About 30 determined supporters, including several Jefferson County Republican leaders, braved early morning darkness and a snow storm in order to testify at the State Legislature in support of bills that would include Montana in a future Convention Of States.
On Jan. 24, the House Business and Labor Committee heard over three hours of in-person as well as online testimony from about 50 state residents regarding Joint Resolution 5 (HJ5), which seeks to confirm Montana’s participation in a conference of all 50 states aimed at amending the U.S. Constitution.
The Convention Of States, whose proponents tend to be political conservatives, is permitted under Article V of the U.S. constitution, which allows the states an opportunity to check federal powers. Three quarters of the states must approve such a convention. If HJ5 passes, Montana would become the 20th state to pledge its participation.
