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Bill

HB 2299

Article V Conventions; enacting the Dr. Tom Coburn Act; definitions; prohibited conduct; criminal penalties; effective date.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Micheal Bergstrom and 1 co-sponsor

Oklahoma criminalizes unauthorized participation in Article V Constitutional conventions, establishing penalties for organizing or attending unregulated convention activities.

Coauthored by Senator Daniels
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Bill Summary · HB 2299

Legislative bill overview

HB 2299, named the Dr. Tom Coburn Act, establishes regulations governing Article V Convention participation in Oklahoma. The bill defines prohibited conduct and creates criminal penalties for individuals involved in organizing or participating in state constitutional conventions outside established legal procedures. It appears designed to prevent unauthorized or unregulated convention activities related to potential federal constitutional amendments.

Why is this important

Article V Conventions represent a constitutional mechanism for amending the U.S. Constitution that has never been successfully invoked. This legislation directly impacts whether Oklahoma can participate in any future Article V Convention movement, establishing state-level guardrails around a power that operates at the intersection of state and federal sovereignty. The bill's criminal penalties make this a substantive governance issue rather than merely procedural guidance.

Potential points of contention

  • Constitutional scope questions: Clarity on what constitutes "prohibited conduct" and whether Oklahoma can legally criminalize participation in a federally-authorized constitutional process
  • Policy disagreement on Article V conventions: Fundamental divide between those who view Article V conventions as necessary checks on federal power versus those who see them as destabilizing risks
  • Enforcement and definition challenges: Difficulty defining "unauthorized" convention activity and determining which organizational efforts trigger criminal liability

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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