Texas 2017 - 85th Regular

Texas House Bill HR4 Compare Versions

Version 1 (Old)

Version 2 (New)

Old	New		Differences
1		-	H.R. No. 4
	1	+	85R6938 TJB-F
	2	+	By: Smithee H.R. No. 4
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 are adopted as the permanent rules of the
7	8		House of Representatives of the 85th [84th] Legislature:
8	9		RULES OF
9	10		THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
10	11		OF THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE
11	12		TABLE OF CONTENTS
12	13		RULE
13	14		1. DUTIES AND RIGHTS OF THE SPEAKER 2
14	15		2. EMPLOYEES 10
15	16		3. STANDING COMMITTEES 23
16	17		4. ORGANIZATION, POWERS, AND DUTIES OF
17	18		COMMITTEES 53
18		-	5. FLOOR PROCEDURE 90
19		-	6. ORDER OF BUSINESS AND CALENDARS ~~112~~
20		-	7. MOTIONS ~~131~~
21		-	8. BILLS ~~147~~
22		-	9. JOINT RESOLUTIONS ~~163~~
	19	+	5. FLOOR PROCEDURE 89
	20	+	6. ORDER OF BUSINESS AND CALENDARS 111
	21	+	7. MOTIONS 130
	22	+	8. BILLS 146
	23	+	9. JOINT RESOLUTIONS 162
23	24		10. HOUSE RESOLUTIONS AND CONCURRENT
24		-	RESOLUTIONS ~~165~~
25		-	11. AMENDMENTS ~~168~~
26		-	12. PRINTING ~~176~~
	25	+	RESOLUTIONS 164
	26	+	11. AMENDMENTS 167
	27	+	12. PRINTING 175
27	28		13. INTERACTIONS WITH THE GOVERNOR
28		-	AND SENATE ~~180~~
29		-	14. GENERAL PROVISIONS ~~193~~
	29	+	AND SENATE 179
	30	+	14. GENERAL PROVISIONS 192
30	31		STATEMENT OF AUTHORIZATION AND PRECEDENCE
31	32		Pursuant to and under the authority of Section 11, Article
32	33		III, Texas Constitution, and notwithstanding any provision of
33	34		statute, the House of Representatives adopts the following rules to
34	35		govern its operations and procedures. The provisions of these
35	36		rules shall be deemed the only requirements binding on the House of
36	37		Representatives under Section 11, Article III, Texas Constitution,
37	38		notwithstanding any other requirements expressed in statute.
38	39		RULE 1. DUTIES AND RIGHTS OF THE SPEAKER
39	40		CHAPTER A. DUTIES AS PRESIDING OFFICER
40	41		Sec. 1. ENFORCEMENT OF THE RULES. The speaker shall
41	42		enforce, apply, and interpret the rules of the house in all
42	43		deliberations of the house and shall enforce the legislative rules
43	44		prescribed by the statutes and the Constitution of Texas.
44	45		Sec. 2. CALL TO ORDER. The speaker shall take the chair on
45	46		each calendar day precisely at the hour to which the house adjourned
46	47		or recessed at its last sitting and shall immediately call the
47	48		members to order.
48	49		Sec. 3. LAYING BUSINESS BEFORE THE HOUSE. The speaker
49	50		shall lay before the house its business in the order indicated by
50	51		the rules and shall receive propositions made by members and put
51	52		them to the house.
52	53		Sec. 4. REFERRAL OF PROPOSED LEGISLATION TO COMMITTEE. All
53	54		proposed legislation shall be referred by the speaker to an
54	55		appropriate standing or select committee with jurisdiction,
55	56		subject to correction by a majority vote of the house. A bill or
56	57		resolution may not be referred simultaneously to more than one
57	58		committee.
58	59		Sec. 5. PRESERVATION OF ORDER AND DECORUM. The speaker
59	60		shall preserve order and decorum. In case of disturbance or
60	61		disorderly conduct in the galleries or in the lobby, the speaker may
61	62		order that these areas be cleared. No signs, placards, or other
62	63		objects of similar nature shall be permitted in the rooms, lobby,
63	64		gallery, and hall of the house. The speaker shall see that the
64	65		members of the house conduct themselves in a civil manner in
65	66		accordance with accepted standards of parliamentary conduct and
66	67		may, when necessary, order the sergeant-at-arms to clear the aisles
67	68		and seat the members of the house so that business may be conducted
68	69		in an orderly manner.
69	70		Sec. 6. RECOGNITION OF GALLERY VISITORS. On written
70	71		request of a member, the speaker may recognize persons in the
71	72		gallery. The speaker shall afford that recognition at a convenient
72	73		place in the order of business, considering the need for order and
73	74		decorum and the need for continuity of debate. The request must be
74	75		made on a form prescribed by the Committee on House Administration.
75	76		The speaker may recognize, at a time he or she considers appropriate
76	77		during floor proceedings, the person serving as physician of the
77	78		day.
78	79		Sec. 7. STATING AND VOTING ON QUESTIONS. The speaker shall
79	80		rise to put a question but may state it sitting. The question shall
80	81		be put substantially in this form: "The question occurs on
81	82		______" (here state the question or proposition under
82	83		consideration). "All in favor say 'Aye,'" and after the affirmative
83	84		vote is expressed, "All opposed say 'No.'" If the speaker is in
84	85		doubt as to the result, or if a division is called for, the house
85	86		shall divide: those voting in the affirmative on the question
86	87		shall register "Aye" on the voting machine, and those voting in the
87	88		negative on the question shall register "No." The decision of the
88	89		house on the question shall be printed in the journal and shall
89	90		include the yeas and nays if a record of the yeas and nays is ordered
90	91		in accordance with the rules.
91	92		Sec. 8. VOTING RIGHTS OF THE PRESIDING OFFICER. The
92	93		speaker shall have the same right as other members to vote. If the
93	94		speaker, or a member temporarily presiding, has not voted, he or she
94	95		may cast the deciding vote at the time such opportunity becomes
95	96		official, whether to make or break a tie. If a verification of the
96	97		vote is called for and granted, the decision of the speaker, or a
97	98		member temporarily presiding, to cast the deciding vote need not be
98	99		made until the verification has been completed. In case of error in
99	100		a vote, if the correction leaves decisive effect to the vote of the
100	101		speaker, or a member temporarily presiding, the deciding vote may
101	102		be cast even though the result has been announced.
102	103		Sec. 9. QUESTIONS OF ORDER. (a) The speaker shall decide
103	104		on all questions of order; however, such decisions are subject to an
104	105		appeal to the house made by any 10 members. Pending an appeal, the
105	106		speaker shall call a member to the chair, who shall not have the
106	107		authority to entertain or decide any other matter or proposition
107	108		until the appeal has first been determined by the house. The
108	109		question on appeal is, "Shall the chair be sustained?"
109	110		(b) No member shall speak more than once on an appeal unless
110	111		given leave by a majority of the house. No motion shall be in order,
111	112		pending an appeal, except a motion to adjourn, a motion to lay on
112	113		the table, a motion for the previous question, or a motion for a
113	114		call of the house. Responses to parliamentary inquiries and
114	115		decisions of recognition made by the chair may not be appealed,
115	116		except as provided by Rule 5, Section 24.
116	117		(c) Further consideration of the matter or proposition that
117	118		is the subject of a question of order is prohibited until the
118	119		speaker decides the question of order and any appeal of that
119	120		decision has been determined by the house. Consideration of any
120	121		other matter or proposition is also prohibited while a question of
121	122		order is pending, unless the question of order is temporarily
122	123		withdrawn and the matter or proposition that is the subject of the
123	124		question of order is postponed. Withdrawal of the question of order
124	125		does not prevent any member from raising that question of order when
125	126		the matter or proposition is again before the house.
126	127		(d) A point of order raised as to a violation of a section of
127	128		the rules governing committee reports, committee minutes, or
128	129		accompanying documentation may be overruled if the purpose of that
129	130		section of the rules has been substantially fulfilled and the
130	131		violation does not deceive or mislead.
131	132		Sec. 10. APPOINTMENT OF SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE AND TEMPORARY
132	133		CHAIR. The speaker shall have the right to name any member to
133	134		perform the duties of the chair and may name a member to serve as
134	135		speaker pro tempore by delivering a written order to the chief clerk
135	136		and a copy to the journal clerk. A permanent speaker pro tempore
136	137		shall, in the absence or inability of the speaker, call the house to
137	138		order and perform all other duties of the chair in presiding over
138	139		the deliberations of the house and perform other duties and
139	140		exercise other responsibilities as may be assigned by the speaker.
140	141		If the house is not in session, and a permanent speaker pro tempore
141	142		has not been named, or if the speaker pro tempore is not available
142	143		or for any reason is not able to function, the speaker may deliver a
143	144		written order to the chief clerk, with a copy to the journal clerk,
144	145		naming the member who shall call the house to order and preside
145	146		during the speaker's absence. The speaker pro tempore shall serve
146	147		at the pleasure of the speaker.
147	148		Sec. 11. EMERGENCY ADJOURNMENT. In the event of an
148	149		emergency of such compelling nature that the speaker must adjourn
149	150		the house without fixing a date and hour of reconvening, the speaker
150	151		shall have authority to determine the date and hour of reconvening
151	152		and to notify the members of the house by any means the speaker
152	153		considers adequate. Should the speaker be disabled or otherwise
153	154		unable to exercise these emergency powers, the permanent speaker
154	155		pro tempore, if one has been named, shall have authority to act. If
155	156		there is no permanent speaker pro tempore, or if that officer is
156	157		unable to act, authority shall be exercised by the chair of the
157	158		Committee on State Affairs, who shall preside until the house can
158	159		proceed to the selection of a temporary presiding officer to
159	160		function until the speaker or the speaker pro tempore is again able
160	161		to exercise the duties and responsibilities of the office.
161	162		Sec. 12. POSTPONEMENT OF RECONVENING. When the house is
162	163		not in session, if the speaker determines that it would be a hazard
163	164		to the safety of the members, officers, employees, and others
164	165		attending the legislature to reconvene at the time determined by
165	166		the house at its last sitting, the speaker may clear the area of the
166	167		capitol under the control of the house and postpone the reconvening
167	168		of the house for a period of not more than 12 hours. On making that
168	169		determination, the speaker shall order the sergeant-at-arms to post
169	170		an assistant at each first floor entrance to the capitol and other
170	171		places and advise all persons entering of the determination and the
171	172		time set for the house to reconvene. The speaker shall also notify
172	173		the journal clerk and the news media of the action, and the action
173	174		shall be entered in the house journal.
174	175		Sec. 13. SIGNING BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS. All bills, joint
175	176		resolutions, and concurrent resolutions shall be signed by the
176	177		speaker in the presence of the house, as required by the
177	178		constitution; and all writs, warrants, and subpoenas issued by
178	179		order of the house shall be signed by the speaker and attested by
179	180		the chief clerk, or the person acting as chief clerk.
180	181		CHAPTER B. ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES
181	182		Sec. 14. CONTROL OVER HALL OF THE HOUSE. The speaker shall
182	183		have general control, except as otherwise provided by law, of the
183	184		hall of the house, its lobbies, galleries, corridors, and passages,
184	185		and other rooms in those parts of the capitol assigned to the use of
185	186		the house; except that the hall of the house shall not be used for
186	187		any meeting other than legislative meetings during any regular or
187	188		special session of the legislature unless specifically authorized
188	189		by resolution.
189	190		Sec. 15. STANDING COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS. (a) The
190	191		speaker shall designate the chair and vice-chair of each standing
191	192		substantive committee and shall also appoint membership of the
192	193		committee, subject to the provisions of Rule 4, Section 2.
193	194		(b) If members of equal seniority request the same
194	195		committee, the speaker shall decide which among them shall be
195	196		assigned to that committee.
196	197		(c) In announcing the membership of the standing
197	198		substantive committees, the speaker shall designate which are
198	199		appointees and which acquire membership by seniority.
199	200		(d) The speaker shall appoint the chair and vice-chair of
200	201		each standing procedural committee and the remaining membership of
201	202		the committee.
