Arkansas House members want to force a constitutional convention to take up a federal balanced budget amendment.
The body voted 54-32 Wednesday to join with other states calling for a constitutional convention. The convention application would be submitted once 38 states have joined the compact.
Republican Rep. Nate Bell of Mena said his proposal is needed because the nation faces a debt crisis. Supporters say two states have already joined and the legislation is pending before several others.
Opponents worry that the convention could waste taxpayer money or result in unwanted changes to the U.S. Constitution.
The bill now heads to the Senate.
