Click the colored icons on this map, or scroll down for a text list of current State Sovereignty Resolutions.
Legend: Blue – Introduced. Yellow – Passed one or more houses. Green – Passed Both Houses. Red – Failed Vote.
View State Sovereignty Resolutions in a larger map
Many of you have asked for a central location to stay up to date with state sovereignty bills. While the idea of centralizing information and/or control over a movement of this kind seems to fly in the face of the principles of decentralization that the Tenth Amendment Center stands for, we have gladly succumbed to popular demand with this informational post.
We’ll do our best to keep this post updated when new bills are introduced. If you feel something is missing from the list, please don’t hesitate to contact us to let us know. It’s essential that people on the front lines in the individual states drive these efforts.
As of early May, 2009, this text list is not updated as regularly as the map above. Please refer there for the most detailed information.
Colorado (04-27-09: Postponed by committee)
North Dakota (passed house 52-40 on 04-07-09) (passed senate 25-20 on 04-20-09 – returned to house, amended) (passed House by voice vote on 04-27-09)
Nevada (Committee 04-11-09: “No Further Action Allowed”)
Alabama (2nd Resolution, HJR403, introduced 03-24-09)
Mississippi (senate resolution introduced 03-10-09) (House – passed committee 05-06-09, scheduled for vote) (HCR-69, Amended, Passed 80-39 on 05-07-09 – new text to follow) (SC-630 Passed 05-07-09) (HCR69 – Motion to Reconsider Entered 05-08-09) (SC630 – Motion to Reconsider Entered and Tabled. Transmitted to House 05-08-09)
Pennsylvania (senate resolution introduced 03-19-09)
Idaho (Passed House 51-17, on 03-23-09, Passed Senate on 04-07-09)
New Mexico (tabled in committee)
South Dakota (passed house on 03-03-09 by a vote of 51-18, passed senate on 03-05-09 by a vote of 20-14)
Kentucky (2nd resolution introduced on 02/24)
Alaska (2nd resolution introduced 03-19-09) (HJR27 Passed 37-0 on 04-06-09) (Senate Passed HJR27, 19-0, on 04-19-09 – Awaiting Transmittal to Governor)
Indiana (2nd Senate Resolution Introduced 03-19-09) (SR0042 Passed Committe 8-0 on 04-01-09) (SR0042 Passed Senate 44-3 on 04-09-09)
Tennessee (Senate version passed 31-0 on 05-04-09)
Arkansas (failed in committee on 03-04-09 passed committee 04-01-09 failed House vote, 54-34)
South Carolina (passed house on 02-26-09, senate – referred to subcommittee)
Georgia (Senate Version – Passed 43-1 on 04/01/09)
Texas (senate resolution introduced 03-02-09 – senate’s 2nd resolution introduced on 03-04-09)
New Hampshire (resolution killed in house on 03-04-09: 216-150)
Missouri (passed house on 03-23-09) (senate public hearing 04-07-09)
Montana (Failed 51-49 on 02-24-09) (Resolution reintroduced as HR3) (HR3 Passed House Committee on 04-21-09) (HR3 failed to pass in house, 50-50)
Michigan (senate version introduced 03-03-09)
Arizona (Committee voted Do-Pass on 04/14/09)
Oklahoma (passed house on 02/18/09, senate version passed 25-17 on 03-04-09) (Joint version passed Senate, 29-18 on 04-15-09 – awaiting signuture of governor) (Vetoed by Governor on 04-24-09) (Reintroduced as HCR1028) (HCR1028 Passes House 73-22 on 05-04-09)
Wyoming takes a small step on State Sovereignty. Keeping in mind Wyoming’s Legislature only has general sessions every other year this is a good first step. Rep. Illoway is working on more for the 2010 session.
Texas governor Rick Perry’s states rights talk these past few months has enabled him to erase an electoral deficit and take the lead in his re-election bid:
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/6558308.html
[...] a result, more than 32 states are rushing to pass Tenth Amendment legislation intended to remind the federal g…. But the Obama regime is not [...]
[...] 1) A 10th Amendment Resolution introduced asap – if your state hasn’t passed one already (see here) [...]
California Demo politicians want to change our CA Constitution so that they can get rid of the taxpayer ammedment which requires a 2/3 majority to increase taxes. These tax and spend Devils hate it. Beyond me why anyone other than illegal aliens and their supporters and government workers would ever vote for a Demo. Like cutting your own throat.
