Granting the legislature permission to adjourn for more than three days.
The passage of SCR1 would allow greater flexibility for the Texas legislature in managing its time during a special session. It indicates a recognition by both houses that the limited nature of their agenda does not require frequent convening, allowing legislative members to allocate their time more efficiently. This change would facilitate legislative processes by permitting extended periods of adjournment, thus potentially impacting the pace of legislative activities during the session.
SCR1 is a Senate Concurrent Resolution that addresses the provisions outlined in Section 17, Article III of the Texas Constitution, which states that neither house of the legislature may adjourn for more than three days without the consent of the other house. This resolution was introduced during a special session called by the governor, beginning May 27, 2013. The aim of the bill is to grant each house of the legislature permission to adjourn for periods exceeding three days, should they deem it necessary during the limited agenda of the special session.
The sentiment surrounding SCR1 appears to be pragmatic, as it stems from the shared understanding among legislators of the necessity for adaptable scheduling within the constraints of special sessions. Both houses recognize that a rigid adherence to the three-day adjournment rule may hinder their ability to operate effectively under the circumstances dictated by the special session. Support for this resolution indicates a collaborative approach to legislative administration.
While SCR1 mainly aims to streamline legislative operations during special sessions, potential points of contention could arise regarding how long each house chooses to adjourn and whether those decisions remain in alignment with the expectations of their constituents who may prefer more active legislative processes. However, the resolution appears largely non-controversial as it seeks consent and flexibility rather than imposing restrictive regulations.