Texas House Bill HR15

Texas 2021 - 87th 2nd C.S.

Caption

Amending the permanent rules of the House of Representatives to provide for the imposition of penalties on absent members.

Impact

By instituting penalties for members who fail to appear, HR15 seeks to fortify attendance and participation within the House. The amendments outline that should a quorum fail to appear, other than motional adjournment or mechanisms that compel attendance, no legislative business can be transacted. This could drastically change the dynamics of legislative sessions, as members face potential removal from committee positions or loss of privileges if they are absent without sufficient excuse.

Summary

House Resolution 15 (HR15) proposes amendments to the permanent rules of the House of Representatives of the Texas Legislature. The bill aims to introduce new provisions regarding the handling of instances where a quorum is not present during sessions. Specifically, it revises Section 6 to allow for motions that include penalties on absent members, thus adding a layer of accountability for attendance. This restructuring of rules signifies a firm approach to ensuring that members maintain their legislative obligations.

Contention

Potential points of contention surrounding HR15 could emerge from discussions about the balance of enforcing disciplinary measures while promoting a cooperative legislative environment. Critics may argue that such stringent penalties may discourage participation and foster a culture of fear among members, impacting the overall collaborative spirit necessary for legislative processes. There might be debates regarding what constitutes a 'sufficient excuse' for absenteeism, along with concerns related to the potential for abuse of power in enforcing these penalties.