Kentucky Senate Bill SJR51

Kentucky 2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/22/26
• Refer: 1/22/26

Caption

A JOINT RESOLUTION applying for an Article V convention to propose amendments to the Constitution of the United States 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 government officials and members of Congress.

Summary

SJR51 is a joint resolution by the Kentucky General Assembly applying for an Article V convention of the states. The resolution asks Congress to call a convention limited to proposing amendments to the U.S. Constitution that would impose fiscal restraints on the federal government, reduce the federal government’s power and jurisdiction, and limit the terms of office for federal officials and members of Congress. The resolution states that Kentucky is making a continuing application until at least two-thirds of the states have made similar applications on the same subject. It also directs the Secretary of State to send copies of the resolution to congressional leaders, Kentucky’s congressional delegation, and the presiding officers of other state legislatures to seek their cooperation.

Impact

If adopted, the resolution would not directly change Kentucky statutes or create new state regulatory requirements; instead, it would formally place Kentucky on record as requesting an Article V convention on a specified subject. Its practical effect would be to add to the count of state applications for a convention and to support a broader interstate effort to pursue federal constitutional amendments on spending limits, federal authority, and congressional term limits.

Sentiment

The bill’s framing is strongly supportive of state-led constitutional reform and reflects concern about federal debt, unfunded mandates, and perceived federal overreach. The available record contains no committee testimony or recorded votes, so there is no documented opposition or support beyond the resolution’s own findings. Based on the text, the general sentiment is pro-limited-government and pro-state sovereignty.

Contention

The main points of contention are likely to be the use of an Article V convention itself and the scope of the proposed amendments. Supporters would favor fiscal restraints, limits on federal power, and term limits as checks on Washington, while critics may worry about the risks of opening a constitutional convention, the possibility of unintended amendments, and the ambiguity of how a convention would be limited in practice. Because there are no transcripts or votes provided, no specific legislators or groups are identified as holding these views in the record.