JOINT RESOLUTION RESCINDING PREVIOUS ARTICLE V CONVENTION APPLICATIONS

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Terri Cortvriend and 7 co-sponsors

Rhode Island would rescind all prior Article V convention applications to Congress, nullifying past requests and updating the official record.

04/16/2026 Committee recommended measure be held for further study

Purpose and Intent

The bill, a Joint Resolution introduced in February 2026, seeks to rescind and nullify all prior Rhode Island General Assembly applications to the United States Congress urging Congress to call an Article V constitutional convention.

Article V of the U.S. Constitution allows states to request Congress to call a convention for proposing amendments. Rhode Island previously submitted applications to call such conventions on various subjects or as a general convention.

Key Provisions

Rescission of Applications: The resolution declares that Rhode Island “rescinds, repeals, cancels, nullifies and supersedes any and all prior applications” to Congress to call a convention under Article V. This applies regardless of:

When the applications were adopted
Whether they sought a limited (subject-specific) or general convention
Whether applications are explicitly identified in the resolution or reflected in historical records (State Archives or Library of Congress)

Communication and Publication:

Within 30 days of passage, copies of the resolution must be sent to:
The Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives
The Secretary of the U.S. Senate
Each member of Rhode Island’s Congressional delegation
The resolution requests publication in the Congressional Record and listing in the official tally of state legislative applications relating to calling for an Article V convention.

Who/What Is Affected

State Level: Rhode Island General Assembly applications to Congress concerning Article V are targeted for removal from current effect.

Federal Level: U.S. Congress (House and Senate) and Rhode Island’s congressional delegation are alerted to the rescission.

Public Record: The resolution aims to adjust the official historical record by adding a published note of rescission.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

Status and Committee: Referred to the Rhode Island House State Government & Elections committee. As of the latest action, the committee recommended the measure be held for further study (April 16, 2026).

Introduced: February 12, 2026.

Sponsor Network: Multiple sponsors and co-sponsors in the RI House, signaling bipartisan or broad support in the chamber.

Potential Impact and Context

By rescinding all prior Article V convention applications, Rhode Island would effectively discontinue any current or future attempts, at least those that would be triggered by the state’s previous filings, to advocate for a constitutional convention in Washington, D.C.

The act does not alter Rhode Island’s status as a state; it merely affects its formal requests to Congress regarding Article V.

The resolution’s passage would refresh the state’s position on the Article V process and could influence public and legislative dialogue on constitutional reform strategies.

Notes for Readers

The bill is a declaratory and administrative action focused on policy stance and record-keeping rather than implementing new constitutional changes.

If enacted, it requires dissemination to federal officials and publication in the Congressional Record as part of its transparency and record-correction goals.

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