82R9097 EES-D
By: Christian H.J.R. No. 115
A JOINT RESOLUTION
proposing a constitutional amendment to change the number, method
of appointment, and terms of the Texas Ethics Commission members
and the term and selection of the presiding officer of the Texas
Ethics Commission.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Sections 24a(a), (b), and (c), Article III,
Texas Constitution, are amended to read as follows:
(a) The Texas Ethics Commission is a state agency consisting
of the following six [eight] members:
(1) three [two] members of the same political party as
the governor, [different political parties] appointed by the
governor [from a list of at least 10 names submitted by the members
of the house of representatives from each political party required
by law to hold a primary]; and
(2) three [two] members of a political party required
by law to hold a primary that is not the political party of the
governor, [different political parties] appointed by the governor
[from a list of at least 10 names submitted by the members of the
senate from each political party required by law to hold a primary;
[(3) two members of different political parties
appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives from a list
of at least 10 names submitted by the members of the house from each
political party required by law to hold a primary; and
[(4) two members of different political parties
appointed by the lieutenant governor from a list of at least 10
names submitted by the members of the senate from each political
party required by law to hold a primary].
(b) [The governor may reject all names on any list submitted
under Subsection (a)(1) or (2) of this section and require a new
list to be submitted.] The position of presiding officer of the
commission shall rotate biennially among the members of the
commission who are from the same political party as the governor
[shall elect annually the chairman of the commission].
(c) Commission [With the exception of the initial
appointees, commission] members serve for staggered six-year
[four-year] terms. [Each appointing official will make one initial
appointment for a two-year term and one initial appointment for a
four-year term.] A vacancy on the commission shall be filled for
the unexpired portion of the term in the same manner as the original
appointment. A member who has served for one term and any part of a
second term is not eligible for reappointment.
SECTION 2. Article III, Texas Constitution, is amended by
adding the following temporary provision to read as follows:
TEMPORARY PROVISION. On January 1, 2012, the terms of all of
the members of the Texas Ethics Commission expire, and the governor
shall appoint two persons to terms expiring February 1, 2013, two
persons to terms expiring February 1, 2015, and two persons to terms
expiring February 1, 2017. Thereafter, members of the Texas Ethics
Commission serve six-year terms, as provided by Section 24a(c) of
this article. This temporary provision expires January 1, 2013.
SECTION 3. This proposed constitutional amendment shall be
submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 8, 2011.
The ballot shall be printed to provide for voting for or against the
proposition: "The constitutional amendment providing for a
decrease in the size of the Texas Ethics Commission from eight to
six members appointed by the governor to serve six-year terms and
providing for the rotation of the position of presiding officer of
the Texas Ethics Commission."