw
third cv vtr tht Cr my im
ch rbt thr i thi i w r hitry t -
rt thi rmt.
E. The Convenon.
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V. The Myth of a Runaway Convention
A HANDBOOK FOR STATE LAWMAKERS V
h runaway convenon scenario w cjrd
i th 19th ctry t did tt wmkr
rm byi Cr thrh th tt ic
d cv rc. Th cri bcm m
dri th 1960, wh ibr cvit, itr, d
cdmic rid it t dt ic cmi
r mdmt tht wd hv vrtrd m
Srm Crt dcii. Vri r hv myd
th m tcc t dt bcd bdt mdmt
r vr th yr.15 I th iri hi-
try, m dy conservave r w rmt th
cri w. O c xct bth ibr d cr-
vv t t rmt it i i thr ic-
cmi bi t i trc.
I th rwy cv cri, tt itr
mt t imit th cv thrh thir ic-
, bt c th cv mt th cmmii-
r dirrd th ic d thir bqt i-
trc. Itd, hd thir rt, thir
ic tr, d hr, th cmmiir
i rd mdmt tht r ultra virestht
i, byd thir thrity.
I th mr xtrm vri th rwy cri,
th cv rd mdmt ritt v-
ry, bih th Bi Riht, r thrwi cmty
tr th Amric rm vrmt. T rvt th
tt rm bcki thir r, th cv
ch th mthd ryi t mthd it d
mr ci. Whi th Cr, th Pridt, th
crt, d th miitry ixicby it by d rmit
thi coup dtatt d, th cv im w,
mr thritri, vrmt Amric.
I th mr mdrt vri th rwy cri,
th cv i b t ch th rc r-
c, bt thr-rth th tt vrth ry
mdmt thy did t thriz d d t wt.
O cr, v th mr mdrt vri th r-wy cv cri hw dr rrd r -
ic rity. At th vry t, cmmiir wh wi-
y dirrdd imit thir thrity wd r -
vr rt d rbby cmrmi ty
thir ic tr. Thi my xi why, i th
hitry th hdrd Amric tt d itrtt
cv, y dd hd dt hv ct-
At the very least, commissioners
who willfully disregarded limits
on their authority would suer
severe loss of reputation and
probably compromise fatally
their political futures.
T
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PROPOSING CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
18
y td i r. Advct th rwy
cri d t dit thi, bt r tht th 1787
Ct Cv dirrdd it itrc.
Urtty r thir i, th widrd cim
tht th 1787 Ct Cv dirrdd it
itrc i bty (r rc dcmt-
i wht cty hd, Adix C). Athr
rcc ic ctr i tht Cr, d t m
xtt th Pridt, r it riv th c-
v, d iky t rmi icv whi it r
wid.
I ddi t th ctrit rcc ic, thr
r rddt rtc it ultra virespro-
:
(1) Bc cv cmmiir r bjct t
tt iv itrc, itr c crrct
r rc y m t xcd thir wr.
(2) I, vrth, itr id t d thi AND
th cv rrtd t dt ultra vires
mdmt, it wd t b cty
vid r. Hc Cr wd t b
bitd t ct Md Rcd,
idd, wd hv riht t d .
(3) I tt itr id t t cmmiir
rm c byd thir wr, AND i th c-
v rrtd ultra vires mdmt, AND i
Cr vrth ctd md rc-
, th crt cd dcr Cr dcii
vid.
(4) I th tt itr did t t thir cmmi-
ir rm c byd thir wr, AND i
th cv rrtd ultra vires mdmt,
AND i Cr ctd md rc,
AND i th crt id t dcr Cr dci-
i vid, th th tt cd r t ry it.
(5) I th iky vt tht th tt iitd
ryi r thy (1) did t y r, d
(2) w id ctrry t thir itrc, th
th crtr, idd, y vrmt cy
cd trt th mdmt vid.
I m, thr r r mr ic d ctrit
rwy cv th rwy Cr.
There are far morepolitical and legal
constraints on a runawayconvention than on arunaway Congress.
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A M E R I C A N L E G I S L A T I V E E X C H A N G E C O U N C I L
PROPOSING CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
20
tht rrd cmm rm d itd th cmm
rt.
Ftr ic cmi wi ccd y i tt
itr wrk tthr. Thy hd tbih td-
i cmmi crrdc t rthr th
c. Ech yi itr hd dit
ctct r r ci cmmic t d rm
thr tt. Ech yi itr hd y
thr tt itr it c. Aic hd
w crti tdrd rm. Exm ch rm
r i Adix A.
A ic hd b t t my rciit
ib, ciy ( cr) Cr. A th cm-
i bid, tt itr hd cmmict with
ch thr ch i hw thy wi ch thir
cmmiir, wht th cv r wi b, d
th iz tt d. Th xch irm-
wi b tt t ddr dirc i dvc
th mdmt cv, miti mmtm
d ctr vr th rc, d rtct it rm c-
ri itrrc.
Dont make applicaons too general.
