A bill for an act concerning persons appointed to a convention called by the United States Congress to propose amendments to the Constitution of the United States, making appropriations, and providing penalties.

2025-2026 Regular Session

Bill HF 654 establishes a framework for appointing delegates to a U.S. constitutional convention, ensuring state participation in proposing amendments and outlining funding and penalties.

Introduced, referred to Appropriations.

#congress #constitutionoftheunitedstates #conventions

Summary of Bill HF 654

Bill Number: HF 654
Title: A bill for an act concerning persons appointed to a convention called by the United States Congress to propose amendments to the Constitution of the United States, making appropriations, and providing penalties.
Status: Introduced, referred to Appropriations
Introduced Date: February 28, 2025
Classification: Bill
Subject: Congress, Constitution of the United States, Conventions

Purpose and Intent

Bill HF 654 aims to establish a framework for the appointment of delegates to a convention called by the United States Congress under Article V of the U.S. Constitution. This convention would be convened to propose amendments to the Constitution, as permitted by the application of two-thirds of the state legislatures. The bill also includes provisions for appropriations related to the convention and outlines penalties for non-compliance with its regulations.

Key Provisions

Legislative Findings:

The bill recognizes two methods for proposing amendments to the Constitution as outlined in Article V:
- By Congress, with a two-thirds majority in both houses.
- By a convention called upon the application of two-thirds of state legislatures.
It notes that there have been over 450 applications for an Article V convention, with 37 states currently having active resolutions calling for such a convention.

Delegate Appointment:

The bill specifies the process for appointing delegates to represent the state at the convention.
It may include criteria for selection, qualifications, and the number of delegates to be appointed.

Appropriations:

The bill makes provisions for the necessary funding to support the state's participation in the convention, including travel, lodging, and other related expenses.

Penalties:

The bill outlines penalties for individuals or entities that fail to comply with the provisions set forth regarding the appointment of delegates and the conduct of the convention.

Impact

Affected Parties:

State legislators and appointed delegates will be directly impacted by the provisions of this bill.
The bill may also affect citizens and advocacy groups interested in constitutional amendments, as it formalizes the process for participation in a convention.

State Participation:

The bill encourages active participation by states in the constitutional amendment process, potentially leading to significant changes in federal law depending on the topics addressed at the convention.

Procedural Aspects

Current Status:

As of February 28, 2025, the bill has been introduced and referred to the Appropriations Committee for further consideration.

Next Steps:

The bill will undergo discussions and potential amendments in the Appropriations Committee before it can be brought to the floor for a vote.

This summary provides an overview of HF 654, highlighting its purpose, key provisions, and potential impacts on state governance and constitutional processes.