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    AHANDBOOKFOR STATE LAWMAKERS .I

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    AHANDBOOKFOR STATE LAWMAKERS .I

    About the American Legislave Exchange Council

    Pri Ct Amdmt by Cv th

    Stt: A Hdbk r Stt Lwmkr h b bihd

    by th Amric Liv Exch Cci (ALEC) rt

    it mii t dic, dv, d dimit bic ici,

    which xd r mrkt, rmt cmic rwth, imit

    th iz vrmt, d rrv idivid ibrty. ALEC

    i th rt -r, vtry mmbrhi r-

    iz tt itr, with 2,000 mmbr cr th

    . ALEC i vrd by Brd Dirctr tt -

    itr, which i dvid by Privt Etrri Brd, rr-

    mjr crrt d d r. ALEC i c-

    id by th Itr Rv Srvic 501(c)(3) rt,

    bic icy d dc riz. Idivid, hi-

    thric d, crr, cmi, r ci

    r iib t rt ALEC wrk thrh tx-ddcb i.

    About ALECs Tax and Fiscal Policy Task Force

    Th mii ALEC Tx d Fic Picy Tk Frc i t x-

    r icy tht rdc xciv vrmt d-

    i, rmt d tx icy, d hc trrcy

    vrmt r.

    Pbic Sctr Chirm: Idi S. Jim Bck

    Privt Sctr Chirm: Bb Wiim

    Tk Frc Dirctr: Jth Wiim

    Pbihd by

    Amric Liv Exch Cci

    1101 Vrmt Av., NW, 11th Fr

    Whit, D.C. 20005

    Ph: (202) 466-3800

    Fx: (202) 466-3801

    www.c.r

    Pri Ct Amdmt by Cv th

    Stt: A Hdbk r Stt Lwmkr

    2011 Amric Liv Exch Cci

    A riht rrvd. Exct rmid dr th Uitd

    Stt Cyriht Act 1976, rt thi bic my

    b rrdcd r ditribtd i y rm r by y m, r

    trd i dtb r rtriv ytm witht th rir r-

    mii th bihr.

    About the Author

    Rb Nt i Amric bt kw ct-

    chr. Fr 23 yr, h rvd Prr

    Lw t th Uivrity M-

    t, whr h tht C-

    t Lw d bcm

    rcizd xrt

    th rmi d d

    th Uitd Stt Ct-

    . H ird th

    rc mtri, ch imr-

    tt Fdi Er w bk,

    vrkd by thr writr,

    d h h b th rt t

    cvr ky ct bt m

    th mt iict rt

    th Ct. Rb h writ-

    t r m th mt r-

    i cdmic bihr, icdi Cmbrid Uivr-

    ity Pr, th Harvard Journal of Lawand Public Policy,

    d Texas Law Review.

    Thr r vr ky t Rb cc chr. U-

    ik mt ct writr, h h cdmic trii

    t mry i w r i hitry, bt i bth, w i

    th L cic tht wr th mity Fdi-Er

    dc. H wrk hrd t k hi hitric iv-

    bjcv. Mt cric, hwvr, hv b -

    d hbit rd i th r wrdbr hicdmic crr b, Rb rccd w i tw tt,

    r tw rt bi, d rvd rr

    r tt w cmit r th Rocky Mountain News.

    Ltr, h crtd d htd Mt rt ttwid

    cmmrci rdi tk hw d bcm Mt bt

    kw ic cvitdi, m thr cm-

    ith mt cc rrdm driv

    i th hitry th tt. H hd h thrh

    vr imrtt ic Mt i, d i

    J 2000, w th rr- m v cdidt i

    th rty rimri r Gvrr Mt. Fr rc-

    r, Rb d m i th rt tdr, whrh rcry jy hiki d kii with hi wi d

    thr dhtr.

    Rb crrty rv Sir Fw i Ct

    Jrirdc t th Iddc Itt i Gd,

    Crd, Sir Fw i Ct Jrirdc

    t th Mt Picy Itt i Bzm, Mt,

    d Sir Fw t th Gdwtr Itt i Phix,

    Ariz.

    Nthi i thi Hdbk hd b ctrd

    dvic; k cmtt c i yr w tt.

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    A M E R I C A N L E G I S L A T I V E E X C H A N G E C O U N C I Lii

    Acknowledgements

    Th Amric Liv Exch Cci wih t

    ckwd th wi r wh ctrib-

    td t thi Hdbk:

    Firt, w thk Jth Wiim, Mh Archr,

    Lr Ei, K Sic, Ki Tkcz, d Chri

    Hrbi r thir wrk thi bic. W

    thk R Schbr, Mich Bwm, d th rt

    th ALEC t wh hd mk thi bic

    ib.

    Fiy, w thk Idi Str Jim Bck, Ariz

    Str D Shtr, Bb Wiim, Dr. Brry

    P, L Br, Pt S, d Brt Md r

    thir rt d xr.

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    AHANDBOOKFOR STATE LAWMAKERS

    Foreword

    Sicry,

    Jim Bck

    Idi Stt Str

    Chir, Tx d Fic Picy Tk Frc

    Amric Liv Exch Cci

    cv t r bcd bdt mdmt t

    th Ct. Sic th, my thr tt hv -

    wd it.

    Bci r bdt trcd rty ic. N mt-

    tr wh ctr Cr r th ridcy, r $15

    trii dr (d rwi) dbt wi rmi

    vr-rt hrd t cmic rwth d rcvry.

    Th rbm wt b i wy y m , ithr.

    Mr th 30 yr dcit ct b vd with

    y yr icy.

    Tdy Amric c crti cmic tr.

    Mii Amric r myd, d m v

    t Amric c w rm i cmic mdic-

    rity. Sdi rv it mr dbt wt v tht

    rbm; i ct, di wi y mk it wr. Stt

    itr mt tk th -ihtd viw d xrci

    r riht withi th Ct t imit Cr bi-

    ity t driv r it rthr cmic dcy. Thi

    Hdbk i yr id t chivi tht .

    Dr ALEC Mmbr,

    Tim i ri t. Or i trii dr i

    dbt witht crdib t t di. Th b

    i Cr h ctd t it whr ic t-

    wih th ct r cmic tr, d thr i i

    h r dr wi mk th th chic

    tht d t b md i rdr t ri i r dbt d

    rviv r cmy. Frtty, thr i t-

    id Cr tht Prr Rb Nt

    ti i thi Hdbk.

    Or Fdr kw th imrtc chck d b-

    c. I th Uitd Stt Ct, thy mr-

    td th mt imrtt r tt hv i

    ki th dr vrmt i chck. Udr Arc

    V, tt r rtd th riht t rqir Cr t c

    cv th tt, dri which tt c r-

    mdmt t th Ct. Fr dcd w

    hv wd Cr t r rmt, di it

    . I 30 yr, Cr h md t bc

    th bdt y twic.

    It i r t y r th rritr r

    d t d witht imit d tid r, bttht i mthi tht c b rmdid. Th i

    mdmt t th Ct tht im rt-

    r cctbiity Cr d rqir bcd

    bdt. Th ch mdmt wd

    d t r di d t xcd rv d

    rhibit brrwi my t mk r y hr.

    I 1957, my tt Idi w th rt t y r

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    A M E R I C A N L E G I S L A T I V E E X C H A N G E C O U N C I Liv

    h bcd bdt mdmt i vrwhm-

    iy rtd by th Amric . P vr

    th t vr mth by CNN, Fx Nw, d M-

    Dix hw tht ry thr-rth Amric vr

    bcd bdt mdmt t th U.S. Ct.

    With th dbt rchi it k mr th

    $15 trii d rii, th m t bc th bdt

    i w. Nry vry tt i th i y bd

    by thir ct t bc thir bdt. With

    xric i bci bdt yr r yr, tt

    r mt itd t r mdmt t th U.S.

    Ct tht rqir bcd federal bdt.

    Stt itr c ccmih thi by ci Arc

    V Cv th tt.

    Th Hdbk y r bt t rd, wri by

    Ct Schr Rbrt G. Nt, rvid

    tt itr th rr t t th Arc V r-

    c y d cvy. Addiy, it r rib

    irm bt th tt ic d cv

    rc bd thrh d bjcv chrhi.

    I th rt c th Hdbk, Nt y th

    rdwrk r th Arc V rc. Imrtty, hxi wht th cv rc i t: i-

    try, r th cmt rwri r Ct.

    Nt mmriz th Fdr it b-

    hid icdi Arc V i th Ct d dcrib

    hw hitry c b r wht cv

    wd k ik tdy. My q bt th rc

    ccr th r crt i Arc V. Ui bth c

    w d hi xtiv ct w bckrd,

    Nt hihiht hw th crt miht b ivvd i

    thi rc.

    Ar dici Arc V hitry d it ky yr,

    Nt tk tt itr thrh th rc t-

    by-t. Frm mki ic t rc, tt

    itr wi r th mi th Arc V rc

    d hw bt t rr ic i thir tt.

    Frthr, thi Hdbk dbk th myth rwy

    cv. Nt mk cmi rmt r

    why tt hd t wrry bt cric r tht

    cv th tt wd rt i cmt tk-

    vr th U.S. Ct.

    Fiy, Nt rvid rcc rcmmd

    r tt tht ch t y r cv thrh

    th Arc V rc. Nt cr itr t

    rmt th riht mdmt, th riht mt

    cicity, d k th rc withi th tt c-

    tr.

    W h tht y wi d thi Hdbk irmv

    d y mbrk dvtr vr br

    ccmihd i r hitry. W wih y th

    bt ck.

    T

    Executive Summary

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    Table of ContentsI. Introducon

    II. The Constuons State Applicaon and Convenon Process

    III. Judicial Review

    IV. The State Applicaon and Convenon Process: Step-By-Step

    A. Mki ic

    B. Hw d ic t?

    C. Th ic i Cr d th c

    D. Dt c

    E. Th Cv

    F. Rc

    V. The Myth of a Runaway Convenon

    VI. Praccal Recommendaons for the State Applicaon and Convenon Process

    VII. Conclusion

    Adix A: Attd Frm r Bcd Bdt Amdmt

    Adix B: Di Trm

    Adix C: Awr t Cricim

    Adix D: Whr D thi Hdbk Gt It Irm?

    AHANDBOOKFOR STATE LAWMAKERS

    6

    8

    11

    12

    12

    13

    13

    14

    15

    16

    17

    19

    23

    24

    31

    32

    36

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    A M E R I C A N L E G I S L A T I V E E X C H A N G E C O U N C I L6

    I. Introduction

    My tt wmkr, ik Amric ry, biv

    tht ici i Whit, D.C. hv t ccy

    ctrd di i rct yr. Tht h t xi

    tr bic itrt i bcd bdt mdmt,

    m thr r. Bid mi h dbt,

    dr chdr hv dirrdd idivid

    ibrty d ct imit thir w wr.

