BILL NUMBER: S5029
SPONSOR: GRIFFO
 
TITLE OF BILL:
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND ASSEMBLY proposing an amendment
to section 2 of article 19 of the constitution, in relation to the
election of delegates
 
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this legislation is to encourage ordinary citizens to
participate in a constitutional convention and to prohibit certain
people closely affiliated with political parties from becoming deleg-
ates.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 of the bill amends section 2 of article 19 of the constitution
to prohibit various classes of persons from being elected as a delegate
at a constitutional convention. The prohibition would apply to any
person acting as a political party chairperson, an elected public offi-
cer, any person appointed by the Governor, any person subject to the
rules of the commission on public integrity, any person who is required
to file an annual statement of financial disclosure with the legislative
ethics commission, or any other person who is an officer of an organiza-
tion, association, or corporation, (other than a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt
organization), that receives public funding.
Section 2 of the bill sets forth the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Conventions should be attended and controlled by delegates who are
elected on a nonpartisan basis without strong ties to any particular
political or governmental institution. Enacting this legislation would
open up the process of reforming the State constitution beyond political
party insiders, who do not always embrace reforms that are overdue. This
bill prevents political persons from taking over the Convention agenda
and process.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023-24-S.1599 - Judiciary Committee.
2021-22-S. 3778-Judiciary Committee.
2019-20 - S. 2014 - Judiciary Committee.
2017-18 - S. 1227 - Judiciary Committee.
2016 - S. 6487/A. 5881 -Judiciary Committee.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Effective upon passage by two separately elected Legislatures and
approval by the voters after such passage.