Texas House Bill HCR37

Texas 2021 - 87th Regular

Caption

Granting the legislature permission to adjourn for more than three days during the period beginning on Tuesday, February 9, 2021, and ending on Tuesday, February 16, 2021.

Impact

The impact of HCR37 is primarily procedural, affecting the operational flexibility of the Texas Legislature. By allowing the legislature to adjourn for longer than the typically mandated three days, lawmakers can use this time to engage in strategic planning, refine proposals, or address urgent legislative issues without being bound by the usual constraints. This may impact the legislative agenda and priorities by allowing for a longer uninterrupted period to develop and discuss vital bills or resolutions within the legislature.

Summary

House Concurrent Resolution 37 (HCR37) seeks to provide permission for both the Senate and House of the Texas Legislature to adjourn for more than three days during the specified period from February 9, 2021, to February 16, 2021. This resolution is necessitated by provisions in the Texas Constitution which stipulate that neither house may adjourn for more than three days without consent from the other house. By passing this resolution, both legislative chambers are ensuring that they can manage their schedules effectively during this timeframe.

Sentiment

Overall sentiment surrounding HCR37 appears to be favorable, marked by broad support from legislators. The bill was adopted with a significant majority in both the House (141 Yeas, 1 Nay) and the Senate (30 Yeas, 0 Nays), indicating a consensus among members regarding the need for increased flexibility in legislative scheduling. This reflects a recognition of the practical needs of legislative work, especially in light of ongoing challenges posed by various external factors, including public health concerns.

Contention

While no significant points of contention emerged during discussions surrounding HCR37, it is important to note the underlying Constitutional requirement that necessitated the resolution. While most lawmakers seemed to agree on the need for this flexibility, there was a demonstration of governance and procedural adherence that underlines the importance of both chambers being in agreement on such matters. Potential opposition may arise in the future concerning similar requests for adjournments based on how they affect legislative processes and timelines, but for this resolution, there was a clear and unified stance among Texas lawmakers.