PETITION FOR AMENDMENTS TO

U.S. CONSTITUTION

House Joint Resolution V as introduced

Sponsor:  Rep. Lee Chatfield

Committee:  Government Operations

Complete to 9-12-17

SUMMARY:

House Joint Resolution V would petition the United States Congress to call a convention to propose amendments to the U.S. Constitution.

The Joint Resolution states that the convention would be "limited to proposing amendments to the constitution of the United States that impose fiscal restraints on the federal government, limit the powers and jurisdiction of the federal government, and limit the terms of office for its officials and for members of Congress." The Joint Resolution includes a brief preamble expressing the need for such amendments.

HJR V would direct the Secretary of State to transmit copies of the application to the President and Secretary of the U.S. Senate; to the Speaker and Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives; to all members of the U.S. Senate and U.S. House from Michigan; and to the presiding officers of each of the legislative houses in the several states, requesting their cooperation.

Finally, the Joint Resolution states that the application "constitutes a continuing application in accordance with Article V of the Constitution of the United States until the legislatures of at least two-thirds of the several states have made applications on the same subject."

BRIEF BACKGROUND:

Under Article V of the U.S. Constitution, Congress must propose amendments to the Constitution if two thirds of both the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives deem it necessary, and must call a convention for proposing amendments upon the application of the Legislatures of two thirds of the states. Any proposed amendment must then be ratified by the Legislatures of three fourths of the states or at conventions in three fourths of the states.[1]

FISCAL IMPACT:

           

            HJR V would have no direct fiscal impact on the state or local units of government.

                                                                                        Legislative Analyst:   Patrick Morris

                                                                                                Fiscal Analyst:   Bethany Wicksall

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House Fiscal Agency staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.

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