Texas 2017 - 85th Regular

Texas House Bill HR3 Compare Versions

Version 1 (Old)

Version 2 (New)

Old	New		Differences
1		-	H.R. No. 3
	1	+	85R6711 JRJ-F
	2	+	By: Geren H.R. No. 3
2	3
3	4
4	5		R E S O L U T I O N
5	6		BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the State of
6	7		Texas, That the following is adopted as the housekeeping resolution
7	8		for the House of Representatives of the 85th [84th] Legislature:
8	9		HOUSEKEEPING RESOLUTION FOR
9	10		THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
10	11		OF THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE
11	12		TABLE OF CONTENTS
12	13		ARTICLE 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS 4
13	14		SECTION 1.01. PURPOSE 4
14	15		SECTION 1.02. PRECEDENCE 4
15	16		ARTICLE 2. SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE 4
16	17		SECTION 2.01. SPEAKER'S GENERAL POWERS AND DUTIES 4
17	18		SECTION 2.02. SPEAKER'S APARTMENT AND OFFICES 5
18	19		SECTION 2.03. INTERSTATE OR FEDERAL-STATE ASSOCIATIONS;
19	20		TRAINING SEMINARS 5
20	21		ARTICLE 3. GENERAL POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE COMMITTEE ON
21	22		HOUSE ADMINISTRATION 7
22	23		SECTION 3.01. CONTRACTS 7
23	24		SECTION 3.02. HOUSE AND COMMITTEE OPERATING BUDGETS 7
24	25		SECTION 3.03. OPERATING POLICIES 7
25	26		SECTION 3.04. HOUSE POLICY MANUAL 7
26	27		SECTION 3.05. HOUSE PROPERTY, SUPPLIES, ACCOUNTING 8
27	28		SECTION 3.06. USE OF HOUSE CHAMBER AND FACILITIES; ASSIGNMENT
28	29		OF DESKS, OFFICES, AND PARKING SPACES 8
29	30		SECTION 3.07. RECORDS OF THE HOUSE; PRINTING; JOURNALS;
30		-	COPIES OF LEGISLATIVE ~~DOCUMENTS10~~
	31	+	COPIES OF LEGISLATIVE DOCUMENTS 9
31	32		SECTION 3.08. HONORARY CERTIFICATES11
32	33		SECTION 3.09. COMPOSITE PHOTOGRAPH11
33	34		SECTION 3.10. POLICIES REGARDING TEMPORARY ACTING
34		-	~~MEMBERS12~~
	35	+	MEMBERS11
35	36		SECTION 3.11. DISPLAY OF "IN GOD WE TRUST" IN HOUSE12
36		-	SECTION 3.12. HOUSE RECYCLING ~~PROGRAM13~~
	37	+	SECTION 3.12. HOUSE RECYCLING PROGRAM12
37	38		SECTION 3.13. JOINT COMMITTEE HEARING NOTICES ON WEBSITE13
38	39		SECTION 3.14. ACCESS TO HOUSE OFFICES13
39	40		SECTION 3.15. DPS PANIC BUTTONS13
40		-	SECTION 3.16. USE OF HOUSE AUDIO OR VIDEO RESOURCES13
41		-	ARTICLE 4. EMPLOYEES AND EMPLOYMENT POLICIES14
42		-	SECTION 4.01. DEFINITION14
	41	+	ARTICLE 4. EMPLOYEES AND EMPLOYMENT POLICIES13
	42	+	SECTION 4.01. DEFINITION13
43	43		SECTION 4.02. OFFICERS AND SUPERVISORY ADMINISTRATIVE
44		-	EMPLOYEES OF THE ~~HOUSE14~~
45		-	SECTION 4.03. OTHER CENTRAL HOUSE ~~PERSONNEL15~~
46		-	SECTION 4.04. EMPLOYEES OF INDIVIDUAL ~~MEMBER15~~
	44	+	EMPLOYEES OF THE HOUSE13
	45	+	SECTION 4.03. OTHER CENTRAL HOUSE PERSONNEL14
	46	+	SECTION 4.04. EMPLOYEES OF INDIVIDUAL MEMBER14
47	47		SECTION 4.05. COMMITTEE STAFF; AUTHORITY TO REQUEST
48	48		ASSISTANCE15
49		-	SECTION 4.06. WORK SCHEDULE; HOURS OF HOUSE ~~OPERATIONS16~~
50		-	SECTION 4.07. ~~COMPENSATION16~~
51		-	SECTION 4.08. ~~DUTIES17~~
	49	+	SECTION 4.06. WORK SCHEDULE; HOURS OF HOUSE OPERATIONS15
	50	+	SECTION 4.07. COMPENSATION15
	51	+	SECTION 4.08. DUTIES16
52	52		SECTION 4.09. APPEARANCE BEFORE COMMITTEES17
53	53		SECTION 4.10. CHAMBER ACCESS17
54		-	SECTION 4.11. ~~VOTING18~~
55		-	SECTION 4.12. VOTING ~~RECORDS18~~
56		-	SECTION 4.13. CAMPAIGN FOR ~~SPEAKER18~~
57		-	SECTION 4.14. POLITICAL ~~INFLUENCE18~~
	54	+	SECTION 4.11. VOTING17
	55	+	SECTION 4.12. VOTING RECORDS17
	56	+	SECTION 4.13. CAMPAIGN FOR SPEAKER17
	57	+	SECTION 4.14. POLITICAL INFLUENCE17
58	58		SECTION 4.15. OUTSIDE EMPLOYMENT, EXTRA COMPENSATION, OR
59	59		GIFTS18
60	60		SECTION 4.16. DISCHARGE18
61	61		SECTION 4.17. DURATION OF EMPLOYMENT19
62	62		SECTION 4.18. EMPLOYMENT BY MORE THAN ONE MEMBER OR
63		-	~~COMMITTEE20~~
64		-	SECTION 4.19. POSITION TITLES AND ~~CLASSIFICATIONS20~~
65		-	ARTICLE 5. ~~ACCOUNTING21~~
66		-	SECTION 5.01. FUNDING OF OFFICE ~~OPERATIONS21~~
67		-	SECTION 5.02. OPERATING ~~ACCOUNTS21~~
68		-	SECTION 5.03. CREDIT FOR NEWLY ELECTED ~~MEMBERS22~~
69		-	SECTION 5.04. MONTHLY ~~CREDIT22~~
	63	+	COMMITTEE19
	64	+	SECTION 4.19. POSITION TITLES AND CLASSIFICATIONS19
	65	+	ARTICLE 5. ACCOUNTING20
	66	+	SECTION 5.01. FUNDING OF OFFICE OPERATIONS20
	67	+	SECTION 5.02. OPERATING ACCOUNTS20
	68	+	SECTION 5.03. CREDIT FOR NEWLY ELECTED MEMBERS21
	69	+	SECTION 5.04. MONTHLY CREDIT21
70	70		SECTION 5.045. DETERMINATION OF OPERATING ACCOUNT BALANCE22
