Texas House Bill HCR50

Texas 2013 - 83rd Regular

Caption

Claiming sovereignty under the Tenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution over all powers not otherwise enumerated and granted to the federal government by the U.S. Constitution, serving notice to the federal government to halt and reverse certain mandates, and providing that certain federal legislation be prohibited or repealed.

Impact

The resolution seeks to serve as a formal notice to the federal government to halt and reverse its unconstitutional mandates and practices that compel states to conform under penalty of sanctions. It declares that any federal legislation compelling state compliance outside the Constitution's enumerated powers should be repealed. This positions Texas in a more assertive role in the federal-state relationship, encouraging other states to consider similar claims. The implications could lead to significant changes in how state and federal policies interact, particularly in areas where states feel federal mandates overreach their authority.

Summary

HCR50 is a concurrent resolution asserting Texas's sovereignty under the Tenth Amendment to the United States Constitution. It claims that all powers not specifically delegated to the federal government by the Constitution are reserved for the states or the people. The resolution expresses the legislature's belief that the current federal government treats states as mere agents, thereby infringing on their rights as sovereign entities. The proponents of the resolution emphasize the necessity of recognizing state power as separate and distinct from federal control.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding HCR50 include the broad interpretation of state rights versus federal authority. Critics may argue that such resolutions could undermine the cooperative frameworks that have historically characterized state-federal relations, potentially leading to legal conflicts. Supporters of the resolution contend that revitalizing the Tenth Amendment is essential to safeguarding state interests against federal overreach. The discourse surrounding this bill reflects ongoing debates about governance, federalism, and the limits of governmental power in the United States.