Maine committee hears bill to set rules for Article V convention delegates

Representative Randall Greenwood urged the committee to adopt LD 1059 as amended, saying the statute would "ensure strong legislative controls and accountability" if a convention under Article V of the U.S. Constitution is ever called. Greenwood told lawmakers the proposal would create statutory qualifications and ethical standards for commissioners, require written instructions and allow recall and criminal penalties if delegates exceed their scope.

The amendment, Greenwood said, "creates a comprehensive framework so Maine enters an Article V convention with clarity, discipline, and accountability," but he emphasized the bill does not call a convention. Testimony in the hearing from Article V advocates Haley Shaw and Bevan Corbin framed the measure as practical governance: "If an Article V convention is called tomorrow, is Maine ready?" Shaw asked, arguing the state needs a process to select and bind delegates.

Several committee members pressed Greenwood on details of the advisory committee and partisan balance. Representative Lynn Copeland asked who would make up the "small legislative advisory committee," and Greenwood pointed to the amendment language specifying a state senator appointed by the senate president, a state representative appointed by the speaker, and a jointly nominated legislator. Representative Toole pressed for protections against partisan control of appointments. Greenwood said he would consider amendments to require bipartisan representation and higher thresholds for approval.

Opponents warned of constitutional and practical risks. Representative Matthew Rhodes and others argued that delegates at a convention exercise constituent power and that state legislators cannot fully bind them. The Department of the Secretary of State (Deputy Secretary Emily Cook) recommended aligning the proposed oath language with the state constitution and flagged logistical steps for filing and clerical handling of oaths.

The committee did not vote on LD 1059 during the hearing; members requested copies of related delegate-selection statutes from other states and asked Greenwood to bring possible drafting changes for the work session. The chair noted the committee will return this bill for a work session and asked staff to provide comparative materials and the specific oath-language recommendations from the Secretary of State.