71	71		SECTION 5.05. ACCOUNT CLOSING23
72	72		SECTION 5.06. EXPENDITURES CHARGED WHEN ENCUMBERED24
73	73		SECTION 5.07. TRAVEL FROM [TO] AUSTIN DURING SESSION NOT
74	74		CHARGED TO OPERATING ACCOUNT24
75	75		SECTION 5.08. TRAVEL OUTSIDE TEXAS24
76		-	SECTION 5.09. APPROVAL OF ~~EXPENDITURES25~~
	76	+	SECTION 5.09. APPROVAL OF EXPENDITURES24
77	77		SECTION 5.10. USE OF FUNDS FOR INFORMAL SETTLEMENTS
78	78		PROHIBITED25
79		-	ARTICLE 6. ~~CAUCUSES26~~
80		-	SECTION 6.01. ~~DEFINITION26~~
	79	+	ARTICLE 6. CAUCUSES25
	80	+	SECTION 6.01. DEFINITION25
81	81		SECTION 6.02. USE OF HOUSE FUNDS, EMPLOYEES, EQUIPMENT, AND
82		-	~~FACILITIES26~~
83		-	SECTION 6.03. ~~CONTRIBUTIONS27~~
	82	+	FACILITIES25
	83	+	SECTION 6.03. CONTRIBUTIONS26
84	84		SECTION 6.04. MEMBERSHIP AND OFFICER LISTS27
85	85		SECTION 6.05. REPORT TO ETHICS COMMISSION27
86		-	ARTICLE 7. HOUSE RESEARCH ~~ORGANIZATION28~~
87		-	SECTION 7.01. ~~ESTABLISHMENT28~~
88		-	SECTION 7.02. STEERING ~~COMMITTEE28~~
89		-	SECTION 7.03. ~~BUDGET28~~
	86	+	ARTICLE 7. HOUSE RESEARCH ORGANIZATION27
	87	+	SECTION 7.01. ESTABLISHMENT27
	88	+	SECTION 7.02. STEERING COMMITTEE27
	89	+	SECTION 7.03. BUDGET27
90	90		ARTICLE 8. SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR INTERIM28
91	91		SECTION 8.01. INTERIM COMMITTEE ACTIVITIES28
92	92		SECTION 8.02. POWERS AND DUTIES OF COMMITTEE ON HOUSE
93		-	ADMINISTRATION DURING ~~INTERIM29~~
	93	+	ADMINISTRATION DURING INTERIM28
94	94		ARTICLE 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS
95	95		SECTION 1.01. PURPOSE. This resolution is adopted by the
96	96		members of the House of Representatives of the 85th [84th]
97	97		Legislature to provide for the efficient and orderly operation of
98	98		the house under the supervision of the speaker and the Committee on
99	99		House Administration.
100	100		SECTION 1.02. PRECEDENCE. The provisions of this
101	101		resolution take precedence over the provisions of any resolution
102	102		not passed in full compliance with the rules of the house and,
103	103		except as otherwise noted herein, shall be in effect during the full
104	104		term of the 85th [84th] Legislature whether in session or
105	105		adjournment.
106	106		ARTICLE 2. SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE
107	107		SECTION 2.01. SPEAKER'S GENERAL POWERS AND DUTIES. The
108	108		speaker may make any expenditures or transfers and perform any
109	109		function deemed necessary for the effective and efficient operation
110	110		of the house of representatives.
111	111		SECTION 2.02. SPEAKER'S APARTMENT AND OFFICES. (a) The
112	112		speaker's apartment and offices shall be set aside for the use of
113	113		the speaker, the speaker's family, and house members, as the
114	114		speaker may designate, throughout the speaker's term of office.
115	115		(b) The Committee on House Administration may make the
116	116		necessary expenditures to operate and properly equip and service
117	117		the speaker's apartment and offices and may employ such help as may
118	118		be necessary to properly maintain and care for the apartment and
119	119		offices.
120	120		(c) The speaker and the speaker's family may occupy the
121	121		speaker's apartment during the speaker's term of office, utilizing
122	122		the services of employees of the house and others on a temporary
123	123		basis, if and as needed.
124	124		(d) The speaker may obtain through the Committee on House
125	125		Administration the necessary supplies and services to operate the
126	126		speaker's office and may also have paid through that committee
127	127		necessary telephone charges.
128	128		SECTION 2.03. INTERSTATE OR FEDERAL-STATE ASSOCIATIONS;
129	129		TRAINING SEMINARS. (a) The speaker may attend any meetings of or
130	130		sponsored by the Council of State Governments and any meetings on
131	131		problems of federal-state relations and interstate relations and
132	132		cooperation, and any other governmental meeting in or outside the
133	133		state.
134	134		(b) The speaker may appoint members of the house, staff
135	135		members, and other employees of the house to accompany or represent
136	136		the speaker at these meetings or to attend in-service training
137	137		courses sponsored by the Council of State Governments or the
138	138		National Conference of State Legislatures or similar training
139	139		courses, conferences, or seminars as the speaker may determine.