    Mrvr, my dr chdr m t ct

    th ct r th tt. Icriy, tt

    wmkr drtd wht th Fdr id rt-

    dy: Federalism works only if the states respond eec-

    vely when the federal government exceeds or abuses its

    powers.

    This Handbook:

    r rib irm bt th tt

    ic d cv rc, bd

    thrh d bjcv chrhi;

    crrct miirm; d

    mk it ir r tt wmkr t

    th rc y d cvy.

    O r th Fdr irtd it th Ct

    mthd mdmt w t b tr r

    hrh Arc V, r Amric Fdr ddd

    wy r th tt t rmt mdmt

    t th Ct dircty, rthr th by mry

    i Cr. Thi i cd th state applicaon

    and convenon process. Rct dbt vr bcd

    bdt mdmt t th Ct h rvkd

    itrt i thi rcdr. Thi Hdbk i yr id t

    drtdi d i it.

    Thi Hdbk i wri r tt wmkr, rt

    t, d thr itrtd Amric. Th i t -

    b tt wmkr t my th tt ic d

    cv rc th Fdr itdd: y,cvy, d y. Thi Hdbk r ccrt,

    w-rrchd irm bt th rc, icdi

    hw t trir it, vb rd, d rm.

    Thi Hdbk crrct cmm myth bt th

    rcdrrh th rmt which i tht th

    cv thrizd by Arc V i ct

    cv.

    Federalism works only

    if the states respondeffectively when the federal

    government exceeds or

    abuses its powers.

    T

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    AHANDBOOKFOR STATE LAWMAKERS I

    t k r Bic Lw t dtbt tht w t th

    y r. Th Fdr irtd th mdmt

    rcdr t r rvi ct dit

    d r crrc xc d b. Bc thy rc-

    izd tht xc d b cd cm rm ithr

    th tt r th dr vrmt, thy hid tw

    trv wy r ri mdmt r tt

    rc:

    by r dtd by tw-third bth

    h Cr, d

    by thri dt tt itr

    tht th Ct c convenon for propos-

    ing amendments.

    Othr cctb m r cv r r-

    i mdmt r amendments convenon, conven-

    on of the states, dArcle V convenon. (Fr r

    xid i c II it i iccrt d midi t

    c cv r ri mdmt ct-

    cv.)

    Th cri-r mthd h b d v-

    r m t crrct state b. Fr xm, Cr

    rd th 14th, 15th, d 24th Amdmt t r-

    tri tt ri miri.1 Bt th r th

    tt hv vr xrcid thir crrdi wr

    t crrctfederalb. A rt, th ct

    di h bcm bcd.

    T crrct r thi imbc, th Amric Liv

    Exch Cci (ALEC) h rcmmdd vr

    ct mdmt t imit m th wrt

    b dr wrm th, bcd bd-

    t mdmt (BBA).2 Exct r r Prhibi,

    hwvr, Cr h t rwrdd t th tt y

    mdmt imi it w wr ic rvi th

    Bi Riht i 1789. Th, dit rcrrt h

    tk bt hw Cr miht dt BBA r thr cr-

    rcv mdmt it w, hitry t rrm-

    r ct dd tht. Th tt mt d th jb,

    r Fdr xctd thm t d.

    Athh tt wmkr hv iitd th tt i-

    c d cv rc my m, thy vr

    hv crrid it t cm. Hitricy, thr r

    my r r thi, bt ic th 1960 rici

    r r thi ct h b rmim bd mi-

    irm ( tic xid tr i c V). Idd,

    my th wri bihd bt th tt ic-

    d cv rc ic th 1960 hv b

    bd mr wrk th ri hitric r

    iv. My mr wri th bjct

    r imy bri rm d rthr th

    rc cmt d ccrt irm. Hwvr,

    thr hv b w id tdi th rc, d

    th rcmmd i thi Hdbk r bd

    thir rrch d cci ( Adix D).

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    A M E R I C A N L E G I S L A T I V E E X C H A N G E C O U N C I L8

    h 55 Frmr wh mt i Phidhi dri th

    ri d mmr 1787 drtd tht thy

    wr dri Ct t t vry m.

    W r t rmi r Dy Mth Yr r A,

    dt Jh Dicki wrt, bt r Etrity.

    O cr, dcmt did t t vry m

    mt icd mthd mdmt. I cri thir

    mdmt rcdr, th Frmr rrtd t tw

    mchim widy myd t th m: itr

    d cv.

    Dri th Fdi Er, cv w y

    ad hoc mby did t ich-hit r itr.

    Tdy w td t thik cv ct-

    cv, bt dri th Fdi Er mt

    th thri wr t ct t . Mt

    wr imy tk rc id t rcmmd -

    t r-cid rbm. Othr wr tbihd

    t ry th wrk d by thr. Th Ct -

    thriz thr kid imitd r cv: O

    kid t ry th Ct it, thr t ry

    mdmt, d third t ct tk rc t rcm-

    md t r-cid rbm. Th cv- r ri mdmt i i th third ctry.

    Th hitric rcrd t wht th Fdr hd i

    mid wh thy thrizd cv r ri

    mdmt: Thy viid itrtt r dr

    cvtht i, mby cmd tt d-

    (cmmi) rib t thir rcv

    tt itr d r, t t iiy, ccrd-

    i t r tt/ vt. Athh th ct i

    w widy kw tdy, itrtt cv wr

    cmmc dri th Fdi Er: Thr wr t

    t v thm.3 Thy wr mdd r di-

    mc cv m rt vri.

    Th d d wr itrtt cv wr

    xd by th rci tt, mm r c-

    ri rcmmd, mm t. Uy th

    d w iry rrw. Fr itc, th itrtt

    cv hd i Yrktw, Pyvi i 1777 w

    trtd y with i ric i. Th 1781

    itrtt cv hd i Prvidc, Rhd Id

    w rtrictd t miitry y r i yr.

    Th c cv r ri mdmt

    i imiry rrw. A Jm Mdi md cr, it i

    t wht di Fdr cd itry

    cv. I thr wrd, it i t mby with

    vry wid thrity, ch chrd with dri

    r d Ct. Thus, it is simply incorrect

    to refer to a convenon for proposing amendments as a

    constuonal convenon.Thy r dirt crtrry.4

    Th cv r ri mdmt w bd

    cmrb rvii i tt ct tht r-

    dtd th U.S. Ct. O th w Arc 63

    th 1777 Gri Ct. It rtd t mjr-

    ity c th wr t r mdmt,

    T

    II. The Constitutions State Applicationand Convention Process: What It Is

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    In summary, please note:

    Jt thr rt th Ct rt

    Cr crti itd (mrtd) w-

    r, Arc V rt mrtd wr.

    Arc V rt thm t named assemblies

    (convenons and legislatures) and not to

    states or the federal government as a whole.6

    Th xcv brch dr d tt

    vrmt d t hv y r i th

    mdmt rc.

    Pri mdmt thrh cv-

    , i Cr, i y mthd

    proposing mdmt. N mdmt i

    cv rd by thr-rth

    th tt (w 38 50).

    T b dy raed, mdmt rt mt

    b dyproposedby Cr r by itr-

    tt cv cd t th bht tw-

    third (w 34) th tt itr.

    A cv r ri mdmt h

    rciy th m wr tht Cr h

    t r mdmt. It wr t r-

    i imitd by th bjct mr ci-

    d i tt icbut by no other

    authority whatsoever. Th cv i

    dibrv bdy wh mmbr wr t

    th tt itr thy rrt.

    Th cv r ri mdmt i

    bicy dri cmmi r tk rc,

    cvd t rdc r mr r

    id t cic .

    AHANDBOOKFOR STATE LAWMAKERS II

    which th mby [itr] h rdr

    cv t b cd r tht r, ciyi th

    tr t b md, ccrdi t th r-

    rrd t th mby by th mjrity th c

    rid. I thr wrd, th Gri Ct

    bd th c t dit wht kid md-

    mt thy wtd, rdrd th itr t c th

    cv, d mwrd tht cv t writ

    th cic .

    I th U.S. Ct tw-third tt itr

    (w 34 50) itd mjrity c:

    Th Cr, whvr tw third bth

    H h dm it cry, h r

    Amdmt t thi Ct, or, on the

    Applicaon of the Legislatures of two thirds

    of the several States, shall call a Convenon

    for proposing Amendments, which, i ithr

    C, h b vid t Itt d Pr,

    Prt thi Ct, wh rd by

    th Litr thr rth th vr

    Stt, r by Cv i thr rth

    thr, th r th thr Md

    Rc my b rd by th Cr;

    Prvidd tht . . . Stt, witht it Ct,

    h b drivd it q Sr i th

    St.5 (Itic ddd.)

    A i th Gri rtty, th U.S. Ct rt

    md mbi (itr, cv) dit-

    d r i th mdmt rc. Th Ct

    iv Cr thrity t r mdmt d,

    r y mdmt (hwvr rd), t ch

    m tw md rc. Th Ct

    mwr tt itr t rc Cr t c

    mdmt cv d mwr th cv

    t r. Fiy, th Ct thriz tt -

    itr d tt cv t ry.

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    A M E R I C A N L E G I S L A T I V E E X C H A N G E C O U N C I L10

    h rcrd th Ct Cv

    hw tht iiy th dt cid-

    rd dr which only itrtt c-

    v wd dr d ry mdmt.

    O th Axdr Hmit

    Nw Yrk, th Frmr trd th tht

    Cr bcm th drr/rr d

    th tt bcm rr. Hmit rd

    tht Cr hd hv wr t r

    bc it diy cvity wd t dd

    ch.

    Thi bthrd Gr M Virii, wh

    brvd tht Cr miht bcm r-

    iv d r t r crrcv md-

    mtrcry mdmt imi it

    w wr. S by im vt th tt,

    th dt ddd mdmt cv-

    t w th tt t by Cr. Th

    wrdi Arc V i y th wrk

    Jm Mdi.

    Why Not Just Leave Amendments to the

    Discretion of Congress Alone?

    TIn summary, please note:

    Th rici r r th tt ic-

    d cv rc i t b th

    tt t chck riv r rwy

    Crthh th Ct d

    t cty imit th rc t tht r.

    Th Frmr xicity did th rc

    t b th tt t bty bypass

    Cr.

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    III. Judicial Review

    AHANDBOOKFOR STATE LAWMAKERS III

    it m t th ctrry rm d

    Srm Crt dcii,7 it i w cr tht the

    courts can and will resolve Arcle V disputes. A crt

    miht hv t dcid whthr iv r

    qi ic, ic r cit

    t rqir Cr t c cv, r cv

    r i vid r tht c b rd.

    Fr tt wmkr, th bd w i jdici rviw i

    tht r d t mdmt my t bck

    thm. Th d w twih tht, bc it i bt-

    tr tht th crt, rthr th Cr, d d

    rc th tt ic d mdmt rc.

