JOINT RESOLUTION RESPECTFULLY REQUESTING A CONVENTION OF THE STATES UNDER ARTICLE V OF THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION (Petitions congress to call a convention for the purpose of proposing amendments to the U.S. Constitution to impose restraints on the federal government.)
Summary
H5140 is a joint resolution asking Congress to call an Article V convention of the states. The resolution states that Rhode Island should join with other states in seeking constitutional amendments that would place new restraints on the federal government, limit federal power and jurisdiction, and impose term limits on federal officials and members of Congress. It also declares Rhode Island’s application to be a continuing one, intended to be considered alongside other current and future state applications until the threshold for convening a convention is met.
The resolution does not itself amend Rhode Island statutes or create a new regulatory program. Instead, it expresses the General Assembly’s formal position and directs the Secretary of State to transmit certified copies to congressional leaders and Rhode Island’s congressional delegation. Its practical effect is political and procedural: it adds Rhode Island’s request to the national Article V process and supports a multi-state effort to trigger a constitutional convention.
Impact
H5140 would not directly change state law, tax policy, or agency authority. Its legal effect is to authorize Rhode Island’s formal application under Article V of the U.S. Constitution and to communicate that application to federal officials. The resolution is aimed at the federal constitutional amendment process, particularly amendments that would limit federal authority and establish term limits, rather than at any Rhode Island statute or administrative code.
Sentiment
Based on the text and the absence of committee testimony or recorded votes, the bill appears to reflect a strong pro-limited-government and anti-federal-overreach sentiment. The resolution frames federal mandates as intrusive and presents the measure as a defense of liberty and state sovereignty. Because there is no recorded discussion or vote history provided, there is no evidence of organized opposition or amendment activity in the available materials.
Contention
The main point of contention is the use of an Article V convention, which is often debated because supporters view it as a way to rein in federal power while critics may worry about the scope and unpredictability of a constitutional convention. The resolution’s call to limit federal jurisdiction and impose term limits on federal officials and members of Congress may also be controversial among those who oppose changing the Constitution through a convention process or who question whether such a convention could be limited to specific topics. No specific opponents or supporters are identified in the provided record.