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Witnesses urge committee to adopt guardrails for Article V commissioners; bill moves forward
Summary
Testimony from Convention of States representatives urged HB 14 99 to replace 'delegate' terminology with 'commissioner' and to strengthen selection, residency, age and conduct requirements for commissioners in the event of an Article V convention. The committee advanced the bill to full committee after testimony.
Representative Reid introduced HB 14 99 to establish an Article V convention advisory committee and to change the term 'delegate' to 'commissioner.' The measure would set qualifications and guardrails — including increasing residency requirements from one to five years, raising the minimum age to 25, prohibiting individuals with recent felony convictions from serving and requiring an odd number of commissioners and germane amendment consideration.
Testimony came from Jay Walling (S13), who identified himself as "co state grassroots coordinator for Convention of States," and from Ramona DeSalvo (S14), who said she is the state director for legislative action for Convention of States Action Tennessee. Walling cited Tennessee Code Annotated 3‑18‑101 and argued the bill "strengthens and clarifies these guardrails." DeSalvo told the committee that 20 states have passed similar commissioner/delegate rules and asked members to "please lead again on this bill and just update and enhance our existing law and vote yes on HB 14 99." After testimony and member questions the committee voted to advance the bill (clerks reported 5 ayes and 0 nos).