202	203		Sec. 16. APPOINTMENT OF SELECT AND CONFERENCE
203	204		COMMITTEES. (a) The speaker shall appoint all conference
204	205		committees. The speaker shall name the chair of each conference
205	206		committee, and may also name the vice-chair thereof.
206	207		(b) The speaker may at any time by proclamation create a
207	208		select committee. The speaker shall name the chair and vice-chair
208	209		thereof. A select committee has the jurisdiction, authority, and
209	210		duties and exists for the period of time specified in the
210	211		proclamation. A select committee has the powers granted by these
211	212		rules to a standing committee except as limited by the
212	213		proclamation. A copy of each proclamation creating a select
213	214		committee shall be filed with the chief clerk.
214	215		(c) If a new speaker is elected to fill a vacancy in the
215	216		office after the appointment of standing committees, the new
216	217		speaker may not alter the composition of any standing committee
217	218		before the end of the session, except that the new speaker may:
218	219		(1) vacate the new speaker's membership on any
219	220		committee;
220	221		(2) make committee appointments for the member who was
221	222		removed as speaker;
222	223		(3) designate a different member of a standing
223	224		committee as committee chair; and
224	225		(4) fill vacancies that occur on a committee.
225	226		Sec. 17. INTERIM STUDIES. When the legislature is not in
226	227		session, the speaker shall have the authority to direct committees
227	228		to make interim studies for such purposes as the speaker may
228	229		designate, and the committees shall meet as often as necessary to
229	230		transact effectively the business assigned to them. The speaker
230	231		shall provide to the chief clerk a copy of interim charges made to a
231	232		standing or select committee.
232	233		CHAPTER C. CAMPAIGNS FOR SPEAKER
233	234		Sec. 18. PLEDGES FOR SPEAKER PROHIBITED DURING REGULAR
234	235		SESSION. During a regular session of the legislature a member may
235	236		not solicit written pledges from other members for their support of
236	237		or promise to vote for any person for the office of speaker.
237	238		RULE 2. EMPLOYEES
238	239		CHAPTER A. DUTIES OF EMPLOYEES OF THE HOUSE
239	240		Sec. 1. CHIEF CLERK. (a) The chief clerk shall:
240	241		(1) be the custodian of all bills, resolutions, and
241	242		amendments;
242	243		(2) number in the order of their filing, with a
243	244		separate sequence for each category, all bills, joint resolutions,
244	245		concurrent resolutions, and house resolutions;
245	246		(3) provide for the keeping of a complete record of
246	247		introduction and action on all bills and resolutions, including the
247	248		number, author, brief description of the subject matter, committee
248	249		reference, and the time sequence of action taken on all bills and
249	250		resolutions to reflect at all times their status in the legislative
250	251		process;
251	252		(4) on the day of numbering a bill relating to a
252	253		conservation and reclamation district created under Article XVI,
253	254		Section 59, of the Texas Constitution, send two copies of the bill,
254	255		with two copies of the notice of intention to introduce the bill, to
255	256		the governor and notify the journal clerk of the action;
256	257		(5) receive the recommendations of the Texas
257	258		Commission on Environmental Quality on a bill forwarded to the
258	259		commission under Article XVI, Section 59, of the Texas
259	260		Constitution, attach them to the bill to which they apply, and
260	261		notify the journal clerk that the recommendations have been filed;
261	262		(6) forward to a committee chair in an electronic or
262	263		other format determined by the chief clerk a certified copy of each
263	264		legislative document referred to the committee, including all
264	265		official attachments to the document;
265	266		(7) have printed and distributed correct copies of all
266	267		legislative documents, as provided in the subchapter on printing,
267	268		and keep an exact record of the date and hour of transmittal to the
268	269		printer, return from the printer, and distribution of the document
269	270		to members of the house with that information time-stamped on the
270	271		originals of the document;
271	272		(8) certify the passage of bills and resolutions,
272	273		noting on them the date of passage and the vote by which passed,
273	274		including the yeas and nays if a record of the yeas and nays is
274	275		ordered;
275	276		(9) be responsible for engrossing all house bills and
276	277		resolutions that have passed second reading and those that have
277	278		passed third reading, and for enrolling all house bills and
278	279		resolutions that have passed both houses.
279	280		All engrossed and enrolled documents shall be prepared
280	281		without erasures, interlineations, or additions in the margin.
281	282		House concurrent resolutions passed without amendment
282	283		shall not be engrossed but shall be certified and forwarded
283	284		directly to the senate.
284	285		Engrossed riders may be used in lieu of full engrossment
285	286		on second reading passage;
286	287		(10) be authorized to amend the caption to conform to
287	288		the body of each house bill and joint resolution ordered engrossed
288	289		or enrolled;
289	290		(11) be responsible for noting on each house bill or
290	291		joint resolution, for certification by the speaker of the house,
291	292		the lieutenant governor, the chief clerk of the house, and the
292	293		secretary of the senate, the following information:
293	294		(A) date of final passage, and the vote on final
294	295		passage, including the yeas and nays if a record of the yeas and
295	296		nays is ordered. If the bill was amended in the senate, this fact
296	297		shall also be noted;
297	298		(B) date of concurrence by the house in senate
298	299		amendments, and the vote on concurrence, including the yeas and
299	300		nays if a record of the yeas and nays is ordered;
300	301		(C) date of adoption by each house of a
301	302		conference committee report and the vote on adoption, including the
302	303		yeas and nays if a record of the yeas and nays is ordered;
303	304		(D) that a bill containing an appropriation was
304	305		passed subject to the provisions of Article III, Section 49a, of the
305	306		Texas Constitution; and
306	307		(E) that a concurrent resolution was adopted by
307	308		both houses directing the correction of an enrolled bill, if
308	309		applicable;
309	310		(12) transmit over signature all messages from the
310	311		house to the senate, including typewritten copies of amendments to
311	312		senate bills;
312	313		(13) prepare copies of senate amendments to house
313	314		bills for the journal before the amendments and the bill or
314	315		resolution to which they relate are sent to the printer or to the
315	316		speaker;
316	317		(14) notify the speaker in writing that the senate did
317	318		not concur in house amendments to a bill or resolution and requests
318	319		a conference committee, and include in this notice the names of the
319	320		senate conferees;
320	321		(15) provide a certified copy of a house bill or
321	322		resolution which may be lost showing each parliamentary step taken
322	323		on the bill; and
323	324		(16) request fiscal notes on house bills and joint
324	325		resolutions with senate amendments and distribute fiscal notes on
325	326		house bills and joint resolutions with senate amendments and
326	327		conference committee reports as required by Rule 13, Sections 5 and
327	328		10.
328	329		(b) The chief clerk shall also:
329	330		(1) attest all writs, warrants and subpoenas issued by
330	331		order of the house;
331	332		(2) receive reports of select committees and forward
332	333		copies to the speaker and journal clerk;
333	334		(3) not later than 30 days after the close of each
334	335		session, acquire from each of the various clerks of the house,
335	336		except the journal clerk, all reports, records, bills, papers, and
336	337		other documents remaining in their possession and file them with
337	338		the Legislative Reference Library, unless otherwise provided by
338	339		law;
339	340		(4) receive and file all other documents required by
340	341		law or by the rules of the house;
341	342		(5) prepare a roster of members in order of seniority
342	343		showing the number of years of service of each member, as provided
343	344		in Rule 4, Section 2; and
344	345		(6) have posted the list of Items Eligible for
345	346		Consideration as required by the rules.
346	347		(c) The chief clerk shall also provide for the following to
347	348		be made available on the electronic legislative information system:
348	349		(1) all house calendars and lists of items eligible
349	350		for consideration and the time-stamp information for those
350	351		calendars and lists; and
351	352		(2) the time-stamp information for all official
352	353		printings of bills and resolutions.
353	354		(d) The chief clerk shall provide notice to a Capitol e-mail
354	355		address designated by each member when a new house calendar or list
355	356		of items eligible for consideration is posted on the electronic
356	357		legislative information system. If a member informs the chief
357	358		clerk that the member also desires to receive a paper copy of house
358	359		calendars or lists of items eligible for consideration, the chief
359	360		clerk shall place paper copies of those documents designated by the
360	361		member in the newspaper box of the member as soon as practicable
361	362		after the electronic copies are posted.
362	363		Sec. 2. JOURNAL CLERK. (a) The journal clerk shall:
363	364		(1) keep a journal of the proceedings of the house,
364	365		except when the house is acting as a committee of the whole, and
365	366		enter the following:
366	367		(A) the number, author, and caption of every bill
367	368		introduced;
368	369		(B) descriptions of all congratulatory and
369	370		memorial resolutions on committee report, motions, amendments,
370	371		questions of order and decisions on them, messages from the
371	372		governor, and messages from the senate;
372	373		(C) the summaries of congratulatory and memorial
373	374		resolutions, as printed on the congratulatory and memorial
374	375		calendar;
375	376		(D) the number of each bill, joint resolution,
376	377		and concurrent resolution signed in the presence of the house;
377	378		(E) a listing of reports made by standing
378	379		committees;
379	380		(F) reports of select committees, when ordered by
380	381		the house;
381	382		(G) every vote where a record of the yeas and nays
382	383		is ordered or registration of the house with a concise statement of
383	384		the action and the result;
384	385		(H) the names of all absentees, both excused and
385	386		not excused;
386	387		(I) senate amendments to house bills or
387	388		resolutions, when concurred in by the house;
388	389		(J) the date each bill is transmitted to the
389	390		governor;
390	391		(K) the date recommendations of the Texas
391	392		Commission on Environmental Quality on each bill subject to Article
392	393		XVI, Section 59, of the Texas Constitution, are filed with the chief
393	394		clerk;
394	395		(L) all pairs as a part of a vote where a record
395	396		of the yeas and nays is ordered;
396	397		(M) reasons for a vote;
397	398		(N) the vote of a member on any question where a
398	399		record of the yeas and nays has not been ordered;
399	400		(O) the statement of a member who was absent when
400	401		a vote was taken indicating how the member would have voted;
401	402		(P) official state documents, reports, and other
402	403		matters, when ordered by the house; and
403	404		(Q) the parliamentarian's written explanation on
404	405		the final ruling on a point of order, which includes the citation of
405	406		any house or congressional precedents used in determining the
406	407		ruling, as provided in Rule 14, Section 8;
407	408		(2) prepare a daily journal for each calendar day that
408	409		the house is in session and distribute on the succeeding calendar
409	410		day or the earliest possible date copies to the members of the house
410	411		who have submitted requests to the journal clerk to receive a copy;
411	412		and
412	413		(3) prepare and have printed a permanent house journal
413	414		of regular and special sessions in accordance with the law and the
414	415		following provisions:
415	416		(A) When completed, no more than 300 copies shall
416	417		be bound and distributed as follows:
417	418		(i) one copy to each member of the house of
418	419		representatives who submitted a request to the journal clerk to
419	420		receive a copy;
420	421		(ii) one copy to each member of the senate
421	422		who submitted a request to the journal clerk to receive a copy; and
422	423		(iii) the remainder of the copies to be
423	424		distributed by the Committee on House Administration.
424	425		(B) The journal clerk shall not receive or
425	426		receipt for the permanent house journal until it has been correctly
426	427		published.
427	428		(b) The journal clerk shall lock the voting machine of each
428	429		member who is excused or who is otherwise known to be absent when
429	430		the house is in session until the member personally requests that
430	431		the machine be unlocked.
431	432		(c) The journal clerk shall determine and enter in the
432	433		journal the clock of record for the house and that clock may not be
433	434		delayed, set back, or otherwise tampered with to deviate from the
434	435		standard time, as provided by statute, for the place where the house
435	436		is meeting. The journal clerk shall enter in the journal the time
436	437		according to the clock of record when the house convenes, recesses,
437	438		and adjourns. A motion to suspend this rule must be decided by a
438	439		record vote.
439	440		Sec. 3. READING CLERKS. The reading clerks, under the
440	441		supervision of the speaker, shall:
441	442		(1) call the roll of the house in alphabetical order
442	443		when ordered to do so by the speaker; and
443	444		(2) read all bills, resolutions, motions, and other
444	445		matters required by the rules or directed by the speaker.