140	140		(c) Members of the house attending meetings under this
141	141		section while the legislature is in session may be reimbursed for
142	142		actual and necessary expenses. Members of the house attending
143	143		meetings under this section while the legislature is not in session
144	144		and staff members and other employees of the house attending
145	145		meetings at any time under this section may be reimbursed for either
146	146		actual and necessary expenses or receive a per diem not to exceed
147	147		that provided by law for state officials or state employees. In
148	148		addition, members, staff, and other employees attending meetings
149	149		under this section may be reimbursed for mileage or other
150	150		transportation expenses at the same rate as provided by law for
151	151		state officials or state employees together with registration fees
152	152		and tuition. To receive payment under this subsection, sworn
153	153		expense accounts must be filed with and approved by the chair of the
154	154		Committee on House Administration or an officer of the house
155	155		designated in writing by the Committee on House Administration.
156	156		Prior written approval of the chair of the Committee on House
157	157		Administration to attend any such meetings, conferences, seminars,
158	158		or training courses is a prerequisite for reimbursement for travel
159	159		and other related expenses.
160	160		(d) Reimbursement for expenses incurred by a member, staff
161	161		member, or employee of the house in an appointive capacity
162	162		resulting from an appointment made by anyone other than the speaker
163	163		shall be made only in the event that the appointment and expenses to
164	164		be incurred have been previously approved in writing by the
165	165		Committee on House Administration.
166	166		(e) The speaker may expend money for memberships in
167	167		interstate associations of legislators considered necessary to
168	168		discharge properly the duties and responsibilities of the office of
169	169		speaker.
170	170		ARTICLE 3. GENERAL POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE
171	171		COMMITTEE ON HOUSE ADMINISTRATION
172	172		SECTION 3.01. CONTRACTS. The Committee on House
173	173		Administration shall approve all contracts necessary for the
174	174		effective operation of the divisions of the house and its
175	175		committees.
176	176		SECTION 3.02. HOUSE AND COMMITTEE OPERATING BUDGETS. The
177	177		Committee on House Administration shall consider and adopt
178	178		operating budgets that cover both session and interim periods for
179	179		the divisions of the house and all committees appointed pursuant to
180	180		the resolution adopting the rules of the house or appointed by the
181	181		speaker pursuant to any other resolution. A budget adopted by the
182	182		Committee on House Administration must be adopted in a public
183	183		hearing. Each requested operating budget and each operating budget
184	184		proposed for adoption must be posted on the Internet website of the
185	185		committee in advance of the hearing.
186	186		SECTION 3.03. OPERATING POLICIES. The Committee on House
187	187		Administration shall effectuate policies and determine guidelines
188	188		for the operation of the divisions and committees of the house.
189	189		SECTION 3.04. HOUSE POLICY MANUAL. The Committee on House
190	190		Administration shall prepare and distribute to all members, within
191	191		60 days after the convening of the regular session, policy
192	192		statements to include, but not be limited to, policies pertaining
193	193		to members as a class.
194	194		SECTION 3.05. HOUSE PROPERTY, SUPPLIES, ACCOUNTING. The
195	195		Committee on House Administration shall:
196	196		(1) provide and maintain for the use of the speaker,
197	197		members, employees, divisions, and committees of the house such
198	198		stationery, stamps, office equipment, furniture, fixtures,
199	199		supplies, and telephone and other services as may be necessary;
200	200		(2) keep an itemized account of the quantity and cost
201	201		of every kind of material received, and the source from which it was
202	202		received;
203	203		(3) maintain an annual operating account for each
204	204		member, division, and committee authorized by the Committee on
205	205		House Administration to make expenditures and charge each operating
206	206		account with daily expenditures, withdrawals from inventory, and
207	207		interdepartmental services;
208	208		(4) furnish a monthly statement for the expenditures
209	209		of each member, division, and committee of the house; and
210	210		(5) adopt any rules, regulations, and policies
211	211		necessary to effectively provide and account for the
212	212		above-mentioned services.
213	213		SECTION 3.06. USE OF HOUSE CHAMBER AND FACILITIES;
214	214		ASSIGNMENT OF DESKS, OFFICES, AND PARKING SPACES. (a) The
215	215		Committee on House Administration shall:
216	216		(1) be in charge of and provide for the protection,
217	217		maintenance, and use of the hall of the house, all committee rooms,
218	218		offices of members and house departments, the speaker's office and
219	219		apartment, and other space under the jurisdiction of the house;
220	220		(2) make permanent assignments of desks and offices to
221	221		members of the house;
222	222		(3) adopt and enforce a plan for the parking of motor
223	223		vehicles on the portion of the Capitol grounds under house
224	224		jurisdiction;
225	225		(4) be in charge of and provide for the protection,
226	226		maintenance, and use of the furniture, fixtures, equipment, and
227	227		records of the house;
228	228		(5) purchase, remodel, repair, restore, or replace any
229	229		furniture, fixtures, equipment, and other furnishings to maintain
230		-	the dignity and appearance of space occupied by the house;
231		-	(6) in consultation with the State Preservation Board,
232		-	identify and establish a space that provides privacy, security, a
233		-	water faucet, and a power outlet, within or near the hall of the
234		-	house for use for breastfeeding or breast pumping by house members
235		-	and employees of the house or media representatives entitled to the
236		-	privileges of the floor when the house is in session; and
237		-	(7) [(6)] determine the hours the hall of the house
238		-	shall be open to visitors.
	230	+	the dignity and appearance of space occupied by the house; and
	231	+	(6) determine the hours the hall of the house shall be
	232	+	open to visitors.
239	233		(b) Any member who is not a member-elect of the 86th [85th]
240	234		Legislature shall vacate the member's office space before December
241	235		1, 2018 [2016]. If the office is not vacated on that date, the
242	236		Committee on House Administration shall immediately remove the
243	237		member's personal effects and store them in an appropriate place in
244	238		order that the member-elect to whom the office space is assigned may
245	239		move in. The Committee on House Administration shall ensure that
246	240		each member-elect of the 86th [85th] Legislature who was not a
247	241		member of the 85th [84th] Legislature is permitted to move into and
248	242		begin using the member-elect's office space at least 72 hours
249	243		before the time the 86th [85th] Legislature is scheduled to
250	244		convene.