A cv r ri mdmt i bicy
rbm vi tk rc, d it rry mk t
t tk rc t d y rbm i ythi thy
ch. Mrvr, w wmkr wt cv
mry r th k cv r bc thy thik
th Ct d cmt vrh. Thrr,
ic hd ciy th bjct th rd
cv. I th itr wih t ddr vr
bjct, th bjct hd b i rt ic-
. I tht wy, th dt ic wi t
cmrmi thr.
Dont make applicaons too specic; let
the convenon do its work.
Oc tk rc i td th rbm t ddr, it
hd b wd t d it jb. I thr wrd, thh
th tk i rt, th rci ct b. Bth
Fdi Er rcc d mdr crt dcii t
tht it i ct r m mbi wrki
dr Arc V (ch th itr) t try t dictt
t thr (ch th cv). Th crt
my ividt y ic tht imit th cv
t r dw vt cic wrdi.16
Thr r m rcc r r vidi t
mch cicity. Th mr cic ic i, th
mr dict it i t rr th brd ci c-
ry t idc 34 tt t rv it. Frthr, th mr
cic it i, th mr iky it wi dvit h rm
thr ic t iv Cr r r r-
i t rt it with thr ic. Fiy, th
cv rbby wi d br jb dri
mdmt th dird tt wmkr. Ci
it wi xricd r rm tt, th
cv my vry w cr mr d
d mr icy tbth y cid i th
ic.
Cidr bcd bdt ic xm.
A ic cd k t dictt dtid trm t th
cv (di c, r r tx icr, -
i r rri dti) r it cd c imy r
bcd bdt mdmt with y rrit imi-
t rv d/r xditr. I th rmr
rt i wd, t y d it bcm dict t
rr cit ic rt r th ic, bt
Cr r th crt my trt it ivid. I th r
rt i wd, ithr Cr r th crt hv
y ch xc, bt th cv my icd th
dird trm i y mdmt it r.
Dont make applicaons condional.
Sm ic r cdi rir vt (..,
cri ir t rrt imir mdmt).
Th r rbby vid, bt i th bc crt
dcii it, w ct b crti. Aic
tht cdi t try t crc thr bdi i th
Arc V rc r mr ry ivid. Th, th -
ic hd t rt tht it i vid th c-
v dt rcr wrdi r rcr r, r
Cr dt rcr md rc.
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A HANDBOOK FOR STATE LAWMAKERS VI
A ic t tht it i vid r rcr
dt r i rcr (-crciv) vt h ccrrd
i rbby cctb y. Hwvr, it wd b bt-
tr t v t cdi ry. Th itr c
rcid th ic tr, i cry.
Move fast.
Amric i i ri trb; dt b idtrckd by
rmim r by h tht Cr my r
mdmt imi it w wr. Hitry hw thi
i iky.
Odr ic hd b rwd rm m t m.
Sm hv rd tht ic tmc-
y xir r rw t with th m. Thr
i i ct bi r thi rmt, bt m
i Cr hv dvcd it t wk th tt i-
c d cv rc. I ib, r -
ic cmi hd b d r cm i
thr t r yr.
Keep the applicaon as simple as possible.
A rviy td, ic hd t b vry
cic: Stt th rbm d t th cv d it
jb. D t try t dictt rcr wrdi r cic
rch t th rbm.
A, dt t rcmmd r ttmt -
drtdi i yr itr ic. I y wih
t i -bidi rcmmd t thr i-
tr, Cr, r th cv, th d i -
rt r.
T b r, rcmmd r ttmt dr-
tdi i ic d t criy vid it.
I ct, vr th tt cv ryi th
Ct icdd rcmmd d dcr
witht c th vidity thir rc. Bt rc-
mmd d imir wrdi r t wy cry
drd, d t my ch thm with th
cim tht thy ry r trm r cdi tht ivi-
dt th ic r rvt it rm bi rtd
with thr ic twrd th tw-third thrhd.
Thrr, rcmmd, dcr, d tt-
mt drtdi wy hd b dtd i
r rt rm th ic. Adix A
rvid rm r r tht r.
Retain state control over the convenon.
Th tt ic d cv rc w d-
id cicy wy r tt itr t by-
Cr. Urtty, m t mmbr
Cr hv xrd wii t itrr with r
ctr th rc. Fr th k th Ct, thi
mt t b wd t h.
Stt itr yi r cv mt d
cr m t Cr tht thi rcdr i withi
th ctr th tt. Cr bi r t
ct th ic, c th cv th tt
bh, d ch md rc. Cr h
thrity t d th cv c, it r,
r th c it cmmiir. Th r th r-
rv th tt itr d th cv
cmmiir rib t th tt itr.
The state legislature should choose its own
commissioners.
Th Fdi Er rcrd, mtd by bqt
rcc, t tht wh itrtt cv i
cd, ch tt dcid, dr it w w, hw my
rrtv wi mk it d r cmmit-
t, d hw thy r ctd.
Athh c cd b dtd t r vt
r t th xcv, i th c cv r r-
i mdmt ch d mk i .
Sic th icy d r th cv wi b xd
by th ic d by bqt iv itrc-
t th cmmiir, rvic i th cv
rqir mr i th wy ki d
dri biity th r ic r i
th i. Idy, cmmiir wi b d
d ttd dr qd rbity.
