South Carolina House Bill H3007

South Carolina 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/14/25
• Refer: 1/14/25
• Refer: 3/6/25

Caption

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO MAKE APPLICATION BY THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA UNDER ARTICLE V OF THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION FOR A CONVENTION OF THE STATES TO BE CALLED, RESTRICTED TO PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION TO IMPOSE FISCAL RESTRAINTS ON THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THROUGH A BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT.

Summary

H3007 is a concurrent resolution by the South Carolina General Assembly applying to Congress under Article V of the U.S. Constitution for a convention of the states limited to proposing a federal balanced budget amendment and related fiscal restraints. The resolution states that federal deficit spending and the national debt justify a constitutional amendment requiring federal appropriations to not exceed estimated revenues except in a national emergency. The resolution also sets out South Carolina’s conditions for such a convention. It declares that Congress’s role is limited to calling the convention, that states—not Congress—control delegate selection, that each state gets one vote, and that the convention must be confined to the fiscal subject identified in the resolution. It further bars any consideration of changes to the Bill of Rights or the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments, recommends ratification by state legislatures, and authorizes South Carolina to instruct and recall its delegates. The resolution is intended as a continuing application until two-thirds of the states apply on the same subject.

Impact

If adopted, the resolution would not directly change South Carolina statutory law, but it would formally commit the state to seeking an Article V constitutional convention on balanced-budget and fiscal-restraint amendments. It would also supersede prior South Carolina applications on the same subject and direct transmission of the application to federal officials and other state legislatures. The practical effect is to add South Carolina to any national count of states seeking an Article V convention for this purpose, while asserting state control over the scope and mechanics of the convention.

Sentiment

The available context suggests generally favorable sentiment among supporters of the measure, reflected in the bill’s introduction by multiple House members and the Senate’s 32-12 vote to waive the Rule 15 two-hour time limit. The bill’s findings frame the issue as one of federal fiscal irresponsibility, debt, and economic harm, indicating a strong policy rationale from proponents. No committee transcript is available, so the record does not show detailed floor or committee debate beyond the procedural vote.

Contention

The main points of contention are likely the use of an Article V convention and the risk that such a convention could exceed its intended scope. Supporters attempt to address those concerns by including detailed limits on the convention’s authority, delegate selection, voting rules, and subject matter, as well as an express prohibition on considering amendments affecting the Bill of Rights and Reconstruction Amendments. Opponents of convention-based amendments generally worry about constitutional uncertainty, potential expansion of the convention’s agenda, and the broader implications of opening the federal Constitution to revision, even when the stated purpose is a balanced budget amendment.