Oklahoma could join a growing list of states calling for a convention to be held to amend the U.S. Constitution.
The Senate Rules Committee considered a bill on Wednesday calling for a constitutional convention to be held to consider amendments to restrict the federal government's power and impose term limits for members of Congress.
Former U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn visited with House and Senate Republicans on Monday and urged them to pass the bill.
The bill received a "do pass" after the title was stricken by the committee. By striking the title and related description, the committee agreed that the bill must be reconsidered by the committee in order to move forward or be defeated.
The committee also gave a "do pass" vote to SJR31, a bill calling for a statewide vote on whether to add certain death penalty provisions to the Oklahoma Constitution. The committee's vote moves the bill to consideration by the full House of Represenatives.
The text of the bill reads:
All statutes of this state requiring, authorizing, imposing or relating to the death penalty are in full force and effect, subject to legislative amendment or repeal by statute, initiative or referendum. Any method of execution shall be allowed, unless prohibited by the United States Constitution. Methods of execution may be designated by the Legislature. A sentence of death shall not be reduced on the basis that a method of execution is invalid. In any case in which an execution method is declared invalid, the death sentence shall remain in force until the sentence can be lawfully executed by any valid method. The death penalty provided for under such statutes shall not be deemed to be, or to constitute, the infliction of cruel or unusual punishments, nor shall such punishment be deemed to contravene any other provision of this Constitution.
If approved by the Oklahoma House, the Oklahoma Senate and ultimately voters, it would allow any method of execution that is not prohibited by the U.S. Constitution.
In addition, the committee approved SB0053. Sen. Robert Standridge, R-Norman, said the purpose of SB0053 was to establish the way delegates would be selected for a constitutional convention called under Article V of the U.S. Constitution, as well as establish parameters for their actions.
In the course of a lengthy question and answer session, Standridge acknowledged it was his intention that Oklahoma delegates be members of the Legislature. When asked what the bill would permit the Legislature to do if a delegate violated its instructions, Standridge said the delegate would be removed and replaced by an alternate.
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