JOINT RESOLUTION RESCINDING ALL PRIOR ARTICLE V CONVENTION APPLICATIONS (Cancels and nullifies all prior applications by the general assembly calling for a constitutional convention.)

Plain-English Summary

This resolution would officially cancel and withdraw all previous requests that Rhode Island's General Assembly has made to the U.S. Congress for a constitutional convention. Under Article V of the U.S. Constitution, states have the power to apply to Congress to call a convention specifically to propose amendments to the Constitution. If enough states (34 out of 50) submit such applications, Congress is required to call a convention. This resolution would pull Rhode Island out of any such efforts by voiding all past applications the state has ever submitted.

The resolution affects Rhode Island's role in any ongoing national movement to hold a constitutional convention. Over the years, state legislatures across the country — including Rhode Island — have passed various applications calling for conventions focused on different topics, such as balancing the federal budget or limiting federal power. By rescinding these applications, Rhode Island would essentially be saying it no longer supports being counted toward the 34-state threshold needed to trigger a convention.

This bill would primarily affect how Rhode Island participates in the broader national debate about potentially amending the U.S. Constitution through a state-led convention process. It does not change any existing laws or directly impact everyday Rhode Islanders in an immediate, practical way. The resolution has been introduced and referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee, where it will be reviewed before any further action is taken.