    I Cr r t crry t th d mdtd by

    Arc V, th crt c rdr Cr t d . I d-

    di, jdici rviw hd rtct th ct

    r th tt itr. Rc tht th ctr r-

    th tt ic d cv rc t

    b tt itr t by Cr i ri

    mdmt. Crt ry ctr rvii

    t rthr thir ctr r.

    D

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    A M E R I C A N L E G I S L A T I V E E X C H A N G E C O U N C I L12

    IV. The State Application and ConventionProcess: Step-By-Step

    What is an applicaon? A tt itr ki

    mdmt cv dt r cd

    ic. Th ic hd b ddrd t

    Cr. It hd rt cicy d qivc-

    y tht it i ic t Cr r cv

    rt t Arc V. Th r hd t mry

    rqt tht Cr r rcr mdmt,

    r hd it mry rqt tht Cr c cv-

    . A xm cv i w:

    Th itr th Stt ______ hr-

    by i t Cr, dr th rvi-

    i Arc V th Ct th

    Uitd Stt, r th ci cv-

    th tt . . .

    Who may apply? Th Ct rt th riht t

    y xcivy t th tt legislatures. Aic

    d t b id by th vrr, d my t b v-

    td, ythi i th tt ct r w twith-tdi. Mrvr, yi ct b dtd t th

    vi iiv r rrdm, ythi i th tt

    ct r w twithtdi. Hwvr, th i-

    tr th vrr d t ividt ic-

    , r d iiv r rrdm tht i ry

    advisoryi tr.

    The scope of the convenon sought. A itr my

    y r cvtht i, t imitd t

    bjct mr. Sch ic miht rd:

    Th itr th Stt ______

    hrby i t Cr, dr th r-

    vii Arc V th Ct

    th Uitd Stt, r th ci c-

    v th tt r ri md-

    mt t th Ct.

    Fw , hwvr, r itrtd i c-

    v r i cv r th k cv.

    Gry, th i t dvc mdmt di-

    ct ty, with th cv imitd t tht r.

    A ic r imitd cv miht rd:

    Th itr th Stt ______

    hrby i t Cr, dr th r-

    vii Arc V th Ct

    th Uitd Stt, r th ci c-

    v th tt imitd t ri

    mdmt t th Ct th

    Uitd Stt rqiri [here state generalnature of the amendment]. 8

    Athh ic my imit cv t r

    mr bjct, th xi c w strongly t

    tht ic my t mt t dictt rcr

    wrdi r r t th cv r my th i-

    c mt t crc Cr r thr tt i-

    A. Making an applicaon.

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    AHANDBOOKFOR STATE LAWMAKERS IV

    tr. A th crt hv rd rtdy, mbi

    (Cr, tt itr, d cv) r -

    td t m dibrv rdm wh ivvd i

    Arc V rcdr. A ic my suggest r-

    cr r r r th cv, bt t vid

    ci, hd b cd y i -

    rt, ccmyi r.

    Sm ic, whi t m t im -

    cic th cv, mt t dictt th

    dti th mdmt trm. Th mr dti th

    ic mdt, th mr iky crt wi i-

    vidt it m t rtrict dy th cv-

    dibrv rdm. Addiy, th mr trm

    ic ci, th iky it wi mtch th

    trm thr ic, r i cri r

    jdici r t rt thm tthr twrd th

    tw-third thrhd.

    Th, ir r vr itr yi -

    dr Arc V: (1) Thy my imit th bjct mr

    th cv bt (2) thy my t dictt rcr

    wrdi. Th bdri mk i y thik

    th cv wht it ry i: A cmmi r tk

    rc chrd with vi ditd rbm. Wh

    chri tk rc i bi r vrmt, y

    irm it mmbr th rbm y wt thm t

    ddr. Y dt t thm t ivt ythi thy

    wih. Addiy, c y hv iv th tk rc

    imt, y dt dictt . T rv it r-

    th tk rc h t b r t cidr dirt

    . Othrwi thr wd b d r r

    th tk rc.

    In summary, please note:

    A ic i tt iv r-

    dirc Cr t c cv

    r ri r mr mdmt.

    Aic my imit th c th c-

    v t rcr bjct mr.

    Aic my rcmmd, bt t dic-

    tt, rcr wrdi t th cv.

    Aic rth dtid trm r

    th mdmt r idvib bth

    d rcc rd.

    Rcmmd r bt ttd i ccm-

    yi r.

    A ic rbby t it i dy rcidd.

    Sm hv rd tht dr ic rw t

    r cid m d thir vidity. Hwvr,

    thi rmt rbby d t hv mrit. Th wr

    t rcid c th tw-third thrhd i

    rchd, r rh hrty thrr.9

    A ic rbby my rvid tht it i tm-

    cy trmitd rcr dt r th ccr-

    rc cic vt th trmi c-

    di i t rt t crc Cr, thr tt, r

    th cv. Th, rvii i mt iky vid i it

    y, Thi ic, i t rir rcidd, h tr-

    mit Dcmbr 31, 2015. A vid wd b thi

    : Thi ic, i t rir rcidd, h

    b d vid i Cr h r bcd bd-

    t mdmt t th U.S. Ct. O th thr

    hd, crt my dm m kid tmc trmi-

    t b crciv, d thrr vid. A cr xm

    wd b rvii tmcy trmi th -

    ic th cv wd cid r

    r dtd mdmt i cid .

    Aggregaon of applicaons. Wh 34 tt i-

    tr hv bmid ic th m bjct,

    B. How long does an applicaon last?

    C. The applicaons in Congress and the call.

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    A M E R I C A N L E G I S L A T I V E E X C H A N G E C O U N C I L14

    th Ct requires Cr t c cv

    r ri mdmt. Bth th hitric d -

    bckrd Arc V d mdr cmmtry

    criy tht th cri r t thi it i mry

    miitri rthr th dicrry. I thr wrd,

    th Ct i Cr r dty it mt

    rrm. It i imrtt t t, hwvr, tht cr-

    i rcit 34 ic i t cit; th

    ic mt rt t th m bjct mr.

    Hitricy m mmbr Cr hv trid t d

    xc r vidi y dty t c cv.10 O

    ibiity i tht Cr my r t rt t-

    wrd th tw-third thrhd y ic tht try

    t dictt t th cv dirt wy vi th

    m rbm. Th, i 17 tt hv id r c

    bcd bdt mdmt d thr 17 hv -

    id r bcd bdt mdmt with rqir-

    mt tw-third vt t ri tx, Cr my

    r t trt bth r ddri th m b-

    jct. Th mr dirc xhibitd by th ic,

    th mr jc Cr wi hv i ri t

    rt thm.

    O wy t rt ch btrc i t ciy i th

    ic tht it b rtd with crti thr tt

    ic. Fr xm, ic my icd

    th wi :

    Thi ic i t b cidrd cv-

    ri th m bjct mr y thr

    ic r bcd bdt md-

    mt, irrcv th trm th

    ic, d h b rtd with

    thm r th r rchi th tw

    third tt cry t rqir th

    ci cv.

    A trv miht b t m ic rdy

    bmid by thr tt:

    Thi ic i t b cidrd cv-

    ri th m bjct mr rty-

    ttdi bcd bdt ic

    rm Nbrk, K, d Ark, d

    h b rtd with thm r th r-

    rchi th tw-third tt

    cry t rqir th ci cv-

    .

    This process is for the states, not Congress. I th t,

    w-mi mmbr Cr hv itrdcd

    bi t rv i tht rry r r th tt -

    itr r r th cv t rv. I dtd,

    th bi wd hv dicttd hw dt r -

    ctd, hw my dt ch tt my hv t th

    cv, d wht v d thr r th cv-

    mt w.

    Tht kid i i rbby ct r

    vr r. Firt, cri rt t ctr

    th cv wd hdic it dmt r

    mchim r th states t md th Ct

    witht itrrc rm Cr. A, th hitric

    rcrd hw tht ch rvii xcd th c

    wht th Ct m by ci itrtt

    cv. Th wr t c itrtt cv

    thriz Cr y t ct d ctriz th -

    ic by bjct mr, c wht bjct

    th tw-third thrhd h b rchd, d t th

    m d c th cv. Arby, Cr

    my dit ridi cr t rv th

    cv ct it w. Ay rthr rcri by

    Cr xcd th c wr rby ici-

    dt t th ct wr t c.11

    A td bv, th Fdr mdd th itrtt

    cv itr dimc rcc. A i

    dimc m, ch vrity dcid hw t

    ct it w d r cmmi d hw my

    t d. Th rcrd th Fdi-Er itrtt c-

    v t tht tt ctd dt i y

    vr wy:

    D. Delegate selecon.

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    AHANDBOOKFOR STATE LAWMAKERS IV

    (1) Ec by h th tt itr,

    bjct t ccrrc by th thr, with jit

    cmmi y dirc;

    (2) Ec by jit i bth h th

    tt itr;

    (3) Di by th xcv;

    (4) Sc by ditd cmmi.

    Mrvr, wh c dt t th Cdr

    Cr (which, tricty ki, w iv bdy

    rthr th cv), Rhd Id rvidd r di-

    rct c by th .

    O th ri mthd, th mt r wy r

    chi cv dt rbby w iv

    jit bt.

    Ec by iv jit bt h vr dvt

    i ddi t th wiht rcdt. Firt, it mk

    r th itr t ct dt wh rv

    iv t bjct t iv itrc d

    rmv. Scd, jit bt c r r t

    ddck th c by ch chmbr rim. Third,

    bc th ic d iv itrc wi

    d th icy bhid th mdmt, th dt

    r t th cv i rimriy t rv

    dri cmmi, ci r tchic bii d

    dimc ki.

    A tt, t mry th yi tt, r td t

    d d t cv r ri md-

    mt. Mrvr, mdmt cv i,

    Jm Mdi c rtd, bjct t th rm

    th Ct. I thr wrd, it i t it-

    ry (r ct) i tr. Accrdiy, c-

    v r ri mdmt h thrity t

    vit Arc V r y thr rt th Ct.

    Accrdi t th r i Arc V, th cv my

    t r ch i th r tht ch tt h

    q Sr i th St,12 r my it tr th r-

    c rcdr.13

    Prir r d rcc vri itrtt cv

    hw tht cv mt hr th trm thir c

    d imit thmv t th c th bjct mr

    thy r chrd with ddri. Th c th b-

    jct mr i t by th c th 34 r mr cc-

    ic, d idy Cr hd rrdc

    tht c i it c.

