Senate committee approves Convention of States resolution after extended debate and public testimony

The Senate Judiciary Committee voted to advance Senate Joint Resolution 1, an application calling for an Article V convention of states limited to three subjects: imposing fiscal restraints on the federal government, limiting federal jurisdiction, and establishing term limits for federal officers and members of Congress.

Senator Barlow presented the resolution and said the measure asks Congress to call a convention after a sufficient number of state applications. Barlow emphasized the resolution would exclude the Bill of Rights from consideration and that the convention would be state‑based, with equal state representation. He said statutory mechanisms already exist in Wyoming to appoint and, if necessary, recall delegates.

Opponents, including Marguerite Herman of the League of Women Voters, urged defeat, saying the U.S. Constitution does not provide rules for a convention and that a convention could become a “runaway” body able to consider subjects beyond the petition. Herman and others called for safeguards such as proportional (population‑based) representation of delegates, public transparency rules, and direct election of delegates rather than appointment.

Supporters including Michael Farris (constitutional attorney), Julie Baker (state director, Convention of States) and Brent Moline (Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation) argued Article V exists as a check on federal power and pointed to historical and legal grounds for a convention. Farris argued the ratification requirement — approval by three‑quarters of the states — and other statutory safeguards would prevent a convention from doing “runaway” damage, and he cited Wyoming statute governing appointment and recall of delegates.

Committee members questioned practical issues such as who would call delegates home if they exceeded their instructions, how the states would be represented and what safeguards would limit scope. Senator Crum asked whether reliance on equal state votes in a convention would reduce Wyoming’s influence compared with a population‑based method; opponents responded that they favored proportional representation. Senator Hicks said he had reservations but supported advancing the resolution to the floor so the full Senate could debate the measure.

The committee recorded a roll‑call vote in favor: five ayes, zero nays.

Why it matters: An Article V application by a state legislature contributes to the national tally that could eventually prompt Congress to call a convention if two‑thirds (34) of states submit applications on the same subject; any proposed amendment from such a convention would still require ratification by three‑quarters (38) of the states.

Next steps: The resolution will be transmitted toward consideration by the full legislature and, if passed, would be sent as Wyoming’s application for a convention on the specified subjects.