445	446		Sec. 4. SERGEANT-AT-ARMS. The sergeant-at-arms shall:
446	447		(1) under the direction of the speaker, have charge of
447	448		and maintain order in the hall of the house, its lobbies and
448	449		galleries, and all other rooms in the capitol assigned for the use
449	450		of the house of representatives;
450	451		(2) attend the house and the committee of the whole
451	452		during all meetings and maintain order under the direction of the
452	453		speaker or other presiding officer;
453	454		(3) execute the commands of the house and serve the
454	455		writs and processes issued by the authority of the house and
455	456		directed by the speaker;
456	457		(4) supervise assistants to the sergeant-at-arms who
457	458		shall aid in the performance of prescribed duties and have the same
458	459		authority, subject to the control of the speaker;
459	460		(5) clear the floor of the house of all persons not
460	461		entitled to the privileges of the floor at least 30 minutes prior to
461	462		the convening of each session of the house;
462	463		(6) bring in absent members when so directed under a
463	464		call of the house;
464	465		(7) not allow the distribution of any printed matter
465	466		in the hall of the house, other than newspapers that have been
466	467		published at least once a week for a period of one year, unless it
467	468		first has been authorized in writing by at least one member of the
468	469		house and the name of the member appears on the printed matter. The
469	470		sergeant-at-arms shall refuse to accept for distribution any
470	471		printed matter which does not bear the name of the member or members
471	472		authorizing the distribution;
472	473		(8) keep a copy of written authorization and a record
473	474		of the matter distributed in the permanent files of the house;
474	475		(9) enforce parking regulations applicable to areas of
475	476		the capitol complex under the control of the house and supervise
476	477		parking attendants;
477	478		(10) provide for issuance of an identification card to
478	479		each member and employee of the house; and
479	480		(11) supervise the doorkeeper.
480	481		Sec. 5. DOORKEEPER. The doorkeeper, under the supervision
481	482		of the sergeant-at-arms, shall:
482	483		(1) enforce strictly the rules of the house relating
483	484		to privileges of the floor and perform other duties as directed by
484	485		the speaker;
485	486		(2) close the main entrance and permit no member to
486	487		leave the house without written permission from the speaker when a
487	488		call of the house or a call of the committee of the whole is ordered,
488	489		take up permission cards as members leave the hall, and take up
489	490		permission cards of those who are admitted to the floor of the house
490	491		under the rules and practice of the house;
491	492		(3) obtain recognition from the speaker and announce a
492	493		messenger from the governor or the senate on arrival at the bar of
493	494		the house; and
494	495		(4) obtain recognition from the speaker and announce
495	496		the arrival of the governor or the senate on arrival at the bar of
496	497		the house for official proceedings in the house.
497	498		Sec. 6. CHAPLAIN. The chaplain shall open the first
498	499		session on each calendar day with a prayer and shall perform such
499	500		other duties as directed by the Committee on House Administration.
500	501		Sec. 7. VOTING CLERK. The voting clerk, under the
501	502		supervision of the speaker, shall:
502	503		(1) open and close the voting machine on registrations
503	504		and record votes as ordered by the speaker;
504	505		(2) record votes from the floor as directed by the
505	506		speaker;
506	507		(3) prepare official copies of all record votes for
507	508		the journal; and
508	509		(4) make no additions, subtractions, or other changes
509	510		in any registration or record vote unless specifically granted
510	511		permission by the house or directed by the speaker prior to the
511	512		announcement of the final result.
512	513		Sec. 8. COMMITTEE COORDINATOR. (a) The committee
513	514		coordinator shall:
514	515		(1) under the direction of the Committee on House
515	516		Administration, prepare a schedule for regular meetings of all
516	517		standing committees as provided by Rule 4, Section 8(a);
517	518		(2) post committee meeting notices, as directed by the
518	519		chair of a committee, in accordance with Rule 4, Section 11(a);
519	520		(3) maintain duplicate originals of committee minutes
520	521		as required by Rule 4, Sections 18(c) and (d);
521	522		(4) direct the maintenance of sworn statements either
522	523		in electronic or paper format and, under the direction of the
523	524		Committee on House Administration, prescribe the form of those
524	525		statements, as required by Rule 4, Sections 20(a) and (c);
525	526		(5) receive and forward impact statements as required
526	527		by Rule 4, Section 34(e);
527	528		(6) receive committee reports as required by Rule 4,
528	529		Section 37, and refer them for printing as provided by Rule 6,
529	530		Section 19; and
530	531		(7) receive and distribute the recommendations and
531	532		final reports of interim study committees as provided by Rule 4,
532	533		Section 61.
533	534		(b) The committee coordinator may exclude from the
534	535		committee coordinator's office or refuse to interact with a member
535	536		or a member's staff if the member or member's staff engages in
536	537		abusive, harassing, or threatening behavior.
537	538		Sec. 9. PARLIAMENTARIAN. (a) The parliamentarian is an
538	539		officer of the house who serves at the pleasure of the speaker. The
539	540		parliamentarian shall advise and assist the presiding officer and
540	541		the members of the house on matters of procedure. The
541	542		parliamentarian has a duty of confidentiality to the speaker and to
542	543		each member of the house and shall keep confidential all requests
543	544		made by members of the house for advice or guidance regarding
544	545		procedure unless the parties otherwise agree.
545	546		(b) After the initial appointment of a parliamentarian by
546	547		the speaker, the appointment of a new parliamentarian to fill a
547	548		vacancy must be approved by a majority of the membership of the
548	549		house if the appointment is made during a regular or special
549	550		session. If the appointment to fill the vacancy is made when the
550	551		house is not in session, the appointment must be approved by a
551	552		majority of the membership not later than the third day of the first
552	553		special session that occurs after the date the appointment is made.
553	554		If no special session occurs after the appointment, approval by the
554	555		membership is not required.
555	556		(c) In the event of a conflict between this section and the
556	557		housekeeping resolution, this section controls.
557	558		CHAPTER B. OTHER EMPLOYEES
558	559		Sec. 10. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL EMPLOYEES: CONFIDENTIALITY.
559	560		(a) Communications between an attorney employed by the Texas
560	561		Legislative Council and the speaker, another member of the house,
561	562		or an employee of a member or committee of the house are
562	563		confidential in accordance with the rules and laws concerning
563	564		attorney-client privilege.
564	565		(b) Communications between any employee of the Texas
565	566		Legislative Council and the speaker, another member of the house,
566	567		or an employee of a member or committee of the house are
567	568		confidential. The General Investigating and Ethics Committee of
568	569		the House may investigate an alleged violation of this subsection.
569	570		(c) This section does not prohibit the speaker, member, or
570	571		committee from waiving a privilege as otherwise permitted by law or
571	572		from waiving confidentiality under this section.
572	573		RULE 3. STANDING COMMITTEES
573	574		Sec. 1. AGRICULTURE AND LIVESTOCK. The committee shall
574	575		have seven members, with jurisdiction over all matters pertaining
575	576		to:
576	577		(1) agriculture, horticulture, and farm husbandry;
577	578		(2) livestock and stock raising, and the livestock
578	579		industry;
579	580		(3) the development and preservation of forests, and
580	581		the regulation, control, and promotion of the lumber industry;
581	582		(4) problems and issues particularly affecting rural
582	583		areas of the state, including issues related to rural economic
583	584		development and the provision of and access to infrastructure,
584	585		education, and health services; and
585	586		(5) the following state agencies: the Department of
586	587		Agriculture, the Texas Animal Health Commission, the State Soil and
587	588		Water Conservation Board, the Texas A&M Forest Service, the Texas
588	589		administrator for the [Office of] South Central Interstate Forest
589	590		Fire Protection Compact, the Texas [Office of Chief] Apiary
590	591		Inspection Service [Inspector], Texas A&M AgriLife Research, the
591	592		Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, the Food and Fibers Research
592	593		Council, the State Seed and Plant Board, the State Board of
593	594		Veterinary Medical Examiners, the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical
594	595		Diagnostic Laboratory, the Produce Recovery Fund Board, the board
595	596		of directors of the Texas Boll Weevil Eradication Foundation, Inc.,
596	597		and the Texas Wildlife Services.
597	598		Sec. 2. APPROPRIATIONS. (a) The committee shall have 27
598	599		members, with jurisdiction over:
599	600		(1) all bills and resolutions appropriating money from
600	601		the state treasury;
601	602		(2) all bills and resolutions containing provisions
602	603		resulting in automatic allocation of funds from the state treasury;
603	604		(3) all bills and resolutions diverting funds from
604	605		the state treasury or preventing funds from going in that otherwise
605	606		would be placed in the state treasury; and
606	607		(4) all matters pertaining to claims and accounts
607	608		filed with the legislature against the state unless jurisdiction
608	609		over those bills and resolutions is specifically granted by these
609	610		rules to some other standing committee.
610	611		(b) The appropriations committee may comment upon any bill
611	612		or resolution containing a provision resulting in an automatic
612	613		allocation of funds.
613	614		Sec. 3. BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY. The committee shall have
614	615		seven members, with jurisdiction over all matters pertaining to:
615	616		(1) industry and manufacturing;
616	617		(2) industrial safety and adequate and safe working
617	618		conditions, and the regulation and control of those conditions;
618	619		(3) hours, wages, collective bargaining, and the
619	620		relationship between employers and employees;
620	621		(4) the regulation of business transactions and
621	622		transactions involving property interests;
622	623		(5) the organization, incorporation, management, and
623	624		regulation of private corporations and professional associations
624	625		and the Uniform Commercial Code and the Business Organizations
625	626		Code;
626	627		(6) the protection of consumers, governmental
627	628		regulations incident thereto, the agencies of government
628	629		authorized to regulate such activities, and the role of the
629	630		government in consumer protection;
630	631		(7) privacy and identity theft;
631	632		(8) homeowners' associations;
632	633		(9) oversight and regulation of the construction
633	634		industry; and
634	635		(10) the following state agencies: the State Office of
635	636		Risk Management, the Risk Management Board, the Division of
636	637		Workers' Compensation of the Texas Department of Insurance, the
637	638		Workers' compensation research and evaluation group in the Texas
638	639		Department of Insurance, the Office of Injured Employee Counsel,
639	640		including the ombudsman program of that office, and the Texas
640	641		Mutual Insurance Company Board of Directors.
641	642		Sec. 4. CALENDARS (PROCEDURAL). The committee shall have
642	643		15 members, with jurisdiction over:
643	644		(1) the placement of bills and resolutions on
644	645		appropriate calendars, except those within the jurisdiction of the
645	646		Committee on Rules and Resolutions;
646	647		(2) the determination of priorities and proposal of
647	648		rules for floor consideration of such bills and resolutions; and
648	649		(3) all other matters concerning the calendar system
649	650		and the expediting of the business of the house as may be assigned
650	651		by the speaker.
651	652		Sec. 5. CORRECTIONS. The committee shall have seven
652	653		members, with jurisdiction over all matters pertaining to:
653	654		(1) the incarceration and rehabilitation of convicted
654	655		felons;
655	656		(2) the establishment and maintenance of programs that
656	657		provide alternatives to incarceration; and
657	658		(3) the following state agencies: the Texas
658	659		Department of Criminal Justice, the Special Prosecution Unit, the
659	660		Board of Pardons and Paroles, the Texas Civil Commitment Office [of
660	661		Violent Sex Offender Management], and the Texas Correctional Office
661	662		on Offenders with Medical or Mental Impairments.
662	663		Sec. 6. COUNTY AFFAIRS. The committee shall have nine
663	664		members, with jurisdiction over all matters pertaining to:
664	665		(1) counties, including their organization, creation,
665	666		boundaries, government, and finance and the compensation and duties
666	667		of their officers and employees;
667	668		(2) establishing districts for the election of
668	669		governing bodies of counties;
669	670		(3) regional councils of governments;
670	671		(4) multicounty boards or commissions;
671	672		(5) relationships or contracts between counties;
672	673		(6) other units of local government; and
673	674		(7) the following state agency: the Commission on
674	675		Jail Standards.