    Dt t Amric cv ry hv hd

    wr t ct thir w cr d dt thir w

    r, d thi h b ivry tr itrtt

    cv. Th r icd th tdrd d-

    bt, diy m cvi d djri, whthr

    th rcdi r r crt, d thr mr

    itr rcdr. Itrtt cv wy hv

    dtrmid i ccrdi t tt/ vt,

    thh cv i r t ch th r -

    r. Th cv my imit hw my dt

    rm ch tt c ccy th r t m.

    Lik thr dimc r, cv dt

    r bjct t itrc rm hmi thi c rm

    th itr r th itr di. Th di-

    cd b cmmi, th xcv, r thr r-

    r bdy. Athh tt ic ct ciy

    rcr wrdi r mdmt, tt cd i-

    trct it dt t t r t y mdmt tht

    did t icd rcr . I ccrdc with

    Fdi Er rcc d th cv r,

    ch tt hd y it w dt.

    Th cv my t t r r mr md-

    mt withi th ditd bjct mr r it my

    djr witht ri ythi. U trd by

    cv r, r rqir y mjrity vt.

    Sm hv rd tht rm r rqir tw

    third cv vtr tht Cr my im

    ch rbt thr i thi i w r hitry t -

    rt thi rmt.

    E. The Convenon.

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    A M E R I C A N L E G I S L A T I V E E X C H A N G E C O U N C I L16

    I r, rc cv-rd md-

    mt i th m r criy-rd

    mdmt.

    I th cv vidy r r mr md-

    mt, Arc V requires Cr t ct tw

    Md() Rc r ch. Cr my dcid

    tht th mdmt b bmid t tt cv

    ctd r tht r (th md ctd r th 21t

    Amdmt, ri Prhibi) r t th tt i-

    tr (th md ctd r thr mdmt).

    Th bi Cr t ct md hd b

    rcb jdiciy, bt it i cmty t Cr

    which th tw md it ch. Nithr th yi

    tt itr r th cv my dictt which

    md Cr ct.

    O cr, th bi Cr t ch md

    dd th mr qiyi vid r.

    A r wd t b vid i, r xm, it xcdd

    th c th bjct mr dd by th ic-

    r i it trd q r i th St r th

    Ct r rc. Cr wd b

    dr bi t ct md r ch r-

    , r wd it hv th riht t d .

    Th Ct d t rqir tht r b

    trmid t Cr r t y thr rcr ty;

    th r i cmt wh th r th cv-

    y it i. Bc Cr mt ch md

    rc, hwvr, th cv hd ciy

    trmit th r t Cr.

    Oc mdmt r rd r th dt dcid

    t t r y, th r th cv h

    b rvd, d it mt djr.

    In summary, please note:

    A tt d cmmi t th cv-

    i ccrdc with tt w.

    Th cv ct it w cr d

    t it w r.

    Ii r i tt/ vt with

    dcii md by mjrity tt, bt

    th cv my ch bth r.

    Th cv mt w th r th

    Ct, icdi th i Arc V. Th

    cv ct ch th rc

    rcdr.

    Th dt mt rmi withi th chr

    t by th ic d (drivvy)

    by th cri c.

    Withi th chr d dri th cv,

    ch cmmi i bjct t itrc rm

    it hm tt itr r th itr

    di d i bjct t rc w.

    Withi th chr, th dt my r-

    r mr mdmt, r my r-

    t .

    Oc tht dcii i md, th cv

    mt djr.

    F. Racaon.

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    V. The Myth of a Runaway Convention

    AHANDBOOKFOR STATE LAWMAKERS V

    h runaway convenon scenario w cjrd

    i th 19th ctry t did tt wmkr

    rm byi Cr thrh th tt ic

    d cv rc. Th cri bcm m

    dri th 1960, wh ibr cvit, itr, d

    cdmic rid it t dt ic cmi

    r mdmt tht wd hv vrtrd m

    Srm Crt dcii. Vri r hv myd

    th m tcc t dt bcd bdt mdmt

    r vr th yr.14 I th iri hi-

    try, m dy conservave r w rmt th

    cri w. O c xct bth ibr d cr-

    vv t t rmt it i i thr ic-

    cmi bi t i trc.

    I th rwy cv cri, tt itr

    mt t imit th cv thrh thir ic-

    , bt c th cv mt th dt

    dirrd th ic d thir bqt itrc-

    . Itd, hd thir rt, thir i-

    c tr, d hr, th dt i r-

    d mdmt tht r ultra virestht i, byd

    thir thrity.

    I th mr xtrm vri th rwy cri,

    th cv rd mdmt ritt v-

    ry, bih th Bi Riht, r thrwi cmty

    tr th Amric rm vrmt. T rvt th

    tt rm bcki thir r, th cv

    ch th mthd ryi t mthd thy d

    mr ci. Whi th Cr, th Pridt, th

    crt, d th miitry ixicby it by d rmit

    thi coup dtatt d, th cv im w,

    mr thritri, vrmt Amric.

    I th mr mdrt vri th rwy cri,

    th cv i b t ch th rc r-

    c, bt thr-rth th tt vrth ry

    mdmt thy did t thriz d d t wt.

    O cr, v th mr mdrt vri th r-wy cv cri hw dr rrd r

    ic rity. At th vry t, dt wh wiy

    dirrdd imit thir thrity wd r vr

    rt d rbby cmrmi ty thir

    ic tr. Thi my xi why, i th hitry

    th hdrd Amric tt d itrtt cv-

    , y dd hd dt hv cty -

    At the very least, delegates who

    willfully disregarded limits on

    their authority would suffer

    severe loss of reputation and

    probably compromise fatally

    their political futures.

    T

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    A M E R I C A N L E G I S L A T I V E E X C H A N G E C O U N C I L18

    td i r. Advct th rwy cri

    d t dit thi, bt r tht th 1787 Ct

    Cv dirrdd it itrc. Urtty

    r thir i, th widrd cim tht th 1787

    Ct Cv dirrdd it itrc

    i bty ( Adix C). Athr rcc

    ic ctr i tht Cr, d t m xtt th

    Pridt, r it riv th cv, d

    iky t rmi icv whi it r wid.

    I ddi t th ctrit rcc ic, thr

    r rddt rtc it ultra vires pro-

    :

    (1) Bc cv dt r bjct t tt

    iv itrc, itr c crrct r

    rc y dt m t xcd thir

    wr.

    (2) I, vrth, itr id t d thi AND

    th cv rrtd t dt ultra vires

    mdmt, it wd t b cty

    vid r. Hc Cr wd t b

    bitd t ct Md Rcd,

    idd, wd hv riht t d .

    (3) I tt itr id t t dt rm

    c byd thir wr, AND i th cv

    rrtd ultra vires mdmt, AND i C-

    r vrth ctd md rc,

    th crt cd dcr Cr dcii vid.

    (4) I th tt itr did t t thir dt

    rm c byd thir wr, AND i th c-

    v rrtd ultra vires mdmt, AND i

    Cr ctd md rc, AND

    i th crt id t dcr Cr dcii

    vid, th th tt cd r t ry it.

    (5) I th iky vt tht th tt iitd

    ryi r thy (1) did t y r, d

    (2) w id ctrry t thir itrc, th

    th crtr, idd, y vrmt cy

    cd trt th mdmt vid.

    I m, thr r r mr ic d ctrit

    rwy cv th rwy Cr.

    There are far morepolitical and legalconstraints on a runaway

    convention than on arunaway Congress.

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    AHANDBOOKFOR STATE LAWMAKERS VI

    h ct mdmt rc c b

    my. Idd, cciy r tht

    r mr xi mdmt vr wr rvd

    rry. Nth, wmkr myi th tt

    ic d cv rc mt try t w

    th r cy ib. Thr r t my i-

    ci, bbyi r, d jd wii t iz r-

    cdr mitk t bck mdmt thy dt ik.

    Promote the right amendments.

    Mt hv r mr c dr t thir

    hrt tht thy wd v t wri it th

    Ct. Bt th tt ic d cv

    rc i c r r, icv, r idiy-

    crc c. Ech t mdmt hd cmy

    with t t r critri:

    (1) Lik mt mdmt rdy dtd, ithd mv Amric bck twrd Fdi

    rici.

    (2) It hd rmi bt, rthr th mry

    ymbic r mri, ct bic icy.

    (3) It hd b widy r.

    (4) It hd b bjct tht mt tt wmkr,

    y ic rty, c drtd d r-

    cit.

    Th mt cc ic cmi vrr

    dirct c U.S. trmt th crit-

    ri. Th c w widy r d w drtd

    by tt wmkr bc, yr r yr, iv

    c tr hd trd iv ddck,

    crr, d bmri tt c by dr

    i. Dirct c dvct rrtd th cm-

    i cry t rtr Fdi rici d

    rdictd bt imrvmt i th qity v-

    rmt.

    A thi wri, bcd bdt mdmt rb-

    by mt r critri; mdmt t bih th

    icm tx rbby d t.

    Dont work alone.

    Sm Amric mt cc rrm cmi

    wr bd c cr m tt. Fr x-

    m, th Amric Rv w crditd rtthrh itrtt cmmi crrdc.

    Cr rd dirct c Str y -

    tr 31 th th-48 tt ( hy tw-third) hd

    bmid cy imir ic r cv.

    I th r itc, th itr vr tt

    crditd th rt by rc tdi -

    iv cmmitht i, dd cmmd ctr

    VI. Practical Recommendations for the StateApplication and Convention Process

    Hr r m rcc r t w:

    T

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    A M E R I C A N L E G I S L A T I V E E X C H A N G E C O U N C I L20

    tht rrd cmm rm d itd th cmm

    rt.

    Ftr ic cmi wi ccd y i tt

    itr wrk tthr. Thy hd tbih td-

    i cmmi crrdc t rthr th

    c. Ech yi itr hd dit

    ctct r r ci cmmic t d rm

    thr tt. Ech yi itr hd y

    thr tt itr it c. Aic hd

    w crti tdrd rm. Exm ch rm

    r i Adix A.

    A ic hd b t t my rciit

    ib, ciy ( cr) Cr. A th cm-

    i bid, tt itr hd cmmict

    with ch thr ch i hw thy wi ch

    thir dt, wht th cv r wi b, d

    th iz tt d. Th xch irm-

    wi b tt t ddr dirc i dvc

    th mdmt cv, miti mmtm

    d ctr vr th rc, d rtct it rm c-

    ri itrrc.

    Dont make applicaons too general.

    A cv r ri mdmt i bicy

    rbm vi tk rc, d it rry mk t

    t tk rc t d y rbm i ythi thy

    ch. Mrvr, w wmkr wt cv

    mry r th k cv r bc thy thik

    th Ct d cmt vrh. Thrr,

    ic hd ciy th bjct th rd

    cv. I th itr wih t ddr vr

    bjct, th bjct hd b i rt ic-

    . I tht wy, th dt ic wi t

    cmrmi thr.

    Dont make applicaons too specic; let

    the convenon do its work.

