81R29702 ESH-F By: Hilderbran H.B. No. 3843 Substitute the following for H.B. No. 3843: By: Allen C.S.H.B. No. 3843 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to the election of the speaker of the house of representatives. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 302.001, Government Code, is amended to read as follows: Sec. 302.001. ELECTION. (a) When the house of representatives first convenes in regular session and a quorum is present and has been qualified, the house shall elect a speaker unless a majority of the members present decides to defer the election. (b) The election of the speaker shall be governed by the rules of the house of representatives. SECTION 2. Section 571.061(a), Government Code, is amended to read as follows: (a) The commission shall administer and enforce: (1) Chapters [302,] 303, 305, 572, and 2004; (2) Subchapter C, Chapter 159, Local Government Code, in connection with a county judicial officer, as defined by Section 159.051, Local Government Code, who elects to file a financial statement with the commission; (3) Title 15, Election Code; and (4) Sections 2152.064 and 2155.003. SECTION 3. Section 571.091(a), Government Code, is amended to read as follows: (a) The commission shall prepare a written opinion answering the request of a person subject to any of the following laws for an opinion about the application of any of these laws to the person in regard to a specified existing or hypothetical factual situation: (1) [Chapter 302; [(2)] Chapter 303; (2) [(3)] Chapter 305; (3) [(4)] Chapter 2004; (4) [(5)] Chapter 572; (5) [(6)] Subchapter C, Chapter 159, Local Government Code, as provided by Section 571.061(a)(2); (6) [(7)] Title 15, Election Code; (7) [(8)] Chapter 36, Penal Code; (8) [(9)] Chapter 39, Penal Code; (9) [(10)] Section 2152.064; or (10) [(11)] Section 2155.003. SECTION 4. Subchapter B, Chapter 302, Government Code, is repealed. SECTION 5. (a) The repeal by this Act of Section 302.021, Government Code, does not apply to an offense committed under that section before September 1, 2009. For purposes of this section, an offense is committed before September 1, 2009, if any element of the offense occurs before that date. (b) An offense committed before September 1, 2009, is covered by that section as it existed when the offense was committed, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose. SECTION 6. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.