Resolution Rescinding Previous Applications Of The General Assembly That Called For An Article V Convention To Propose Amendments To The Constitution Of The United States And Directing Transmission Of Such Resolution To Congress For Printing In The Congressional Record.
Summary
HJ 49 is a joint resolution that formally rescinds two prior Connecticut General Assembly applications made under Article V of the U.S. Constitution asking Congress to call a convention to propose constitutional amendments. The resolution specifically withdraws a 1949 application related to participation in a world federal government and a 1958 application related to taxation of income of residents of one state by another state. It states that Connecticut no longer wishes Congress to consider those earlier applications.
The measure also directs the Secretary of the State to send certified copies of the resolution to federal officials, including the Archivist of the United States, the leaders of both chambers of Congress, and Connecticut’s congressional delegation, and requests that the resolution be printed in the Congressional Record. In practical terms, the bill does not create new regulatory programs or change ordinary state law; instead, it updates Connecticut’s official position in the federal Article V convention process by nullifying two historical applications.
Impact
The resolution affects Connecticut’s constitutional applications on file with Congress by rescinding and superseding two previously adopted Article V applications. Its legal effect is limited to the state’s formal requests for a constitutional convention and does not directly amend Connecticut statutes or impose obligations on private parties. The main impact is procedural and political: it removes outdated applications from consideration and updates the state’s record with federal authorities.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have broad support and little visible opposition. It passed the Government Administration and Elections Committee unanimously, then cleared the House 144-0 and the Senate 35-0. The vote history suggests the resolution was viewed as a routine housekeeping measure rather than a controversial policy change.
Contention
There is little evidence of substantive contention in the available record. The only potentially notable issue is the underlying Article V convention question itself, including whether old applications should remain active and whether Connecticut should continue to be associated with prior calls for a convention. The resolution resolves that issue by expressly withdrawing the two historical applications, and the unanimous votes indicate no recorded disagreement among legislators in the available materials.