Texas House Bill HCR15

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

• Introduced: 1/6/09

Caption

Granting each chamber of the Texas Legislature permission to stand adjourned for more than three days during the period beginning on Friday, January 16, 2009, and ending on Thursday, January 22, 2009.

Impact

The passing of HCR15 would have a significant yet procedural impact on how the Texas Legislature conducts its business. By allowing longer adjournments, the chambers can potentially manage their legislative workload, accommodate special circumstances, and facilitate necessary discussions without the constraint of returning to session in fewer than three days. This operational flexibility is crucial during intense legislative periods or when unforeseen events arise that require more extensive deliberation.

Summary

HCR15 is a concurring resolution introduced in the Texas Legislature that grants permission for each chamber to adjourn for more than three days during a specified period from January 16, 2009, to January 22, 2009. This resolution arises from Section 17 of Article III of the Texas Constitution, which stipulates that neither chamber may adjourn for more than three days without the consent of the other. The resolution reflects an operational need within the legislature to manage its schedule effectively during a time of legislative session.

Contention

While HCR15 serves a practical purpose, there could be points of contention regarding the appropriateness of extended adjournments. Opponents may argue that allowing chambers to adjourn for longer periods might delay critical policymaking processes, especially on issues demanding urgent attention. However, in the legislature's context, the resolution is mainly a formal acknowledgment of the need for flexibility in scheduling and does not alter the legislative process's fundamental nature.