RI H7009

Rhode Island General Assembly applies to Congress under Article V of the U.S. Constitution to call a convention of states limited to proposing amendments that impose fiscal restraints on the federal government, limit federal power and jurisdiction, and establish term limits for federal officials and members of Congress

Nine commissioners would be appointed by joint session of the General Assembly to represent Rhode Island at the convention, with qualifications including U.S. citizenship for at least 5 years, state residency for at least 5 years, minimum age of 25, and no federal employment or lobbying activity within the past 5-10 years

Commissioners are prohibited from voting for amendments that would alter constitutional guarantees of individual liberty, including the Bill of Rights and amendments 13-15, 19, 23-24, and 26

A three-member advisory committee appointed by legislative leadership would oversee commissioners, with authority to recall or suspend any commissioner who exceeds their authorized scope within 24 hours of a request for determination

Commissioners would receive compensation equal to state representatives, are limited to accepting gifts totaling no more than $200 during service, and the application remains active until two-thirds of states submit similar applications