Rescinding prior applications for a constitutional convention to propose amendments to the Constitution of the United States.
Summary
SJM8008 is a joint memorial in which the Washington State Legislature formally rescinds, repeals, cancels, nullifies, and supersedes any prior applications it made to Congress requesting a constitutional convention under Article V of the U.S. Constitution. The memorial states that these prior applications should no longer be counted, whether they were for a general convention or for limited conventions on specific topics, and asks that Washington be removed from any official tally of states seeking such a convention unless a future legislature adopts a new application.
The measure is largely declaratory and procedural rather than a change to Washington’s internal statutory code. Its practical effect is to repudiate earlier legislative applications for an Article V convention and to direct that copies of the memorial be sent to federal officials, including the President, congressional leaders, Washington’s congressional delegation, and the Director of the Federal Register. It also requests publication in the Congressional Record and recognition in the official count of state applications relating to a constitutional convention.
The general sentiment reflected in the bill text and voting history is strongly supportive of rescinding prior convention applications. The bill advanced with unanimous or near-unanimous support in committee and passed both chambers by wide margins, indicating broad legislative agreement with the memorial’s purpose. The text frames the action as a safeguard against binding future generations to decisions made in a different era and expresses concern that a convention could be used to alter constitutional rights.
The main point of contention is the underlying debate over Article V constitutional conventions themselves. Supporters of the memorial argue that prior applications may be outdated, ambiguous, or potentially exploitable by wealthy interests, and that Washington should not remain counted toward a convention call without a fresh decision by a future legislature. Opponents or skeptics of such rescission are not identified in the available materials, but the memorial’s language suggests concern about whether prior applications expire, whether convention scope can be controlled, and whether historical records are sufficient to confirm the status of earlier calls.
Impact
SJM8008 does not amend Washington’s statutes, but it changes the state’s official legislative position regarding prior Article V applications to Congress. It instructs that earlier memorials and resolutions calling for a constitutional convention be treated as withdrawn and not counted toward any current or future tally of states seeking such a convention, unless a new application is enacted by a later legislature. The memorial is directed to federal officials and the Federal Register, so its effect is primarily on intergovernmental records and Washington’s posture in the national Article V process rather than on state regulatory law.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have enjoyed broad bipartisan or at least broad institutional support, as shown by unanimous committee votes and overwhelming floor passage in both the Senate and House. The tone of the memorial is cautionary and protective, emphasizing constitutional uncertainty, the risk of unintended consequences from a convention, and the desire not to bind future generations. The voting record suggests little organized resistance within the Legislature, though the subject matter itself reflects a longstanding national debate over whether states should seek or withdraw from a constitutional convention process.
Contention
The central controversy concerns whether prior state applications for an Article V convention remain valid indefinitely and whether a convention could be limited to specific subjects once called. Supporters of SJM8008 argue that Washington’s earlier applications may be outdated, unclear in scope, or vulnerable to being used to justify a broader convention than originally intended. They also express concern that outside interests could use a convention to alter constitutional rights. The bill text does not identify named opponents, but the underlying disagreement is between those who favor rescinding all prior convention applications as a precaution and those who view such applications as still operative or as a legitimate tool for constitutional reform.
JOINT RESOLUTION RESCINDING ALL PRIOR ARTICLE V CONVENTION APPLICATIONS (Cancels and nullifies all prior applications by the general assembly calling for a constitutional convention.)
Asking Congress to call a limited convention, authorized under Article V of the United States Constitution, for the purpose of proposing a free and fair elections amendment to that Constitution.
Application to Congress for a convention of the states to propose an amendment to the United States Constitution to set a limit on the number of terms members of the House and Senate may serve
JOINT RESOLUTION RESCINDING PREVIOUS ARTICLE V CONVENTION APPLICATIONS (Rescinds any prior applications to the United States Congress from the Rhode Island General Assembly to call for a convention to amend the United States Constitution.)
A joint resolution rescinding prior applications of the legislature to Congress for a constitutional convention under Article V of the Constitution of the United States.
A joint resolution rescinding prior applications of the legislature to Congress for a constitutional convention under Article V of the Constitution of the United States.