251	245		SECTION 3.07. RECORDS OF THE HOUSE; PRINTING; JOURNALS;
252	246		COPIES OF LEGISLATIVE DOCUMENTS. (a) The Committee on House
253	247		Administration shall:
254	248		(1) have completed and preserved the official records
255	249		of the house;
256	250		(2) have charge of and approve the operation and
257	251		maintenance of the printing and duplicating facilities of the
258	252		house, provided, however, that the use of the house printing and
259	253		duplicating facilities is restricted to agencies of the legislative
260	254		branch and any other operation thereof is strictly prohibited
261	255		unless previously authorized in writing by the Committee on House
262	256		Administration or an officer of the house designated in writing by
263	257		the speaker;
264	258		(3) determine the number of copies of the daily House
265	259		Journal to be printed and have jurisdiction over the mailing and
266	260		distribution of the daily journal; and
267	261		(4) determine the number of copies of the House
268	262		Journal that will be furnished to each member for distribution by
269	263		the member.
270	264		(b) The employee in charge of the printing facilities must
271	265		keep at least one copy of all items printed or duplicated and a copy
272	266		of the work order authorizing such printing.
273	267		(c) Copies of bills, resolutions, and attachments thereto
274	268		shall be made available free of charge to members of the house who
275	269		call at the bill distribution office and request them, and the cost
276	270		of these copies shall be paid from funds appropriated for that
277	271		purpose by the legislature. If the Committee on House
278	272		Administration finds gross abuse of this privilege, it may
279	273		establish a policy regarding such distribution.
280	274		SECTION 3.08. HONORARY CERTIFICATES. The Committee on
281	275		House Administration shall provide for the use of members
282	276		appropriate certificates to commend, congratulate, and
283	277		memorialize. Such certificates shall be printed with a signature
284	278		line for the name of the presenting member and adequate space for
285	279		insertion of the name of the individual or organization to be
286	280		honored.
287	281		SECTION 3.09. COMPOSITE PHOTOGRAPH. (a) The Committee on
288	282		House Administration shall select a suitable photographer to take
289	283		individual photographs of each member. The photographer shall
290	284		prepare a composite photograph of the members of the house composed
291	285		of the individual photographs of each member arranged on a panel, of
292	286		the same size as used in previous sessions, in such manner as to
293	287		approximate the location of each member's desk on the house floor.
294	288		The member's name and the county of residence shall be printed under
295	289		the member's photograph, and the composite shall be framed and hung
296	290		in the hall of the house during the regular session.
297	291		(b) The photographs for the composite panel shall be
298	292		provided without cost to the members, and the expense of the
299	293		composite panel shall be paid from the expense fund of the house.
300	294		(c) The Committee on House Administration shall establish,
301	295		with concurrence of the photographer, a price to charge members for
302	296		any prints of photographs they wish to purchase.
303	297		SECTION 3.10. POLICIES REGARDING TEMPORARY ACTING MEMBERS.
304	298		If a person is serving as a temporary acting member of the house
305	299		under Section 72, Article XVI, Texas Constitution, in the place of a
306	300		house member on active military duty, the Committee on House
307	301		Administration, with the approval of the speaker and in
308	302		consultation with the temporary acting member and, if available,
309	303		the member on military duty, may adopt policies regarding a
310	304		temporary acting member that the committee considers necessary for
311	305		the efficient administration and performance of the duties of the
312	306		house consistent with this resolution, the rules of the house, and
313	307		the Texas Constitution.
314	308		SECTION 3.11. DISPLAY OF "IN GOD WE TRUST" IN HOUSE. (a)
315	309		The Committee on House Administration shall display the motto "In
316	310		God We Trust" on the electronic message screen at the front of the
317	311		hall of the house.
318	312		(b) The motto shall be large enough to be read throughout
319	313		the hall.
320	314		(c) The motto shall be displayed at all times that the
321	315		electronic message screen is not being used to conduct legislative
322	316		business during a session of the house and shall be at least as
323	317		prominent as any other information displayed on the electronic
324	318		message screen.
325	319		(d) The Committee on House Administration shall convey to
326	320		the State Preservation Board the desire of the house of
327	321		representatives to maintain the permanent display of the motto on
328	322		the face of the portico located over the speaker's podium.
329	323		SECTION 3.12. HOUSE RECYCLING PROGRAM. The Committee on
330	324		House Administration, in coordination with the State Preservation
331	325		Board, shall implement a program for recycling paper, plastic, and
332	326		other recyclable materials from house offices.
333	327		SECTION 3.13. JOINT COMMITTEE HEARING NOTICES ON WEBSITE.
334	328		The Committee on House Administration shall provide for the posting
335	329		of all notices for hearings of joint committees of the house and
336	330		senate on the house website regardless of whether the notice is
337	331		posted on the senate website.
338	332		SECTION 3.14. ACCESS TO HOUSE OFFICES. A house member and
339	333		the member's staff may control access by the public to the member's
340	334		office and may exclude visitors from the office at their
341	335		discretion. If a person refuses to leave the member's office when
342	336		requested, the member may request assistance from the Department of
343	337		Public Safety.
344	338		SECTION 3.15. DPS PANIC BUTTONS. The Committee on House
345	339		Administration shall work with the Department of Public Safety to
346	340		ensure that each house office may request a panic button that the
347	341		house member and the member's staff may use to alert the department
348	342		to an emergency in the office. The member may reimburse the
349	343		Committee on House Administration for the cost of the panic button
350	344		equipment in monthly installments over the fiscal year.
351		-	SECTION 3.16. USE OF HOUSE AUDIO OR VIDEO RESOURCES. The
352		-	Committee on House Administration shall adopt a policy that allows
353		-	members the use of house audio or visual resources. Use of house
354		-	audio or visual resources may only be prohibited for the following
355		-	reasons:
356		-	(1) the use is otherwise prohibited by law;
357		-	(2) the use maligns the reputation of an individual;
358		-	or
359		-	(3) the use is for political advertising, as defined
360		-	by Section 251.001, Election Code.
361	345		ARTICLE 4. EMPLOYEES AND EMPLOYMENT POLICIES
362	346		SECTION 4.01. DEFINITION. Unless expressly provided
363	347		otherwise, in this article "employee" means any person compensated
364	348		from funds appropriated to the house. The term includes persons for
365	349		whom the employing authority is the speaker, the Committee on House
366	350		Administration, an individual member, or a committee.
