Bill > H3888

This bill calls for Massachusetts to formally request a Constitutional Convention under Article V of the United States Constitution, with the specific purpose of proposing amendments that would: impose fiscal restraints on the federal government, limit the federal government's power and jurisdiction, and set term limits for federal officials and members of Congress. The bill directs the Massachusetts Secretary of State to send copies of this application to key federal legislative leaders, including the President and Secretary of the Senate, and the Speaker and Clerk of the House of Representatives, as well as to the presiding officers of legislative bodies in other states, seeking their cooperation. Notably, the bill specifies that this application is a "continuing application" that remains valid until at least two-thirds of state legislatures (34 states) have submitted similar applications, which is the constitutional threshold required to compel Congress to call a convention for proposing amendments. This type of state-driven constitutional amendment process is rare and has never been successfully used to amend the Constitution, making this bill part of a broader movement to potentially reshape federal governmental structure through direct state action.

Military Affairs and Security

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H3888