Senate Bill 53 Summary

• Establishes procedures for Oklahoma to appoint 5 delegates and 5 alternate delegates to an Article V constitutional convention, with appointments made by the Legislature through majority votes in each chamber and joint votes requiring majority support from all elected members.

• Requires delegates to be Oklahoma residents, registered voters, at least 18 years old, not registered lobbyists, and not hold federal office; delegates must take an oath to support both U.S. and Oklahoma constitutions and follow legislative instructions.

• Makes votes cast outside the scope of legislative instructions or limits on convention subjects void, and provides for forfeiture of appointment and criminal penalties (up to 1 year imprisonment and $1,000 fine) for knowingly or intentionally voting outside authorized scope.

• Creates an Article V convention delegate advisory group composed of the Chief Justice of the Oklahoma Supreme Court, Chief Judge of the Court of Civil Appeals, and the presiding judge of Oklahoma County to advise delegates and the Attorney General on compliance with legislative instructions within 24 hours of request.

• Authorizes the Legislature to recall any delegate or alternate delegate at any time and allows the Legislature to amend delegate instructions by joint resolution; provides for mileage and travel expenses paid from legislative appropriations.