Texas Senate Bill SB1810

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

• Out of Senate Committee: 4/8/09
• Voted on by Senate: 4/20/09

Caption

Relating to allowing the governor, and the lieutenant governor or another person when acting as governor, to retain executive authority while traveling within the contiguous 48 states of the continental United States so long as effective communication links with this state are maintained.

Impact

The introduction of SB1810 addresses a significant gap in the state's governance framework regarding the physical presence of the Governor. Current provisions deem the Governor unavailable for executing duties when outside the state's territorial boundaries, which raises concerns about continuity of government operations during travel. By amending the existing definitions of 'unavailable', this bill could facilitate smoother operations of the executive branch, allowing the Governor to respond to emergencies or make decisions while traveling.

General

The effect of SB1810 would be contingent upon the approval of a related constitutional amendment that purportedly seeks to formalize this retention of authority. If the amendment fails to gain voter approval, then the provisions of SB1810 would not take effect at all. This interplay between legislative action and public approval reflects ongoing efforts to balance governance efficacy with democratic oversight.

Summary

SB1810 proposes to allow the Governor of Texas, as well as the Lieutenant Governor or any other individual acting in the Governor's stead, to retain executive authority while traveling within the contiguous 48 states of the continental United States. The bill stipulates that this retention of authority is contingent upon maintaining effective communication links with the state. This measure aims to ensure that the executive branch remains operational and responsive, even when the Governor is physically outside Texas but still within the U.S. mainland.

Contention

Delegates in the legislature may have differing opinions on the implications of this bill. Supporters argue that maintaining executive authority during travel ensures that the state can respond quickly to crises and uphold governance standards without interruption, regardless of the Governor's location. On the contrary, opponents could contend that it is problematic for a leader to execute authority from afar, possibly leading to a lack of accountability or disconnect from the affairs of the state, particularly if communication fails or is deemed insufficient.