675	676		Sec. 7. CRIMINAL JURISPRUDENCE. The committee shall have
676	677		seven members, with jurisdiction over all matters pertaining to:
677	678		(1) criminal law, prohibitions, standards, and
678	679		penalties;
679	680		(2) probation and parole;
680	681		(3) criminal procedure in the courts of Texas;
681	682		(4) revision or amendment of the Penal Code; and
682	683		(5) the following state agencies: the Office of State
683	684		Prosecuting Attorney and the Texas State Council for Interstate
684	685		Adult Offender Supervision.
685	686		Sec. 8. CULTURE, RECREATION, AND TOURISM. The committee
686	687		shall have seven members, with jurisdiction over:
687	688		(1) the creation, operation, and control of state
688	689		parks, including the development, maintenance, and operation of
689	690		state parks in connection with the sales and use tax imposed on
690	691		sporting goods, but not including any matter within the
691	692		jurisdiction of the Committee on Appropriations;
692	693		(2) the regulation and control of the propagation and
693	694		preservation of wildlife and fish in the state;
694	695		(3) the development and regulation of the fish and
695	696		oyster industries of the state;
696	697		(4) hunting and fishing in the state, and the
697	698		regulation and control thereof, including the imposition of fees,
698	699		fines, and penalties relating to that regulation;
699	700		(5) the regulation of other recreational activities;
700	701		(6) cultural resources and their promotion,
701	702		development, and regulation;
702	703		(7) historical resources and their promotion,
703	704		development, and regulation;
704	705		(8) promotion and development of Texas' image and
705	706		heritage;
706	707		(9) preservation and protection of Texas' shrines,
707	708		monuments, and memorials;
708	709		(10) international and interstate tourist promotion
709	710		and development;
710	711		(11) the Texas Economic Development and Tourism Office
711	712		as it relates to the subject-matter jurisdiction of this committee;
712	713		(12) the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Compact; and
713	714		(13) the following state agencies: the Parks and
714	715		Wildlife Department, the Texas Commission on the Arts, the State
715	716		Cemetery Committee, the Texas State Library and Archives
716	717		Commission, the Texas Historical Commission, the State
717	718		Preservation Board, the San Jacinto Historical Advisory Board, and
718	719		an office of state government to the extent the office promotes the
719	720		Texas music industry.
720	721		Sec. 9. DEFENSE AND VETERANS' AFFAIRS. The committee shall
721	722		have seven members, with jurisdiction over all matters pertaining
722	723		to:
723	724		(1) the relations between the State of Texas and the
724	725		federal government involving defense, emergency preparedness, and
725	726		veterans issues;
726	727		(2) the various branches of the military service of
727	728		the United States;
728	729		(3) the realignment or closure of military bases;
729	730		(4) the defense of the state and nation, including
730	731		terrorism response;
731	732		(5) emergency preparedness;
732	733		(6) veterans of military and related services; and
733	734		(7) the following state agencies: the Texas Military
734	735		Department, the Texas Veterans Commission, the Veterans' Land
735	736		Board, the Texas Military Preparedness Commission, the Texas
736	737		Division of Emergency Management, and the Emergency Management
737	738		Council.
738	739		Sec. 10. ECONOMIC AND SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT. (a) The
739	740		committee shall have nine members, with jurisdiction over all
740	741		matters pertaining to:
741	742		(1) workforce training;
742	743		(2) commerce, trade, and manufacturing;
743	744		(3) economic and industrial development;
744	745		(4) development and support of small businesses;
745	746		(5) job creation and job-training programs;
746	747		(6) hours, wages, collective bargaining, and the
747	748		relationship between employers and employees;
748	749		(7) unemployment compensation, including coverage,
749	750		benefits, taxes, and eligibility;
750	751		(8) labor unions and their organization, control,
751	752		management, and administration;
752	753		(9) weights and measures; and
753	754		(10) the following state agencies: the Texas Economic
754	755		Development and Tourism Office, the Texas Workforce Commission, and
755	756		the Texas Workforce Investment Council.
756	757		(b) The chair of the committee shall appoint a permanent
757	758		subcommittee on small business development consisting of not fewer
758	759		than five members to consider all matters pertaining to:
759	760		(1) the establishment, operation, and well-being of
760	761		small businesses and their employees in the state; and
761	762		(2) identifying and addressing federal, state, and
762	763		local regulatory barriers or impediments to the establishment,
763	764		operation, and well-being of small businesses and their employees
764	765		in the state.
765	766		Sec. 11. ELECTIONS. The committee shall have seven
766	767		members, with jurisdiction over all matters pertaining to:
767	768		(1) the right of suffrage in Texas;
768	769		(2) primary, special, and general elections;
769	770		(3) revision, modification, amendment, or change of
770	771		the Election Code;
771	772		(4) the secretary of state in relation to elections;
772	773		(5) campaign finance;
773	774		(6) the duties and conduct of candidates for public
774	775		office and of persons with an interest in influencing public
775	776		policy; and
776	777		(7) the following state agencies: the Office of the
777	778		Secretary of State and the Texas Ethics Commission.
778	779		Sec. 12. ENERGY RESOURCES. The committee shall have 13
779	780		members, with jurisdiction over all matters pertaining to:
780	781		(1) the conservation of the energy resources of Texas;
781	782		(2) the production, regulation, transportation, and
782	783		development of oil, gas, and other energy resources;
783	784		(3) mining and the development of mineral deposits
784	785		within the state;
785	786		(4) the leasing and regulation of mineral rights under
786	787		public lands;
787	788		(5) pipelines, pipeline companies, and all others
788	789		operating as common carriers in the state;
789	790		(6) electric utility regulation as it relates to
790	791		energy production and consumption;
791	792		(7) identifying, developing, and using alternative
792	793		energy sources;
793	794		(8) increasing energy efficiency throughout the
794	795		state;
795	796		(9) the coordination of the state's efforts related to
796	797		the federal designation of threatened and endangered species as it
797	798		relates to energy resources in the state; and
798	799		(10) the following state agencies: the Railroad
799	800		Commission of Texas, the Texas representative for the [Office of]
800	801		Interstate Oil and Gas Compact [Commissioner for Texas], the Office
801	802		of Interstate Mining Compact Commissioner for Texas, the State
802	803		Energy Conservation Office, and the Office of Southern States
803	804		Energy Board Member for Texas.
804	805		Sec. 13. ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATION. The committee shall
805	806		have nine members, with jurisdiction over all matters pertaining
806	807		to:
807	808		(1) air, land, and water pollution, including the
808	809		environmental regulation of industrial development;
809	810		(2) the regulation of waste disposal;
810	811		(3) environmental matters that are regulated by the
811	812		Department of State Health Services or the Texas Commission on
812	813		Environmental Quality;
813	814		(4) oversight of the Texas Commission on Environmental
814	815		Quality as it relates to environmental regulation; and
815	816		(5) the following state agency: the Texas Low-Level
816	817		Radioactive Waste Disposal Compact Commission.
817	818		Sec. 14. GENERAL INVESTIGATING AND ETHICS (PROCEDURAL).
818	819		(a) The committee shall have seven members of the house appointed
819	820		by the speaker. The speaker shall appoint the chair and the
820	821		vice-chair of the committee.
821	822		(b) The committee has all the powers and duties of a general
822	823		investigating committee and shall operate as the general
823	824		investigating committee of the house according to the procedures
824	825		prescribed by Subchapter B, Chapter 301, Government Code, and the
825	826		rules of the house, as applicable.
826	827		(c) The committee may investigate a matter related to the
827	828		misconduct, malfeasance, misfeasance, abuse of office, or
828	829		incompetency of an individual or officer under Chapter 665,
829	830		Government Code. The committee has all the powers and duties
830	831		conferred by that chapter for the purpose of conducting the
831	832		investigation, including the authority to propose articles of
832	833		impeachment.
833	834		(d) The committee has jurisdiction over all matters
834	835		pertaining to the conduct of and ethical standards applicable to
835	836		state and local government officers and employees, including
836	837		individuals appointed to offices of the executive branch of state
837	838		government for the purpose of ensuring that an appointed officer is
838	839		acting in the best interests of the State of Texas.
839	840		(e) The committee has jurisdiction over the operation of,
840	841		including transparency in the reporting of financial transactions
841	842		by, agencies of the judicial and executive branches of state
842	843		government and affiliated entities or foundations.
843	844		Sec. 15. GOVERNMENT TRANSPARENCY AND OPERATION. The
844	845		committee shall have seven members, with jurisdiction over all
845	846		matters pertaining to:
846	847		(1) the organization, operation, powers, regulations,
847	848		and management of state departments, agencies, institutions, and
848	849		advisory committees;
849	850		(2) elimination of inefficiencies in the provision of
850	851		state services;
851	852		(3) open government matters, including open records
852	853		and open meetings;
853	854		(4) advances in science and technology, including
854	855		telecommunications, electronic technology, or automated data
855	856		processing, by state agencies, including institutions of higher
856	857		education;
857	858		(5) the promotion within the state of an advance
858	859		described by Subdivision (4);
859	860		(6) cooperation between the state or a local
860	861		governmental entity and the scientific and technological
861	862		community, including private businesses, institutions of higher
862		-	education, and federal governmental laboratories; [and]
863		-	(7) cybersecurity; and
864		-	(8) the Texas Emerging Technology Fund Advisory
	863	+	education, and federal governmental laboratories; and
	864	+	(7) the Texas Emerging Technology Fund Advisory
865	865		Committee and the Sunset Advisory Commission.
866	866		Sec. 16. HIGHER EDUCATION. (a) The committee shall have
867	867		nine members, with jurisdiction over all matters pertaining to:
868	868		(1) education beyond high school;
869	869		(2) the colleges and universities of the State of
870	870		Texas; and
871	871		(3) the following state agencies: the Texas A&M
872	872		Engineering Experiment Station, the Texas A&M Engineering
873	873		Extension Service, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board,
874	874		the Texas Guaranteed Student Loan Corporation, the Prepaid Higher
875	875		Education Tuition Board, and the Texas A&M Transportation
876	876		Institute.
877	877		(b) The chair of the committee shall appoint a permanent
878	878		subcommittee on postsecondary education and workforce readiness
879	879		consisting of not fewer than five members to consider all matters
880	880		pertaining to the availability of postsecondary educational
881	881		opportunities in the state, including opportunities at:
882	882		(1) public or private institutions of higher
883	883		education;
884	884		(2) nonprofit colleges or universities; and
885	885		(3) career schools or colleges, or any other
886	886		postsecondary educational providers in the state.
887	887		Sec. 17. HOMELAND SECURITY AND PUBLIC SAFETY. The
888	888		committee shall have nine members, with jurisdiction over all
889	889		matters pertaining to:
890	890		(1) law enforcement;
891	891		(2) the prevention of crime and the apprehension of
892	892		criminals;
893	893		(3) the provision of security services by private
894	894		entities;
895	895		(4) homeland security, including:
896	896		(A) the defense of the state and nation,
897	897		including terrorism response; and
898	898		(B) disaster mitigation, preparedness, response,
899	899		and recovery; and
900	900		(5) the following state agencies: the Texas Commission
901	901		on Law Enforcement, the Department of Public Safety, the Texas
902	902		Division of Emergency Management, the Emergency Management
903	903		Council, the Texas Forensic Science Commission, the Texas Military
904	904		Preparedness Commission, the Texas Private Security Board, the
905	905		Commission on State Emergency Communications, and the Texas Crime
906	906		Stoppers Council.
