Texas House Bill HB892

Texas 2017 - 85th Regular

Caption

Relating to an annual state budget and legislative budget sessions in even-numbered years and to political contributions made during a legislative session.

Impact

The introduction of HB892 aims to create a more structured approach to the state budget process, facilitating a clearer timeline for budgetary discussions and decision-making. By separating the budget session from regular legislative sessions, the bill seeks to eliminate potential distractions from other legislative business. The statutory change also emphasizes the growth rate of state tax revenues and aligns it with the growth of the state's economy to curtail unnecessary expenditure growth.

Summary

House Bill 892 focuses on amending state law regarding the timing of regular legislative sessions and the structure of the annual state budget. The bill stipulates that in even-numbered years, the legislature will convene for a budget session on the third Tuesday in April, following the regular session's schedule in odd-numbered years. This change is intended to streamline the budgeting process, allowing lawmakers more dedicated time to discuss and finalize the state's financial plan for the upcoming year.

Contention

One notable point of contention in the discussions surrounding HB892 is the proposed restrictions on political contributions during the budgeting sessions. The bill prohibits political contributions to statewide officeholders and legislators during specified periods surrounding both regular and budget sessions. Critics argue that this could limit fundraising abilities for legislators who depend on these contributions to support their campaigns, while proponents assert that it enhances transparency and reduces potential conflicts of interest during budget discussions.