81R50 JRD-D
By: Carona S.J.R. No. 30
A JOINT RESOLUTION
proposing a constitutional amendment to provide that the governor's
absence from the state, and the lieutenant governor's absence from
the state when acting as governor, do not affect the person's
ability to serve as governor if the person maintains effective
communication links with this state.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 16(c), Article IV, Texas Constitution,
is amended to read as follows:
(c) In the case of the temporary inability or temporary
disqualification of the Governor to serve or[,] the impeachment of
the Governor, [or the absence of the Governor from the State,] the
Lieutenant Governor shall exercise the powers and authority
appertaining to the office of Governor until the Governor becomes
able or qualified to resume serving or[,] is acquitted[, or returns
to the State]. The Governor's absence from the state does not affect
the Governor's ability to serve if the Governor maintains effective
communication links with this state during the absence.
SECTION 2. Section 17(a), Article IV, Texas Constitution,
is amended to read as follows:
(a) If, while exercising the powers and authority
appertaining to the office of Governor under Section 16(c) of this
article, the Lieutenant Governor becomes temporarily unable or
disqualified to serve or[,] is impeached, [or is absent from the
State,] the President pro tempore of the Senate, for the time being,
shall exercise the powers and authority appertaining to the office
of Governor until the Governor or Lieutenant Governor reassumes
those powers and duties. The absence of the Governor or Lieutenant
Governor from the state does not affect the person's ability to
serve as Governor if the person maintains effective communication
links with this state during the person's absence.
SECTION 3. This proposed constitutional amendment shall be
submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 3, 2009.
The ballot shall be printed to permit voting for or against the
proposition: "The constitutional amendment providing that the
governor's absence from the state, and the lieutenant governor's
absence from the state when acting as governor, do not affect the
person's ability to serve as governor if the person maintains
effective communication links with this state."