    Oc tk rc i td th rbm t ddr, it

    hd b wd t d it jb. I thr wrd, thh

    th tk i rt, th rci ct b. Bth

    Fdi Er rcc d mdr crt dcii t

    tht it i ct r m mbi wrki

    dr Arc V (ch th itr) t try t dictt

    t thr (ch th cv). Th crt

    my ividt y ic tht imit th cv

    t r dw vt cic wrdi.15

    Thr r m rcc r r vidi t

    mch cicity. Th mr cic ic i, th

    mr dict it i t rr th brd ci c-

    ry t idc 34 tt t rv it. Frthr, th mr

    cic it i, th mr iky it wi dvit h rm

    thr ic t iv Cr r r r-

    i t rt it with thr ic. Fiy, th

    cv rbby wi d br jb dri

    mdmt th dird tt wmkr. Ci

    it wi xricd r rm tt, th

    cv my vry w cr mr d

    d mr icy tbth y cid i th

    ic.

    Cidr bcd bdt ic xm.

    A ic cd k t dictt dtid trm t th

    cv (di c, r r tx icr, -

    i r rri dti) r it cd c imy r

    bcd bdt mdmt with y rrit imi-

    t rv d/r xditr. I th rmr

    rt i wd, t y d it bcm dict t

    rr cit ic rt r th ic, bt

    Cr r th crt my trt it ivid. I th r

    rt i wd, ithr Cr r th crt hv

    y ch xc, bt th cv my icd th

    dird trm i y mdmt it r.

    Dont make applicaons condional.

    Sm ic r cdi rir vt (..,

    cri ir t rrt imir mdmt).

    Th r rbby vid, bt i th bc crt

    dcii it, w ct b crti. Aic

    tht cdi t try t crc thr bdi i th

    Arc V rc r mr ry ivid. Th, th -

    ic hd t rt tht it i vid th c-

    v dt rcr wrdi r rcr r, r

    tht Cr dt rcr md rc.

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    AHANDBOOKFOR STATE LAWMAKERS VI

    A ic t tht it i vid r rcr

    dt r i rcr (-crciv) vt h ccrrd

    i rbby cctb y. Hwvr, it wd b bt-

    tr t v t cdi ry. Th itr c

    rcid th ic tr, i cry.

    Move fast.

    Amric i i ri trb; dt b idtrckd by

    rmim r by h tht Cr my r

    mdmt imi it w wr. Hitry hw thi

    i iky.

    Odr ic hd b rwd rm m t m.

    Sm hv rd tht ic tmc-

    y xir r rw t with th m. Thr

    i i ct bi r thi rmt, bt m

    i Cr hv dvcd it t wk th tt i-

    c d cv rc. I ib, r -

    ic cmi hd b d r cm i

    thr t r yr.

    Keep the applicaon as simple as possible.

    A rviy td, ic hd t b vry

    cic: Stt th rbm d t th cv d it

    jb. D t try t dictt rcr wrdi r cic

    rch t th rbm.

    A, dt t rcmmd r ttmt -

    drtdi i yr itr ic. I y wih

    t i -bidi rcmmd t thr i-

    tr, Cr, r th cv, th d i -

    rt r.

    T b r, rcmmd r ttmt dr-

    tdi i ic d t criy vid it.

    I ct, vr th tt cv ryi th

    Ct icdd rcmmd d dcr

    witht c th vidity thir rc. Bt rc-

    mmd d imir wrdi r t wy cry

    drd, d t my ch thm with th

    cim tht thy ry r trm r cdi tht ivi-

    dt th ic r rvt it rm bi rtd

    with thr ic twrd th tw-third thrhd.

    Thrr, rcmmd, dcr, d tt-

    mt drtdi wy hd b dtd i

    r rt rm th ic. Adix A

    rvid rm r r tht r.

    Retain state control over the convenon.

    Th tt ic d cv rc w d-

    id cicy wy r tt itr t by-

    Cr. Urtty, m t mmbr

    Cr hv xrd wii t itrr with r

    ctr th rc. Fr th k th Ct, thi

    mt t b wd t h.

    Stt itr yi r cv mt d

    cr m t Cr tht thi rcdr i withi

    th ctr th tt. Cr bi r t

    ct th ic, c th cv th tt

    bh, d ch md rc. Cr h

    thrity t d th cv c, it r,

    r th c it dt. Th r th rr-

    v th tt itr d th cv d-

    t rib t th tt itr.

    The state legislature should choose its own

    delegates.

    Th Fdi Er rcrd t tht wh itrtt

    cv i cd, ch tt dcid, dr it w

    w, hw my rrtv wi mk it d-

    r cmmi d hw thy r ctd.

    Athh c cd b dtd t r vt

    r t th xcv, i th c cv r r-

    i mdmt ch d mk i .

    Sic th icy d r th cv wi b xd

    by th ic d by bqt iv itrc-

    t th dt, rvic i th cv rqir

    mr i th wy ki d dri

    biity th r ic r i th i-

    . Idy, cv dt hd b d

    d ttd dr qd rbity.

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    A M E R I C A N L E G I S L A T I V E E X C H A N G E C O U N C I L22

    Athr r r iv c i tht th d-

    t wi b bjct t tt iv itrc d

    rc.

    I m tt thr wi b rr r r c-

    . I itr d t r r c, it

    mt criy tht dt ir t w iv

    itrc cd d t hi r hr rmv. Thi i r-

    qird t rv th cr r th tt ic

    d cv rc: T b tt itr t

    dvc mdmt trtd t rbm th -

    itr hv idd. U tt itr c

    ctr it w d, tht cr r i dtd.

    Sm hv td tht tt dt ttt rvid-

    i tht dt wh xcd th c th cv-

    r dirrd iv itrc r dmd im-

    mdity rcd. It i crti whthr ch w

    wd b rcb it tt itr c

    withi Arc V, bt t t ch w wd rv

    dc c. 16

    Respond to the minority rule argument.

    I hitry i y id, t wi cim th tt

    ic d cv rc i ic r mi-

    rity r bc, i thry, tt with mirity

    th Amric cd trir cv.Advct hd rd by i t tht thi i im-

    rbb rcc mr bc ic ri

    wi c m rr tt th m id m-

    r tt. A hviy td tt ik Tx i mch

    mr icy ki t ry td tt ik

    Sth Dkt th t thr hviy td tt

    ik Mch. Frthr, th ic t i y

    ii t i thr-t rc. Oc th cv-

    mt, mjrity tt d wi hv t

    rv y mdmt, d i th r bicity

    th dt r iky t r mr mt

    Amric d ditt. Ar th cv i

    th r, tht r wi hv t b rd by

    38 tticdi, i rbbiity, m tt tht

    id t y. Th ryi tt wi mt crtiy

    rrt rmjrity th Amric .

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    2

    AHANDBOOKFOR STATE LAWMAKERS VII

    h tt ic d cv rc w

    t irtd i th Ct mry t icr

    th th th dcmt. It w imrtt cm-

    trh th mt imrtt cmti th

    dr bc btw tt d ctr vrmt.

    It w, i Mdi trm, th mt ct

    wy r crbi biv r t ctr dr v-

    rmt. I mr mdr trm, it i th t

    th iiv rc t th tt v: Jt th ii-

    v b th t mk rrm th tt -

    itr r t drtk, th tt ic d

    cv rc b th tt itr t -

    ctt rrm Cr r t r.

    I w cd ddr r mr th di Fdr

    tdy, w miht t thm wht h hd t

    Amric drimtht th tt r icriy

    mr dmiitrv bdivii r th cvic

    Whit, D.C. Ar w rtd th it,

    th Fdr dbt wd k, W, hv y

    vr cd cv th tt dr Arc V?

    Ad wh w dmid w vr hd, thy miht w

    rd, I hrt, y rd t th vry t

    w v y t vid thi it. Th d tt

    Amric drim i cry yr w t.

    Th, th ribiity r rcimi ct v-

    rmt i vry mch r.

    VII. Conclusion.

    T

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    Appendix A:Annotated Forms

    Thi Adix r rm r tt iv r r th

    tt ic d cv rc. Am th rm r

    ic r cv, rt r r iv

    dcr d rcmmd, d dt crd.

    Th rm r t itdd t b div d crtiy d trrt dvic. Thy r did t rv tr

    it r iv drr miir with th w d i

    ch tt.

    24 A M E R I C A N L E G I S L A T I V E E X C H A N G E C O U N C I L

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    AHANDBOOKFOR STATE LAWMAKERS .I

    2

    Sample Form:

    The Application in General

    (With a Clean Balanced Budget Amendment to Illustrate)

    A ic hd b kt im ib. Extr my d t ci, ividity, r cri

    r t rt th ic with th rm thr tt. I th itr wih t mk rcmmd

    r i dcr r ttmt drtdi, th itm hd r y i ccmyi r.

    Crdi d y itrc t dt hd b cd i rt r.

    Th tr it r th wi rm w tw rm cmmy myd by tt itr dri thir

    hihy cc ic cmi r dirct c U.S. Str.17 Th BBA wrdi i imir t tht d

    i m crrty ttdi tt BBA ic rm th t 1970 d ry 1980. Addi mtri h

    b ddd. Th i italics i .

    Aic dr Arc V th U.S. Ct

    Fr Cv t Pr Bcd Bdt Amdmt

    B it rvd by th itr th Stt ______:

    Sc 1. Th itr th Stt ______ hrby i t Cr, dr th rvii Arc V

    th Ct th Uitd Stt, r th ci cv th tt imitd t ri mdmt

    t th Ct th Uitd Stt rqiri tht i th bc mrcy th tt Fdr

    rri md by th Cr r y c yr my t xcd th tt mtd Fdr rv

    r tht c yr.

    Sc 2. Th crtry tt i hrby dirctd t trmit ci thi ic t th Pridt d

    Scrtry th St d t th Skr d Crk th H Rrtv th Cr, d ci t

    th mmbr th id St d H Rrtv rm thi Stt; t trmit ci hr t th

    ridi cr ch th iv h i th vr Stt, rq thir cr.

    Sc 3. Thi ic i t b cidrd cvri th m bjct mr th rty-ttdi

    bcd bdt ic rm thr tt, icdi bt t imitd t rviy-dtd ic rm

    ______________ d ______________; d thi ic h b rtd with m r th r

    ii th tw-third tt cry t rqir th ci cv, bt h t b rtd with

    y ic y thr bjct.

    Sc 4. Thi ic ctt ci ic i ccrdc with Arc V th Ct

    th Uitd Stt th itr t t tw-third th vr tt hv md ic th m

    bjct. It supersedes all previous applicaons by this legislature on the same subject.

    ***

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    A M E R I C A N L E G I S L A T I V E E X C H A N G E C O U N C I L26

    Notes t C BBA Frm:

    Obrv hw im thi ic i. Fr thi, it d t icd thy rmb (whr

    c), which miht b ctrd cr imit r qic th ic.