THANK GOD American’s are FINALLY opening their eyes, standing up and speaking out. If not, I am sure you will see the country you live in, as we know it will cease to exist. This is not time to sit back and think that others are going to do the job of writing to the proper people; it is YOUR DUTY to do this and NOW. Look up who your representatives are and write to them, tell them of your concerns, the more they hear the people up rise, the more they will listen and know we are serious.
I noticed several states that had nothing going, if you know of anyone who lives in one of these states, family, friends, a business, contact them and encourage them to speak up. You must take a few moments out of your busy day. If you are lucky enough to have a job, a home to live in, perhaps when you sit around your table to eat with your family, while you have a quiet picnic in a state park, as you watch your children play freely in their yard or come home from school, perhaps you are being well taken care of in a hospital (pre-Obama health care reform), whatever it is you are grateful for, use this as your incentive to not sit quietly. God gave us a voice for a reason, He gave us a will to know right from wrong and to stand up against wrong, to fight for justice. Even if you don’t believe in God, can you sit there and not believe in something greater than yourself? Something that is for the good of all? Something that is for the good of someone besides Obama and the Feds?
I have so many in my family who are in the military and who have fought for generations to keep America the land of the free and the home of the brave. It would be an insult to them to sit back now and watch what is happening. It would be a crime against our children and grandchildren to realize what kind of world we are going to be handing them and not at least try to stop it.
Our Military goes out to fight for the safety of our country, for people they have never even met. Would you be willing to lay down your life for your mate, your child, your parents, your neighbor? Think about it as you sit in your home on your computer reading this in peace and quiet but know the turmoil that surrounds you. Do NOT be the frog in the pot of water on the stove who’s body kept adjusting to the water and it got hotter and hotter until it didn’t realize it was boiling to death.
We need to show not only everyone else but I think ourselves again just how strong we are as a people and why we are the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, LAND OF THE FREE. Get those fingers typing to your state reps and send out mass mailings to friends and families.
Depending on how old you are some of you might remember the phrase used when we were first learning to type in school, my sister is the one who taught it to me,
“NOW IS THE TIME FOR ALL GOOD MEN TO COME TO THE AID OF THEIR COUNTRY†AMEN
[...] Idaho, North Dakota, South Dakota, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Tennessee. Similar resolutions have been introduced in thirty-seven states in the past [...]
Rep. Mac Gibson introduced the HJR 403 to the Alabama House of Representatives during the special session last night…this is the Amendment:
TO AFFIRM THE RIGHTS OF ALL STATES INCLUDING ALABAMA BASED ON THE PROVISIONS OF THE NINTH AND TENTH AMENDMENTS TO THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION.
WHEREAS, the Alabama Legislature declares that the people of this state have the sole and exclusive right of governing themselves as a free, sovereign, and independent state, and shall exercise and enjoy every power, jurisdiction, and right pertaining thereto, which is not expressly delegated by them to the United States of America in the Congress assembled; and
WHEREAS, some states when ratifying the Constitution for the United States of America recommended as a change, “that it be explicitly declared that all powers not expressly and particularly delegated by the aforesaid are reserved to the several states to be by them exercised”; and
WHEREAS, these recommended changes were incorporated as the Ninth Amendment, where the enumeration of certain rights shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people, and as the Tenth Amendment, where the powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people; and
WHEREAS, the several states of the United States of America, through the Constitution and the amendments thereto, constituted a general government for special purposes and delegated to that government certain definite powers, reserving each state to itself, the residuary right to their own self government; now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA, BOTH HOUSES THEREOF CONCURRING, That based on the above principles and provisions, we hereby declare by this resolution, that any act by the Congress of the United States, Executive Order of the President of the United States, or Judicial Order by the federal courts which assumes a power not delegated to the government of the United States of America by the Constitution and which serves to diminish the liberty of any of the several states or their citizens shall abridge the Constitution. We further declare that acts which would cause such an abridgement include, but are not limited to, each of the following:
(1) Establishing martial law or a state of emergency within one of the states comprising the United States of America without the consent of the legislature of that state.
(2) Requiring involuntary servitude, or governmental service other than a draft during a declared war, or pursuant to, or as an alternative to, incarceration after due process of law.
Requiring involuntary servitude or governmental service of persons under the age of eighteen other than pursuant to, or as an alternative to, incarceration after due process of law.
