Proposing a constitutional amendment relating to the determination of a quorum of the senate or house of representatives.
This proposed amendment addresses a fundamental aspect of legislative procedure in Texas. By allowing the legislature to consider itself in quorum with absent members, it could streamline decision-making processes and reduce the risk of legislative impasses caused by absent legislators. Proponents of this amendment argue that it could help ensure that important legislation is not stalled simply because some members are away from their offices, thereby promoting a more efficient legislative process.
HJR19 proposes a constitutional amendment focused on altering the rules regarding quorums in the Texas legislature. Specifically, the amendment aims to exclude members of the Senate or House of Representatives who are absent from the state from being counted in the determination of a quorum necessary for conducting business. This change would effectively lower the overall number of legislators required to be present for the legislature to operate, potentially allowing for more legislative activity even with a smaller number of members present.
However, HJR19 carries potential points of contention, particularly around the principles of representation and the intentions behind legislative attendance. Critics may argue that excluding absent members from the quorum count undermines the foundational democratic principle that all representatives should be present to engage in state business. This could raise concerns about accountability and the quality of representation, as fewer members may lead to decisions being made without full participation from all constituents' voices, particularly from those whose representatives are consistently absent.