907	907		Sec. 18. HOUSE ADMINISTRATION (PROCEDURAL). (a) The
908	908		committee shall have 11 members, with jurisdiction over:
909	909		(1) administrative operation of the house and its
910	910		employees;
911	911		(2) the general house fund, with full control over all
912	912		expenditures from the fund;
913	913		(3) all property, equipment, and supplies obtained by
914	914		the house for its use and the use of its members;
915	915		(4) all office space available for the use of the house
916	916		and its members;
917	917		(5) the assignment of vacant office space, vacant
918	918		parking spaces, and vacant desks on the house floor to members with
919	919		seniority based on cumulative years of service in the house, except
920	920		that the committee may make these assignments based on physical
921	921		disability of a member where it deems proper;
922	922		(6) all admissions to the floor during sessions of the
923	923		house;
924	924		(7) all proposals to invite nonmembers to appear
925	925		before or address the house or a joint session;
926	926		(8) all radio, television, and Internet broadcasting,
927	927		live or recorded, of sessions of the house;
928	928		(9) the electronic recording of the proceedings of the
929	929		house of representatives and the custody of the recordings of
930	930		testimony before house committees, with authority to promulgate
931	931		reasonable rules, regulations, and conditions concerning the
932	932		safekeeping, reproducing, and transcribing of the recordings, and
933	933		the defraying of costs for transcribing the recordings, subject to
934	934		other provisions of these rules;
935	935		(10) all witnesses appearing before the house or any
936	936		committee thereof in support of or in opposition to any pending
937	937		legislative proposal; and
938	938		(11) the following state agency: the State
939	939		Preservation Board.
940	940		(b) The committee must vote to adopt the annual budget for
941	941		each house department.
942	942		Sec. 19. HUMAN SERVICES. The committee shall have nine
943	943		members, with jurisdiction over all matters pertaining to:
944	944		(1) welfare and rehabilitation programs and their
945	945		development, administration, and control;
946	946		(2) oversight of the Health and Human Services
947	947		Commission as it relates to the subject matter jurisdiction of this
948	948		committee;
949	949		(3) intellectual disabilities and the development of
950	950		programs incident thereto;
951	951		(4) the prevention and treatment of intellectual
952	952		disabilities; and
953	953		(5) the following state agencies: the Department of
954	954		Aging and Disability Services, [the Department of Assistive and
955	955		Rehabilitative Services,] the Department of Family and Protective
956	956		Services, the Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners, [the
957	957		Texas Council on Purchasing from People with Disabilities,] and the
958	958		Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors.
959	959		Sec. 20. INSURANCE. The committee shall have nine members,
960	960		with jurisdiction over all matters pertaining to:
961	961		(1) insurance and the insurance industry;
962	962		(2) all insurance companies and other organizations of
963	963		any type writing or issuing policies of insurance in the State of
964	964		Texas, including their organization, incorporation, management,
965	965		powers, and limitations; and
966	966		(3) the following state agencies: the Texas
967	967		Department of Insurance, the Texas Health Benefits Purchasing
968	968		Cooperative, and the Office of Public Insurance Counsel.
969	969		Sec. 21. INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND INTERGOVERNMENTAL
970	970		AFFAIRS. The committee shall have seven members, with
971	971		jurisdiction over all matters pertaining to:
972	972		(1) the relations between the State of Texas and other
973	973		nations, including matters related to trade relations and
974	974		international trade zones;
975	975		(2) the relations between the State of Texas and the
976	976		federal government other than matters involving defense, emergency
977	977		preparedness, and veterans issues;
978	978		(3) the relations between the State of Texas and other
979	979		states of the United States;
980	980		(4) international commerce and trade, including the
981	981		regulation of persons participating in international commerce and
982	982		trade;
983	983		(5) international and border regions (as described in
984	984		Sections 2056.002(e)(2) and (3), Government Code) economic
985	985		development, public health and safety issues affecting the border,
986	986		tourist development, and goodwill, and economic development,
987	987		tourist development, and goodwill in other areas of the state that
988	988		have experienced a significant increase in the percentage of the
989	989		population that consists of immigrants from other nations,
990	990		according to the last two federal decennial censuses or another
991	991		reliable measure;
992	992		(6) the provision of public services to persons
993	993		residing in proximity to Texas' international border or in other
994	994		areas of the state that have experienced a significant increase in
995	995		the percentage of the population that consists of immigrants from
996	996		other nations, according to the last two federal decennial censuses
997	997		or another reliable measure; and
998	998		(7) the following state agency: the Office of
999	999		State-Federal Relations.
1000	1000		Sec. 22. INVESTMENTS AND FINANCIAL SERVICES. (a) The
1001	1001		committee shall have seven members, with jurisdiction over all
1002	1002		matters pertaining to:
1003	1003		(1) banking and the state banking system;
1004	1004		(2) savings and loan associations;
1005	1005		(3) credit unions;
1006	1006		(4) the regulation of state and local bonded
1007	1007		indebtedness;
1008	1008		(5) the lending of money;
1009	1009		(6) the regulation of securities and investments;
1010	1010		(7) privacy and identity theft; and
1011	1011		(8) the following state agencies: the Finance
1012	1012		Commission of Texas, the Credit Union Commission, the Office of
1013	1013		Consumer Credit Commissioner, the Office of Banking Commissioner,
1014	1014		the Texas Department of Banking, the Department of Savings and
1015	1015		Mortgage Lending, the Texas Treasury Safekeeping Trust Company, the
1016	1016		Texas Public Finance Authority, the Bond Review Board, and the
1017	1017		State Securities Board.
1018	1018		(b) The chair of the committee shall appoint a permanent
1019	1019		subcommittee on state and local bonded indebtedness consisting of
1020	1020		not fewer than five members to consider all matters pertaining to
1021	1021		bonded indebtedness by a state or local governmental entity,
1022	1022		including:
1023	1023		(1) the authority to issue bonds and the effects of
1024	1024		issuing bonds;
1025	1025		(2) the economic impact of bonded indebtedness; and
1026	1026		(3) the transparency of, and information provided to
1027	1027		taxpayers regarding, transactions related to the issuance of bonds.
1028	1028		Sec. 23. JUDICIARY AND CIVIL JURISPRUDENCE. The committee
1029	1029		shall have nine members, with jurisdiction over all matters
1030	1030		pertaining to:
1031	1031		(1) fines and penalties arising under civil laws;
1032	1032		(2) civil law, including rights, duties, remedies, and
1033	1033		procedures thereunder, and including probate and guardianship
1034	1034		matters;
1035	1035		(3) civil procedure in the courts of Texas;
1036	1036		(4) administrative law and the adjudication of rights
1037	1037		by administrative agencies;
1038	1038		(5) permission to sue the state;
1039	1039		(6) uniform state laws;
1040	1040		(7) creating, changing, or otherwise affecting courts
1041	1041		of judicial districts of the state;
1042	1042		(8) establishing districts for the election of
1043	1043		judicial officers;
1044	1044		(9) the State Commission on Judicial Conduct;
1045	1045		(10) the Office of the Attorney General, including its
1046	1046		organization, powers, functions, and responsibilities;
1047	1047		(11) courts and court procedures except where
1048	1048		jurisdiction is specifically granted to some other standing
1049	1049		committee; and
1050	1050		(12) the following state agencies: the Supreme Court,
1051	1051		the courts of appeals, the Court of Criminal Appeals, the State
1052	1052		Commission on Judicial Conduct, the Office of Court Administration
1053	1053		of the Texas Judicial System, the State Law Library, the Texas
1054	1054		Judicial Council, the Judicial Branch Certification Commission,
1055	1055		the Office of the Attorney General, the Board of Law Examiners, the
1056	1056		State Bar of Texas, and the State Office of Administrative
1057	1057		Hearings.
1058	1058		Sec. 24. JUVENILE JUSTICE AND FAMILY ISSUES. The committee
1059	1059		shall have seven members, with jurisdiction over all matters
1060	1060		pertaining to:
1061	1061		(1) the commitment and rehabilitation of youths;
1062	1062		(2) the construction, operation, and management of
1063	1063		correctional facilities of the state and facilities used for the
1064	1064		commitment and rehabilitation of youths;
1065	1065		(3) juvenile delinquency and gang violence;
1066	1066		(4) criminal law, prohibitions, standards, and
1067	1067		penalties as applied to juveniles;
1068	1068		(5) criminal procedure in the courts of Texas as it
1069	1069		relates to juveniles;
1070	1070		(6) civil law as it relates to familial relationships,
1071	1071		including rights, duties, remedies, and procedures; and
1072	1072		(7) the following state agencies: the Texas Juvenile
1073	1073		Justice Board, the Texas Juvenile Justice Department, the Office of
1074	1074		Independent Ombudsman for the Texas Juvenile Justice Department,
1075	1075		and the Advisory Council on Juvenile Services.
1076	1076		Sec. 25. LAND AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT. The committee shall
1077	1077		have seven members, with jurisdiction over all matters pertaining
1078	1078		to:
1079	1079		(1) the management of public lands;
1080	1080		(2) the power of eminent domain;
1081	1081		(3) annexation, zoning, and other governmental
1082	1082		regulation of land use; and
1083	1083		(4) the following state agencies: the School Land
1084	1084		Board, the Board for Lease of University Lands, and the General Land
1085	1085		Office.
1086	1086		Sec. 26. LICENSING AND ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES. The
1087	1087		committee shall have nine members, with jurisdiction over all
1088	1088		matters pertaining to:
1089	1089		(1) the oversight of businesses, industries, general
1090	1090		trades, and occupations regulated by this state;
1091	1091		(2) the regulation of greyhound and horse racing and
1092	1092		other gaming industries;
1093	1093		(3) regulation of the sale of intoxicating beverages
1094	1094		and local option control;
1095	1095		(4) the Alcoholic Beverage Code; and
1096	1096		(5) the following state agencies: the Texas
1097	1097		Department of Licensing and Regulation, the State Office of
1098	1098		Administrative Hearings, the Texas Board of Architectural
1099	1099		Examiners, the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy, the Texas
1100	1100		Real Estate Commission, the Texas State Board of Plumbing
1101	1101		Examiners, the Texas Board of Professional Engineers, the Real
1102	1102		Estate Center at Texas A&M University, the Texas Board of
1103	1103		Professional Land Surveying, the Texas Racing Commission, the Texas
1104	1104		Appraiser Licensing and Certification Board, the Texas Lottery
1105	1105		Commission, and the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission.
1106	1106		Sec. 27. LOCAL AND CONSENT CALENDARS (PROCEDURAL). The
1107	1107		committee shall have 13 members, with jurisdiction over:
1108	1108		(1) the placement on appropriate calendars of bills
1109	1109		and resolutions that, in the opinion of the committee, are in fact
1110	1110		local or will be uncontested, and have been recommended as such by
1111	1111		the standing committee of original jurisdiction; and
1112	1112		(2) the determination of priorities for floor
1113	1113		consideration of bills and resolutions except those within the
1114	1114		jurisdiction of the Committee on Calendars.
1115	1115		Sec. 28. NATURAL RESOURCES. (a) The committee shall have
1116	1116		11 members, with jurisdiction over all matters pertaining to:
1117	1117		(1) the conservation of the natural resources of
1118	1118		Texas;
1119	1119		(2) the control and development of land and water and
1120	1120		land and water resources, including the taking, storing, control,
1121	1121		and use of all water in the state, and its appropriation and
1122	1122		allocation;
1123	1123		(3) irrigation, irrigation companies, and irrigation
1124	1124		districts, and their incorporation, management, and powers;
1125	1125		(4) the creation, modification, and regulation of
1126	1126		groundwater conservation districts and the modification and
1127	1127		regulation of water supply districts, water control and improvement
1128	1128		districts, conservation and reclamation districts, and all similar
1129	1129		organs of local government dealing with water and water supply;
1130	1130		(5) oversight of the Texas Commission on Environmental
1131	1131		Quality as it relates to the regulation of water resources; and
1132	1132		(6) the following state agencies: the Office of
1133	1133		Canadian River Compact Commissioner for Texas, the Office of Pecos
1134	1134		River Compact Commissioner for Texas, the Office of Red River
1135	1135		Compact Commissioner for Texas, the Office of Rio Grande Compact
1136	1136		Commissioner for Texas, the Office of Sabine River Compact
1137	1137		Commissioner for Texas, the Southwestern States [Multi-State]
1138	1138		Water [Resources Planning] Commission, and the Texas Water
1139	1139		Development Board.
1140	1140		(b) The chair of the committee shall appoint a permanent
1141	1141		subcommittee on special water districts consisting of not fewer
1142	1142		than five members to consider all matters pertaining to special
1143	1143		water districts within the jurisdiction of the committee,
1144	1144		including:
1145	1145		(1) the organization and operation of the districts;
1146	1146		(2) the powers and duties of the districts; and
1147	1147		(3) the districts' role in the conservation of natural
1148	1148		resources and the control and development of land and water in the
1149	1149		state.
