Texas House Bill HJR88

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Proposing a constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide for legislative review or approval of state agency rules.

Impact

The implementation of HJR88 could significantly affect the relationship between the Texas legislature and its executive agencies. By allowing legislative review, the bill aims to centralize more authority in the legislature, enabling lawmakers to influence regulations that affect the public. This could lead to a more structured process for rule adoption and enforcement, as procedural guidelines would need to be defined to facilitate this oversight.

Summary

HJR88 proposes a constitutional amendment in Texas that would allow the legislature to oversee and approve rules established by state agencies within the executive branch. This amendment seeks to enhance legislative oversight and ensure that any rules adopted by these agencies are subject to further scrutiny by elected officials. It establishes a framework where legislative bodies can dictate how rules are managed and enacted, potentially increasing transparency and accountability in the rule-making process.

Contention

Despite its intentions, HJR88 may incite controversy regarding the balance of power between different branches of government. Proponents argue that legislative approval will curb excessive or unnecessary regulatory actions by agencies, promoting accountability. On the contrary, critics could argue that this move risks politicizing the regulatory process, introducing delays and compromising the expertise that agencies offer in their respective fields. This bill could lead to a clash between the need for effective governance and the desire for legislative control over agency rules.