By: Merritt H.B. No. 3651
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the ineligibility of a railroad commissioner to become
a candidate for another public office.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Article 6447, Revised Statutes, is amended to
read as follows:
Art. 6447. THE COMMISSION. Election.--The Railroad
Commission of Texas shall be composed of three members, one of whom
shall be elected biennially at each general election for a term of
six years.
Qualifications.--The members shall be resident citizens of
this State, and qualified voters under the Constitution and laws,
and not less than twenty-five years of age. The members are subject
to the provisions of Chapter 572, Government Code, that apply to
elected officers, including the requirements governing personal
financial statements, standards of conduct, and conflicts of
interest.
No candidacy for other office during term.--A commissioner is
ineligible during the term for which the commissioner is elected or
appointed to become a candidate in any general, special, or primary
election for any other office of profit or trust under the laws of
this State or the United States. The provision in this paragraph
regarding ineligibility for other elective office does not apply to
an office for which the federal or state constitution prescribes
exclusive eligibility requirements.
A person must resign from the Commission before becoming a
candidate for any other office of profit or trust under the laws of
this State or the United States.
Oath, etc.--Before entering upon the duties of his office,
each commissioner shall take and subscribe to the official oath and
shall in addition thereto swear that he will to the best of his
ability faithfully and justly execute and enforce the provisions of
this title and all laws of this State concerning railroads, which
oath shall be filed with the Secretary of State.
Organization.--The commissioners shall elect one of their
number chairman. They may make all rules necessary for their
government and proceedings. They shall be known collectively as
the "Railroad Commission of Texas," and shall have a seal, a star of
five points with the words "Railroad Commission of Texas" engraved
thereon. They shall be furnished necessary furniture, stationery,
supplies and all necessary expenses, to be paid for on the order of
the Governor.
Expenses.--The Commissioners shall receive from the State
their necessary traveling expenses while traveling on the business
of the Commission, which shall include the cost only of
transportation while traveling on business for the Commission, upon
an itemized statement thereof, sworn to by the party who incurred
the expense, and approved by the Commission. Employees of the
Commission are entitled to reimbursement for expenses incurred in
traveling on the business of the Commission as provided by the
General Appropriations Act.
Sessions.--The Commission may hold its sessions at any place
in this State when deemed necessary.
SECTION 2. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect
immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members
elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas
Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for
immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2009.