1150	1150		Sec. 29. PENSIONS. The committee shall have seven members,
1151	1151		with jurisdiction over all matters pertaining to:
1152	1152		(1) benefits or participation in benefits of a public
1153	1153		retirement system and the financial obligations of a public
1154	1154		retirement system; and
1155	1155		(2) the following state agencies: the Texas Emergency
1156	1156		Services Retirement System, the Board of Trustees of the Teacher
1157	1157		Retirement System of Texas, the Board of Trustees of the Employees
1158	1158		Retirement System of Texas, the Board of Trustees of the Texas
1159	1159		County and District Retirement System, the Board of Trustees of the
1160	1160		Texas Municipal Retirement System, and the State Pension Review
1161	1161		Board.
1162	1162		Sec. 30. PUBLIC EDUCATION. (a) The committee shall have 11
1163	1163		members, with jurisdiction over all matters pertaining to:
1164	1164		(1) the public schools and the public school system of
1165	1165		Texas and the financing thereof;
1166	1166		(2) the state programming of elementary and secondary
1167	1167		education for the public school system of Texas;
1168	1168		(3) proposals to create, change, or otherwise alter
1169	1169		school districts of the state; and
1170	1170		(4) the following state agencies: the State Board of
1171	1171		Education, the Texas Education Agency, the Texas representatives to
1172	1172		the Education Commission of the States [Office of Compact for
1173	1173		Education Commissioner for Texas], the Office of Southern Regional
1174	1174		Education Compact Commissioner for Texas, the Texas School for the
1175	1175		Blind and Visually Impaired, the State Board for Educator
1176	1176		Certification, and the Texas School for the Deaf.
1177	1177		(b) The chair of the committee shall appoint a permanent
1178	1178		subcommittee on educator quality consisting of not fewer than five
1179	1179		members to consider all matters pertaining to ensuring the high
1180	1180		quality of teachers in the state, including:
1181	1181		(1) ways to improve the quality of the existing
1182	1182		teacher workforce and recruit well-qualified individuals into the
1183	1183		workforce; and
1184	1184		(2) the adequacy of existing certification programs
1185	1185		for new teachers.
1186	1186		Sec. 31. PUBLIC HEALTH. The committee shall have 11
1187	1187		members, with jurisdiction over all matters pertaining to:
1188	1188		(1) the protection of public health, including
1189	1189		supervision and control of the practice of medicine and dentistry
1190	1190		and other allied health services;
1191	1191		(2) mental health and the development of programs
1192	1192		incident thereto;
1193	1193		(3) the prevention and treatment of mental illness;
1194	1194		(4) oversight of the Health and Human Services
1195	1195		Commission as it relates to the subject matter jurisdiction of this
1196	1196		committee; and
1197	1197		(5) the following state agencies: the Department of
1198	1198		State Health Services, the Anatomical Board of the State of Texas,
1199	1199		the Texas Funeral Service Commission, the [State Committee of
1200	1200		Examiners in the Fitting and Dispensing of] Hearing Instrument
1201	1201		Fitters and Dispensers Advisory Board [Instruments], the Texas
1202	1202		Health Services Authority, the Texas Optometry Board, the Texas
1203	1203		Radiation Advisory Board, the Texas State Board of Pharmacy, the
1204	1204		Interagency Obesity Council, the Texas Board of Nursing, the Texas
1205	1205		Board of Chiropractic Examiners, the Texas Board of Physical
1206	1206		Therapy Examiners, the Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical
1207	1207		Examiners, the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists, the
1208	1208		State Board of Dental Examiners, the Texas Medical Board, the
1209	1209		Advisory Board of Athletic Trainers, the Dental Hygiene Advisory
1210	1210		Committee, the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas,
1211	1211		the Texas State Board of Acupuncture Examiners, the Health
1212	1212		Professions Council, the Office of Patient Protection, and the
1213	1213		Texas Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners.
1214	1214		Sec. 32. REDISTRICTING (PROCEDURAL). The committee shall
1215	1215		have nine members, with jurisdiction over all matters pertaining
1216	1216		to:
1217	1217		(1) legislative districts, both house and senate, and
1218	1218		any changes or amendments;
1219	1219		(2) congressional districts, their creation, and any
1220	1220		changes or amendments;
1221	1221		(3) establishing districts for the election of
1222	1222		judicial officers or of governing bodies or representatives of
1223	1223		political subdivisions or state agencies as required by law; and
1224	1224		(4) preparations for the redistricting process.
1225	1225		Sec. 33. RULES AND RESOLUTIONS (PROCEDURAL). The committee
1226	1226		shall have 11 members, with jurisdiction over:
1227	1227		(1) Rules of Procedure of the House of
1228	1228		Representatives, and all proposed amendments;
1229	1229		(2) Joint Rules of the House and Senate, and all
1230	1230		proposed amendments;
1231	1231		(3) all procedures for expediting the business of the
1232	1232		house in an orderly and efficient manner;
1233	1233		(4) all resolutions to congratulate, memorialize, or
1234	1234		name mascots of the house; and
1235	1235		(5) other matters concerning rules, procedures, and
1236	1236		operation of the house assigned by the speaker.
1237	1237		Sec. 34. SPECIAL PURPOSE DISTRICTS. (a) The committee
1238	1238		shall have seven members, with jurisdiction over all matters
1239	1239		pertaining to:
1240	1240		(1) the creation of any special purpose district not
1241	1241		otherwise assigned by these rules to other standing committees,
1242	1242		including a crime control and prevention district, library
1243	1243		district, public improvement district, municipal management
1244	1244		district, municipal development district, irrigation district,
1245	1245		water improvement district, water control and improvement
1246	1246		district, river authority, or navigation district; and
1247	1247		(2) any other local government special purpose
1248	1248		district authorized or created under law that as the result of its
1249	1249		creation may levy or impose a tax, assessment, or fee for a special
1250	1250		purpose.
1251	1251		(b) In this section, "local government" means a political
1252	1252		subdivision of this state, other than a county, and includes a
1253	1253		corporation or other entity created by a political subdivision of
1254	1254		this state other than a county.
1255	1255		Sec. 35. STATE AFFAIRS. The committee shall have 13
1256	1256		members, with jurisdiction over all matters pertaining to:
1257	1257		(1) questions and matters of state policy;
1258	1258		(2) the administration of state government;
1259	1259		(3) the organization, operation, powers, regulation,
1260	1260		and management of state departments, agencies, and institutions;
1261	1261		(4) the operation and regulation of public lands and
1262	1262		state buildings;
1263	1263		(5) the duties and conduct of officers and employees
1264	1264		of the state government;
1265	1265		(6) the operation of state government and its agencies
1266	1266		and departments; all of above except where jurisdiction is
1267	1267		specifically granted to some other standing committee;
1268	1268		(7) access of the state agencies to scientific and
1269	1269		technological information;
1270	1270		(8) the regulation and deregulation of electric
1271	1271		utilities and the electric industry;
1272	1272		(9) the regulation and deregulation of
1273	1273		telecommunications utilities and the telecommunications industry;
1274	1274		(10) electric utility regulation as it relates to
1275	1275		energy production and consumption;
1276	1276		(11) pipelines, pipeline companies, and all others
1277	1277		operating as common carriers in the state;
1278	1278		(12) the regulation and deregulation of other
1279	1279		industries jurisdiction of which is not specifically assigned to
1280	1280		another committee under these rules; and
1281	1281		(13) the following organizations and state agencies:
1282	1282		the Council of State Governments, the National Conference of State
1283	1283		Legislatures, the Office of the Governor, the Texas Facilities
1284	1284		Commission, the Department of Information Resources, the Inaugural
1285	1285		Endowment Fund Committee, the Sunset Advisory Commission, the
1286	1286		Public Utility Commission of Texas, and the Office of Public
1287	1287		Utility Counsel.
1288	1288		Sec. 36. TRANSPORTATION. (a) The committee shall have 13
1289	1289		members, with jurisdiction over all matters pertaining to:
1290	1290		(1) commercial motor vehicles, both bus and truck, and
1291	1291		their control, regulation, licensing, and operation;
1292	1292		(2) the Texas highway system, including all roads,
1293	1293		bridges, and ferries constituting a part of the system;
1294	1294		(3) the licensing of private passenger vehicles to
1295	1295		operate on the roads and highways of the state;
1296	1296		(4) the regulation and control of traffic on the
1297	1297		public highways of the State of Texas;
1298	1298		(5) railroads, street railway lines, interurban
1299	1299		railway lines, steamship companies, and express companies;
1300	1300		(6) airports, air traffic, airlines, and other
1301	1301		organizations engaged in transportation by means of aerial flight;
1302	1302		(7) water transportation in the State of Texas, and
1303	1303		the rivers, harbors, and related facilities used in water
1304	1304		transportation and the agencies of government exercising
1305	1305		supervision and control thereover;
1306	1306		(8) the regulation of metropolitan transit; and
1307	1307		(9) the following state agencies: the Texas Department
1308	1308		of Motor Vehicles, the Texas Department of Transportation, and the
1309	1309		Texas Transportation Commission.
1310	1310		(b) The chair of the committee shall appoint a permanent
1311	1311		subcommittee on long-term transportation infrastructure planning
1312	1312		consisting of not fewer than seven members to consider all matters
1313	1313		pertaining to the transportation needs of the state during the next
1314	1314		10 years and funding mechanisms to provide for meeting those needs.
1315	1315		Sec. 37. URBAN AFFAIRS. The committee shall have seven
1316	1316		members, with jurisdiction over all matters pertaining to:
1317	1317		(1) municipalities, including their creation,
1318	1318		organization, powers, government, and finance, and the
1319	1319		compensation and duties of their officers and employees;
1320	1320		(2) home-rule municipalities, their relationship to
1321	1321		the state, and their powers, authority, and limitations;
1322	1322		(3) the creation or change of metropolitan areas and
1323	1323		the form of government under which those areas operate;
1324	1324		(4) problems and issues particularly affecting
1325	1325		metropolitan areas of the state;
1326	1326		(5) other units of local government not otherwise
1327	1327		assigned by these rules to other standing committees;
1328	1328		(6) establishing districts for the election of
1329	1329		governing bodies of municipalities;
1330	1330		(7) land use regulation by municipalities; and
1331	1331		(8) the following state agencies: the Texas
1332	1332		Department of Housing and Community Affairs and the Texas
1333	1333		Commission on Fire Protection.
1334	1334		Sec. 38. WAYS AND MEANS. (a) The committee shall have 11
1335	1335		members, with jurisdiction over:
1336	1336		(1) all bills and resolutions proposing to raise state
1337	1337		revenue;
1338	1338		(2) all bills or resolutions proposing to levy state
1339	1339		taxes or other fees;
1340	1340		(3) all proposals to modify, amend, or change any
1341	1341		existing state tax or revenue statute;
1342	1342		(4) all proposals to regulate the manner of collection
1343	1343		of state revenues and taxes;
1344	1344		(5) all bills and resolutions containing provisions
1345	1345		resulting in automatic allocation of funds from the state treasury;
1346	1346		(6) all bills and resolutions diverting funds from the
1347	1347		state treasury or preventing funds from going in that otherwise
1348	1348		would be placed in the state treasury;
1349	1349		(7) all bills and resolutions proposing to permit a
1350	1350		local government to raise revenue;
1351	1351		(8) all bills and resolutions proposing to permit a
1352	1352		local government to levy or impose property taxes, sales and use
1353	1353		taxes, or other taxes and fees;
1354	1354		(9) all proposals to modify, amend, or change any
1355	1355		existing local government tax or revenue statute;
1356	1356		(10) all proposals to regulate the manner of
1357	1357		collection of local government revenues and taxes;
1358	1358		(11) all bills and resolutions relating to the
1359	1359		appraisal of property for taxation;
1360	1360		(12) all bills and resolutions relating to the Tax
1361	1361		Code; and
1362	1362		(13) the following state agencies: the Office of
1363	1363		Multistate Tax Compact Commissioner for Texas and the Comptroller
1364	1364		of Public Accounts.