367	351		SECTION 4.02. OFFICERS AND SUPERVISORY ADMINISTRATIVE
368	352		EMPLOYEES OF THE HOUSE. (a) The officers of the house and the
369	353		employees of the house responsible for supervising the departments
370	354		and divisions that support the operation of the house shall be
371	355		appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the speaker.
372	356		(b) The speaker shall have the right to discharge any
373	357		officer or supervisory administrative employee when the best
374	358		interest of the house of representatives would be served by so
375	359		doing.
376	360		(c) The authority to appoint and discharge officers and
377	361		supervisory administrative employees may be delegated to the
378	362		Committee on House Administration to the extent and for the length
379	363		of time the speaker determines.
380	364		(d) In the event of the absence, resignation, or death of
381	365		any officer or supervisory administrative employee the speaker may
382	366		designate a person to take charge of and attend to all the duties of
383	367		the office affected until the officer or employee returns or until a
384	368		successor is chosen.
385	369		SECTION 4.03. OTHER CENTRAL HOUSE PERSONNEL. (a) The
386	370		Committee on House Administration shall employ all personnel
387	371		necessary for the operation of the house other than:
388	372		(1) those appointed under Section 4.02; or
389	373		(2) employees of an individual member or committee.
390	374		(b) For purposes of this article, the Committee on House
391	375		Administration is the employing authority for all house employees
392	376		other than those for whom the employing authority is the speaker, an
393	377		individual member, or a committee.
394	378		SECTION 4.04. EMPLOYEES OF INDIVIDUAL MEMBER. A member may
395	379		employ, with funds from the member's operating budget, such staff
396	380		as the member deems necessary.
397	381		SECTION 4.05. COMMITTEE STAFF; AUTHORITY TO REQUEST
398	382		ASSISTANCE. (a) The Committee on House Administration shall
399	383		provide funds for the adequate staffing of all standing committees
400	384		of the house and all other committees appointed by the speaker.
401	385		(b) Select committees, interim study committees, standing
402	386		committees, or subcommittees appointed pursuant to the resolution
403	387		adopting the rules of the house or appointed by the speaker pursuant
404	388		to any other resolution may employ any person, firm, or
405	389		corporation, subject to budget limitations. Those committees or
406	390		subcommittees may ask for the assistance of any of the employees,
407	391		agencies, departments, or branches of the state government.
408	392		SECTION 4.06. WORK SCHEDULE; HOURS OF HOUSE OPERATIONS.
409	393		(a) An employee shall be on duty on the days and hours determined by
410	394		the employing authority.
411	395		(b) All offices of the departments and divisions that
412	396		support the operations of the house shall be open on days and hours
413	397		determined by the Committee on House Administration or the speaker
414	398		and other hours that the house or its committees are in session.
415	399		SECTION 4.07. COMPENSATION. (a) Officers and supervisory
416	400		administrative employees of the house shall receive the
417	401		compensation that the speaker or Committee on House Administration
418	402		determines.
419	403		(b) The Committee on House Administration shall fix the
420	404		compensation of house personnel employed under Section 4.03. A
421	405		person employed under that section who is absent without leave
422	406		shall not receive compensation for the time missed.
423	407		(c) The salaries of employees of individual members,
424	408		committees, and the house shall begin when they are instructed to
425	409		start work by their respective employing authority.
426	410		(d) Except as provided by Subsections (e) and (f) of this
427	411		section, an employee of an individual member, a committee employee,
428	412		or any person, firm, or corporation employed by a committee or
429	413		subcommittee may not be paid a salary in excess of $5,280 [$5,151]
430	414		for any one month.
431	415		(e) A member may exempt one employee of the individual
432	416		member and, if the member is a chair of a standing or select
433	417		committee, one employee of the standing or select committee the
434	418		member chairs from the salary cap imposed by Subsection (d) of this
435	419		section. Each calendar year the member shall file with the
436	420		Committee on House Administration a statement designating the
437	421		exempt employee or employees, as appropriate. During a calendar
438	422		year after an exempt employee has been designated, the member may
439	423		exempt a different employee from the salary cap only if the employee
440	424		previously designated as exempt for the calendar year is no longer
441	425		employed by the member or committee, as appropriate. The exempt
442	426		employee may not receive compensation from the operating account of
443	427		any other committee or member.
444	428		(f) The Committee on House Administration may increase the
445	429		amount of the salary cap imposed by Subsection (d) of this section
446	430		to account for any increase in salary provided to all state
447	431		employees during the biennium that begins during the term of the
448	432		legislature to which this resolution applies.
449	433		SECTION 4.08. DUTIES. An employee shall perform all duties
450	434		directed by the employing authority.
451	435		SECTION 4.09. APPEARANCE BEFORE COMMITTEES. An employee
452	436		may appear before a standing or select committee on a measure when
453	437		granted permission by majority vote of the committee.
454	438		SECTION 4.10. CHAMBER ACCESS. (a) An employee may not
455	439		enter the house chamber when the house is in session except when
456	440		performing official duties and specifically authorized by the
457	441		Committee on House Administration.
458	442		(b) An employee may not enter the area on the floor of the
459	443		house enclosed by the railing when the house is in session except
460	444		when specifically authorized by the Committee on House
461	445		Administration.
462	446		SECTION 4.11. VOTING. An employee may not cast a vote for a
463	447		member on the voting machine or otherwise.
464	448		SECTION 4.12. VOTING RECORDS. An employee may not compile
465	449		or release any information concerning the voting record of any
466	450		member of the house for any session of the legislature except when a
467	451		member requests information about that member's personal voting
468	452		record or when the information is for the journal or other official
469	453		records.
470	454		SECTION 4.13. CAMPAIGN FOR SPEAKER. An employee may not
471	455		campaign or assist in the campaign of any candidate for speaker.
472	456		SECTION 4.14. POLITICAL INFLUENCE. An employee may not
473	457		attempt to, or aid anyone in an attempt to, influence any member of
474	458		the house in favor of or against any measure pending before the
475	459		legislature, either directly or indirectly, except when answering
476	460		questions or giving information at the request of a member of the
477	461		house.
