Granting the legislature permission to adjourn for more than three days during the period beginning on Wednesday, January 18, 2017, and ending on Tuesday, January 24, 2017.
The passage of HCR47 allowed for an extended recess from regular legislative proceedings, which could facilitate more comprehensive discussions among legislators, lobbyists, and stakeholders on pending issues. By granting permission for longer breaks, it highlighted the need for cooperation between the two chambers of the legislature and established a precedent for managing legislative time. This inclusion of potential longer recess periods might also impact the legislature's agenda and the pacing of lawmaking processes during the session.
HCR47 is a House Concurrent Resolution that requests permission from each house of the Texas Legislature to adjourn for more than three days during the specific period from January 18, 2017, to January 24, 2017. This resolution is made in accordance with Section 17 of Article III of the Texas Constitution, which typically restricts either house from adjourning for longer than three days without the consent of the other house. By adopting this resolution, the legislature aimed to provide flexibility in scheduling discussions and deliberations during the session.
The sentiment surrounding HCR47 seemed to be largely positive, as evidenced by the favorable vote of 138 in favor and only 1 against. The resolution was viewed as a procedural necessity, ensuring that the Texas Legislature could manage its time more effectively. The overwhelming support suggests that legislators recognized the importance of being able to adjourn for longer intervals when needed, to accommodate discussions that might contribute to better legislative outcomes.
There were minimal points of contention connected to HCR47, as it was largely a procedural matter. The major concern that could arise in such resolutions typically involves the potential misuse of adjournment to avoid contentious issues or evade legislative responsibilities. However, these concerns were not significantly raised during the discussions surrounding HCR47, indicating that lawmakers were generally aligned on the importance of maintaining effective legislative operations while allowing for necessary recess to enable discussions.