1365	1365		(b) The chair of the committee shall appoint one or more
1366	1366		subcommittees consisting of not fewer than five members each, with
1367	1367		each subcommittee focusing on a specific method of taxation and all
1368	1368		matters pertaining to that method. One subcommittee must be
1369	1369		appointed to consider property taxation.
1370	1370		RULE 4. ORGANIZATION, POWERS, AND DUTIES OF COMMITTEES
1371	1371		CHAPTER A. ORGANIZATION
1372	1372		Sec. 1. COMMITTEES, MEMBERSHIP, AND JURISDICTION. Standing
1373	1373		committees of the house, and the number of members and general
1374	1374		jurisdiction of each, shall be as enumerated in Rule 3.
1375	1375		Sec. 2. DETERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP. (a) Membership on
1376	1376		the standing committees shall be determined at the beginning of
1377	1377		each regular session in the following manner:
1378	1378		(1) For each standing substantive committee, a maximum
1379	1379		of one-half of the membership, exclusive of the chair and
1380	1380		vice-chair, shall be determined by seniority. The remaining
1381	1381		membership of the committee shall be appointed by the speaker.
1382	1382		(2) Each member of the house, in order of seniority,
1383	1383		may designate three committees on which he or she desires to serve,
1384	1384		listed in order of preference. The member is entitled to become a
1385	1385		member of the committee of his or her highest preference on which
1386	1386		there remains a vacant seniority position.
1387	1387		(3) If members of equal seniority request the same
1388	1388		committee, the speaker shall appoint the member from among those
1389	1389		requesting that committee. Seniority, as the term is used in this
1390	1390		subsection, shall mean years of cumulative service as a member of
1391	1391		the house of representatives.
1392	1392		(4) After each member of the house has selected one
1393	1393		committee on the basis of seniority, the remaining membership on
1394	1394		each standing committee shall be filled by appointment of the
1395	1395		speaker, subject to the limitations imposed in this chapter.
1396	1396		(5) Seniority shall not apply to a procedural
1397	1397		committee. For purposes of these rules, the procedural committees
1398	1398		are the Committee on Calendars, the Committee on Local and Consent
1399	1399		Calendars, the Committee on Rules and Resolutions, the General
1400	1400		Investigating and Ethics Committee, the Committee on House
1401	1401		Administration, and the Committee on Redistricting. The entire
1402	1402		membership of these committees shall be appointed by the speaker.
1403	1403		(6) In announcing the membership of committees, the
1404	1404		speaker shall designate those appointed by the speaker and those
1405	1405		acquiring membership by seniority.
1406	1406		(7) The speaker shall designate the chair and
1407	1407		vice-chair from the total membership of the committee.
1408	1408		(b) In the event of a vacancy in a representative district
1409	1409		that has not been filled at the time of the determination of the
1410	1410		membership of standing committees, the representative of the
1411	1411		district who fills that vacancy shall not be entitled to select a
1412	1412		committee on the basis of seniority. Committee appointments on
1413	1413		behalf of that district shall be designated by the district number.
1414	1414		(c) In the event that a member-elect of the current
1415	1415		legislature has not taken the oath of office by the end of the ninth
1416	1416		day of the regular session, the representative of that district
1417	1417		shall not be entitled to select a committee on the basis of
1418	1418		seniority. If the member-elect has not taken the oath of office by
1419	1419		the time committee appointments are announced, committee
1420	1420		appointments on behalf of that district shall be designated by
1421	1421		district number.
1422	1422		Sec. 3. RANKING OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS. Except for the chair
1423	1423		and vice-chair, members of a standing committee shall rank
1424	1424		according to their seniority.
1425	1425		Sec. 4. MEMBERSHIP RESTRICTIONS. (a) No member shall serve
1426	1426		concurrently on more than two standing substantive committees.
1427	1427		(b) A member serving as chair of the Committee on
1428	1428		Appropriations or the Committee on State Affairs may not serve on
1429	1429		any other substantive committee.
1430	1430		Sec. 5. VACANCIES ON COMMITTEES. Should a vacancy occur on
1431	1431		a standing, select, or interim committee subsequent to its
1432	1432		organization, the speaker shall appoint an eligible member to fill
1433	1433		the vacancy.
1434	1434		Sec. 6. DUTIES OF THE CHAIR. The chair of each committee
1435	1435		shall:
1436	1436		(1) be responsible for the effective conduct of the
1437	1437		business of the committee;
1438	1438		(2) appoint all subcommittees and determine the number
1439	1439		of members to serve on each subcommittee;
1440	1440		(3) in consultation with members of the committee,
1441	1441		schedule the work of the committee and determine the order in which
1442	1442		the committee shall consider and act on bills, resolutions, and
1443	1443		other matters referred to the committee;
1444	1444		(4) have authority to employ and discharge the staff
1445	1445		and employees authorized for the committee and have supervision and
1446	1446		control over all the staff and employees;
1447	1447		(5) direct the preparation of all committee reports.
1448	1448		No committee report shall be official until signed by the chair of
1449	1449		the committee, or by the person acting as chair, or by a majority of
1450	1450		the membership of the committee;
1451	1451		(6) determine the necessity for public hearings,
1452	1452		schedule hearings, and be responsible for directing the posting of
1453	1453		notice of hearings as required by the rules;
1454	1454		(7) preside at all meetings of the committee and
1455	1455		control its deliberations and activities in accordance with
1456	1456		acceptable parliamentary procedure; and
1457	1457		(8) have authority to direct the sergeant-at-arms to
1458	1458		assist, where necessary, in enforcing the will of the committee.
1459	1459		Sec. 7. BILL ANALYSES. [(a)] Except for the general
1460	1460		appropriations bill, for each bill or joint resolution referred to
1461	1461		the committee, the staff of the committee shall be responsible for
1462	1462		distributing a copy of a bill analysis to[:
1463	1463		[(1)] each member of the committee and the author of a
1464	1464		house measure at the earliest possible opportunity but not later
1465	1465		than the first time the measure is laid out in a committee meeting[;
1466	1466		and
1467	1467		[(2) except for an analysis prepared by the Texas
1468	1468		Legislative Council, the author of a house measure or sponsor of a
1469	1469		senate measure at the earliest possible opportunity but not later
1470	1470		than 48 hours before the first time the measure is laid out in a
1471	1471		committee meeting].
1472	1472		[(b) The author of the bill or joint resolution may request
1473	1473		the Texas Legislative Council to prepare an analysis for purposes
1474	1474		of this section suitable for distribution by committee staff to
1475	1475		each member of the committee.
1476	1476		[(c) The Texas Legislative Council shall provide to the
1477	1477		author of a house measure or sponsor of a senate measure a copy of an
1478	1478		analysis at the time the analysis is provided to the staff of the
1479	1479		committee.
1480	1480		[(d) The author of a bill or joint resolution may request
1481	1481		that an analysis prepared for purposes of this section include a
1482	1482		statement written by the author that includes any additional
1483	1483		information that the author considers appropriate.]
1484	1484		CHAPTER B. PROCEDURE
1485	1485		Sec. 8. MEETINGS. (a) As soon as practicable after
1486	1486		standing committees are constituted and organized, the committee
1487	1487		coordinator, under the direction of the Committee on House
1488	1488		Administration, shall prepare a schedule for regular meetings of
1489	1489		all standing committees. This schedule shall be published in the
1490	1490		house journal and posted in a convenient and conspicuous place near
1491	1491		the entrance to the house and on other posting boards for committee
1492	1492		meeting notices, as determined necessary by the Committee on House
1493	1493		Administration. To the extent practicable during each regular
1494	1494		session, standing committees shall conduct regular committee
1495	1495		meetings in accordance with the schedule of meetings prepared by
1496	1496		the committee coordinator under the supervision of the Committee on
1497	1497		House Administration.
1498	1498		(b) Standing committees shall meet at other times as may be
1499	1499		determined by the committee, or as may be called by the chair.
1500	1500		Subcommittees of standing committees shall likewise meet at other
1501	1501		times as may be determined by the committee, or as may be called by
1502	1502		the chair of the committee or subcommittee.
1503	1503		(c) Committees shall also meet in such places and at such
1504	1504		times as the speaker may designate.
1505	1505		Sec. 9. MEETING WHILE HOUSE IN SESSION. No standing
1506	1506		committee or subcommittee shall meet during the time the house is in
1507	1507		session without permission being given by a majority vote of the
1508	1508		house. No standing committee or subcommittee shall conduct its
1509	1509		meeting on the floor of the house or in the house chamber while the
1510	1510		house is in session, but shall, if given permission to meet while
1511	1511		the house is in session, retire to a designated committee room for
1512	1512		the conduct of its meeting.
1513	1513		Sec. 10. PURPOSES FOR MEETING. A committee or a
1514	1514		subcommittee may be assembled for:
1515	1515		(1) a public hearing where testimony is to be heard,
1516	1516		and where official action may be taken, on bills, resolutions, or
1517	1517		other matters;
1518	1518		(2) a formal meeting where the committee may discuss
1519	1519		and take official action on bills, resolutions, or other matters
1520	1520		without testimony; and
1521	1521		(3) a work session where the committee may discuss
1522	1522		bills, resolutions, or other matters but take no formal action.
1523	1523		Sec. 11. POSTING NOTICE. (a) No committee or
1524	1524		subcommittee, including a calendars committee, shall assemble for
1525	1525		the purpose of a public hearing during a regular session unless
1526	1526		notice of the hearing has been posted in accordance with the rules
1527	1527		at least five calendar days in advance of the hearing. No committee
1528	1528		or subcommittee, including a calendars committee, shall assemble
1529	1529		for the purpose of a public hearing during a special session unless
1530	1530		notice of the hearing has been posted in accordance with the rules
1531	1531		at least 24 hours in advance of the hearing. The committee minutes
1532	1532		shall reflect the date of each posting of notice. Notice shall not
1533	1533		be required for a public hearing or a formal meeting on a senate
1534	1534		bill which is substantially the same as a house bill that has
1535	1535		previously been the subject of a duly posted public hearing by the
1536	1536		committee.
1537	1537		(b) No committee or subcommittee, including a calendars
1538	1538		committee, shall assemble for the purpose of a formal meeting or
1539	1539		work session during a regular or special session unless written
1540	1540		notice has been posted and transmitted to each member of the
1541	1541		committee two hours in advance of the meeting or an announcement has
1542	1542		been filed with the journal clerk and read by the reading clerk
1543	1543		while the house is in session.
1544	1544		(c) All committees meeting during the interim for the
1545	1545		purpose of a formal meeting, work session, or public hearing shall
1546	1546		post notice in accordance with the rules and notify members of the
1547	1547		committee at least five calendar days in advance of the meeting.
1548	1548		Sec. 12. MEETINGS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. All meetings of a
1549	1549		committee or subcommittee, including a calendars committee, shall
1550	1550		be open to other members, the press, and the public unless
1551	1551		specifically provided otherwise by resolution adopted by the house.
1552	1552		However, the General Investigating and Ethics Committee or a
1553	1553		committee considering an impeachment, an address, the punishment of
1554	1554		a member of the house, or any other matter of a quasi-judicial
1555	1555		nature may meet in executive session for the limited purpose of
1556	1556		examining a witness or deliberating, considering, or debating a
1557	1557		decision, but no decision may be made or voted on except in a
1558	1558		meeting that is open to the public and otherwise in compliance with
1559	1559		the rules of the house.
1560	1560		Sec. 13. RULES GOVERNING OPERATIONS. (a) The Rules of
1561	1561		Procedure of the House of Representatives, and to the extent
1562	1562		applicable, the rules of evidence and procedure in the civil courts
1563	1563		of Texas, shall govern the hearings and operations of each
1564	1564		committee, including a calendars committee. Subject to the
1565	1565		foregoing, and to the extent necessary for orderly transaction of
1566	1566		business, each committee may promulgate and adopt additional rules
1567	1567		and procedures by which it will function.
