REFERENCE TITLE: proposing regulation freedom amendment; Congress |
State of Arizona Senate Fifty-first Legislature Second Regular Session 2014
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SCM 1005 |
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Introduced by Senators Ward, Crandell: Representative Livingston
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A CONCURRENT MEMORIAL
urging the united states Congress to propose the Regulation Freedom Amendment to the united states constitution.
(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)
To the Congress of the United States of America:
Your memorialist respectfully represents:
Whereas, the growth and abuse of federal regulatory authority threaten our constitutional liberties, including those guaranteed by the Bill of Rights in the First, Second, Fourth and Fifth Amendments of the United States Constitution; and
Whereas, federal regulators must be more accountable to elected representatives of the people, not immune from such accountability; and
Whereas, the Declaration of Independence decried the imposition by the central government of "an absolute tyranny over these states" and a central government that "erected a multitude of New Offices and sent hither Swarms of Officers to harass our People and eat out their Substance"; and
Whereas, states too often find themselves in a similar position today; and
Whereas, the United States House of Representatives has passed with bipartisan support the Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act to require that Congress approve major new federal regulations before they can take effect; and
Whereas, the President of the United States has unfortunately shown no inclination to sign the REINS Act if it were passed by both houses of Congress; and
Whereas, even if enacted, a law may be repealed or waived by a future Congress and President; and
Whereas, an amendment to the United States Constitution does not require the President's approval and cannot be waived by a future Congress and President.
Wherefore your memorialist, the Senate of the State of Arizona, the House of Representatives concurring, prays:
1. That the United States Congress vote to propose the Regulation Freedom Amendment to the United States Constitution as follows:
Whenever one quarter of the Members of the U.S. House or the U.S. Senate transmits to the President their written declaration of opposition to a proposed federal regulation, it shall require a majority vote of the House and Senate to adopt that regulation.
2. That the Secretary of State of the State of Arizona transmit copies of this Memorial to each Member of Congress, the Speaker of the House of Representatives of every state legislature in America and the President of the Senate of every state legislature in America.