(4) Surrendering any power delegated or not delegated to any corporation or foreign government.
(5) Any act regarding religion, further limitations on freedom of political speech, or further limitations on freedom of the press.
(6) Further infringements on the right to keep and bear arms including prohibitions of type or quantity of arms or ammunition.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution shall be forwarded to the United States Senate, the United States House of Representatives, and each member of the Alabama Congressional Delegation.
Contact the ENTIRE State Legislature to let them know you support this Amendment and want it passed!
http://www.legislature.state.al.us/
Help spread this word to everyone you know who supports State Rights!
Thanks for the update, Lea! The resolution from Rep Gipson is actually HJR10 – which was introduced on 08-10 in a special session of the legislature.
We reported on this earlier today here:
http://www.tenthamendmentcenter.com/2009/08/11/alabama-to-consider-sovereignty-under-the-10th-amendment/
Americans stand up and defend america for what it stands for. The above comments has a lot of truth. State sovereighty/states rights needs to be and tell the feds where to.
Tyranny and socialism government stay out of the cowboy state. Wyoming. Stay in your own back yard and stay out of ours. Wyo don’t need traitors and cowards. The above has a lot of truth, you decide?
With talk growing that there should be a National Referendum on the Health Care Bill, and Congressmen saying there is no Constitutional means by which to do such a thing, it occurred to me.
Don’t states have the ability to have Referendums? Could we use this issue as a means by which to address Washington? State Referendums on whether or not a state will support this kind of Legislation?
If this is accurate, and I don’t know if it is, then wouldn’t it naturally follow that we could use this same argument to refuse things such as Stimulus Money and Cap and Trade?
Also, isn’t it true that Congress does not have the Constitutional Authority to impose a National Healthcare Plan?
I am working at a 10th Amendment Booth tomorrow at a local fair, and I would like to know if I have this stuff right? Thank you
Emma – you’re right on track – and the principle is called “nullification” We’ve got a lot of information on it. But, as far as health care, start with this article about Florida’s nullification efforts.
Please feel free to use the “contact” link near the top of this site if you need some further advice for your activism.
August 20th, 2009 at 8:28 am
The Break is when we should be organizing!! READ ON!!
SEND THIS BLOG TO 10 PEOPLE AND THEM TO 10 AND SO ON TILL ONE MILLION PEOPLE GET IT.
LETS ELECT CONSTITUTIONAL LIBERTARIANS TO THE US HOUSE AND US SENATE
WHO WILL IN TURN RECALL AND OUST FEDERAL JUDGES WHO POINT THE GUNS OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT UPON THE STATES FOR NOT COMLYING WITH THEIR MANDATES AND RESPONSIBILITIES FOISTED UNLAWFULLY UPON THE STATES.
The 10th amendment makes it clear that only a handful of custodial duties are assigned to the Congress and that the innumerable other objects are to the sovereign states.
Prinz v. United States (95-1478) 521 U.S. 898 (1997) states:
“the conferral upon Congress of not all governmental powers, but only discreet enumerated ones.†The states or other political subdivisions, “are not subject to federal direction.â€
Federalist Paper #39 states, “…the local and municipal authorities from distinct and independent portions of supremacy, no more subject, with their respective spheres, to the general authority (federal government) than the general is subject to them within its own sphere.â€
In other words, the federal government has no more authority to impose its cap and trade mandates on the sovereign states; their health care mandates on the sovereign states than Russia has to impose the same upon our sovereign states.
Our only problem is that the federal judges will point the guns of the federal government on our sovereign states for not complying with their illegal encroachments of our sovereignties.
Marchetti v. U.S. 390 U.S., 39, 57 states: “If the exercise of a constitutional right can become the cause for imprisonment, the Constitution has beennullified and there is no security from omnipotent government.â€
YES WE CAN. Sound familiar? We can elect an entire Congress of Constitutionally Libertarian US Reps and US Senators who will then in turn fire all of these federal judges replacing them with constitutionally responsible ones and therefore recapturing our liberties and our rightful sovereignties without any violence. WE MUST DO THIS SOON.
Send the word out and organize to take back our sovereignties. Thank you
A Friend of Liberty,
Ronald Pray
[...] Perry in Texas and Mark Sanford in South Carolina over taxes and federal stimulus money. Or the sovereignty resolutions that have now passed in many states. These are not isolated coincidences. During next year’s [...]
Where is Israel i didnt see Israel anywhere?
