Granting the legislature permission to adjourn for more than three days during the period beginning on Thursday, February 5, 2015, and ending on Monday, February 9, 2015.
The passage of HCR55 directly impacts the procedural operations of the Texas Legislature by allowing for a longer recess than normally permitted. Such a decision can facilitate more extensive deliberations or allow members to attend to pressing matters outside of legislative responsibilities. In this instance, it acknowledges the need for time away from the regular sessions which can contribute to improved legislative outcomes.
HCR55, introduced by Representative Simpson, is a House Concurrent Resolution that seeks to grant the legislature permission to adjourn for more than three days during a specified period from February 5, 2015, to February 9, 2015. The resolution refers to Section 17, Article III of the Texas Constitution, which traditionally prohibits either house of the legislature from adjourning for more than three days without mutual consent. This temporary change is intended to provide flexibility in legislative scheduling.
There does not appear to be significant contention surrounding HCR55, as it received overwhelming support in the voting process, with 139 yeas and no nays. This indicates a consensus among the members of the Texas House, suggesting that the necessity of this resolution was widely recognized. It highlights a procedural adjustment rather than a controversial policy debate.