SESSION OF 2021
SUPPLEMENTAL NOTE ON SENATE CONCURRENT
RESOLUTION NO. 1611
As Amended by Senate Committee on Federal
and State Affairs

Brief*
SCR 1611, as amended, serves as Kansas’ application
to Congress, under the provisions of Article V of the U.S.
Constitution, for the purpose of calling a convention of the
states. The convention would be limited to proposing
amendments to the U.S. Constitution that impose fiscal
restraints on the federal government, limit the power and
jurisdiction of the federal government, and limit the terms of
office for members of Congress and officials.
The resolution is a continuing application to Congress
for the convention of states until two-thirds of the state
legislatures have applied to Congress on the same subject.
The resolution states this application and all previously
adopted applications calling a convention of the states will be
rescinded if no such convention is called by Congress within
two years of adoption of the resolution.
The resolution contains whereas clauses setting out
legislative findings regarding the roles of the states and the
federal government, particularly regarding amending the U.S.
Constitution through a convention of the states under Article
V.
The resolution requires the Secretary of State to send
an enrolled copy of the resolution to the President and
Secretary of the U.S. Senate, the Speaker and the Clerk of
the U.S. House of Representatives, the Kansas members of
____________________
*Supplemental notes are prepared by the Legislative Research
Department and do not express legislative intent. The supplemental
note and fiscal note for this bill may be accessed on the Internet at
http://www.kslegislature.org
the U.S. House and Senate, and the presiding officers of the
Kansas legislative chambers.

Background
The resolution was introduced by the Senate Committee
on Federal and State Affairs at the request of Senator Alley.

Senate Committee on Federal and State Affairs
In the Senate Committee hearing, three representatives
of Convention of States Action provided proponent
testimony. Proponents generally indicated a convention of
states is necessary to restore the balance of power between
state and federal governments, to limit increasing debt, and to
limit the term length of elected officials.
A representative of Kansans for Constitutional Integrity,
a representative of Convention of States Action, the Coffey
County Board of County Commissioners, and 19 private
citizens provided written-only proponent testimony.
The president of Citizens Against an Article V
Convention, a representative of Kansas Campaign for Liberty,
and a Washburn University law professor provided opponent
testimony. Opponents generally indicated the U.S.
Constitution already has adequate limitations that need to be
enforced and a convention of states would not necessarily
remain tied to a single issue and could result in further
erosion of state authority.
Representatives of Kansas Action for Children, Kansas
Campaign for Liberty, and the Kansas Chamber of Liberty
and two private citizens provided written-only opponent
testimony.
No neutral testimony was provided.

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 The Senate Committee amended the bill to add a
provision rescinding the application, and any previous
applications for a convention of states, if a convention of
states is not called by Congress within two years of adoption
of the resolution.

Fiscal Information
No fiscal note was available when the Senate
Committee took action.
Convention of states; U.S. Constitution; federal government; limitations


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