This Is How We'd Pick Our Constitutional Convention Commissioners

(Source: MIRS.news, Published 02/19/2026) If the states successfully call for a national constitutional convention, Michigan would send five commissioners and five alternates who are at least 25 years old, registered voters and someone who has been a U.S. citizen and Michigan resident for at least five years under legislation considered in a House committee Thursday.

Under HB 5151 and HCR 2, registered federal lobbyists, employees, contractors, elected officials, appointees and felons wouldn't be eligible to be a commissioner. All four legislative leaders would be allowed to pick one commissioner and one alternate, with the fifth being picked by the commissioners. The entire slate would need to be approved by the entire Legislature before they could be commissioned.

The measures also set conduct standards for commissioners and prohibit them from exceeding their authority. Any commissioner found guilty of bribery or obstructing the convention faces a five-year prison sentence.

The Michigan House Government Operations Committee on Wednesday took testimony on these measures, which lay the groundwork for Michigan’s participation in a potential Article V constitutional convention.

Currently, the “Convention of States” is made up of 19 to 20 mostly southern and Republican states that are pushing for a convention to tackle such subjects as federal term limits, a balanced budget amendment and federal government limitations. A total of 34 would need to approve the convention for it to be held. Any proposed constitutional changes proposed through the convention would need approval from 38 states.

Bill sponsor Luke Meerman (R-Coopersville) stressed that the measures do not call for a convention themselves. Instead, they establish a framework for selecting and governing Michigan’s delegation should two-thirds of the states successfully petition Congress to convene one under Article V of the U.S. Constitution.

Meerman told committee members the bills are a “necessary first step” to ensure Michigan is not scrambling if a convention is called.

“We have to decide how we’re going to pick the people we send,” he said.

Sarah Santana, representing the Convention of States, said putting the structure in place now would prevent confusion later. “If a convention were called tomorrow, we don’t have a means of sending someone in place in Michigan right now,” she said. Even states that have not formally called for a convention, she added, would want a system ready to ensure representation.

Rep. John Fitzgerald (D-Wyoming) questioned whether the resolution would remain enforceable beyond the current legislative term and raised concerns about timing if a convention were called. Meerman acknowledged the resolution would not extend past the session, but said it would serve as a guide for future legislatures.

Supporters testifying in person and via Zoom framed the bills as procedural safeguards rather than a substantive endorsement of a convention. The committee did not vote on the legislation Wednesday.

A Senate committee passed a measure in 2018 that would have added Michigan to the list of states calling for an Article V convention, but it failed to get the two-thirds majority necessary to pass the Senate floor, even with a Republican majority.