ONLY YOU CAN CHANGE THE TWO PARTY SYSTEM: STOP THE ADDICTION!
It’s like a relationship, you can’t keep repeating the same pattern and expect different results. What have you got to lose voting for 3rd party, except less of the same.
We need to run this slogan like wildfire, this covers all excuse for those people who haven’t voted 3rd party.
I suggest all Freedom loving 3rd party like, Boston Tea party, Constitution party, Indepence party, New Whigs Party, band together to make a bigger 3rd party to actually get in Congress and Senate. While I know there are some 1/4 issues that these party don’t agree with, they do agree with most and have leaning libertarian views. We need to band together to make a stronger chance otherwise if ego’s are involved we again will get nowhere. All candidate don’t run for the same office, spread out for congress/senate, better to have 10 run for different office than 10 running for the same office. We’d have a better chance getting some people in.
To have legal sanction, are governors required to sign & submit a tenth amend. resolution after the reps & senate have passed it? Example, Idaho’s House & Senate have both signed off but so far as I can tell, the governor (Otter) has not signed it?
[...] here for more information on this national effort to restore the intent of the Constitution. Share and [...]
Check out Wayne Root Book. The conscience of a Libertarian.
Root for America. He hit the nail right on the head. This book is really worth reading. Please share this with everyone who are freedom loving people.
I don’t believe I’ve ever heard Root talk about decentralization and the 10th Amendment. What’s the book about?
This site needs updating
“States Rights States” better gear up for battle.
The States that enact, and implement “States Rights” legislation, may very well have to defend their position with force because the Federal government under Obama’s directives seeks complete domination over every aspect of our lives and they are not going to let any state and/or individual Americans resist.
Our Freedom(s) are under attack:
As an example: Recent legislation, 2nd Amendment Violations; if you have a gun, in addition to all of the other hoops you jump through and taxes you pay, you must declare it on your income tax return and for each gun that you have, you will be taxed. And you will also be taxed if you have a Gun and a child under 18. And too, the Feds can come to your house and can inspect your house to see where you keep your gun. If it’s not in a safe place ( away from your child) you will be fined and serve jail time.
Also the new gun laws, require physical and mental tests, given and graded by the government. And of course, the Gov’t can denie you the right to keep the gun you have and/or prevent you from having a gun based on their findings. So. as an example, if the government finds out that you are a so-called “Right-Winger” they will probably determine that you are unstable and should not carry a gun. The Gov’t has also put restictions on bullets and supplies and are demanding imprinting systems that impose on privacy issues. And you are not allowed to contest the Governments conclusion of the tests they create and grade. So they in essense, are working to dis-arm us. Anyone wonder, why?
Go to Glenn Beck’s web site and see if you can get an archive copy of his most recent programs. A must-see for all that seek to understand what is really going on in our government.
I pray that “States Rights States” are preparing to defend their position with State Militia’s and/or adequate force.
PS
Alaska is best suited to successfully secede if it comes down to it because they are rich in resources and they could grow industry if they did not have the Un-American Cap and Trade and Tarp expenses of the lower 48. In addition to the Federal Gov’t waging war on them, they would also have to be prepared militarily for a Russian attack.
[...] Sanford in South Carolina over taxes and unfunded mandates tied to federal stimulus money. Or the sovereignty resolutions that have now passed in many states. These are not isolated [...]
http://www.independentpoliticalreport.com/2009/09/libertarians-join-912-tea-party-march-on-washington-display-republicans-equal-big-government/#more-10011
Libertarians March in DC
Go to Lp . org if you want to see the pictures on this
Libertarians Join 9/12 Tea Party March on Washington, Display “Republicans Equal Big Government”
posted by Staff on Sep 13, 2009
Washington – Libertarian Party headquarters staff and interns joined the 9/12 Tea Party March on Washington. After gathering at Freedom Plaza, just blocks from the White House, the march proceeded the 1.1 miles down Pennsylvania Avenue to the U.S. Capitol for a rally.
“Libertarians say Republicans equal big government: $400 billion Medicare drugs, $700 billion bank bailout, $3 trillion budgets, $1 trillion war” read one sign. Other signs displayed “There is only one way to kill capitalism: taxes,” and “The drug war: keeping criminals employed since 1971.”