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PROPOSING CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
22
Athr r r iv c i tht th cm-
miir wi b bjct t tt iv itrc
d rc.
I m tt thr wi b rr r r c-
. I itr d t r r c, it
mt criy tht cmmiir ir t w
iv itrc cd d t hi r hr rmv.
Thi i rqird t rv th cr r th tt
ic d cv rc: T b tt -
itr t dvc mdmt trtd t rbm
th itr hv idd. U tt i-
tr c ctr it w cmmi t th cv,
tht cr r i dtd.
Sm hv td tht tt dt ttt r-
vidi tht cmmiir wh xcd th c
th cv r dirrd iv itrc r
dmd immdity rcd. It i crti whthr
ch w wd b rcb it tt i-
tr c withi Arc V. Hwvr, ch w c
rv dc c, d my ct imicit
iv r.17
Respond to the minority rule argument.
I hitry i y id, t wi cim th tt
ic d cv rc i ic r mi-
rity r bc, i thry, tt with mirity
th Amric cd trir cv.Advct hd rd by i t tht thi i im-
rbb rcc mr bc ic ri
wi c m rr tt th m id mr
tt. A hviy td tt ik Tx i mch mr
icy ki t ry td tt ik Sth
Dkt th t thr hviy td tt ik
Mch. Frthr, th ic t i y
ii t i thr-t rc. Oc th cv
mt, mjrity tt d wi hv t -
rv y mdmt, d i th r bicity th
cmmiir r iky t r mr mt
Amric d ditt. Ar th cv i
th r, tht r wi hv t b rd by
38 tticdi, i rbbiity, m tt tht
id t y. Th ryi tt wi mt crtiy
rrt rmjrity th Amric .
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2
A HANDBOOK FOR STATE LAWMAKERS VII
h tt ic d cv rc w
t irtd i th Ct mry t icr
th th th dcmt. It w imrtt cm-
trh th mt imrtt cmti th
dr bc btw tt d ctr vrmt.
It w, i Mdi trm, th mt ct
wy r crbi biv r t ctr dr v-
rmt. I mr mdr trm, it i th t
th iiv rc t th tt v: Jt th ii-
v b th t mk rrm th tt -
itr r t drtk, th tt ic d
cv rc b th tt itr t -
ctt rrm Cr r t r.
I w cd ddr r mr th di Fdr
tdy, w miht t thm wht h hd t
Amric drimtht th tt r icriy
mr dmiitrv bdivii r th cvic
Whit, D.C. Ar w rtd th it,
th Fdr dbt wd k, W, hv y
vr cd cv th tt dr Arc V?
Ad wh w dmid w vr hd, thy miht w
rd, I hrt, y rd t th vry t
w v y t vid thi it. Th d tt
Amric drim i cry yr w t.
Th, th ribiity r rcimi ct v-
rmt i vry mch r.
VII. Conclusion.
T
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PROPOSING CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
Appendix A:Annotated Forms
Thi Adix r rm r tt iv r r th
tt ic d cv rc. Am th rm r
ic r cv, rt r r iv
dcr d rcmmd, d cmmiir crd.
Th rm r t itdd t b div d crtiy d trrt dvic. Thy r did t rv tr
it r iv drr miir with th w d i
ch tt.
24 A M E R I C A N L E G I S L A T I V E E X C H A N G E C O U N C I L
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A HANDBOOK FOR STATE LAWMAKERS .I
2
Sample Form:
The Application in General
(With a Clean Balanced Budget Amendment to Illustrate)
A ic hd b kt im ib. Extr my d t ci, ividity, r cri
r t rt th ic with th rm thr tt. I tt itr wih t mk rcmmd
r i dcr r ttmt drtdi, th itm hd r y i ccmyi r.
Crdi d y itrc t cmmiir hd b cd i rt r.
Th tr it r th wi rm w tw rm cmmy myd by tt itr dri thir
hihy cc ic cmi r dirct c U.S. Str.18Th BBA wrdi i imir t tht d
i m crrty ttdi tt BBA ic rm th t 1970 d ry 1980. Addi mtri h
b ddd. Th i italics i .
Aic dr Arc V th U.S. Ct
Fr Cv t Pr Bcd Bdt Amdmt
B it rvd by th itr th Stt ______:
Sc 1. Th itr th Stt ______ hrby i t Cr, dr th rvii Arc V
th Ct th Uitd Stt, r th ci cv th tt imitd t ri mdmt
t th Ct th Uitd Stt rqiri tht i th bc mrcy th tt Fdr
ty r y c yr my t xcd th tt mtd Fdr rv r tht c yr.
Sc 2. Th crtry tt i hrby dirctd t trmit ci thi ic t th Pridt d
Scrtry th St d t th Skr d Crk th H Rrtv th Cr, d ci t
th mmbr th id St d H Rrtv rm thi Stt; t trmit ci hr t th
ridi cr ch th iv h i th vr Stt, rq thir cr.
Sc 3. Thi ic i t b cidrd cvri th m bjct mr th rty-ttdi
bcd bdt ic rm thr tt, icdi bt t imitd t rviy-dtd ic rm
______________ d ______________; d thi ic h b rtd with m r th r
ii th tw-third tt cry t rqir th ci cv, bt h t b rtd with
y ic y thr bjct.
