Apply for Convention of the States re: term limits
Summary
HJR3 is a joint resolution that asks Congress to call a limited national convention under Article V of the U.S. Constitution for one specific purpose: proposing a constitutional amendment to impose term limits on members of the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. The resolution states that Ohio is formally applying for such a convention and that the convention would be restricted to this single subject.
The resolution also directs the Ohio House Clerk to send authenticated copies to federal leaders, Ohio’s congressional delegation, and the presiding officers of other state legislatures, seeking their cooperation. It further declares that Ohio’s application should be counted together with similar applications from other states toward the two-thirds threshold needed to require Congress to call the convention, but not with applications on unrelated topics. The resolution is framed as a continuing application until enough states have applied on the same subject.
Impact
If adopted, HJR3 would not directly change Ohio statutes or create new state regulatory requirements. Instead, it would place Ohio on record as supporting an interstate Article V convention limited to congressional term limits, potentially contributing to the constitutional process needed to propose a federal amendment. Its practical effect would be political and procedural, affecting Ohio’s formal position in the national term-limits movement and the state’s communications with Congress and other states.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have a supportive or favorable posture based on its introduction with multiple cosponsors and its straightforward, advocacy-oriented purpose. No committee transcripts or recorded votes were provided, so there is no evidence of formal opposition or debate in the available materials. The overall tone of the resolution is assertive and pro-term-limits, reflecting a desire to advance a constitutional amendment rather than a contested state policy change.
Contention
The main point of contention is likely the use of an Article V convention, which some lawmakers and observers often view as a risky or expansive constitutional mechanism even when limited to one subject. Another likely area of disagreement is the underlying policy of congressional term limits themselves, with supporters arguing they promote accountability and fresh leadership, while opponents may question whether limits reduce institutional knowledge or voter choice. The resolution’s language emphasizing a “limited” convention and excluding other subjects suggests an effort to address concerns about convention scope.
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