House approves measures joining call for Article V convention on balanced budget, term limits, and sets commissioner rules

The South Carolina House on Wednesday approved a set of related measures that together join other states in pursuing an Article V convention limited to certain topics and create procedures and eligibility rules for commissioners who would represent South Carolina if a convention is ever convened.

Representative Jordan explained H 3007 as a concurrent resolution applying for a convention under Article V of the U.S. Constitution, limited to an amendment requiring a federal balanced budget. "This resolution would restrict said convention of states to be limited to imposing a constitutional amendment requiring a federal balanced budget," Jordan said, noting two‑thirds of state legislatures are required to call a convention and three‑fourths of states must ratify any amendment.

Members debated both the policy goals and the practical risks of invoking Article V. Representative Harris questioned what is meant by "fiscal irresponsibility" at the federal level and cautioned that "if we are going to ask the federal government... we're not doing it ourselves," urging the House to consider the state's own budget choices. Representative Magnuson and others asked whether a convention could exceed its stated mandate and whether Congress or other actors would control the process; sponsors acknowledged the risk and pointed to procedural safeguards in the related bills.

H 3008 (term limits) was considered with an amendment clarifying that the convention could not alter certain constitutional protections. Representative Jordan said the amendment explicitly bars commissioners from voting to "alter the text of the guarantees of individual liberty" in the Bill of Rights and specific later amendments (the transcript lists the 13th, 14th, 15th, 19th, 23rd, 24th, and 26th amendments among those protected).

House Bill 3558 establishes selection, qualification, and recall procedures for commissioners and an advisory committee to support and monitor them. Under HB 3558 the general assembly in joint session would name seven commissioners and one alternate (the bill ties seats to congressional districts), provides eligibility rules (for example, requirements on prior lobbying, federal officeholding and felony convictions within specified lookback windows), and authorizes recall by the general assembly. The measure also makes interference with commissioners a felony.

Asked whether the legislation actually "calls" a convention or only sets rules should a convention be triggered, Representative Jordan said the bills provide the state's procedures "in the event" the necessary number of states request a convention; he described a messaging component to the work as well. Representative King asked about vacancies and replacements; Jordan said vacancies would be filled using the same qualifications and procedures in the bill.

All three measures passed on the floor. Representative Jordan and others emphasized the measures are intended both to send a message to national policymakers and to set the state's own selection and oversight rules if the Article V threshold is reached. Critics warned that Congress or the convention process could expand beyond the specified topics and urged caution before opening any avenue that might alter foundational constitutional protections.