Sc 4. Thi ic ctt ci ic i ccrdc with Arc V th Ct
th Uitd Stt th itr t t tw-third th vr tt hv md ic th m
bjct. It supersedes all previous applicaons by this legislature on the same subject.
***
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PROPOSING CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
26
Notes t C BBA Frm:
Obrv hw im thi ic i. Fr thi, it d t icd thy rmb (whr
c), which miht b ctrd cr imit r qic th ic.
Frthr, thh th ic rvid tht th cv i t b imitd t th bjct bcd
bdt mdmt, it d t rqir th cv t dt, r rjct, rcr wrdi. I it did, it miht
b vid.19
Thi ic vid i thr cic trm. Ir ddi rqirmtch tw-
third rqirmt r Cr t ri txmy cricy rdc rt m wmkr d th bic.
Addi ddi trm rdc th chc btii 34 mtchi ic, thrby ri C-
r r t t c cv. Thi rm, th thr hd, i did t b rtd iy with
vr rvy im ic dtd i th t 1970 d ry 1980.
Thi ic rr t th cv cv th tt. Thi w cmm wy rrri t
cv r ri mdmt dri th Fdi Er d r my yr r. Th hr cri
tht th cv i federal m d rm th vr tt rthr th cv-
c.
Th r d t hv cdi t tht it i vid i th cv i cd r y thr bjct.
Sch cdi my cmrmi th ity th ic. Mrvr, ic rbby c t xit
(d thrr r t trmib) c th cv i cd. A imit bjct mr r i Sc-
1 d c b rcd, i cry, thrh itrc t cmmiir, by bic ii, d by
c.
Sc 4 cri th iv itt tht th ic h t rw t with th m. O
cr, th ic wy c b rcidd.
Th italicized wrdi i r wmkr diri t cr th dck rvi BBA ic-
rm thir tt.
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2
Thi c r brdr cv d th th c BBA rm. Th tthr with y rtd
d rrit c rtrit b th cv t cidr imit tx, di, d th ik.
W d t rcmmd tht th ic cit cic c dr di hr th cmy.
Thi i bc:
It ri th dd tht dirt tt ic wi vry i wrdi d thrr t b rtd
twrd th rqird 34.
I th rct xditr imit i hih wht th dr vrmt h t dri y yr i
rct dcd (.., 18 rct r mr GDP), crt my rd th mdmt ctizi dr di rrm i rc wh th Cr w t di tht rct GDP.
I thr wrd, ch mdmt miht rt tr ch t th vidity rrm thrwi
tid dr thrity.
Sample Form:
BBA with Option for Further Fiscal Restraint
I th itr wih t dd ddi trm t bic BBA, th itr hd dcrib th trm i
r wrd. I thi xm, Sc 2, 3, d 4 rmi th m, bt Sc 1 i r-wri t rd w:
Aic dr Arc V th U.S. Ct Fr Cv t Pr Bcd Bdt Amdmt d Frthr Fic Rtrit
Sc 1. Th itr th Stt ______ hrby i t Cr, dr th rvii Arc V
th Ct th Uitd Stt, r th ci cv th tt imitd t ri mdmt
t th Ct th Uitd Stt rqiri tht i th bc mrcy th tt Fdr
ty r y c yr my t xcd th tt mtd Fdr rv r tht c yr, tthr with
y rtd d rrit c rtrit.
***
Notes t BBA with O r Frthr Fic Rtrit:
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PROPOSING CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
28
Sample Form:
Resolution of Declarations, Statements of
Understanding, and Recommendations
Smm itr bmi Arc V ic dcid t irt dcr r drtdi hw thy
xct th tt ic d cv rc t wrk. Fr xm, th ic miht rt tht th
yi itr xct th cv t y th r tt/ vt. Simiry, th itr miht
icd i th ic rcmmd rtii t th cv, t th th mdmt, r t
th md rc.
Fr r dicd rir, itr diri t i rcmmd r dcr hd d i
r separate rm th ic.
Fwi i m dcrtry d rcmmdtry r:
Dcrtry d Rcmmdtry R t Accmy Aic
r Cv t Pr Bcd Bdt Amdmt
Whereas, th itr th Stt ____ h id t Cr dr Arc V th Uitd Stt
Ct r cv t r mdmt t th Ct rqiri bcd bdt;
Whereas, cv r ri mdmt h t rviy b hd;
Whereas,i th itrt criyi crti it i dirb r th itr t dcr it drtdi
d xct r th cv rc;
Whereas, i th cv dcid t r bcd bdt mdmt, th th cv wi hv th
tk dri m; d
Whereas, it i dirb r th itr t i rcmmd t th ctt y ch rd
mdmt,
Be it resolved by the legislature of the State of _____________:
Sc 1. Th itr hrby dcr it drtdi tht:
() cv r ri mdmt i dvic icdd i th Ct t b th
tt itr t dvc twrd rc mdmt witht th btv ivv-
mt Cr;(b) th cv i thri rrtv itd rt t tt w r rcc,
with ii r r vt r tt;
(c) th cv dt r cmmiir cmmiid by th tt itr tht d
thm d r bjct t itrc thrrm;
(d) th c th cv d y r it i r imitd by th c th i-
c id by th tt yi r th cv; d
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A HANDBOOK FOR STATE LAWMAKERS [A]
() cmmiir rm th Stt ___ wi b rcd rm y cv tht rrt t
xcd th c dd i th ic.
