Bill > HJ25

This bill calls for the repeal of the 17th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which currently allows for direct popular election of U.S. Senators. The proposed constitutional amendment would return the power of selecting Senators to state legislatures, as was originally intended by the Constitution's framers. Under the proposed changes, Senators would be selected by state legislatures, serve six-year terms, and have a primary duty to represent their state government. Each Senator would be paid by their state, could be removed by a majority vote of the state legislature, and would be required to work with a state liaison committee to evaluate the impact of federal legislation. The bill argues that the current system of direct popular election has diluted state power and increased federal government influence. Congress would be prohibited from legislating about the senatorial selection process, with each state legislature responsible for establishing its own selection rules. Existing Senators would not be immediately affected by the amendment, and voter qualifications would remain consistent with those for electing the most numerous branch of state legislatures.

Transportation and Infrastructure

https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/2/LC2903