Constitutional Review Commission Act

Short Title (Section 1)
This Act may be cited as the “Constitutional Review Commission Act”.

---

Section 2: Findings & Purpose

2.1 Findings:

• The U.S. Constitution is enduring but increasingly misaligned with modern technological, social, and global challenges (humanrights.or.tz, The New Yorker).

• Existing amendment processes (e.g., Article V Convention) are too slow or impractical to address evolving national needs (Wikipedia).

2.2 Purpose:

• To establish a Constitutional Review Commission that periodically evaluates necessary updates to constitutional provisions, institutional structures, and rights;

• To foster inclusive, nonpartisan dialogue and prepare targeted proposals to inform future constitutional amendments.

---

Section 3: Establishment & Composition

3.1 Establishment:

• Congress shall create the United States Constitutional Review Commission within 180 days of this Act’s passage.

3.2 Composition: (Total 15 members)

• 3 appointed by the President (with no more than 2 from the same political party);

• 3 by the Senate Majority Leader and 3 by the Minority Leader (balanced party representation);

• 3 by the Speaker and 3 by the Minority Leader of the House (balanced);

• Each member must be selected from outside of elected office and partisan governance.

3.3 Diversity & Expertise:

• Appointments must reflect diversity (region, race, gender, profession), and include legal scholars, civic leaders, technologists, ethicists, and youth representatives.

3.4 Terms and Removal:

• Members serve staggered six-year terms, renewable once.

• Removal only for misconduct via a two-thirds vote of the Commission.

---

Section 4: Mandate & Scope

4.1 Reviews Required Every 20 Years:

• The Commission shall conduct constitutional reviews at 20-year intervals, starting in 2045.

4.2 Scope Includes (but not limited to):

• Amending structures for Supreme Court reform (e.g. term limits), legislative balance, federal powers over emerging domains (AI, climate, space), and codifying rights (privacy, digital autonomy, equality, environmental).

4.3 Public Engagement Mechanisms:

• At least 25 regional forums, online consultation platforms, and expert advisory panels must be convened to gather perspectives.

4.4 Deliverables:

• Produce a Final Report including analysis, prioritized amendment proposals, and optional draft language for each suggestion.

---

Section 5: Legislative Path for Review Outcomes

• Congress must formally debate and vote on each proposal included in the Final Report within 180 days of submission.

• For proposals deemed urgent, the Commission can escalate them with expedited procedures in both Chambers (e.g., simple majority debate/read).

---

Section 6: Budget & Support

• Allocate $50 million over the first 6 years, with inflation adjustment, to support staffing, public engagement, and research.

• Provide resources via the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and National Archives for expert support, civic education, and digital infrastructure.

---

Section 7: Public Education

• The Commission shall partner with the Department of Education to raise civic literacy on constitutional issues:

  • Create multimedia educational materials, school curricula supplements, and public outreach campaigns.

---

Section 8: Sunset & Reactivation

• Commission automatically dissolves two years after Final Report submission.

• Congress must reauthorize the Commission before any two-decade interval to mandate a subsequent review.

---

Section 9: Severability

• If any part is held invalid, remaining provisions remain fully effective.