478	462		SECTION 4.15. OUTSIDE EMPLOYMENT, EXTRA COMPENSATION, OR
479	463		GIFTS. An employee may not receive, directly or indirectly, any
480	464		compensation, by gift or otherwise, from any other source, unless
481	465		specifically authorized by the employing authority.
482	466		SECTION 4.16. DISCHARGE. (a) The employing authority of an
483	467		employee shall have primary responsibility for overseeing and
484	468		discharging the employee. An employee is subject to immediate
485	469		discharge by the employing authority for violation of any section
486	470		of this article or any other applicable rule.
487	471		(b) An individual member or chair of a committee employing
488	472		an employee who violates any applicable section of this article or
489	473		any rule shall be advised of the violation by the chair of the
490	474		Committee on House Administration, and the employing authority
491	475		shall take appropriate action with regard to the employee in
492	476		question.
493	477		(c) In addition to being subject to immediate discharge by
494	478		the employing authority under Subsection (a) of this section, an
495	479		employee is subject to discharge by the chair of the Committee on
496	480		House Administration, with the approval of the committee, if:
497	481		(1) the employee is not needed and, if the employee is
498	482		employed in an individual member's office or by a committee, the
499	483		member or committee chair has resigned, is deceased, or is
500	484		incapacitated; or
501	485		(2) the employee is guilty of gross misconduct.
502	486		(d) The Committee on House Administration may authorize the
503	487		chair of the Committee on House Administration to conduct an
504	488		investigation into allegations of gross misconduct. The chair may,
505	489		with the approval of the committee, discharge or otherwise
506	490		discipline an employee of an individual member or committee if the
507	491		Committee on House Administration finds that the employee has
508	492		engaged in gross misconduct.
509	493		SECTION 4.17. DURATION OF EMPLOYMENT. The period of
510	494		employment of all employees shall be determined by the employing
511	495		authority, except that employees of all committees and of
512	496		individual members who are not members-elect of the next
513	497		legislature shall be terminated not later than noon on the day of
514	498		the convening of the next regular session.
515	499		SECTION 4.18. EMPLOYMENT BY MORE THAN ONE MEMBER OR
516	500		COMMITTEE. (a) Members may join in the employment of a research
517	501		assistant or assistants to be paid jointly from their operating
518	502		budgets. Unless expressly authorized by the provisions of this
519	503		resolution, the members who join together to sponsor such research
520	504		shall not constitute a committee, task force, or group to operate in
521	505		any official or quasi-official manner not specifically authorized
522	506		under the Rules of the House of Representatives.
523	507		(b) No person, firm, or corporation may be employed by more
524	508		than two committees or subcommittees.
525	509		SECTION 4.19. POSITION TITLES AND CLASSIFICATIONS. The job
526	510		title for each position shall be determined by the employing
527	511		authority. The employing authority and the house business office
528	512		shall classify each job title for accounting purposes according to
529	513		the following position classifications, unless otherwise
530	514		determined by the Committee on House Administration:
531	515		(a) Member Employees
532	516		1. Chief of Staff
533	517		2. General Counsel
534	518		3. Legislative Director
535	519		4. Legislative Assistant
536	520		5. Administrative Assistant
537	521		6. Special Project Coordinator
538	522		7. Intern
539	523		(b) Committee Employees
540	524		1. Committee General Counsel
541	525		2. Chief Committee Clerk
542	526		3. Committee Clerk
543	527		(c) Research Employees
544	528		1. Research Director
545	529		2. Research Assistant
546	530		3. Policy Analyst
547	531		ARTICLE 5. ACCOUNTING
548	532		SECTION 5.01. FUNDING OF OFFICE OPERATIONS. (a) Each
549	533		member of the house shall be allocated funds for staff, office
550	534		supplies, office equipment, postage, printing, telephone, travel,
551	535		and such other reasonable and necessary office expenses as may be
552	536		determined by the Committee on House Administration.
553	537		(b) The manner in which funds are allocated, and the amounts
554	538		thereof, are as provided by this article.
555	539		SECTION 5.02. OPERATING ACCOUNTS. (a) Each member who
556	540		served in the 84th [83rd] Legislature shall have the following
557	541		operating accounts for the 85th [84th] Legislature:
558	542		(1) a Fiscal Year 17 [15] Operating Account (September
559	543		1, 2016 [2014], through August 31, 2017 [2015]);
560	544		(2) a Fiscal Year 18 [16] Operating Account (September
561	545		1, 2017 [2015], through August 31, 2018 [2016]); and
562	546		(3) a Fiscal Year 19 [17] Operating Account (September
563	547		1, 2018 [2016], through January 8, 2019 [10, 2017]).
564	548		(b) Each member who did not serve in the 84th [83rd]
565	549		Legislature shall have the same operating accounts for the 85th
566	550		[84th] Legislature as a returning member under Subsection (a) of
567	551		this section except that the duration of the Fiscal Year 17 [15]
568	552		Operating Account is from January 10, 2017 [13, 2015], through
569	553		August 31, 2017 [2015].
570	554		(c) For each member who served in the 84th [83rd]
571	555		Legislature, it shall not be necessary to close the member's Fiscal
572	556		Year 17 [15] Operating Account when the 85th [84th] Legislature
573	557		convenes.
574	558		SECTION 5.03. CREDIT FOR NEWLY ELECTED MEMBERS. Each
575	559		member who did not serve in the 84th [83rd] Legislature may have
576	560		credited to the member's Fiscal Year 17 [15] Operating Account the
577	561		amount of $2,000.
578	562		SECTION 5.04. MONTHLY CREDIT. (a) Each member's operating
579	563		account shall be credited with $14,250 for each month that falls
580	564		wholly or partly during the regular legislative session or a
581	565		special legislative session. In any other month, each member's
582	566		operating account shall be credited with $13,500.
583	567		(b) The Committee on House Administration may provide to the
584	568		dean and the speaker pro tempore of the house additional funds as
585	569		may be determined to be necessary for the duties of those offices to
586	570		be fulfilled.