    Frthr, thh th ic rvid tht th cv i t b imitd t th bjct bcd

    bdt mdmt, it d t rqir th cv t dt, r rjct, rcr wrdi. I it did, it miht

    b vid.18

    Thi ic vid i thr cic trm. Ir ddi rqirmtch tw-

    third rqirmt r Cr t ri txmy cricy rdc rt m wmkr d th bic.

    Addi ddi trm rdc th chc btii 34 mtchi ic, thrby ri C-

    r r t t c cv. Thi rm, th thr hd, i did t b rtd iy with

    vr rvy im ic dtd i th t 1970 d ry 1980.

    Thi ic rr t th cv cv th tt. Thi w cmm wy rrri t

    cv r ri mdmt dri th Fdi Er d r my yr r. Th hr cri

    tht th cv i federalm d rm th vr tt rthr th cv-

    c.

    Th r d t hv cdi t tht it i vid i th cv i cd r y thr bjct.

    Sch cdi my cmrmi th ity th ic. Mrvr, ic rbby c t xit

    (d thrr r t trmib) c th cv i cd. A imit bjct mr r i

    Sc 1 d c b rcd, i cry, thrh itrc t dt, by bic ii, d by

    c.

    Sc 4 cri th iv itt tht th ic h t rw t with th m. O

    cr, th ic wy c b rcidd.

    Th italicizedwrdi i r wmkr diri t cr th dck rvi BBA ic-

    rm thir tt.

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    AHANDBOOKFOR STATE LAWMAKERS .I

    2

    Thi c r brdr cv d th th c BBA rm. Th tthr with y rtd

    d rrit c rtrit b th cv t cidr imit tx, di, d th ik.

    W d t rcmmd tht th ic cit cic c dr di hr th cmy.

    Thi i bc:

    It ri th dd tht dirt tt ic wi vry i wrdi d thrr t b rtd

    twrd th rqird 34.

    I th rct xditr imit i hih wht th dr vrmt h t dri y yr i

    rct dcd (.., 18 rct r mr GDP), crt my rd th mdmt ctizi dr di rrm i rc wh th Cr w t di tht rct GDP.

    I thr wrd, ch mdmt cd rt tr ch t th vidity rrm thrwi

    tid dr thrity.

    Sample Form:

    BBA with Option for Further Fiscal Restraint

    I th itr wih t dd ddi trm t bic BBA, th itr hd dcrib th trm i

    r wrd. I thi xm, Sc 2, 3, d 4 rmi th m, bt Sc 1 i r-wri t rd w:

    Aic dr Arc V th U.S. Ct Fr Cv t Pr Bcd Bdt Amdmt

    d Frthr Fic Rtrit

    Sc 1. Th itr th Stt ______ hrby i t Cr, dr th rvii Arc V

    th Ct th Uitd Stt, r th ci cv th tt imitd t ri mdmt

    t th Ct th Uitd Stt rqiri tht i th bc mrcy th tt Fdr

    rri md by th Cr r y c yr my t xcd th tt mtd Fdr rv

    r tht c yr, tthr with y rtd d rrit c rtrit.

    ***

    Notes t BBA with O r Frthr Fic Rtrit:

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    A M E R I C A N L E G I S L A T I V E E X C H A N G E C O U N C I L28

    Sample Form:

    Resolution of Declarations, Statements of

    Understanding, and Recommendations

    Smm itr bmi Arc V ic dcid t irt dcr r drtdi hw thy

    xct th tt ic d cv rc t wrk. Fr xm, th ic miht rt tht th

    yi itr xct th cv t y th r tt/ vt. Simiry, th itr miht

    icd i th ic rcmmd rtii t th cv, t th th mdmt, r t

    th md rc.

    Fr r dicd rir, itr diri t i rcmmd r dcr hd d i

    r separate rm th ic.

    Fwi i m dcrtry d rcmmdtry r:

    Dcrtry d Rcmmdtry R t Accmy Aic

    r Cv t Pr Bcd Bdt Amdmt

    Whereas, th itr th Stt ____ h id t Cr dr Arc V th Uitd Stt

    Ct r cv t r mdmt t th Ct rqiri bcd bdt;

    Whereas, cv r ri mdmt h t rviy b hd;

    Whereas, i th itrt criyi crti it i dirb r th itr t dcr it drtdi

    d xct r th cv rc;

    Whereas, i th cv dcid t r bcd bdt mdmt, th th cv wi hv th

    tk dri m; d

    Whereas, it i dirb r th itr t i rcmmd t th ctt y ch rd

    mdmt,

    Be it resolved by the legislature of the State of _____________:

    Sc 1. Th itr hrby dcr it drtdi tht:

    () cv r ri mdmt i dvic icdd i th Ct t b th

    tt itr t dvc twrd rc mdmt witht th btv ivv-

    mt Cr;(b) th cv i thri rrtv itd rt t tt w r rcc,

    with ii r r vt r tt;

    (c) dt r cmmiid by th tt itr tht d thm d r bjct t itrc-

    thrrm;

    (d) th c th cv d y r it i r imitd by th c th i-

    c id by th tt yi r th cv; d

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    2

    AHANDBOOKFOR STATE LAWMAKERS [A]

    () dt rm th Stt ___ wi b rcd rm y cv tht rrt t xcd

    th c dd i th ic.

    Sc 2. Th itr hrby rcmmd tht:

    () Ech tt d t mr th v dt t th cv;

    (b) Th cv rti th r r tt/ vt thrht it rcdi;

    (c) Ay rd mdmt icd rvii w:

    (i) rqiri tht tt ty t xcd tt mtd rcit r y c yr;

    (ii) rqiri th c yr tt ty imit;

    (iii) rvidi tht, r r thr th wr r thr miitry cict, th imit thi

    mdmt my b wivd by w r y c yr i rvd by t t tw-

    third bth h Cr;

    (iv) wi r th rvii th mdmt t tk ct withi cid m

    rid;

    (v) rvidi r th wivr th rvii th mdmt r y c yr i

    which dcr wr i i ct r th Uitd Stt i d i miitry c-

    ict tht c immit r ri miitry thrt t crity;

    (vi) wi r cri rcmt; d

    (vii) rv th crt rm rdri Cr t ri y tx r mthd

    bci th bdt.

    Sc 3. Thi dcrtry d rcmmdtry r i t rt th ic, d h t b

    dmd ch.

    Sc 4. Th crtry tt i hrby dirctd t ccmy trmii th rid ic r

    cv with ci thi dcrtry d rcmmdtry r w.

    * * *

    Th Whr c rm rmb rth th r r th ic. Lthy rmb r

    bt kt t th ic.

    Sc 1 t rth th itr r drtdi th tr th cv.

    Sc 2 icd itm irrit t b mdtd i ic, bt rcmmd r th cv-

    t cidr.

    Itm (c) (i) - (vi) i Sc 2 r tk rm rd ic kw Frid St Ccrrt R-

    N. 4 (2011), dtd by th Frid St bt t by th H. Tht r mtd t icd

    th itm mdt; i thi rm, hwvr, thy r rttd rcmmd. Itm (vii) i thr

    -rcmmdd rvii.

    Notes t Dcrtry d Rcmmdtry R:

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    A M E R I C A N L E G I S L A T I V E E X C H A N G E C O U N C I L30

    Sample Form: Resolution Electing Delegates

    (with Trap Door)

    A td rir, th md dt c i dtrmid by th tt itr, with th bt trv

    rbby c by jit bt th itr it. Sm wmkr hv td tht wy t rr

    th kc cv i r yi tt t c i ccmyi r wh it dt

    wi b. Hc th wi rm:

    R Ec Dt t Cv

    r Pri Bcd Bdt Amdmt

    Whereas, th itr th Stt ____ h id t Cr dr Arc V th Uitd Stt

    Ct r cv t r mdmt t th Ct rqiri bcd bdt; d

    Whr, th itr h dcidd t ct it dt t th cv, i ch i hd:

    Be it resolvedby jit i th St d th H Rrtv th Stt _____,

    Tht (dt 1), (dt 2), (dt 3), (dt 4), d (dt 5) r hrby ctd dt

    rm thi tt t ch cv, with wr t cr with dt rm thr tt th d

    xciv bjct whthr th cv h r bcd bdt mdmt t th Uitd

    Stt Ct d, i , wht th trm ch mdmt h b; d rthr, by th dcii

    mjrity ch dt, t ct thi tt vt i ch cv.

    B it rthr rvd tht, xtdd by th itr th Stt ____, v i jit i th St d H Rrtv, th thrity ch dt h xir t th rir (1)

    Dcmbr 31, 2014 r (2) y ddi t th cv d r cv r cidr

    t mdmt r thr ct ch thr th bcd bdt mdmt t th

    Uitd Stt Ct.

    * * *

    N itr c bid tr itr i thi wy; thrr thi r c b rcidd tr.

    Th c i thi r i by jit vt bth hrbby th mt cmm wy c

    dt i th Fdi Er.

    Th r imit th th th dt trm.

    Th r icd tr dr by which di c i th cv byd th ci-

    d r.

    Notes t c--dt rm:

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    AHANDBOOKFOR STATE LAWMAKERS .I

    Amendments convenon - cmm yym r

    convenon for proposing amendments, which i th

    ci m iv t th thri by th Ct.

    Applicaon - th iv r whrby tt

    itr t Cr tht i it rciv ic

    th m bjct rm tw-third th tt i-

    tr (34 50), Cr mt c cv r

    ri mdmt th bjct.

    Arcle V convenon - cmm yym r conven-

    on for proposing amendments, which i th ci

    m th Ct iv t tht thri.

    Constuonal convenon - cv chrd with

    wri ry w Ct; kid plenipo-

    tenarycv.

    Convenon - riiy jt yym r m.

    A d by th Fdr d i th Ct it,

    convenon m mby tht ich-hit r

    itr i rrmi ditd tk.

    Convenon for proposing amendments - cv rrtv th tt itr m t r-

    r mr mdmt r mr bjct

    cid i th tt iv ic d (driv-

    vy) i th cri c. A cv r r-

    i mdmt i imitd cv rvi ad

    hoc btt r Cr ri mdmt.

    Interstate convenon - ric trm rrri t y

    cv dt rr thr r mr

    tt r tt itr. Thr wr t t v

    itrtt cv hd btw 1776 d 1787,

    which i tr wr rcdd by vr itr-ci

    cv d cr.

    Plenipotenary convenon - A Fdi Er trm br-

    rwd rm itr dimc rcc. It rr

    t cv whr th dt hv imitd

    r ry imitd wr t rrt thir rc-

    v vri. Th Firt Ct Cr w

    itry cv. A t mt th dt,

    th 1787 Ct Cv w c t i-

    try. Mt itrtt cv, hwvr, hv

    b mr rtrictd.

