Minnesota House Bill HF769

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/13/25
• Refer: 2/13/25

Caption

A resolution memorializing Congress to call a convention to propose amendments to the United States Constitution to impose fiscal constraints on the federal government, limit the power and jurisdiction of the federal government, and limit the terms of office for its officials and for members of Congress.

Summary

HF769 is a memorial resolution by the Minnesota Legislature urging Congress to call an Article V convention of the states. The proposed convention would be limited to considering constitutional amendments 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 Minnesota’s application is intended to remain in effect until two-thirds of the states make similar applications on the same subject, and it supersedes prior Minnesota applications on the same topic. It also directs the Secretary of State to send copies of the memorial to federal congressional leaders, the presiding officers of other state legislatures, and Minnesota’s congressional delegation.

Impact

Because HF769 is a memorial resolution rather than a substantive statutory bill, it does not directly change Minnesota law or create new regulatory requirements. Its legal effect is to formally petition Congress under Article V of the U.S. Constitution and to place Minnesota on record as supporting a convention of the states on fiscal restraint, federal power limitation, and term limits. The resolution would affect state-federal relations and could contribute to the accumulation of state applications needed to trigger a constitutional convention, but it does not itself amend state statutes or impose obligations on private parties.

Sentiment

The bill’s tone is strongly supportive of limiting federal power and spending, reflecting a conservative, constitutional-reform perspective. The text frames the federal government as overreaching, fiscally irresponsible, and intrusive into state authority, and the resolution presents the convention call as a duty of the states to protect liberty. No committee transcript or vote record is provided, so there is no documented legislative debate or recorded vote sentiment beyond the resolution’s own advocacy.

Contention

The main point of contention is the use of an Article V convention of the states, which is often debated because supporters view it as a way to force fiscal discipline and term limits, while opponents worry about the scope and unpredictability of a constitutional convention. The resolution’s goals—fiscal restraints, limiting federal jurisdiction, and term limits for federal officials and members of Congress—are also politically divisive, with likely support from lawmakers favoring smaller federal government and opposition from those concerned about weakening federal authority or opening the Constitution to broader changes. Because no committee discussion or vote history is included, specific member positions are not identified.