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Minutes for SCR1607 - Committee on Federal and State Affairs
Short Title
Making application to the United States congress to call a convention of the states for the purpose of proposing amendments to limit the federal government.
Minutes Content for Mon, Mar 13, 2023
Mike Heim, Office of the Revisor of Statutes, explained the resolution. SCR1607 is a concurrent resolution making application to the U.S. Congress to call a convention of states for the purpose of proposing amendments to the U.S. Constitution. (Attachment 2)
The Chairman called for proponent testimony.
Proponent Oral Testimony
Michael Farris, JD, Co-founder, Senior Advisor, Convention of States Action, spoke as a proponent of the resolution. He gave a history of Article V, dating back to 1787. During the Constitutional Convention, George Mason said that someday the government would have too much power, and will not take that power away from themselves. To protect the citizens from power abuse, they put in Article V. His proposal was adopted without consent, and the final version of Article V gave the states the ultimate constitutional power - the power to unilaterally amend the Constitution without the consent of Congress. He stated calling a convention is necessary in current times to re-balance federal power with state power. He also summarized why there is misinformation about calling a convention, and what can be done going forward, if a convention is called. (Attachment 3)
Proponent Written Only Testimony
Ben Terrill, Convention of States Action (Attachment 4)
Gary Burnett, Convention of States Action (Attachment 5)
David Copeland, Convention of States Volunteer (Attachment 6)
Angel Cushing, Private Citizen (Attachment 7)
Connie Davidson, Kansas Grassroots Coordinator, Kansas Convention of States (Attachment 8)
Tom Harmon, Convention of States Action, Volunteer (Attachment 9)
John Stepnoski, Convention of States Kansas (Attachment 10)
Cynthia Meyer, Convention of States Volunteer (Attachment 11)
Robin Paulson, District Captian, Kansas Convention of States (Attachment 12)
David Schneider, Convention of States Kansas (Attachment 13)
John and Kim Stauffer, Private Citizens (Attachment 14)
Bob Srawder, Grassroots Coordinator, Convention of States (Attachment 15)
Lynn Fairbanks, Private Citizen (Attachment 16)
Kenneth Kern, Private Citizen (Attachment 17)
Viola Heskett, Private Citizen (Attachment 18)
Charles Mais, Private Citizen (Attachment 19)
After a period of questions and answers, the Chairman called for opponent testimony.
Opponent Oral Testimony
John Axtell, Volunteer Coordinator, Kansas Campaign for Liberty, spoke as a opponent of the resolution. He quoted several delegates to the Convention of 1787 who had concerns that they were acting beyond the authority granted by the states and congress. He stated a convention cannot be constrained by the people of Kansas, and that because of a recent rule change, "a vote for the resolution is a vote to sue Kansas." (Attachment) 20
Blake Branson, private citizen, spoke as an opponent of the resolution. He stated he wished he could support the resolution because there are so many problems currently with the federal government, but there are too many problems with the resolution. He stated term limits won't solve the problem, and if we don't learn how to hold politicians accountable, we won't solve anything. He also said the wording is supposed to limit the convention to only a couple issues, but it doesn't do that. "Every part of the constitution is on the table." (Attachment 21)
Opponent Written Only Testimony
Joanna Martin, JD, Private Citizen (Attachment 22)
The Chairman opened for a period of questions and answers.
With no more questions, the Chairman closed the hearing on SCR1607.
The Chairman adjourned the meeting at 11:32 am.
