South Dakota legislation · 101st Legislature (2026)
South Dakota SJR503: applying to the United States Congress for a convention of the states to propose amendments to the United States Constitution re
Status: In committee, February 18, 2026
applying to the United States Congress for a convention of the states to propose amendments to the United States Constitution regarding the imposition of fiscal restraints on the federal government, further limiting the power and jurisdiction of the federal government, and limiting the terms of office for members of Congress and other federal officials.
What the bill says
A joint resolution applying to the United States Congress for a convention of the states to propose amendments to the United States Constitution regarding the imposition of fiscal restraints on the federal government, further limiting the power and jurisdiction of the federal government, and limiting the terms of office for members of Congress and other federal officials.
From the introduced text, January 13, 2026:
A JOINT RESOLUTION applying to the United States Congress for a convention of the states to propose amendments to the United States Constitution regarding the imposition of fiscal restraints on the federal government, further limiting the power and jurisdiction of the federal government, and limiting the terms of office for members of Congress and other federal officials. Section 1. [ADDED: WHEREAS, the framers of the Constitution of the United States empowered state legislators to be the guardians of liberty against future abuses of power by the federal government; and] Section 2. [ADDED: WHEREAS, the federal government, through improper and imprudent spending, has created a crushing national debt that now exceeds the national gross domestic product; and] Section 3. [ADDED: WHEREAS, the federal government has overstepped the limits imposed by the Constitution of the United States and has impinged upon the legitimate roles of each state through the manipulative process of federal mandates, many of which are unfunded; and] Section 4. [ADDED: WHEREAS, the federal government has ceased to operate under a proper interpretation of the Constitution of the United States; and] Section 5. [ADDED: WHEREAS, it is the solemn duty of the states to protect the liberty of the people by proposing amendments to the Constitution of the United States through a convention of the states for the purpose of …
Sponsors
- Jim Mehlhaff (R, SD-024) · primary sponsor
- Brian Mulder (R, HD-011) · primary sponsor
- Aaron Aylward (R, HD-006)
- Josephine Garcia (R, HD-005)
- Leslie Heinemann (R, HD-025)
- Kevin Jensen (R, SD-016)
- Ernie Otten (R, SD-006)
- Tom Pischke (R, 25)
Latest actions
- : Placed on calendar pursuant to JR 6F-6
- : Report out of committee without recommendation
- : Recalled from committee (Rule 7-7) State Affairs
- : Deferred to the 41st legislative day
- : Do Pass
- : Scheduled for hearing
- : Referred to State Affairs
- : First Reading House
- : Do Pass
- : Do Pass
Votes
- Placed on calendar pursuant to JR 6F-6 (February 18, 2026): 29 yea, 38 nay, failed
- Do Pass (February 11, 2026): 6 yea, 6 nay, failed
- Deferred to the 41st legislative day (February 11, 2026): 7 yea, 5 nay, passed
- Do Pass (January 26, 2026): 25 yea, 9 nay, passed
- Do Pass (January 23, 2026): 8 yea, 1 nay, passed
Subjects: Senate Joint Resolution, Convention of States
Common questions
- What is SJR503?
- SJR503 is a bill in the South Dakota Legislature (101st Legislature (2026)): applying to the United States Congress for a convention of the states to propose amendments to the United States Constitution re.
- What does SJR503 do?
- In its own words: A joint resolution applying to the United States Congress for a convention of the states to propose amendments to the United States Constitution regarding the imposition of fiscal restraints on the federal government, further limiting the power and jurisdiction of the federal government, and limiting the terms of office for members of Congress and other federal officials.
- What is the status of SJR503?
- In committee as of February 18, 2026. Latest action: Placed on calendar pursuant to JR 6F-6 (February 18, 2026).
- Who sponsored SJR503?
- Jim Mehlhaff (R, SD-024), with 7 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for SJR503?
- On the South Dakota Legislature website: https://sdlegislature.gov/Session/Bill/26775
Source: official South Dakota record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.