Sc 2. Th itr hrby rcmmd tht:
() Ech tt d t mr th v cmmiir t th cv;
(b) Th cv rti th r r tt/ vt thrht it rcdi;
(c) Ay rd mdmt icd rvii w:
(i) rqiri tht tt ty t xcd tt mtd rcit r y c yr;
(ii) rqiri th c yr tt ty imit;
(iii) rvidi tht, r r thr th wr r thr miitry cict, th imit thi
mdmt my b wivd by w r y c yr i rvd by t t tw-
third bth h Cr;
(iv) wi r th rvii th mdmt t tk ct withi cid m
rid;
(v) rvidi r th wivr th rvii th mdmt r y c yr i
which dcr wr i i ct r th Uitd Stt i d i miitry c-
ict tht c immit r ri miitry thrt t crity;
(vi) wi r cri rcmt; d
(vii) rv th crt rm rdri Cr t ri y tx r mthd
bci th bdt.
Sc 3. Thi dcrtry d rcmmdtry r i t rt th ic, d h t b
dmd ch.
Sc 4. Th crtry tt i hrby dirctd t ccmy trmii th rid ic r
cv with ci thi dcrtry d rcmmdtry r w.
* * *
Th Whr c rm rmb rth th r r th ic. Lthy rmb r
bt kt t th ic.
Sc 1 t rth th itr r drtdi th tr th cv.
Sc 2 icd itm irrit t b mdtd i ic, bt rcmmd r th cv-
t cidr.
Itm (c) (i) - (vi) i Sc 2 r tk rm rd ic kw Frid St Ccrrt R-
N. 4 (2011), dtd by th Frid St bt t by th H. Tht r mtd t icd
th itm mdt; i thi rm, hwvr, thy r rttd rcmmd. Itm (vii) i thr
-rcmmdd rvii.
Notes t Dcrtry d Rcmmdtry R:
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PROPOSING CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
30
Sample Form: Resolution Electing Commissioners
(with Trap Door)
A td rir, th md cmmiir c i dtrmid by th tt itr, with th bt trv
rbby c by jit bt th itr it. Sm wmkr hv td tht wy t rr
th kc cv i r yi tt t c i ccmyi r wh it
cmmiir wi b. Hc th wi rm:
R Ec Cmmiir t Cv
r Pri Bcd Bdt Amdmt
Whereas, th itr th Stt ____ h id t Cr dr Arc V th Uitd Stt
Ct r cv t r mdmt t th Ct rqiri bcd bdt; d
Whr, th itr h dcidd t ct it cmmiir t th cv, i ch i hd:
Be it resolvedby jit i th St d th H Rrtv th Stt _____,
Tht (cmmiir 1), (cmmiir 2), (cmmiir 3), (cmmiir 4), d (cmmiir 5) r
hrby ctd cmmiir rm thi tt t ch cv, with wr t cr with cmmiir
rm thr tt th d xciv bjct whthr th cv h r bcd
bdt mdmt t th Uitd Stt Ct d, i , wht th trm ch mdmt h
b; d rthr, by th dcii mjrity th cmmiir rm thi tt, t ct thi tt vt
i ch cv.
B it rthr rvd tht, xtdd by th itr th Stt ____, v i jit i
th St d H Rrtv, th thrity ch cmmiir h xir t th rir
(1) Dcmbr 31, 2016 r (2) y ddi t th cv d r cv r cidr
t mdmt r thr ct ch thr th bcd bdt mdmt t th
Uitd Stt Ct.
* * *
N itr c bid tr itr i thi wy; thrr thi r c b rcidd tr.
Th c i thi r i by jit vt bth h.
Th r imit th th th cmmiir trm.
Th r icd tr dr by which di c i th cv byd th ci-
d r.
Notes t c--cmmiir rm:
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Amendments convenon - cmm yym r
convenon for proposing amendments, which i th
ci m iv t th thri by th Ct.
Applicaon- th iv r whrby tt
itr t Cr tht i it rciv ic
th m bjct rm tw-third th tt i-
tr (34 50), Cr mt c cv r
ri mdmt th bjct.
Arcle V convenon- cmm yym r conven-
on for proposing amendments, which i th ci
m th Ct iv t tht thri.
Commissioner- th rm t dt t c-
v r ri mdmt, md rm hi
r hr mwri cmmii.
Commiee- tt d t cv r r-
i mdmt.
Constuonal convenon - cv chrd with
wri ry w Ct; kid plenipo-
tenarycv.
Convenon - riiy jt yym r m.
A d by th Fdr d i th Ct it,
convenon m mby tht ich-hit r
itr i rrmi ditd tk.
