CAPITOL WATCH
M. Scott Carter reports on politics, legislation and other issues from the State Capitol.
A resolution to ask voters if they wanted to hold a constitutional convention cleared the Senate Rules Committee Wednesday, but its author said the measure won’t go to the governor this year.
Senator Kyle Loveless, R-Oklahoma City, said House Joint Resolution 1020 would ask Oklahomans if they wanted to convene a constitutional convention on July 10, 2017. The measure outlines how delegates would be selected and creates a commission to oversee the delegates’ selection. The convention would be required to adjourn on June 30, 2018.
The resolution cleared the Senate Rules Committee on a 12-0 vote but the measure had its title crippled, a procedural maneuver that prevents it from being sent to the governor’s office.
Loveless said he would take the measure to the full Senate for a vote, but added he planned “to park” to measure after the Senate vote.
“There are some issues we need to work out regarding delegates to the convention,” Loveless said. “I think we need an interim study to do that. That’s why I don’t want to move it forward after the Senate vote.”
Records from the Secretary of State’s office show the legislature has failed to place a referendum before the public since March 17, 1970. Oklahoma’s constitution requires the legislature to ask the public if it wants to hold a constitutional convention every 20 years.
HJR 1020 is expected to be heard by the full Senate soon.
Note: This story was updated on April 8 with new information.
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