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House approves bill creating a legislative federalism commission; supporters cite state sovereignty
Summary
The House passed Substitute House Bill 131 to establish a legislative federalism commission, with supporters saying it restores balance between state and federal authority. Debate included separation-of-powers concerns from members worried about concentrating functions in the legislature; the measure passed 58–10 and will go to the Senate.
Representative Ivory framed Substitute House Bill 131 as a vehicle to institutionalize work already begun under an interbranch council, converting it into a legislative commission to coordinate with like-minded legislatures in other states. "What this bill simply does, representatives, is it takes what we did 2 years ago and makes it a legislative commission... that we then unite with other legislative bodies and state legislative policy makers around the nation to do this same work," Ivory said.
Supporters argued the commission restores a balance in the governing partnership with the federal government and enables states to coordinate on jurisdictional issues; Representative Vanderey said the proposal would help the state "control our own destiny." Members including Representative Chavez Houck and Representative Noel pressed the sponsor on separation-of-powers concerns and the level of executive and judicial branch involvement on related work. Ivory repeatedly emphasized state control of education, quoting historical context: "Education is a matter reserved exclusively to the states." The House passed the bill 58 yes, 10 no.
Floor debate referenced related efforts in other states and national groups; sponsors said the commission is a lower‑cost way to formalize interstate coordination on federalism matters.
