Summary of Bill S 2684: Resolutions Rescinding Previous Article V Convention Applications

Purpose and Intent

Bill S 2684, introduced on October 30, 2025, aims to rescind all previous applications made by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to the United States Congress for the purpose of calling a convention under Article V of the U.S. Constitution. The intent is to nullify past requests for constitutional amendments that may no longer reflect the current views or needs of the Commonwealth or its citizens.

Key Provisions

• Rescission of Previous Applications: The bill formally rescinds all prior applications made by the Massachusetts General Court to Congress for a constitutional convention. This includes applications dating back to 1931 and spanning various legislative sessions.
• Broad Scope: The resolution covers all applications regardless of their specific purposes or whether they were explicitly mentioned in the resolution. This includes both limited conventions aimed at specific amendments and general conventions for broader amendments.
• Publication Request: The bill requests that the resolution be published in the Congressional Record and included in the official tally of state legislative applications concerning Article V conventions.
• Immediate Transmission: The Clerks of the Massachusetts House and Senate are instructed to send copies of the resolution to the Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives and the Secretary of the U.S. Senate.

Affected Parties

• Massachusetts General Court: The bill directly impacts the legislative body by formally nullifying its previous applications.
• U.S. Congress: The resolution will inform Congress that Massachusetts no longer supports the prior applications for a constitutional convention.
• Citizens of Massachusetts: The bill reflects a shift in legislative priorities and public sentiment regarding constitutional amendments, potentially aligning state actions with current views.

Procedural Aspects

• Hearing Schedule: A hearing for the bill has been rescheduled to November 13, 2025, from 1:00 PM to 3:50 PM in Room B-1. This hearing will also be available virtually.
• Legislative Process: The bill was referred to the committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs on the same day it was introduced, and the House concurred with the bill on October 30, 2025. The suspension of Senate Rule 20 and Joint Rule 12 facilitated the expedited consideration of the bill.

Conclusion

Bill S 2684 represents a significant legislative move by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to rescind outdated applications for a constitutional convention. By nullifying these requests, the bill seeks to ensure that the state's legislative actions reflect contemporary values and priorities. The upcoming hearing will provide an opportunity for further discussion and public input on this important issue.