Committee hears testimony on bills to set selection process and rules for Article V convention commissioners

The House Government Operations Committee heard testimony and public comment on HB 51 51 and House Concurrent Resolution 2, companion measures designed to establish a process for selecting Michigan’s commissioners to an Article V convention and to set limits on their authority.

Sponsor Representative Luke Meerman told the committee the bills are intended to prepare the state ‘‘to lay the foundation for a convention’’ should Congress call one under Article V of the U.S. Constitution. He described a nomination process in which the speaker of the House, house minority leader, senate majority leader and senate minority leader would each nominate one commissioner and one alternate, and a fifth commissioner and alternate would be nominated by four commissioners submitted by the house leaders, with the slate finalized by a separate concurrent resolution.

Representative Meerman also said the measures include safeguards on commissioner conduct and rules for vacancies, removals and suspensions. "A commissioner violating provisions in the bill would be guilty of a felony punishable by up to 5 years imprisonment," he said to the committee. Committee members pressed for procedural clarifications about the choice of a concurrent resolution and how long such guidance would persist; staff explained the resolution would remain until changed by the legislature like other legislative rules, and Meerman said it is intended to serve as a guide for future legislatures.

Supporters from Convention of States and allied groups testified in favor. On Zoom, Robert Von Hague said he is "strongly in favor of this HCR2 and HB 5151" and described the measures as providing needed guardrails and accountability. Chet (Chester) Grant, a regional captain with Convention of States in Michigan, urged the committee to approve the bills to ensure legislative intent is protected. Kurt O'Keefe described the proposed selection method as bipartisan and volunteer-led. Natalie Hansen, a Michigan State University student, said younger Michiganders want to ensure the state is prepared and represented.

Committee members said they appreciated the work but asked follow-up questions about timing and interstate coordination; witnesses noted that 34 states must agree on the subject matter before Congress would call a convention and that current calls from states vary by topic. The committee did not record a vote on HB 5151 or HCR2 in this hearing.

Ending: The committee received testimony and public comment and adjourned; HB 5151 and HCR2 were not acted on in this session and remain pending for further consideration.