Granting the legislature permission to adjourn for more than three days during the period beginning on Wednesday, January 19, 2011, and ending on Monday, January 24, 2011.
If adopted, SCR7 will allow the Texas Legislature the flexibility to extend its adjournment beyond the regular three-day limit during the aforementioned dates. This could facilitate legislative processes or address unforeseen circumstances that may require a longer adjournment period. The allowance for such adjournment can be crucial for efficient legislative management, particularly in response to pressing state issues or for planning purposes when coordinating schedules of legislators and committees.
SCR7, introduced by Senator Whitmire, is a Senate Concurrent Resolution that seeks to grant permission for the Texas Legislature to adjourn for more than three days during a specified period from January 19, 2011, to January 24, 2011. This resolution is in line with the provisions set forth in Section 17, Article III of the Texas Constitution, which requires consent from both the House and Senate before either house can adjourn for over three days. The resolution exemplifies the procedural nuances involved in legislative operations, notably in managing session schedules and maintaining legislative continuity.
The sentiment surrounding SCR7 is largely procedural and administrative rather than partisan or ideological. Generally, resolutions of this nature tend to receive support, as they operationalize the legislative process without imposing new statutory obligations or controversial policy changes. Given that the resolution deals strictly with legislative procedure, it minimizes resistance and is typically viewed as a technical adjustment rather than a contentious issue.
There are generally few points of contention surrounding a resolution such as SCR7, primarily because it does not involve substantive legislative changes or introduce new laws. However, discussions could arise regarding the appropriateness of extended adjournments in relation to legislative productivity and accountability. Some members may express concerns if extended adjournments are perceived as allowing legislators to avoid necessary deliberations on pressing issues, though this tends to be an infrequent concern for resolutions focused solely on procedural adjustments.