587	571		(c) The Committee on House Administration may increase the
588	572		amount credited each month to each member's operating account in an
589	573		amount to allow for an increase in:
590	574		(1) the salary cap as provided by Section 4.07(f); or
591	575		(2) longevity pay as authorized by legislation.
592	576		SECTION 5.045. DETERMINATION OF OPERATING ACCOUNT BALANCE.
593	577		(a) On the third business day of each calendar month, the House
594	578		Business Office shall determine the available, unobligated balance
595	579		at the end of the preceding calendar month for each member's
596	580		operating account and each committee operating account. If the
597	581		House Business Office determines that a member's operating account
598	582		has a negative balance at the end of the preceding calendar month,
599	583		the office shall provide notice to the member and the member shall
600	584		deposit funds in the account equal to the negative balance not later
601	585		than the 10th business day after the date the member receives notice
602	586		of the deficit from the House Business Office; provided, however,
603	587		that if a member deposits funds in the member's operating account to
604	588		cover a negative balance under this subsection and the member later
605	589		has a positive balance in the member's operating account at the end
606	590		of a calendar month in the same fiscal year in which the member
607	591		deposited the funds to cover the negative balance, the member may
608	592		use the excess money in the member's operating account at that time
609	593		to reimburse the member in an amount not to exceed the amount the
610	594		member earlier deposited to cover the negative balance.
611	595		(b) A committee operating account may not operate at a
612	596		deficit.
613	597		(c) If a member is not a member-elect of the 86th [85th]
614	598		Legislature, the member's operating account may not operate at a
615	599		deficit after November 30, 2018 [2016].
616	600		SECTION 5.05. ACCOUNT CLOSING. (a) Each member's Fiscal
617	601		Year 17 [15] Operating Account shall be closed as of August 31, 2017
618	602		[2015].
619	603		(b) Each member may carry forward and have credited to the
620	604		member's Fiscal Year 18 [16] Operating Account the unexpended
621	605		balance of the member's Fiscal Year 17 [15] Operating Account, not
622	606		to exceed $20,000. If the member is the chair of a committee, the
623	607		member may transfer and have credited to that committee's operating
624	608		account all or part of that unexpended balance, not to exceed
625	609		$20,000, and may have the remainder of that amount credited to the
626	610		member's Fiscal Year 18 [16] Operating Account.
627	611		(c) Each member's Fiscal Year 18 [16] Operating Account
628	612		shall be closed as of August 31, 2018 [2016].
629	613		(d) Each member may carry forward and have credited to the
630	614		member's Fiscal Year 19 [17] Operating Account the unexpended
631	615		balance of the member's Fiscal Year 18 [16] Operating Account, not
632	616		to exceed $20,000. If the member is the chair of a committee, the
633	617		member may transfer and have credited to that committee's operating
634	618		account all or part of that unexpended balance, not to exceed
635	619		$20,000, and may have the remainder of that amount credited to the
636	620		member's Fiscal Year 19 [17] Operating Account.
637	621		(e) A member who is the chair of a committee may not transfer
638	622		and have credited to that member's operating account any portion of
639	623		the unexpended balance of the committee's operating account.
640	624		SECTION 5.06. EXPENDITURES CHARGED WHEN ENCUMBERED. All
641	625		expenditures shall be charged to the period in which they are
642	626		encumbered.
643	627		SECTION 5.07. TRAVEL FROM [TO] AUSTIN DURING SESSION NOT
644	628		CHARGED TO OPERATING ACCOUNT. While the legislature is in session,
645	629		the travel expenses of members for one trip each week between Austin
646	630		and their districts and return shall not be charged against the
647	631		members' operating accounts but shall be paid from funds
648	632		appropriated for that purpose by the legislature.
649	633		SECTION 5.08. TRAVEL OUTSIDE TEXAS. A member is entitled to
650	634		be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses incurred while
651	635		traveling outside Texas in the performance of legislative duties
652	636		and responsibilities. If the reimbursement is for travel inside
653	637		the conterminous United States, reimbursement is limited to twice
654	638		the amount that would be reimbursed to state employees for the same
655	639		travel under the comptroller's guidelines and rates governing
656	640		travel by state employees.
657	641		SECTION 5.09. APPROVAL OF EXPENDITURES. (a) No allowance
658	642		included in this resolution shall be expended except for actual
659	643		salaries or actual expenses of the house, its members, departments,
660	644		committees, and employees and for such other expenses as are
661	645		authorized by the Committee on House Administration.
662	646		(b) The Committee on House Administration may not authorize
663	647		any expenditures of funds for personal or political campaign
664	648		reasons.
665	649		(c) All expenditures authorized by this resolution shall be
666	650		paid from funds appropriated for the use of the house of
667	651		representatives by vouchers or other forms approved by the speaker
668	652		of the house and the Committee on House Administration.
669	653		SECTION 5.10. USE OF FUNDS FOR INFORMAL SETTLEMENTS
670	654		PROHIBITED. No public funds appropriated to the house or expended
671	655		by any house member, committee, or office may be spent or promised
672	656		to settle in whole or part a legal claim brought or threatened to be
673	657		brought against the house or a member, committee, office, or
674	658		employee of the house unless the settlement is made with the
675	659		participation and approval of the attorney general and notice of
676	660		any settlement is promptly given to the public.
677	661		ARTICLE 6. CAUCUSES
678	662		SECTION 6.01. DEFINITION. In this article, "caucus" means
679	663		an organization that is composed exclusively of members of the
680	664		legislature, that elects or appoints officers and recognizes
681	665		identified legislators as members of the organization, and that
682	666		exists for research and other support of policy development and
683	667		interests that the membership holds in common. An organization
684	668		whose only nonlegislator members are the lieutenant governor or the
685	669		governor remains a "caucus" for purposes of this section.
686	670		SECTION 6.02. USE OF HOUSE FUNDS, EMPLOYEES, EQUIPMENT, AND
687	671		FACILITIES. (a) Except as expressly authorized by this section,
688	672		funds appropriated to the house may not be expended in support of a
689	673		caucus, employees compensated from funds appropriated to the house
690	674		may not perform caucus activities, and state-owned equipment may
691	675		not be used in the performance of caucus activities.