Wes Benedict, Executive Director of the Libertarian Party, commented, “As expected, there were lots of Republicans at this event. However, with all of the smiles and thumbs-up we received, you could tell that many people felt little or no allegiance to the Republican Party. There was a constant flow of people stopping to photograph our signs and we passed out lots of Libertarian Party literature and stickers.”
Below: Nick Gillespie, Editor in Chief of Reason.com and Reason.tv, interviews LPHQ staff member Mark Meranta.
[...] year, for example, seven states have passed sovereignty resolutions under the 10th Amendment to the Constitution. Two states passed laws nullifying some federal [...]
[...] state sovereignty resolutions [...]
In the Founding time of this nation, Virginia and it’s residents were national leaders for freedom.
In recent decades, especially under recent Democratic governors, Virginia has turned into a WIMP-minded state, and begs at the trough of the Federal Government!
I have had enough of Virginia’s Constitutional lethargy, and this Virginia native is planning for a soon-relocation to South Carolina.
BTW, the reason Libertarian Party members have not joined the Constitution Party is because they are not first committed to the God of Christianity.
Oklahoma residents need to call for the impeachment of the OK governor for the veto of the state sovereignty resolution.
[...] status of State Soverignty Resolutions in the United States can best be seen by THIS MAP. You can see if your state has passed such a resolution, or if such a resolution is pending. If [...]
[...] passed by the House of Representatives, Ohio will become the 8th state to have passed such a resolution in 2009. Other states that have reaffirmed their sovereignty are Alaska, Idaho, North Dakota, South [...]
[...] passed by the House of Representatives, Ohio will become the 8th state to have passed such a resolution in 2009. Other states that have reaffirmed their sovereignty are Alaska, Idaho, North Dakota, South [...]
[...] passed by the House of Representatives, Ohio will become the 8th state to have passed such a resolution in 2009. Other states that have reaffirmed their sovereignty are Alaska, Idaho, North Dakota, South Dakota, [...]
I would like to point out that any government that exist by itself without another government to put a check on it such as the relationship between state and federal governments will always become just as bad as the federal government now. The reason why is unchecked government authority will always create bad government so any state leaving and existing by itself will always fall into the same trap of uncheck authority. We need a federal government to put a check on state governments and vice-versa so lets think about what our actions will create if states do leave.
[...] passed by the House of Representatives, Ohio will become the 8th state to have passed such a resolution in 2009. Other states that have reaffirmed their sovereignty are Alaska, Idaho, North Dakota, South [...]
[...] movement and could lead to more states adopting sovereignty and Tenth Amendmentresolutions, a trend that has been documented by the Tenth Amendment Center (and anticipated by forecasterGerald [...]
[...] passed by the House of Representatives, Ohio will become the 8th state to have passed such a resolution in 2009. Other states that have reaffirmed their sovereignty are Alaska, Idaho, North Dakota, South [...]
[...] movement and could lead to more states adopting sovereignty and Tenth Amendmentresolutions, a trend that has been documented by the Tenth Amendment Center (and anticipated by forecasterGerald [...]
[...] State Sovereignty Resolutions 23. Feb, 2009 [...]
[...] movement and could lead to more states adopting sovereignty and Tenth Amendment resolutions, a trend that has been documented by the Tenth Amendment Center (and anticipated by forecaster Gerald [...]
[...] Resources: Tenth Amendment Chronicles Thread Tenth Amendment Center The Right Side of Life/State Initiatives Sovereign States Firearms Freedom [...]
[...] Michael Boldin, a spokesman for the Tenth Amendment Center, said his organization has created a posting for all such proposals to be tracked. [...]
[...] To learn more about the nullification movement, visit the Nullify Now website and the website of the Tenth Amendment Foundation. [...]
[...] To learn more about the nullification movement, visit the Nullify Now website and the website of the Tenth Amendment Foundation. [...]
[...] To learn more about the nullification movement, visit the Nullify Now website and the website of the Tenth Amendment Foundation. [...]
[...] To learn more about the nullification movement, visit the Nullify Now website and the website of the Tenth Amendment Foundation. [...]
[...] passed by the House of Representatives, Ohio will become the 8th state to have passed such a resolution. Other states that have reaffirmed their sovereignty are Alaska, Idaho, North Dakota, South [...]
[...] 7-14-12 fchyenne says: http://www.tenthamendmentcenter.com/2009/02/23/state-sovereignty-resolutions/ [...]
[...] year, seven states have passed sovereignty resolutions under the 10th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States. Two states passed laws [...]