The 40th Montana Legislative Assembly (1967) created the Legislative Council Subcommittee on the Montana Constitution to study the state's constitution, ratified in 1889, to determine if it adequately served the needs of the people, and to examine the alternative methods of change by either extensive amendments or a complete revision by constitutional convention. The group concluded that more than half of the sections in the constitution should be revised, and recommended continuation of the study.
The Montana Constitution Revision Commission was therefore created in April 1969 to conduct a more detailed study. This commission recommended the calling of a constitutional convention and prepared a constitutional enabling act for submission to the 1971 legislature. The legislature also submitted referendum 67 to place the constitutional convention to a vote of the people in the November 1970 general election. The referendum was approved by a two-thirds vote.
In acting on the recommendations of the Constitution Revision Commission, the 42nd Legislative Assembly created the Constitutional Convention Commission on March 31, 1971, to prepare for the constitutional convention by undertaking studies and research, and by compiling without recommendation essential information for the delegates. The Commission was composed of 16 members: four appointed by the governor, the Supreme Court, the Senate Committee on Committees, and by the speaker of the House respectively. The executive director of the Commission was Dale A. Harris of Great Falls, and the assistant director was Jerry R. Holloron of Missoula. The Commission prepared a series of twenty reports for the constitutional convention delegates.
The Commission expired upon the sine die adjournment of the Constitutional Convention.
From the guide to the Montana Constitutional Convention Commission Records>, 1969-1972, (Montana Historical Society Research Center)
