By: Huffman, et al. S.J.R. No. 66
(Schofield)
proposing a constitutional amendment to provide for the governor's
and lieutenant governor's terms of office to begin at 10 a.m. on the
day preceding the day the regular legislative session convenes.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 4, Article IV, Texas Constitution, is
amended to read as follows:
Sec. 4. The Governor elected at the general election in 2018
[1974], and thereafter, shall be installed at 10 a.m. on the day
preceding the day set by law for the convening of the regular
session of the legislature [first Tuesday after the organization of
the Legislature, or as soon thereafter as practicable,] and shall
hold [his] office for the term of four years, or until a [his]
successor shall be duly installed. The Governor [He] shall be at
least thirty years of age, a citizen of the United States, and shall
have resided in this State at least five years immediately
preceding the [his] election.
SECTION 2. Section 16(a), Article IV, Texas Constitution,
is amended to read as follows:
(a) There shall also be a Lieutenant Governor, who shall be
chosen at every election for Governor by the same voters, in the
same manner, [continue in office for the same time,] and possess the
same qualifications. The voters shall distinguish for whom they
vote as Governor and for whom as Lieutenant Governor. The
Lieutenant Governor shall hold office for a term of four years. The
Lieutenant Governor shall take office following the election, at 10
a.m. on the day preceding the day set by law for the convening of the
regular session of the legislature, and shall serve thereafter for
the full term of years to which elected.
SECTION 3. The following temporary provision is added to
the Texas Constitution:
TEMPORARY PROVISION. (a) This temporary provision applies
to the constitutional amendment proposed by the 84th Legislature,
Regular Session, 2015, providing for the governor's and lieutenant
governor's terms of office to begin the day preceding the day the
regular legislative session convenes.
(b) The amendments to Sections 4 and 16(a), Article IV, of
this constitution apply to a person elected to the office of
governor or lieutenant governor for a term beginning on or after
January 1, 2019.
(c) This temporary provision expires January 1, 2020.
SECTION 4. (a) This proposed constitutional amendment
shall be submitted to the voters at an election to be held November
3, 2015, only if the secretary of state certifies that an enactment
of the 84th Legislature, Regular Session:
(1) provides for the canvass of election returns for
the offices of governor and lieutenant governor by the attorney
general; and
(2) was not vetoed by the governor and becomes law
contingent on adoption of this constitutional amendment by the
voters.
(b) If the secretary of state does not make a certification
under Subsection (a), this resolution has no effect.
(c) If the election on this amendment is held, the ballot
shall be printed to permit voting for or against the proposition:
"The constitutional amendment to provide for the governor's and
lieutenant governor's terms of office to begin at 10 a.m. on the day
preceding the day the regular legislative session convenes."