Montana committee hears bill to set rules for Article V convention commissioners

HELENA — Senator Tom McGilvray, R‑Billings, told the Legislative Administration Committee on March 1 that Senate Bill 120 would create a process for selecting and supervising Montana’s commissioners should states call a convention under Article V of the U.S. Constitution.

"I'm bringing you today Senate Bill 120 . . . to set up administrative processes where they can take an oath," McGilvray said, describing the bill’s provisions for commissioner qualifications, selection by a joint legislative session, an oath to limit commissioners to instructions from the legislature, and recall authority.

The bill, as McGilvray outlined, places definitions in sections 1–3, gives the legislature a role in selecting commissioners in section 4, requires commissioners to take an oath in section 6, sets compensation and administrative details in sections 7–9, and creates an advisory committee in section 12 to monitor the delegation. Section 13 would allow a commissioner or delegation to be recalled, McGilvray said.

Proponents…