Sponsor frames HCR 23 as defense of state control over election rules and campaign finance

Representative Chad Perkins told the House Committee on Elections that House Concurrent Resolution 23 urges the federal government to recognize states’ authority to set election laws, including rules on campaign finance. Perkins described the measure as a federalism initiative and said 24 states previously passed like-minded resolutions.

Perkins said the resolution would “call on the federal government to recognize that states have the authority to put into place its election laws and policies.” He framed that authority as rooted in the Tenth Amendment and Article I powers for states to regulate elections. Witness Brian Boyle, affiliated with an organization advocating a constitutional amendment, placed HCR 23 in a nationwide context and cited an example in Maine where outside and foreign spending on ballot measures prompted state law that was later struck down by federal courts.

Witnesses emphasized that the resolution signals state support for a constitutional amendment to change how courts review campaign finance laws, rather than creating new state statutes. Committee members asked about the resolution’s intent and consequences; Perkins and supporters said it would not itself change current law but would express support for a structural fix to reduce federal judicial override of state policy-making.

The committee took testimony from supporters and closed the hearing without a committee vote.