Committee split on plan to set process for Article V delegate selection; outcome unresolved

Kristen, the committee analyst, briefed members on LD 10 59, a concept draft to establish a process for selecting and overseeing commissioners to a convention called under Article V of the U.S. Constitution. The analysis reproduced Article V language and summarized three constitutional routes for proposing amendments. The Secretary of State recommended aligning oath language with the state constitution and clarifying sequencing for filing executed oaths and credentials.

Representative Roger Ringwood and others discussed amendments to avoid a single-party slate of delegates and proposed language that would allocate commissioners to the party with the most seats and the second-most seats in the legislature as a guardrail against partisan stacking. Committee members debated whether the draft called for a convention or merely set a process should Congress call a convention; sponsors and several members emphasized the latter.

Representative Greenwood moved the committee report 'ought to pass as amended' with clarifications about oath language and the Secretary of State's role; the motion was seconded. The roll-call vote produced a 5–5 split. Chair Baldacci noted that legislators not present have until Friday at noon to cast their committee votes; the final committee report therefore remains unresolved. No formal committee report is final until the remaining members register their positions.