Committee approves updates to state law governing Article V convention commissioners despite opposition from voting-rights groups

The House Judiciary Committee voted to pass Senate Bill 450, an update to Indiana's statute related to commissioners for an Article V convention of states. The bill changes terminology ("delegate" to "commissioner"), prescribes commissioner qualifications and limits, and creates a mechanism for commissioners to seek guidance from the legislature while a convention is underway.

Committee members and pro-convention witnesses said the changes are intended to remove legal uncertainty for commissioners who encounter matters not anticipated in their written commission. One proponent described experience at a mock convention and said the bill allows commissioners to contact the legislature to confirm whether a proposed action would exceed their instructions: "This bill actually makes a commission that allows the commissioners to call up and get information," a proponent said, arguing that step would prevent commissioners from being "hamstrung" when unfamiliar issues arise.

SB 450 sets several requirements and limits for commissioners, as described in committee testimony and sponsor summary: commissioners must be Indiana residents for five years; may not be registered lobbyists; must not have been convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude; the number of commissioners increases to three; commissioners must select a chair; they may not accept gratuities; and the statute places limits on what may be proposed at a convention.

Multiple pro-Convention of States witnesses testified in favor of the bill and described grassroots organizing and petition efforts. Opponents, including the League of Women Voters of Indiana and Common Cause Indiana, urged the committee to oppose SB 450, saying an Article V convention remains risky and could become a "runaway convention." Barbara Tully of the League of Women Voters said "the threat to a runaway Article 5 convention are real," and Common Cause's Julia Vaughn said an Article V convention "could put every American's fundamental constitutional rights and civil liberties at risk."

During committee discussion, some members said they supported the bill because it attempts to put guardrails around commissioners; others said they wanted additional tightening. The recorded roll call shows a 9-4 committee vote in favor; the chair announced the bill passed 9-4. Proponents said they will continue to refine language as necessary.