11th hour bill to prepare for vote on holding RI Constitutional Convention, mandated 10 years ago

In Rhode Island, a state constitutional convention question is provided to voters at least 10 years after the prior question. That means 2024 is mandated to consider the question. Rhode Islanders addressed a constitutional convention question in 2014. Voters rejected the question that year.

Seemingly at the last minute of the legislative session, Rhode Island is moving on legislation submitted by 10 member of the RI House of Representatives (see below) to establish a Preparatory Commission of 12 members, as constitutionally required, in anticipation of a November ballot question which would consider authorizing a RI Constitutional Convention.

Vin Marzullo, an advocate of Rhode Island holding a new constitutional convention said he was notified by RI Secretary of State Gregg Amore that the legislation was submitted on May 30th. Marzullo had written to him, as well, earlier in the month.

Amore indicated that the legislation is being assigned to House/Senate Judiciary Committees and will be voted on next week.  Marzullo said, “He (Amore) further acknowledged that he met with the RI General Assembly leadership in April to discuss this matter and provided them with draft bills.” The drafts seem to be what was used for the submitted legislation, according to Amore.

Marzullo said that “It now appears that the General Assembly will fast track its passage since they are wrapping up the state budget, etc.  Once the Preparatory Commission is established and organized they are charged to issue a report by September 1^st on potential constitutional questions/considerations for a Convention, should one be authorized this November”. 

The Commission would have approximately 2 months to convene, organize, establish the public input process, deliberate, and finalize a report for the public no later than September 1^st as legally mandated.  

Here is the House bill submitted on May 30th: