SR 3264 Rhode Island Senate · 2026 Regular Session

JOINT RESOLUTION REPEALING RHODE ISLAND'S RATIFICATION OF THE CORWIN AMENDMENT

This bill directs the Rhode Island General Assembly to officially withdraw its 1861 ratification of the Corwin Amendment, a proposed constitutional change that would have prevented Congress from abolishing slavery. The Corwin Amendment was never fully adopted by enough states to become part of the U.S. Constitution, but this measure removes Rhode Island's historical approval from the record. By rescinding this past action, the state ensures its stance does not contribute to the amendment's potential future ratification, even though the amendment's original purpose is now considered obsolete. The resolution requires sending a certified copy to federal officials and members of Congress for official documentation.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
May 2026
Committee Review
May 2026
Senate Passage
May 2026
House Passage
Jun 2026
Signed into Law
Jun 2026
Introduced May 5, 2026 Signed Jun 23, 2026
Floor votes · Senate May 28, 2026

How they voted

340
Passed · 2 other
Total votes 36
May 28, 2026
D Democratic32
30 Yea 2
93% Yea
R Republican4
4 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
9
Key actions
4
Committee
1
Jun 23, 2026
Signed into law
06/23/2026 Signed by Governor
executive
Jun 8, 2026
Lower · Passed
06/08/2026 House passed in concurrence
lower
May 28, 2026
Upper · Passed
05/28/2026 Senate read and passed
upper
May 21, 2026
Legislature · Passed
05/21/2026 Committee recommends passage
legislature
May 5, 2026
Introduced
05/05/2026 Introduced, referred to Senate Judiciary
upper
7 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors