HR1861: HR1861 United States Congress; call a convention under Article V of the Constitution of the United States limited to proposing amendments to limit the influence of money in political elections and on government officials

Article V of the U.S. Constitution lets Congress call a convention to propose constitutional amendments if two-thirds of state legislatures apply for one on the same subject. This resolution is Georgia's application for a convention limited to amendments that would limit the influence of money in political elections and on government officials, citing Supreme Court rulings that struck down campaign finance limits and public concern about corruption. The resolution says Georgia's application should be combined with similar applications from other states working toward the two-thirds threshold, but only on this specific subject. It insists any convention stay strictly limited to this topic, asks Congress to create criminal penalties for anyone who exceeds that limited scope, and states the application remains active (a continuing application) until enough states join. Copies would go to Congress and other state legislatures.

• Formally applies to the U.S. Congress on behalf of Georgia to call a convention under Article V limited to proposing amendments restricting money's influence in elections and on officials.
• Directs that Georgia's application be combined (aggregated) with similar applications from other states on this same topic to help reach the two-thirds threshold needed.
• States that Georgia's application will not count toward conventions called for any other subject.
• Asks Congress to impose a severe criminal penalty on anyone who violates the limited scope of the convention call.
• Declares the application a continuing one that stays in effect until two-thirds of state legislatures have applied on this same subject.
• Directs the Clerk of the House to send copies of the resolution to congressional leaders, Georgia legislators, and other states' legislative leaders.

This resolution primarily affects the U.S. Congress, which would need to act if enough states apply, and other state legislatures asked to coordinate similar applications. It also touches candidates, political donors, and officeholders who could eventually be affected by any constitutional amendments on money in politics.

If enough states pass matching applications, Congress could be required to convene a constitutional convention that might change how money in politics is regulated nationwide, including possibly limiting the Supreme Court's review power over related legislation. On its own, this resolution changes no Georgia law and has no immediate legal effect.

• Applies to Congress to call a convention under Article V limited to amendments addressing the influence of money in political elections and on government officials.
• Allows the amendment process to include limits on the U.S. Supreme Court's power to review related congressionally enacted legislation.
• States the application will be aggregated only with other states' applications on this identical subject, not with applications on unrelated topics.
• Calls for Congress to enact severe criminal penalties for anyone who violates the limited scope of the convention call.
• Declares the application a continuing one, remaining valid until two-thirds of state legislatures apply on the same subject.
• Directs distribution of the resolution to U.S. congressional leaders, Georgia General Assembly members, and other states' legislative presiding officers.

1. 2026-03-27House Second Readers (House)
2. 2026-03-25House First Readers (House)
3. 2026-03-23House Hopper (House)

• Gabriel Sanchez (D, HD-042)Primary sponsor
• Spencer Frye (D, HD-122)
• Eric Bell (D, HD-075)

• campaign finance
• Article V convention
• election law
• government corruption
• constitutional amendments