MontanaMontana lawmakers would seek a convention to propose federal budget limits
The proposed resolution would have Montana ask Congress to call a convention to propose a federal spending limit, with the application continuing until enough states apply on the same subject.
What it does
Montana lawmakers would ask Congress to call a states’ convention to propose a federal budget amendment. Outside a national emergency, the proposed rule would cap federal spending at estimated revenue.
The Montana secretary of state would send the application to federal officials and Montana’s members of Congress, and ask other state legislatures to cooperate.
Argument forA convention could propose a federal spending limit tied to estimated revenue, which may help restrain deficits outside a national emergency.
Argument againstThe emergency exception could leave federal spending without this proposed limit during a national emergency.
More detail
Montana lawmakers would ask Congress to call a convention of the states to propose a federal budget amendment. The request is under Article V of the U.S. Constitution and concerns a convention to propose an amendment to the federal Constitution. The convention would be limited to proposing an amendment that caps federal outlays at estimated revenue for the fiscal year when there is no national emergency. It could also propose related and appropriate fiscal limits. The application would continue until at least two-thirds of states apply for a convention on the same subject.
The Montana secretary of state would send copies of the application to federal officials and ask other state legislatures to cooperate. Recipients would include the president, leaders of Congress, Montana’s members of Congress, and presiding officers of legislative houses in other states.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Died
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2025
- May 23(S) Died in ProcessDied
- Apr 7(S) Missed Deadline for Revenue Bill Transmittal
- Mar 27(S) 2nd Reading Indefinitely PostponedMinor
- Vote recorded Indefinitely Postpone -McGillvray. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded Do Pass. Result: fail.Upper
- Mar 27(S) 2nd ReadingMinor
- Mar 27(S) Scheduled for 2nd ReadingMinor
- Feb 13(S) 2nd Reading Pass ConsiderationMinor
- Feb 13(S) Scheduled for 2nd ReadingMinor
- Jan 29(S) Committee Report - (S) Judiciary
- Vote recorded resolution_adopted. Result: pass.Upper
- Jan 29(S) Committee Executive Action - (S) Judiciary
- Jan 26(S) Hearing - (S) Judiciary
- Jan 7(S) Referred to Committee - (S) JudiciaryMinor
- Jan 6(S) 1st Reading
- 2024
- Dec 16(S) Introduced
- Dec 16(LC) Draft Delivered to Requester
- Dec 10(LC) Draft Ready for Delivery
- Dec 9(LC) Draft in Assembly
- Dec 3(LC) Draft in Final Drafter Review
- Dec 3(LC) Draft in Input/Proofing
- Nov 26(LC) Draft in Edit
- Nov 26(LC) Draft in Legal Review
- Oct 30(LC) Drafter AssignedIntroduced
Taxes & BudgetGovernment & Ethics