PRIA Logo™
TennesseeSB 1567114th General Assembly (2025-2026)Senate

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 3, Chapter 18, relative to Article V conventions.

Sponsored By: Kerry Roberts (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Constitutional Conventions

Your PRIA Score

Score Hidden

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to start

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 3 costs, 3 mixed.

Gift cap and four-year run ban

During service, a commissioner may not accept gifts or benefits over a combined $200. Customary gifts from immediate family and an employer’s choice to keep paying salary are allowed. The ban covers loans, lodging, food, and job offers. After the convention ends, a commissioner cannot run for state senator, state representative, or governor if the election date falls within four years. The secretary of state keeps and sends a list of ineligible people to election officials, and resends it each year for three more years.

Strict limits and fast oversight of delegates

Commissioners must follow strict limits at a convention. They cannot vote to change one-state-one-vote, or for rules without recorded roll-call votes. They may only vote on amendments germane to the subject of the states’ applications, and may not back amendments that change specific guarantees of individual liberty. A three-member advisory committee of legislators monitors compliance, answers questions within 24 hours, and may remove a commissioner who exceeds authority. The committee may hire staff to monitor the convention. It is a Class E felony to knowingly vote or try to vote outside the scope of the commissioning resolution, oath, or later instructions.

Who can serve as commissioner

To serve, you must be a U.S. citizen and a Tennessee resident for at least 5 years. You must be at least 25 and a registered Tennessee voter. You cannot be a current or recent (last 5 years) lobbyist. You cannot be a federal employee, federal contractor, or hold federal office within the last 10 years (military service excepted). You cannot have a felony for moral turpitude ever, or any felony in the last 10 years. You cannot hold a statewide office while serving as commissioner. Election to the General Assembly is not a statewide office.

Controlled funding and set pay for delegates

The state cannot incur Article V convention costs until the General Assembly passes a joint resolution agreeing to take part. Each such resolution must request a specific appropriation for all related expenses. This limit does not cover the costs of any special session to consider participation. Commissioners are paid the same rate as a Tennessee House member, prorated for time served. They also get the same per diem, expense allowance, and mileage under finance rules approved by the attorney general. Funding comes from appropriations to the General Assembly and requires joint-resolution approval.

How Tennessee appoints and replaces commissioners

The General Assembly names commissioners and their paired alternates by a joint resolution passed by a two-thirds vote in a joint session. The delegation must have an odd number of commissioners. If the legislature is not in session, the governor calls a special session to make appointments. An alternate acts when the paired commissioner is absent and fills that seat if it becomes vacant. The advisory committee may name interim alternates until the legislature picks a permanent replacement. Commissioners or alternates may be suspended, recalled, or removed by joint resolution or by the advisory committee.

Oath, credentials, and media rules for delegates

Each commissioner and alternate must sign a written oath before doing any work and file it with the secretary of state. The House clerk then issues an official copy of the oath and the commissioning resolution, which serve as credentials. The delegation must pick a chair to cast the state’s vote and a media spokesperson. Only the spokesperson may speak to media about convention business during the convention or a temporary recess. Violations can lead to suspension, recall, or removal. Decisions require a majority of commissioners present and voting when polled.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Kerry Roberts

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Jack Johnson

    Republican • Senate

  • Adam Lowe

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 107 • No: 23

House vote • 3/26/2026

FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 3/26/2026

Yes: 74 • No: 16

Senate vote • 3/5/2026

FLOOR VOTE: as Amended Third Consideration 3/5/2026

Yes: 26 • No: 5

Senate vote • 2/24/2026

SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE

Yes: 7 • No: 2

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by Governor.

    4/13/2026Senate

  2. Transmitted to Governor for action.

    4/2/2026Senate

  3. Signed by H. Speaker

    4/1/2026House

  4. Signed by Senate Speaker

    3/30/2026Senate

  5. Subst. for comp. HB.

    3/26/2026House

  6. Am. withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - HA0734)

    3/26/2026House

  7. Passed H., Ayes 74, Nays 16, PNV 0

    3/26/2026House

  8. Enrolled and ready for signatures

    3/26/2026Senate

  9. Rcvd. from S., held on H. desk.

    3/9/2026House

  10. Senate adopted Amendment (Amendment 1 - SA0521)

    3/5/2026Senate

  11. Passed Senate as amended, Ayes 26, Nays 5

    3/5/2026Senate

  12. Engrossed; ready for transmission to House

    3/5/2026Senate

  13. Placed on Senate Regular Calendar for 3/5/2026

    3/3/2026Senate

  14. Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Calendar Committee Ayes 7, Nays 2 PNV 0

    2/24/2026Senate

  15. Placed on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 2/24/2026

    2/18/2026Senate

  16. Action deferred in Senate Judiciary Committee to 2/24/2026

    2/10/2026Senate

  17. Action deferred in Senate Judiciary Committee to 2/10/2026

    2/3/2026Senate

  18. Placed on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 2/10/2026

    2/3/2026Senate

  19. Sponsor(s) Added.

    2/2/2026Senate

  20. Placed on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 2/3/2026

    1/27/2026Senate

  21. Placed on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 1/27/2026

    1/21/2026Senate

  22. Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Judiciary Committee

    1/14/2026Senate

  23. Introduced, Passed on First Consideration

    1/13/2026Senate

  24. Filed for introduction

    1/7/2026Senate

Bill Text

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation