PIERRE, S.D. (SDBA) — South Dakota lawmakers vote to advance a resolution calling for a Convention of States to amend the U.S. Constitution.
The Senate State Affairs Committee approved SJR 502 Thursday morning by a vote of 8 to 1.
Former Republican U.S. Senator Rick Santorum testified in support of the resolution, saying it would help rein in federal spending and impose term limits on Congress. Santorum told lawmakers that 19 other states have already passed similar measures.
“We have a nearly 37 trillion-dollar debt,” said Senator Jim Melhaff, R-Pierre, who introduced the resolution. “Government waste seems to be unimpeded.”
Opponents raised concerns about opening up the Constitution to changes. Meade County resident Peter Vodenka (Voe-dink-kah), who testified against the measure, warned there are no clear rules for how such a convention would operate.
The resolution calls for three main changes: putting fiscal restraints on the federal government, limiting federal power, and creating term limits for Congress and federal officials.
For a Convention of States to occur, 34 states must pass similar resolutions. Any proposed amendments would then need approval from 38 states to become part of the Constitution.
The measure now moves to the full South Dakota Senate for consideration.
If passed by both chambers, the measure would appear on the 2026 ballot.