Convenon for proposing amendments- cv
rrtv th tt itr m t r-
r mr mdmt r mr bjct
cid i th tt iv ic d (driv-
vy) i th cri c. A cv r r-
i mdmt i imitd cv rvi ad
hocbtt r Cr ri mdmt.
Interstate convenon- ric trm rrri t y
cv dt rr thr r mr
tt r tt itr. Thr wr mr itr-
tt cv hd btw 1776 d 1787, which
i tr wr rcdd by vr itr-ci cv-
.
Plenipotenary convenon - A Fdi Er trm br-
rwd rm itr dimc rcc. It rr t
cv whr th cmmiir hv imitd
r ry imitd wr t rrt thir rc-
v vri. Th Firt Ct Cr w
itry cv. A t mt th cmmi-
ir, th 1787 Ct Cv w c t
itry. Mt itrtt cv, hwvr,
hv b mr rtrictd.
Propose - I Arc V th Ct, propose c
m ithr (1) th wr Cr r cv-
r ri mdmt t vidy tdr -
td mdmt t th tt r rc r rjc-
, r (2) th wr Cr t dit whthr
rd mdmt wi b t t th tt i-
tr r t tt cv r rc.
Rafy, racaon- I Arc V th Ct, ra-
caon rr t th rc by which tt itr
r tt cv cvrt rd mdmt
it y cv rt th Ct. Arv
by thr-rth th tt (38 50) i cry r
rc.
Appendix B:
Denitions of Terms
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PROPOSING CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
32 A M E R I C A N L E G I S L A T I V E E X C H A N G E C O U N C I L
Appendix C:
Answers to Criticisms
A tcc myd by rmtr th rwy cv
cri20 i t ch wmkr with it dy
wrb q.21Svr it r d d thy vry
mwht, bt r t b bd q bihd
vr thr dcd by Prr Lwrc Trib Hrvrd
Lw Sch, ibr t cv r ri
mdmt.22
Athh it i cimd th q r wrb, mt d, i
ct, hv d wr. Bc tt wmkr my ctr
thm whi cidri Arc V ic, th q,
mtd by w thr, r itd i thi dix. Thy r
rizd by tic, thh th q c b rtd i y
rdr. Th q r rrdcd vrbm, tthr with thir
mm-dd hri d ct. A wr immdity
w ch q.
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A HANDBOOK FOR STATE LAWMAKERS [C]
QuesonsPertaining to Applicaons
Q1.How is the validity of applicaons from the statesto be determined?
A. Iiy by Cr, thh cri dcii
r bjct t jdici rviw.
Q2.How specic must the state legislatures be in ask-ing for an amendment?
A. Th itr my y ithr r rtrictd
cv r dvtd t rcr bjct mr.
Thr i ircd r t cicity, xct tht th
mr itr tri t dictt th cic
th mdmt ( d t th r tic), th
mr it dr th ic vidity.
Q3.Must all the applicaons be in idencal language?A. N. It i h i thy idy th m rbm()
r bjct(). Hwvr, rdc t tht tt -
itr crdit with thr.
Q4.Within what me period must the required num-ber of applicaons be received?
A. Ad th 27th mdmtrd vr 200
yr rirh cvicd mt brvr tht thr i
m rid. Bc, hwvr, m cim tht
ic c t, rdc t tht cm-
i b cmtd withi w yr. Th ic
cmi r dirct c tr tk 14 yr.
QuesonsPertaining to Congress
Q5. Can Congress refuse to call a convenon on de-mand of two-thirds of the states, and if it does, can it
be compelled to act by the courts?
A. Nry chr hv ccdd tht Cr my
t r. Srm Crt rcdt try t
tht th crt c cm it t ct.
Q6. Would Congress decide to submit Con Con [sic]amendments for racaon to the state legislatures or
to a state constuonal convenon as permied under
Arcle V of the constuon?
A. Arc V ci tht th q i t Cr
i tr y mdmt, whthr rd by
Cr r by cv. Icidty, th cv-
tht r mdmt i cd tt ry-
i cv, t tt ct cv.
Quesons Pertaining to Delegates and DelegateSelecon
Q7. Who are the delegates, and how are they tobe chosen? (Othr vri thi r (1) How would
Delegates be selected or elected to a Constuonal [sic]
Convenon? d (2) What authority would be respon-
sible for elecng the Delegates to the convenon?)
A. Dt (mr rry cd cmmiir) r
rrtv thir rcv tt itr d
r ch th tt itr dirct.
Q8. What authority would be responsible for deter-mining the number of delegates from each state?
A. Thi d rtd q r dtrmid i ch
tt by tht tt itrjt i tr r d-
t t thr cv, ch tt cv
r ryi mdmt.
Q9. Would delegates be selected based on popula-on, number of registered voters, or along party lines?
A. S th wr t Q #8.
Q10.Would delegates be selected based on race, eth-nicity or gender?
A. Th Eq Prtc C th Frtth
Amdmt, th D Prc C th Fih
Amdmt, d th Srm Crt c itrr
thm rbid c th rd.