692	676		(b) An individual member of the house may authorize the use
693	677		of state equipment assigned to the member's office and the
694	678		performance of caucus activities by an employee of the member only
695	679		if:
696	680		(1) the member determines that the activities support
697	681		the member's official duties;
698	682		(2) the caucus does not endorse or support a candidate
699	683		for public office; and
700	684		(3) the caucus does not accept contributions from
701	685		nonmembers that are in violation of Section 253.0341, Election
702	686		Code.
703	687		(c) A caucus may use the meeting rooms of the Capitol and
704	688		Capitol extension to conduct meetings of the caucus membership, to
705	689		host public forums on matters of interest to the caucus, or to
706	690		facilitate the work of the caucus or a caucus employee.
707	691		(d) An individual member may house, in the state office
708	692		space assigned to the member, caucus employees or equipment owned
709	693		by a caucus. A member may retain in the member's office a
710	694		telephone, facsimile machine, or computer owned by the caucus for
711	695		purposes of the member's communication with the caucus or caucus
712	696		employees.
713	697		(e) From space under the jurisdiction of the house, the
714	698		Committee on House Administration may assign:
715	699		(1) one office space and one parking space for use by
716	700		the Texas Republican Legislative Caucus; and
717	701		(2) one office space and one parking space for use by
718	702		the House Democratic Caucus.
719	703		SECTION 6.03. CONTRIBUTIONS. (a) A person acting on behalf
720	704		of a caucus may not knowingly accept a contribution in violation of
721	705		Section 253.0341, Election Code.
722	706		(b) A person acting on behalf of a caucus may not knowingly
723	707		accept a contribution, and shall refuse a contribution that is
724	708		received, in the Capitol.
725	709		SECTION 6.04. MEMBERSHIP AND OFFICER LISTS. Each caucus
726	710		shall provide to the chief clerk, on a regular basis, a list of its
727	711		current membership and officers.
728	712		SECTION 6.05. REPORT TO ETHICS COMMISSION. Each caucus
729	713		shall file a report of contributions and expenditures with the
730	714		Texas Ethics Commission as required by Section 254.0311, Election
731	715		Code.
732	716		ARTICLE 7. HOUSE RESEARCH ORGANIZATION
733	717		SECTION 7.01. ESTABLISHMENT. The Committee on House
734	718		Administration shall provide operating funds for a house research
735	719		organization that will be an administrative department of the house
736	720		and may for that purpose adopt policies and procedures relating to
737	721		the administrative operation of that organization.
738	722		SECTION 7.02. STEERING COMMITTEE. The functions and duties
739	723		performed by the house research organization shall be governed by a
740	724		15-member steering committee composed of house members serving
741	725		staggered four-year terms, who are subject to approval of the house
742	726		membership.
743	727		SECTION 7.03. BUDGET. The house research organization
744	728		shall have an operating account and in compliance with the terms of
745	729		its establishment shall operate under a budget approved by the
746	730		steering committee and the Committee on House Administration.
747	731		ARTICLE 8. SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR INTERIM
748	732		SECTION 8.01. INTERIM COMMITTEE ACTIVITIES. (a) Pursuant
749	733		to the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1961 (Subchapter B,
750	734		Chapter 301, Government Code), standing committees of the house
751	735		established by the rules of the house may hold meetings while the
752	736		legislature is not in session.
753	737		(b) The speaker may grant authority to select committees,
754	738		interim study committees, subcommittees, or standing committees of
755	739		the house to hold meetings while the legislature is not in session
756	740		as the speaker considers necessary and desirable to conduct the
757	741		business of the house and to assist the speaker in conducting the
758	742		business of the house, under a pattern of operation and
759	743		restrictions determined by the rules of the house.
760	744		(c) The committee members and employees may either be
761	745		reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses or receive a per diem
762	746		not to exceed that provided by law for state officials or state
763	747		employees, along with mileage or other transportation expenses at
764	748		the same rate as provided by law for state officials or state
765	749		employees when conducting such business and attending those
766	750		meetings when approved by the Committee on House Administration.
767	751		SECTION 8.02. POWERS AND DUTIES OF COMMITTEE ON HOUSE
768	752		ADMINISTRATION DURING INTERIM. (a) When the legislature is not in
769	753		session, the Committee on House Administration may act as provided
770	754		by this section.
771	755		(b) The committee may call meetings for the transaction of
772	756		necessary business, and the committee members shall be reimbursed
773	757		for expenses incurred by them when attending such meetings or when
774	758		in performance of their duties as members of the Committee on House
775	759		Administration, the reimbursement to be either actual and necessary
776	760		expenses or a per diem not to exceed that provided by law for state
777	761		officials or state employees, along with mileage or other
778	762		transportation expenses at the same rate as provided by law for
779	763		state officials or state employees.
780	764		(c) The committee may reimburse authorized members and
781	765		employees for expenses incurred by them when traveling in the
782	766		performance of their legislative duties and responsibilities
783	767		within their respective districts or within any county in which any
784	768		part of their districts lie or from their districts to the State
785	769		Capitol, the reimbursement to be either actual and necessary
786	770		expenses or a per diem not to exceed that provided by law for state
787	771		officials or state employees, along with mileage or other
788	772		transportation expenses at the same rate as provided by law for
789	773		state officials or state employees.
790	774		(d) The committee may pay for all other reasonable and
791	775		necessary expenses, including operation of each member's district
792	776		office, incurred by the members of the house of representatives.
793	777		The expenses shall be paid from funds appropriated for that
794	778		purpose, or any other funds appropriated for the use of the house of
795	779		representatives, on vouchers or other forms approved by the chair
796	780		of the Committee on House Administration, in accordance with
797	781		regulations governing such expenditures.
798	782		(e) The committee may assign or reassign parking places in
799	783		the best interest of the house under such terms and conditions as
800	784		the committee deems necessary.
801		-	Geren
802		-	______________________________
803		-	Speaker of the House
804		-	I certify that H.R. No. 3 was adopted by the House on January
805		-	11, 2017, by the following vote: Yeas 145, Nays 0, 1 present, not
806		-	voting.
807		-	______________________________
808		-	Chief Clerk of the House