    Propose - I Arc V th Ct, propose c

    m ithr (1) th wr Cr r cv

    r ri mdmt t vidy tdr td

    mdmt t th tt r rc r rjc,

    d (2) th wr Cr t dit whthr r-

    d mdmt wi b t t th tt itr

    r t tt cv r rc.

    Rafy, racaon - I Arc V th Ct, ra-

    caon rr t th rc by which tt itr

    r tt cv cvrt rd mdmt

    it y cv rt th Ct. Arv

    by thr-rth th tt (38 50) i cry r

    rc.

    Appendix B:

    Denitions of Terms

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    32 A M E R I C A N L E G I S L A T I V E E X C H A N G E C O U N C I L

    Appendix C:

    Answers to Criticisms

    A tcc myd by rmtr th rwy cv

    cri19 i t ch wmkr with it dy

    wrb q.20 Svr it r d d thy vry

    mwht, bt r t b bd q bihd

    vr thr dcd by Prr Lwrc Trib Hrvrd

    Lw Sch, ibr t cv r ri

    mdmt.21

    Athh it i cimd th q r wrb, mt d, i

    ct, hv d wr. Bc tt wmkr my ctr

    thm whi cidri Arc V ic, th q,

    mtd by w thr, r itd i thi dix. Thy r

    rizd by tic, thh th q c b rtd i y

    rdr. Th q r rrdcd vrbm, tthr with thir

    mm-dd hri d ct. A wr immdity

    w ch q.

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    3

    AHANDBOOKFOR STATE LAWMAKERS [C]

    Quesons Pertaining to Applicaons

    Q1.How is the validity of applicaons from the statesto be determined?

    A. Iiy by Cr, thh cri dcii

    r bjct t jdici rviw.

    Q2. How specic must the state legislatures be in ask-ing for an amendment?

    A. Th itr my y ithr r rtrictd

    cv r dvtd t rcr bjct mr.

    Thr i ircd r t cicity, xct tht th

    mr itr tri t dictt th cic

    th mdmt ( d t th r tic), th

    mr it dr th ic vidity.

    Q3. Must all the applicaons be in idencal language?A. N. It i h i thy idy th m rbm()

    r bjct(). Hwvr, rdc t tht tt -

    itr crdit with thr.

    Q4. Within what me period must the required num-ber of applicaons be received?

    A. Ad th 27th mdmtrd vr 200

    yr rirh cvicd my brvr tht thr

    i m rid. Bc, hwvr, m cim tht

    ic c t, rdc t tht cm-

    i b cmtd withi w yr. Th ic

    cmi r dirct c tr tk 14 yr.

    Quesons Pertaining to Congress

    Q5. Can Congress refuse to call a convenon on de-mand of two-thirds of the states, and if it does, can it

    be compelled to act by the courts?

    A. Nry chr hv ccdd tht Cr my

    t r. Srm Crt rcdt try t

    tht th crt c cm it t ct.

    Q6. Would Congress decide to submit Con Con [sic]amendments for racaon to the state legislatures or

    to a state constuonal convenon as permied under

    Arcle V of the constuon?

    A. Arc V ci tht th q i t Cr

    i tr y mdmt, whthr rd by

    Cr r by cv. Icidty, th cv-

    tht r mdmt i cd tt ry-

    i cv, t tt ct cv.

    Quesons Pertaining to Delegates and DelegateSelecon

    Q7. Who are the delegates, and how are they tobe chosen? (Othr vri thi r (1) How would

    Delegates be selected or elected to a Constuonal [sic]

    Convenon? d (2) What authority would be respon-

    sible for elecng the Delegates to the convenon?)

    A. Dt r rrtv thir rcv tt

    itr d r ch th tt itr di-

    rct.

    Q8. What authority would be responsible for deter-mining the number of delegates from each state?

    A. Thi d rtd q r dtrmid i ch

    tt by tht tt itrjt i tr r d-

    t t thr cv, ch tt cv

    r ryi mdmt.

    Q9. Would delegates be selected based on popula-on, number of registered voters, or along party lines?

    A. S th wr t Q #8.

    Q10. Would delegates be selected based on race, eth-nicity or gender?

    A. Th Eq Prtc C th Frtth

    Amdmt d th Srm Crt c itrr

    it rbid c th rd.

    Quesons Pertaining to Convenon Organizaonand Procedure

    Q11. Can the convenon act by a simple major-ity vote, or would a two-thirds majority be required,

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    A M E R I C A N L E G I S L A T I V E E X C H A N G E C O U N C I L34

    as in Congress, for proposing an amendment? (Othr

    vri r (1) Would proposed amendments require

    a two-thirds majority vote for passage? d (2) How

    would the number of votes required to pass [or propose]

    a Constuonal Amendment be determined?)

    A. Th cv ct by im mjrity th rr-

    td tt. Th cv my, by im mjrity

    th rrtd tt, tr tht v r.

    Q12. How is a convenon to be nanced, and wheredoes it meet? (Rtd vri r (1)What author-

    ity would be responsible for selecng the venue for the

    Convenon?, d (2) Where would the Convenon be

    held?, d (3) Who will fund this Convenon?)

    A. A cv r ri mdmt i ccv

    tt dt. It thrr i cd by th tt.

    Cr, i th cv c, ci th ii

    m c, bt th cv my tr tht mt-

    i c.

    Q13. May the convenon propose more than oneamendment?

    A. Ybt y i thy r withi th d th

    cv, rcribd by th yi tt.

    Q14. Is there a me limit on the proceedings, or canthe convenon act as a connuing body?

    A. Thr i xd m imitth cv c mt

    it dcid whthr t r mdmt d

    which t r. Bt cv i, by di-

    , t ci bdy. It h thrity byd

    dcidi whthr t r mdmt withi th

    bjct mr rcribd i th ic. Oc tht

    i rrmd, it mt djr. Addiy, tt my

    rc d/r rc thir dt t y m.

    Q15. What authority would be responsible for or-ganizing the convenon, such as commiee selecon,

    commiee chairs and members, etc.? (A rtd q-

    i, How would the Chair of the Convenon be select-

    ed or elected?)

    A. Oriz dti ch th r xd i r d-

    td by th cv it, i ccrdc with ry

    ivr Amric cv rcdr. Cv

    ivry ct thir w rmt cr.

    Q16. How would the number of delegates serving onany commiee be selected and limited?

    A. S wr t Q 15.

    Q17. What authority will establish the Rules of theConvenon, such as seng a quorum, how to proceed

    if a state wishes to withdraw its delegaon, etc.?

    A. S wr t Q 15.

    Q18. Would non-Delegates be permied inside theconvenon hall? (A rtd vri i, Will demonstra-

    tors be allowed and/or controlled outside the convenon

    hall?)

    A. Iid th cv h, cv r ctr.

    Th tid virmt i bjct t th m r

    vri th c tid y bic bdy, cv-

    , r itr.

    Q19. What would happen if the Con Con [sic] decidedto write its own rules so that two-thirds of the states

    need not be present to get amendments passed?

    A. Nthi rqir th cv t w tw-third

    d r qrm r r ri mdmt.

    Ad d qrm r r t by ch cv

    i ccrdc with ivr rcc. Hwvr, th ra-

    caon rcdr i t rth i th Ct, d

    th cv ct ch tht. S th rcd-

    i wr.

    Q20. Could a state delegaon be recalled by its legis-lature and its call for a convenon be rescinded during

    the convenon?

    A. Th itr my rc it dt. Th rt th

    q iccrty m th tt c th c-

    v; cty, th tt y d Cr c. It i

    iky tt cd withdrw it ic r tw

    third th tt hv ctd it. Hwvr, i tt

    dir with th mdmt tht i crd

    dri th cv, it h th rtity t vt

    it it dri th rc rc.

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    3

    AHANDBOOKFOR STATE LAWMAKERS [C]

    A Queson Pertaining to the Courts

    Q21. Can controversies between Congress and theconvenon over its powers be decided by the courts?

    A. Ctrvri vr th c th cv

    wr my b dcidd by th crt. Hwvr, th

    tt, t Cr, x th c ch wr. Th

    mt iky r ctrvry btw Cr d

    th cv wd b i th cv t

    mdmt tht Cr biv i tid th c-

    v d dd i th tt ic.

    I ( i rr) Cr th rd t rcrib

    Md Rc r th td mdmt,

    th crt cd rv th dit.

    Quesons Based on Historical FactsMadisonand the 1787 Convenon

    Q22. Didnt James Madison express uncertaintyabout the composion of an Arcle V convenon, and

    wasnt he horried at the prospect of one?

    A. Qit th ctrry. Mdi drd wht bcm

    ry th wrdi r Arc V d tr r-

    mtd th cv id rb wy t r-

    v ct dit. It i tr tht dri th

    Ct Cv dbt h iiy xrd

    crtity t hw mdmt cv wr

    t b cttd. Bt h mt hv b d with

    th wr h rcivd, ic h rd t dr th -

    . It i tr tht h w hrrid by 1789

    Nw Yrk r r imitd cv t r-

    writ th r ct with over 30 amendments.

    Wh wdt b? Hwvr, Mdi rtdy rt-

    d tht hi bjc w dirctd y t tht rcr

    r t tht rcr m.

    Q23. Isnt it true that the 1787 ConstuonalConvenon was a runawaythat Congress convened

    it under the Arcles of Confederaon only to propose

    amendments to the Arcles, but it ended up draing an

    enrely new Constuon?

    A. Th trth i qit t th ctrry: Mt dt hd

    thrity t rcmmd w Ct.22

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    A M E R I C A N L E G I S L A T I V E E X C H A N G E C O U N C I L36

    brvd i Prt I (Itrdc), mt wri

    th tt ic d cv rc

    h b ry-rrchd, d-driv, r bth.

    Hwvr, t vrythi bihd th bjct h

    b bid r hw.

    Sri chrhi th tic b i 1951 with

    xtrrdiry Ph.D. thi wri by th t Wiim

    R P, th ic cic rdt tdt

    t th Uivrity Nrth Cri. Th P tdy -

    rd rm th thr ck r hitric trii

    (P w ic cic rdt tdt, t

    hitric r chr), bt it rtd xct

    d thrh mmry ic d hitry t

    tht m.23

    Mr rct chrhi chricy it tw

    r. Th rt r tdi w bihd dr-

    i th 1970 d 1980. It icdd rrch rrt

    rm th Amric Br Aci; thy i-

    i cmd by Jh M. Hrm t th Oc L

    C t th U.S. Drtmt Jc; d R

    Appendix D:

    Where Does This Handbook Get Its Information?

    C bk, Constuonal Brinksmanship, bihd

    by Oxrd Uivrity Pr.24 Athh th di

    th tdi dird i dti, thy rd m

    imrtt cciicdi th cci tht

    tt iv ic cd imit th c th

    cv.