Quesons Pertaining to Convenon Organizaonand Procedure
Q11. Can the convenon act by a simple major-ity vote, or would a two-thirds majority be required,
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PROPOSING CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
34
as in Congress, for proposing an amendment? (Othr
vri r (1) Would proposed amendments require
a two-thirds majority vote for passage? d (2) How
would the number of votes required to pass [or propose]
a Constuonal Amendment be determined?)
A. Th cv ct by im mjrity th rr-
td tt. Th cv my, by im mjrity
th rrtd tt, tr tht v r.
Q12.How is a convenon to be nanced, and wheredoes it meet? (Rtd vri r (1)What author-
ity would be responsible for selecng the venue for the
Convenon?, d (2) Where would the Convenon be
held?,d(3) Who will fund this Convenon?)
A. A cv r ri mdmt i ccv
tt cmmi, ch md tt cmmi-
ir. It thrr i cd by th tt. Cr,
i th cv c, ci th ii m c,
bt th cv my tr tht m c.
Q13. May the convenon propose more than oneamendment?
A. Ybt y i thy r withi th d th
cv, rcribd by th yi tt.
Q14.Is there a me limit on the proceedings, or canthe convenon act as a connuing body?
A. Thr i xd m imitth cv c mt
it dcid whthr t r mdmt d
which t r. Bt cv i, by di-
, t ci bdy. It h thrity byd
dcidi whthr t r mdmt withi th
bjct mr rcribd i th ic. Oc tht
i rrmd, it mt djr. Addiy, tt my
rc d/r rc thir cmmiir t y m.
Q15. What authority would be responsible for or-ganizing the convenon, such as commiee selecon,
commiee chairs and members, etc.?(A rtd q-
i, How would the Chair of the Convenon be select-
ed or elected?)
A. Oriz dti ch th r xd i r d-
td by th cv it, i ccrdc with ry
ivr Amric cv rcdr. Cv
ivry ct thir w rmt cr.
Q16.How would the number of delegates serving onany commiee be selected and limited?
A. S wr t Q 15.
Q17. What authority will establish the Rules of the
Convenon, such as seng a quorum, how to proceed
if a state wishes to withdraw its delegaon, etc.?
A. S wr t Q 15.
Q18. Would non-Delegates be permied inside theconvenon hall?(A rtd vri i, Will demonstra-
tors be allowed and/or controlled outside the convenon
hall?)
A. Iid th cv h, cv r ctr.
Th tid virmt i bjct t th m r
vri th c tid y bic bdy, cv-
, r itr.
Q19.What would happen if the Con Con [sic] decidedto write its own rules so that two-thirds of the states
need not be present to get amendments passed?
A. Nthi rqir th cv t w tw-third
d r qrm r r ri mdmt.
Ad d qrm r r t by ch cv
i ccrdc with ivr rcc. A r th raca-
onrcdr: Accrdi t bth th ct txt
d th U.S. Srm Crt, th cv rciv
it wr rm th Ct. S it ct tr th
r i th Ct tht ciy th rc r-
cdr. S th rcdi wr.
Q20.Could a state delegaon be recalled by its legis-lature and its call for a convenon be rescinded during
the convenon?
A. Th itr my rc it cmmiir. Th rt
th q iccrty m th tt c
th cv; cty, th tt y d Cr
c. It i iky tt cd withdrw it ic
r tw third th tt hv ctd it. Hwvr,
i tt dir with th mdmt tht i
crd dri th cv, it c itrct it cmmi-
ir t it, d c vt it it dri th
rc rc.
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A HANDBOOK FOR STATE LAWMAKERS [C]
A QuesonPertaining to the Courts
Q21. Can controversies between Congress and theconvenon over its powers be decided by the courts?
A. Ctrvri vr th c th cv
wr my b dcidd by th crt. Hwvr, th
tt, t Cr, x th c ch wr. Th
mt iky r ctrvry btw Cr d
th cv wd b i th cv t
mdmt tht Cr biv i tid th c-
v d dd i th tt ic.
I ( i rr) Cr th rd t rcrib
Md Rc r th td mdmt,
th crt cd rv th dit.
QuesonsBased on Historical Claims Made AboutJames Madison and the 1787 Convenon
Q22. Didnt James Madison express uncertaintyabout the composion of an Arcle V convenon, and
wasnt he horried at the prospect of one?
A. Qit th ctrry. Mdi tr rmtd th c-
v id rb wy t rv ct-
dit. It i tr tht dri th Ct
Cv dbt h iiy xrd crtity
t hw mdmt cv wr t b c-
ttd. Bt h mt hv b d with th wr
h rcivd, ic h drd hi bjc. It i
tr tht h w hrrid by 1789 Nw Yrk r
r imitd cv t rwrit th r c-
t withover 30 amendments. Wh wdt b?
Hwvr, Mdi rtdy rtd tht hi bjc-
w dirctd y t tht rcr r t tht
rcr m.
Q23. Isnt it true that the 1787 ConstuonalConvenon was a runawaythat Congress convened
it under the Arcles of Confederaon only to propose
amendments to the Arcles, but it ended up draing an
enrely new Constuon?
A. Th trth i qit t th ctrry: Mt cmmii-
r hd thrity t rcmmd w Ct,
xid i th rc citd i thi dt.23
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PROPOSING CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
36
brvd i Prt I (Itrdc), mt wri
th tt ic d cv rc
h b ry-rrchd, d-driv, r bth.
