Convention of states.

26LSO-0441
2026
State of Wyoming
26LSO-0441
Numbered
2.0

Senate JOINT RESOLUTION NO. SJ0005

Convention of states.

Sponsored by: Senator(s) Driskill, Case, Crum, Kolb, Laursen, D and Olsen and Representative(s) Banks, Clouston and Williams

A JOINT RESOLUTION

for

A JOINT RESOLUTION requesting Congress to call a convention for proposing amendments to the United States constitution as specified.

WHEREAS, the framers of the United States constitution empowered state legislatures to be guardians of liberty against future abuses of power by the federal government; and

WHEREAS, the federal government has created a crushing national debt through improper and imprudent spending; and

WHEREAS, the federal government has invaded the legitimate roles of the states through the manipulative process of federal mandates, many of which are unfunded mandates; and

WHEREAS, the federal government has ceased to operate under a proper interpretation of the United States constitution; and

WHEREAS, it is the solemn duty of the states to protect the liberty of the people, particularly for future generations, by proposing amendments to the United States constitution through a convention of the states under Article V of the United States constitution for the purpose of restraining these and related abuses of power.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WYOMING:

Section 1.

That the Legislature of the state of Wyoming hereby applies to Congress, under the provisions of Article V of the United States constitution, for the calling of a convention of the several states limited to proposing amendments to the United States constitution that impose fiscal restraints on the federal government, limit the power and jurisdiction of the federal government and limit the terms of office for federal officials and members of Congress.

Section 2.

(a)

That the Legislature of the state of Wyoming adopts the application made under section 1 of this joint resolution expressly subject to the following reservations, understandings and declarations:

(i)

An application to the United States constitution to call a convention of the several states pursuant to article V of the United States constitution for the purpose of proposing amendments to the constitution confers no power to Congress other than the power to call the convention. The power of Congress to exercise this ministerial duty consists solely of the authority to name a reasonable time and place for the initial meeting of a convention;

(ii)

Congress shall call an amendment convention of the states only upon the receipt of applications for an amendment convention for the substantially same purpose as this application from two-thirds (2/3) of the legislatures of the several states;

(iii)

Congress does not have the power or authority to determine any rules for the governing of an amendment convention of the several states called pursuant to article V of the United States constitution. Congress does not have the power to set the number of delegates to be sent by any state to a convention, nor does it have the power to name delegates to a convention. The power to name delegates remains exclusively within the authority of the legislatures of the several states;

(iv)

By definition, a convention of the states to propose amendments to the United States constitution means that states shall vote on the basis of one (1) state, one (1) vote;

(v)

A convention of the several states to propose amendments to the constitution convened pursuant to this application shall be limited to consideration of the topics specified in this joint resolution and no other. This application is made with the express understanding that an amendment that in any way seeks to amend, modify or repeal any provision of the Bill of Rights shall not be authorized for consideration in any manner;

(vi)

Pursuant to article V of the United States constitution, Congress may determine whether proposed amendments shall be ratified by the legislatures of the several states or by special state ratification conventions. The Legislature of the State of Wyoming recommends that Congress select ratification by the legislatures of the several states; and

(vii)

The Legislature of the state of Wyoming may provide further instructions to its delegates and may recall its delegates at any time for a breach of a duty or a violation of the instructions provided to the delegates.

Section 3.

That this application constitutes a continuing application in accordance with article V of the United States constitution until the legislatures of at least two
‑
thirds (2/3) of the several states have made applications on the same subject.

Section 4.

That the Secretary of State of Wyoming transmit copies of this resolution to the President of the United States, to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the United States Congress, to each member of the Wyoming Congressional Delegation and to the presiding officers of each of the legislative houses in the several states, requesting their cooperation.

(END)

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SJ0005