Texas House Bill HJR109

Texas 2017 - 85th Regular

Caption

Proposing a constitutional amendment allowing the voters to remove elected officials finally convicted of a felony from office by means of a recall election.

Impact

The implications of HJR109 could be significant for state laws concerning the governance of elected officials. If passed, the amendment would give voters the authority to recall not only state officers and members of the legislature but also county officers and officials from special districts. This broad scope of applicability ensures that a wide range of public officials are held to account, not merely those in higher state offices. The proposed amendment also establishes clear guidelines for the process of initiating a recall, thus creating a more formalized and potentially standardized procedure for voters to follow.

Summary

HJR109 is a proposed constitutional amendment aimed at empowering voters in Texas to remove elected officials who have been finally convicted of a felony through a recall election. The bill outlines specific procedures for initiating a recall election, which includes gathering signatures from at least 10 percent of the voters who participated in the last election for the targeted office. Such measures are intended to enhance government accountability by providing a mechanism for voters to take action against elected leaders who fail to uphold ethical standards due to criminal behavior.

Contention

Notably, the bill may raise debates regarding the appropriateness and feasibility of using recall elections as a means of enforcing accountability. Critics could argue that it may lead to political instability or be misused for partisan purposes, allowing for unnecessary challenges to incumbents. Conversely, proponents emphasize that it encapsulates a direct form of democracy, whereby voters retain the ultimate authority over their elected officials' tenure in office. The ongoing discourse surrounding HJR109 reflects fundamental tensions between ensuring government accountability and maintaining political stability.