Hwvr, t vrythi bihd th bjct h
b bid r hw.
Sri chrhi th tic b i 1951 with
xtrrdiry Ph.D. thi wri by th t Wiim
R P, th ic cic rdt tdt
t th Uivrity Nrth Cri. Th P tdy -
rd rm th thr ck r hitric trii
(P w ic cic rdt tdt, t
hitric r chr), bt it rtd xct
d thrh mmry ic d hitry t
tht m.24
Mr rct chrhi (dd wrk tht mk
ri mt t mrh th hitric d vi-
dc) chricy it tw r. Th rt
r tdi w bihd dri th 1970 d
1980. It icdd rrch rrt rm th Amric
Br Aci; thy ii cmd by
Jh M. Hrm t th Oc L C t th
U.S. Drtmt Jc; d R C bk,Constuonal Brinksmanship, bihd by Oxrd
Uivrity Pr.25Athh th di th td-
i dird i dti, thy rd m imrtt
cciicdi th cci tht tt i-
v ic cd imit th c th cv.
Appendix D:
Where Does This Handbook Get Its Information?
Th cd r tdi icd vr bihd
rm 2011 t 2013 by th thr thi Hdbk,
rrd ct w rr d ct
hitri. Th cm thr-rt r iiy
wri r th Gdwtr Itt d dtd r th
Iddc Itt; -th rc bihd by
Frid Lw Rviw d T Lw Rviw, d hrt-
r wrk r bk chtr d r th Hrvrd Jr
Lw d Pbic Picy. Thi rrch tk it cct
(1) mr rct crt dcii, (2) rmry td
rcrd rm th Ct rc dbt, (3)
th r-dicvrd jr mr 18th ctry d-
r cv, (4) th jr d thr wri r-
tii t th Whit Crc Cv, d
(5) thr rmry-ctd irm.
A bi i thi r r i rc by Prr
Mich Rrt tht xmi y th Fdi Er
rcrd.
Thi cd r tdi ry crrbrt th
cci th d rm th 1970 d 1980,
bt thy mk m crrc t rir wrk. Th
ccmyi dt t th rdr whr t btith tdi.26
A
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A HANDBOOK FOR STATE LAWMAKERS
(Endnotes)1 Th Frtth Amdmt xtdd crti dr rt t ciz; th Fith Amdmt rtctd th riht t
vt, dit rc, cr, r rvi cdi rvitd; d th Twty-Frth Amdmt imitd th tx ytm
mm d t r v by miri.
2 ALEC h rcmmdd, m thr, (1) r BBA ic (2011), (2) th Vt Tx Amdmt (2010), (3) th
N Dbt Ri Amdmt (2011) (which rqir rv by mjrity th tt itr br th dr vr-mt c dr it dbt), (4) th R Amdmt (2011) (rmi tw-third tt itr t ividt dr
w d r), (5) A Acctbiity i Gvrmt Amdmt (1996) (imi dr mdt tt), (6) Gvr-
mt th P Amdmt (1996) (imir t th R Amdmt, bt with v-yr r imit), d (7) Stt
Iiv Amdmt (1996) (rmi thr qrtr th tt t r mdmt witht cv, bjct t
cri vt). T md i y th bi, ctct Jth Wiim t 202-466-3800 r jwiim@c.r.
3 Fr rvy 18th ctry cv, icdi th r tht vrd thm, Rbrt G. Nt, Founding-Era Convenons
and the Meaning of the Constuons Convenon for Proposing Amendments, 65 Fla. L. Rev. 615 (2013).
4 Th Fdi-Er vidc r diihi Arc V cv rm ct cv i vrwhmi. SeeRb-
rt G. Nt,Amending the Constuon by Convenon: A More Complete View of the Founders Plan(Iddc Itt,
2010) (dtd d mdd vri rir r bihd by th Gdwtr Itt), vib t h://ct.i2i.r//2010/12/IP_7_2010_.d.
5 U.S. Ct., Art. V.
6 Th crt, icdi th Srm Crt, hv rmd thi rtdy.
Nt tht Arc V rt iht dict mrtd wr, r wr t thproposal t d r t th racaon t. At
th r t, th Ct (1) rt t tw-third ch h Cr thrity t r mdmt; (2) rt
t tw-third th tt itr wr t rqir Cr t c cv t r mdmt; (3) th mwr
(d rqir) Cr t c tht cv; d (4) thriz tht cv t r mdmt.
At th rc t, (1) th Ct thriz Cr t ct whthr rc h b by tt itr r tt
cv; (2) i Cr ct th rmr mthd, th Ct thriz thr rth tt itr t ry; (3) i
Cr ct th r mthd, th Ct mwr (d rqir) ch tt t c ryi cv; d (4) th
Ct rthr mwr thr-rth th cv t ry.
7 Cm v. Mir, 307 U.S. 433 (1939). Tht cty w t rt th ri, bt y dicta(-thritv id cm-
mt) by r jc.
8 Adix A cti md i tht c b d t y r cv t dic bcd bdt mdmt.
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