Bill > SB549

This bill establishes rules for delegates from Virginia who attend a convention called under Article V of the U.S. Constitution to propose amendments. The General Assembly, Virginia's legislature, will select these delegates and can recall or replace them. An advisory committee, composed of members from both chambers of the General Assembly, will oversee the delegates' conduct and can suspend them if they exceed their authority. Delegates must take an oath to follow the General Assembly's instructions, which will be outlined in a "commissioning resolution" that specifies the scope of their authority, including limitations on voting for certain types of amendments or changes to state representation. Delegates will be compensated like members of the House of Delegates and are prohibited from accepting gifts over $200. The bill also outlines procedures for the delegation's operations, including choosing leaders and communicating as a group, and makes exceeding the scope of authority or obstructing delegates a Class 5 felony.