Oklahoma HJR 1089: Joint Resolution; Oklahoma Constitution; convention; delegates; procedures; submission to voters; ballot title; filing.

Bill Text

ENGR. H. J. R. NO. 1089 Page 1
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
ENGROSSED HOUSE
JOINT
RESOLUTION NO. 1089 By: Hilbert, Crosswhite Hader,
Fetgatter, and Sneed of the
House

and

Paxton of the Senate

A Joint Resolution calling a Constitutional
Convention to alter, revise, or amend the present
Constitution of the State of Oklahoma or to propose a
new Constitution; fixing the time and place thereof;
providing for selection of delegates to the
Convention; providing requirements and restrictions
for eligibility; creating a Constitutional Convention
Commission; stating purpose; providing for
composition; providing for election of officers and
organization of the Constitutional Convention;
providing oath of office; providing for recall and
penalty for violation of oath; providing for
employment of staff; providing for rules of
procedure; providing for working draft to be
considered by the Constitutional Convention;
providing voting requirements for certain actions;
providing for compensation of delegates; providing
for payment of expenses of the Convention; providing
for submission of constitutional changes to the
voters of the state; providing for submission of this
joint resolution to a vote of the people; providing
ballot title; and directing filing.

WHEREAS, Section 2 of Article XXIV of the Oklahoma Constitution
requires that a proposal to hold a Constitutional Convention shall

ENGR. H. J. R. NO. 1089 Page 2
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
be submitted to a vote of the people at least once every twenty (20)
years; and
WHEREAS, the last proposal providing for a Constitutional
Convention was submitted to a vote of the people March 17, 1970; and
WHEREAS, a State Question to eliminate the requirement that a
Constitutional Convention proposal be submitted to the people every
twenty (20) years was defeated at the General Election held November
8, 1994; and
WHEREAS, the original Constitutional Convention was comprised of
112 members, with 55 delegates from Indian Territory, 55 delegates
from Oklahoma Territory, and two members from Osage tribal land; and
WHEREAS, it is incumbent upon the Legislature to enact a law
providing for a Constitutional Convention and to submit said law to
a vote of the people; and
WHEREAS, in accordance with court decisions and Attorney General
opinions, it is necessary that said law provide the organization of
the Convention and the procedure to be followed by the Convention
and that said law be signed by the Governor.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
AND THE SENATE OF THE 2ND SESSION OF THE 60TH OKLAHOMA LEGISLATURE:
SECTION 1. There is hereby called a Constitutional Convention
for the purpose of altering, revising, or amending the current
Constitution, or to propose a new Constitution for the State of

ENGR. H. J. R. NO. 1089 Page 3
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
Oklahoma, to be submitted to the people for their approval or
rejection.
SECTION 2. The Constitutional Convention shall convene on
Monday, January 5, 2027, not later than 5:00 p.m., in Oklahoma City
at the State Capitol.
SECTION 3. A. Delegates to the Convention shall be those
persons elected to and constituting the Oklahoma House of
Representatives and those members elected to and constituting the
Oklahoma State Senate.
B. No member of Congress from this state or person holding any
other federal office shall be eligible to be a delegate.
C. There is hereby created a Constitutional Convention
Commission. The Constitutional Convention Commission shall be
composed of the Governor or a designee, the Chief Justice of the
Supreme Court or a designee, the Speaker of the House of
Representatives or a designee, the President Pro Tempore of the
Senate or a designee, a member of the House of Representatives
appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and a
member of the Senate appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the
Senate. The members appointed by the Speaker of the House of
Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall
serve as cochairs of the Commission. The Commission shall conduct
public hearings prior to the delegate selection process to gather

ENGR. H. J. R. NO. 1089 Page 4
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
input from the public for issues to be addressed by the
Constitutional Convention.
SECTION 4. A. The Secretary of State shall call the
Constitutional Convention to order and preside until one of the
delegates is chosen President of the Constitutional Convention by
vote of the Convention.
B. Prior to the selection of a President, the delegates shall
take the following oath to support the Constitution of the United
States and to faithfully discharge their duties as delegates:
"I do solemnly swear or affirm that to the best of my abilities,
I will, as a delegate to the State Constitutional Convention, uphold
the Constitution and laws of the