Senate Lawmakers have passed a resolution calling for a federal balanced budget amendment. The resolution calls for an Article V state convention to propose amendments to the U.S. Constitution. A balanced budget amendment would bar the federal government from running annual budget deficits.
House Joint Resolution 1001 originally failed to receive a majority vote by a slim margin. Some members of the Senate were absent when the measure was first discussed on the Senate floor. Because of this lawmakers voted to reintroduce the measure and take another vote. This time the resolution passed with 19 yays and 13 nays. Senator Ernie Otten from Tea says this is just the first step in calling for a state convention. He says if enough states pass similar measures then lawmakers will have to approve another resolution electing delegates and setting procedures for the state convention.
"These delegates are agents of this legislature they are not independent contractors," says Otten. "And this is a convention of states not a convention of delegates. We will likely hold hearings to discuss the language for the amendment and instruct our delegation to propose this language to a convention."
Otten says South Dakota is the 25th state to pass a resolution calling for a state convention to propose a balanced budget amendment. 34 states are needed for an Article V state convention to convene.
Senate lawmakers also passed House Bill 1069 which restricts what delegates could vote on in a state convention. Delegates who vote on unauthorized amendments could receive a 5,000 dollar fine. House Bill 1069 now moves to the Governor for his final approval.