    Th cd r rct tdi cit r b-

    ihd i 2010 d 2011 by th thr thi Hdbk,

    rrd ct w rr d ct-

    hitri. Th icd thr r r Ariz

    Gdwtr Itt d thy cdmic rc r

    Tennessee Law Review. Th tdi tk it cct

    t y th mtri d by P, th ABA, Hrm,

    d C, bt : (1) tr crt dcii, (2) r-

    mry-td rcrd rm th Ct rc-

    dbt, (3) th r-dicvrd jr t itr-

    tt (dr) cv hd dri th Fdi

    Er, d (4) thr rmry-ctd irm.25 Th

    2010-11 tdi ry crrbrt th cci

    th d rm th 1970 d 1980, bt thy

    mk m crrc t rir wrk.

    A

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    3

    AHANDBOOKFOR STATE LAWMAKERS

    (Endnotes)1 Th Frtth Amdmt xtdd crti dr rt t ciz; th Fith Amdmt rtctd th riht t

    vt, dit rc, cr, r rvi cdi rvitd; d th Twty-Frth Amdmt imitd th tx ytm

    mm d t r v by miri.

    2 ALEC h rcmmdd, m thr, (1) r BBA ic (2011), (2) th Vt Tx Amdmt (2010), (3) th

    N Dbt Ri Amdmt (2011) (which rqir rv by mjrity th tt itr br th dr vr-mt c dr it dbt), (4) th R Amdmt (2011) (rmi tw-third tt itr t ividt dr

    w d r), (5) A Acctbiity i Gvrmt Amdmt (1996) (imi dr mdt tt), (6) Gvr-

    mt th P Amdmt (1996) (imir t th R Amdmt, bt with v-yr r imit), d (7) Stt

    Iiv Amdmt (1996) (rmi thr qrtr th tt t r mdmt witht cv, bjct t

    cri vt). T md i y th bi, ctct Jth Wiim t 202-466-3800 r [email protected].

    3 Th Firt Ct Cr (1774) w cidrd cv, bt bc it w hd br Iddc, it w

    itr-ci rthr th itrtt cv. Addi it ri th ct t dz.

    4 Th Fdi-Er vidc r diihi Arc V cv rm ct cv i vrwhmi. See Rb-

    rt G. Nt,Amending the Constuon by Convenon: A Complete View of the Founders Plan, t h://www.dwtri-

    tt.r/rc/5005.

    5 U.S. Ct., Art. V.

    6 Th crt, icdi th Srm Crt, hv rmd thi rtdy.

    Nt tht Arc V rt iht dict mrtd wr, r wr t th proposalt d r t th racaon t. At

    th r t, th Ct (1) rt t tw-third ch h Cr thrity t r mdmt; (2) rt

    t tw-third th tt itr wr t rqir Cr t c cv t r mdmt; (3) th mwr

    (d rqir) Cr t c tht cv; d (4) thriz tht cv t r mdmt.

    At th rc t, (1) th Ct thriz Cr t ct whthr rc h b by tt itr r tt

    cv; (2) i Cr ct th rmr mthd, th Ct thriz thr rth tt itr t ry; (3) i

    Cr ct th r mthd, th Ct mwr (d rqir) ch tt t c ryi cv; d (4) th

    Ct rthr mwr thr-rth th cv t ry.

    7 Cm v. Mir, 307 U.S. 433 (1939). Tht cty w t rt th ri, bt y dicta (-thritv id cm-

    mt) by r jc.

    8 Adix A cti md i tht c b d t y r cv t dic bcd bdt mdmt.

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    A M E R I C A N L E G I S L A T I V E E X C H A N G E C O U N C I L38

    9 Excty wh th wr t rcid d h t b dtrmid jdiciy, bt rmby it d wh th ic trir

    rr cqci.., wh th 34-tt thrhd i rchd, Cr c th cv, r th cv cty

    mt. Oc th 34-tt thrhd i rchd, th c d m bcm mry miitri (t dicrry), which wd

    t tht th wr t rcid d 34 tt hv id.

    10 Th t Str Sm Ervi (D.-N.C.) rrtd dirviy th btrcim m hi tri c dri th

    1960. Sm J. Ervi, Jr., Proposed Legislaon to Implement the Convenon Method of Amending the Constuon , 66 Mich. L. Rv.

    875, 878 (1968-68).

    11 A icidt wr i md d brdit wr imicity rtd with wr xry rtd. Th ik i

    crtd by th itt bhid th dcmt, ry hw by ctm r city. Wh th Ct rt cid wr

    it ry rt icidt w. Th Ct dirc t Cr t c cv th tt icd thrity

    t t th m d c bc tht thrity i rry icidt. O th thr hd, m wr r t bt t b

    icidt mr wr t c, ch rcribi cv r d mthd dt c. O icidt wr

    d th Ct, Gry Lw, Gry P. Mir, Rbrt G. Nt, d Gy I. Sidm, Th Orii th Ncry d

    Prr C (Cmbrid Uivrity Pr, 2010).

    12 U.S. Ct., Art. V. (Prvidd tht . . . Stt, witht it Ct, h b drivd it q Sr i th St.). Thi

    m tht mdmt my t tr th Ct r tht ch tt h q wiht i th U.S. St. A mdmt

    cd icr th mbr Str rm ch tt t thr, r rqir v by tt d. Bt it cd t, r xm,

    iv Nw Yrk mr v wr th Nbrk.

    13 Id. (which, i ithr C, h b vid t Itt d Pr, Prt thi Ct, wh rd by th Litr

    thr rth th vr Stt, r by Cv i thr rth thr).

    14 Ntb m th bicizi th cri wr Y Chr Bck d Hrvrd Lwrc Trib; Srm Crt Jc Wr-

    r Brr d Arthr Gdbr; Str Jh Tidi (D.-Md.) d Rbrt F. Kdy (D.-N.Y); d idivid withi th K-

    dy circ, ch Gdbr d chwritr Thdr Sr.

    15 Am th c mhizi tht mbi (itr d cv) m dr Arc V mt hv crti mt

    dibrv rdm r Hwk v. Smith, 253 U.S. 221 (1920); I R Oii th Jc, 132 M. 491, 167 A. 176 (1933); Stt

    x r. Hrr v. Wtrmir, 213 Mt. 425, 691 P.2d 826 (1984); AFL-CIO v. E, 36 C.3d 687, 206 C. Rtr. 89 (1984), stay denied

    sub nom. Uhr v. AFL-CIO, 468 U.S. 1310 (1984); Dv v. Prit, 931 S.W. 2d 119 (Ark. 1996), cert. denied, 117 S.Ct. 181 (1997)

    ( ci rrt) (rqiri mby tht c i itct dbt, dibr, r cidr); L Wm

    Vtr Mi v. Gwdky, 966 F.S. 52 (D. M. 1997); Brkr v. Hz, 3 F. S. 2d 1088, 1094 (D.S.D. 1998) (Witht

    dbt, Iitd Mr 1 bri t br d ic Sth Dkt cri cdidt, d th dibrv d

    iddt mdmt rc viid by th Frmr wh thy drd Arc V i t.); Grik v. Ck, 191 F.3d 911,

    924-25 (8th Cir. 1999), ad on other grounds sub nom. Ck v. Grik, 531 U.S. 510 (2001); Mir v. Mr, 169 F.3d 1119 (8 th Cir.

    1999). Cf. Kimb v. Swckhmr, 439 U.S. 1385, appeal dismissed, 439 U.S. 1041 (1978) (Rhqit, J.) (hdi rrdm

    Arc V q bc it w dviry rthr th mdtry); Dyr v. Bir, 390 F.S. 1291, 1308 (N.D. I. 1975) (Jc

    Stv) (hdi r tt w Arc V mby, bt y bc th mby vtriy dtd it).

    16 See Dyr v. Bir, 390 F. S. 1291 (N.D. I. 1975) (Stv, J.)

    17 Th rm w dvd by th Mit itr, d riiy rd w:

    SECTION 1. Th itr th Stt Mit hrby mk ic t th Cr, dr th rvii Arc V

    th Ct th Uitd Stt, r th ci cv t r mdmt t th Ct th Uitd

    Stt making United States Senators elecve in the several States by direct vote of the people .

    Nc hw im d dirct th iticizd wrdi i; dri dti r t th cv. A it trd t, hwvr, C-

    r rthr th cv drd th dti. Ar 31 tt ( hrt th dd 32 th th 48) hd rvd imir

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    ic, th U.S. St, which hd ritd th ch, y ctd t cri r wht bcm th 17 th

    Amdmt.

    18 I ri thr mdmt, it i qy imrtt t vid tryi t mdt rcr wrdi. Fr xm, th rd

    N Dbt Ri Amdmt (which ALEC h drd), rvid tht A icr i th dr dbt rqir rv rm

    mjrity th itr th rt Stt. A ic miht dcrib th bjct mr mdmt t th

    Ct th Uitd Stt rbiddi icr i th dbt th Uitd Stt rvd by cid rr

    tt itr.

    19 S Prt V: Th Myth Rwy Cv.

    20 Th, it trmt: I th q ct b wrd (d thy CANNOT!), th why wd y tt itr v

    cidr v r ch crti vt Arc V Ct Cv?

    21 Lwrc H. Trib, Issues Raised by Requesng Congress to Call a Constuonal [sic] Convenon to Propose a Balanced Budget

    Amendment, 10 Pc. L.J. 627 (1979) (rbihi rir iv tmy). Thi rc r virty r vidc

    rm th hitric rcrd r c w.

    22 Th ct r i Rbrt G. Nt, Proposing Constuonal Amendments by Convenons: Rules Governing the Process, 78 T.

    L. Rv. 693, 719-23 (2011), vib t h://ct.i2i.r//2011/08/R_r_Art_V_Cv.d.

    23 Wiim R P, The Applicaon Clause of the Amending Provision of the Constuon (Uiv. Nrth Cri, 1951) (b-

    ihd). P wrkd ry rm th -cctd hi mtr, Prr W.S. Jki. P tr bcm diihd

    cdmic ibrri.

    24 Th cit th tdi r w:Amendment of the Constuon by the Convenon Method Under Arcle V(Amric Br

    A, 1974); Jh M. Hrm, Constuonal Convenon: Limitaon of Power to Propose Amendments to the Constuon, 3 Op. Off.

    Legal Counsel 390 (1979); R C, Constuonal Brinksmanship (Oxrd Uivrity Pr, 1988).

    25 Th Gdwtr tdi r vib t h://www.dwtritt.r/ArcV. Th T Lw Rviw tdy i Rbrt G.

    Nt, Proposing Constuonal Amendments by Convenon: Rules Governing the Process, 78 T. L. Rv. 693 (2011), vib

    t h://ct.i2i.r//2011/08/R_r_Art_V_Cv.d.

    3

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