1568	1568		(b) No standing committee, including a calendars committee,
1569	1569		or any subcommittee, shall adopt any rule of procedure, including
1570	1570		but not limited to an automatic subcommittee rule, which will have
1571	1571		the effect of thwarting the will of the majority of the committee or
1572	1572		subcommittee or denying the committee or subcommittee the right to
1573	1573		ultimately dispose of any pending matter by action of a majority of
1574	1574		the committee or subcommittee. A bill or resolution may not be laid
1575	1575		on the table subject to call in committee without a majority vote of
1576	1576		the committee.
1577	1577		Sec. 14. APPEALS FROM RULINGS OF THE CHAIR. Appeals from
1578	1578		rulings of the chair of a committee shall be in order if seconded by
1579	1579		three members of the committee, which may include the member making
1580	1580		the appeal. Procedure in committee following an appeal which has
1581	1581		been seconded shall be the same as the procedure followed in the
1582	1582		house in a similar situation.
1583	1583		Sec. 15. PREVIOUS QUESTION. Before the previous question
1584	1584		can be ordered in a committee, the motion therefor must be seconded
1585	1585		by not less than 4 members of a committee consisting of 21 or more
1586	1586		members, 3 members of a committee consisting of less than 21 members
1587	1587		and more than 10 members, or 2 members of a committee consisting of
1588	1588		10 members or less. If the motion is properly seconded and ordered
1589	1589		by a majority vote of the committee, further debate on the
1590	1590		proposition under consideration shall be terminated, and the
1591	1591		proposition shall be immediately put to a vote of the committee for
1592	1592		its action.
1593	1593		Sec. 16. QUORUM. A majority of a committee shall
1594	1594		constitute a quorum. No action or recommendation of a committee
1595	1595		shall be valid unless taken at a meeting of the committee with a
1596	1596		quorum actually present, and the committee minutes shall reflect
1597	1597		the names of those members of the committee who were actually
1598	1598		present. No committee report shall be made to the house nor shall
1599	1599		bills or resolutions be placed on a calendar unless ordered by a
1600	1600		majority of the membership of the committee, except as otherwise
1601	1601		provided in the rules, and a quorum of the committee must be present
1602	1602		when the vote is taken on reporting a bill or resolution, on placing
1603	1603		bills or resolutions on a calendar, or on taking any other formal
1604	1604		action within the authority of the committee. No committee report
1605	1605		shall be made nor shall bills or resolutions be placed on a calendar
1606	1606		except by record vote of the members of the committee, with the yeas
1607	1607		and nays to be recorded in the minutes of the committee. Proxies
1608	1608		cannot be used in committees.
1609	1609		Sec. 17. MOVING A CALL OF A COMMITTEE. (a) It shall be in
1610	1610		order to move a call of a committee at any time to secure and
1611	1611		maintain a quorum for any one or more of the following purposes:
1612	1612		(1) for the consideration of a specific bill,
1613	1613		resolution, or other matter;
1614	1614		(2) for a definite period of time; or
1615	1615		(3) for the consideration of any designated class of
1616	1616		bills or other matters.
1617	1617		(b) When a call of a committee is moved for one or more of
1618	1618		the foregoing purposes and seconded by two members, one of whom may
1619	1619		be the chair, and is ordered by a majority of the members present,
1620	1620		no member shall thereafter be permitted to leave the committee
1621	1621		meeting without written permission from the chair. After the call
1622	1622		is ordered, and in the absence of a quorum, the chair shall have the
1623	1623		authority to authorize the sergeant-at-arms to locate absent
1624	1624		members of the committee and to compel their attendance for the
1625	1625		duration of the call.
1626	1626		Sec. 18. MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS. (a) For each committee,
1627	1627		including a calendars committee, the chair, or the member acting as
1628	1628		chair, shall keep complete minutes of the proceedings in committee,
1629	1629		which shall include:
1630	1630		(1) the time and place of each meeting of the
1631	1631		committee;
1632	1632		(2) a roll call to determine the members present at
1633	1633		each meeting of the committee, whether that meeting follows an
1634	1634		adjournment or a recess from a previous committee meeting;
1635	1635		(3) an accurate record of all votes taken, including a
1636	1636		listing of the yeas and nays cast on a record vote;
1637	1637		(4) the date of posting of notice of the meeting; and
1638	1638		(5) other information that the chair shall determine.
1639	1639		(b) The minutes for each public hearing of a committee shall
1640	1640		also include an attachment listing the names of the persons, other
1641	1641		than members of the legislature, and the persons or entities
1642	1642		represented by those persons, who were recognized by the chair to
1643	1643		address the committee. The attachment shall also list the name of
1644	1644		each person, other than a member of the legislature, who submitted
1645	1645		to the committee a sworn statement indicating that the person was
1646	1646		present in favor of, in opposition to, or without taking a position
1647	1647		on the measure or other matter, but who because of the person's
1648	1648		departure or other reason was not recognized by the chair to address
1649	1649		the committee; provided that the omission of the name of such a
1650	1650		person is not a sustainable question of order.
1651	1651		(c) Committee minutes shall be corrected only at the
1652	1652		direction of the chair as authorized by a majority vote of the
1653	1653		committee. Duplicate originals of committee minutes shall be
1654	1654		maintained, one to remain with the committee chair and the other to
1655	1655		be filed with the committee coordinator. The committee minutes of a
1656	1656		meeting of the Appropriations Committee on the general
1657	1657		appropriations bill must be filed with the committee coordinator
1658	1658		within five days of the committee meeting. All other committee
1659	1659		minutes must be filed with the committee coordinator within three
1660	1660		days of the committee meeting for a substantive committee, and
1661	1661		within one day of the committee meeting for a procedural committee.
1662	1662		If the date on which the committee minutes are due occurs on a
1663	1663		Saturday, Sunday, or holiday on which the house is not in session,
1664	1664		the committee minutes shall be filed on the following working day.
1665	1665		The time at which the minutes are filed shall be time-stamped on the
1666	1666		duplicate originals of the minutes that are filed with the
1667	1667		committee coordinator. The duplicate originals shall be available
1668	1668		at all reasonable business hours for inspection by members or the
1669	1669		public.
1670	1670		(d) The committee coordinator shall maintain the minutes
1671	1671		and records safe from loss, destruction, and alteration at all
1672	1672		times, and may, at any time, turn them, or any portion, over to the
1673	1673		Committee on House Administration.
1674	1674		Sec. 18A. INTERNET ACCESS TO COMMITTEE DOCUMENTS. (a) The
1675		-	committee coordinator ~~shall [~~may] establish procedures for making
	1675	+	committee coordinator may establish procedures for making
1676	1676		available to the public on the Internet documents relating to the
1677	1677		proceedings of substantive committees.
1678		-	(b) A substantive committee ~~shall [~~may] make available to
1679		-	~~the public~~ on the Internet:
	1678	+	(b) A substantive committee may make available to the public
	1679	+	on the Internet:
1680	1680		(1) any committee substitute or amendment laid before
1681	1681		the committee; and
1682	1682		(2) any nonconfidential written testimony submitted
1683	1683		by a state agency for consideration by the committee that relates to
1684	1684		a measure referred to the committee.
1685	1685		(c) A committee's failure to comply with this section is not
1686	1686		subject to a point of order.
1687	1687		Sec. 19. RECORDING OF TESTIMONY. All testimony before
1688	1688		committees and subcommittees shall be electronically recorded
1689	1689		under the direction of the Committee on House Administration.
1690	1690		Copies of the testimony may be released under guidelines
1691	1691		promulgated by the Committee on House Administration.
1692		-	Sec. 19A. RECORDING OF APPROPRIATIONS MEETINGS. (a) The
1693		-	Committee on House Administration shall ensure that an audio and
1694		-	video recording of any public hearing, formal meeting, or work
1695		-	session of the Committee on Appropriations or a subcommittee of the
1696		-	Committee on Appropriations is made available to the public on the
1697		-	Internet in a timely manner.
1698		-	(b) To the extent that current technological capabilities
1699		-	prohibit immediate implementation of this section, the Committee on
1700		-	House Administration shall use the committee's best efforts to
1701		-	conform to the requirements of this section as soon as practicable.
1702	1692		Sec. 20. SWORN STATEMENT OF WITNESSES. (a) The committee
1703	1693		coordinator, under the direction of the Committee on House
1704	1694		Administration, shall prescribe the form of a sworn statement,
1705	1695		which may be in electronic or paper format, to be executed by all
1706	1696		persons, other than members, who wish to be recognized by the chair
1707	1697		to address the committee. The statement shall provide for showing
1708	1698		at least:
1709	1699		(1) the committee or subcommittee;
1710	1700		(2) the name, address, and telephone number of the
1711	1701		person appearing;
1712	1702		(3) the person, firm, corporation, class, or group
1713	1703		represented;
1714	1704		(4) the type of business, profession, or occupation in
1715	1705		which the person is engaged, if the person is representing himself
1716	1706		or herself; and
1717	1707		(5) the matter before the committee on which the
1718	1708		person wishes to be recognized to address the committee and whether
1719	1709		for, against, or neutral on the matter.
1720	1710		(b) No person shall be recognized by the chair to address
1721	1711		the committee in favor of, in opposition to, or without taking a
1722	1712		position on a matter until the sworn statement has been filed with
1723	1713		the chair of the committee. The chair of the committee shall
1724	1714		indicate whether the person completing the statement was recognized
1725	1715		to address the committee.
1726	1716		(c) Sworn statements submitted in paper format for those
1727	1717		persons recognized by the chair to address the committee shall
1728	1718		accompany the copy of the minutes of the meeting filed with the
1729	1719		committee coordinator.
1730	1720		(d) All persons, other than members, recognized by the chair
1731	1721		to address the committee shall give their testimony under oath, and
1732	1722		each committee may avail itself of additional powers and
1733	1723		prerogatives authorized by law.
1734	1724		(e) The committee shall ensure that an individual who is
1735	1725		blind receives any necessary assistance in executing the sworn
1736	1726		statement.
1737	1727		(f) The committee shall inform a witness who is blind which
1738	1728		members of the committee are present when the witness begins to
1739	1729		testify and shall inform the witness during the testimony of the
1740	1730		departure and arrival of committee members.
1741	1731		(g) The chair may recognize a witness who has been invited
1742	1732		by the committee to attend the meeting but is not present in the
1743	1733		same physical location as the committee to testify before the
1744	1734		committee through an Internet or other videoconferencing system if:
1745	1735		(1) the witness has executed a sworn statement, in
1746	1736		electronic or paper format, under this section;
1747	1737		(2) the witness has filed the statement or a copy of
1748	1738		the statement with the chair before testifying; and
1749	1739		(3) two-way communication has been enabled to allow
1750	1740		the witness to be clearly visible and audible to the committee
1751	1741		members and the committee members to be clearly visible and audible
1752	1742		to the witness.
1753	1743		(h) A person who serves as a translator, including an
1754	1744		interpreter, for a witness before a committee must execute a form
1755	1745		prescribed by the committee coordinator, under the direction of the
1756	1746		Committee on House Administration. The form must at least include
1757	1747		the name of the translator [interpreter] and the name of the witness
1758	1748		whom the translator [interpreter] is serving.
1759	1749		[Sec. 20A. VIDEO TESTIMONY. The committee coordinator
1760	1750		shall examine the feasibility of, and to the extent practicable at
1761	1751		the time the committee coordinator determines appropriate,
1762	1752		establish procedures to permit a person to submit testimony
1763	1753		relating to measures under consideration by a committee to the
1764	1754		committee in the form of an online video. The procedures
1765	1755		established must ensure that testimony submitted in the form of a
1766	1756		video is available to the public on the Internet. Online video
1767	1757		testimony submitted to the committee may not exceed three minutes.
1768	1758		Unless the person testifies as a witness in a public hearing, a
1769	1759		person appearing in online video testimony may not submit a witness
1770	1760		affirmation form and the person's name may not appear on a witness
1771	1761		list.]
1772	1762		Sec. 21. POWER TO ISSUE PROCESS AND SUMMON WITNESSES. (a)
1773	1763		By a record vote of not less than two-thirds of those present and
1774	1764		voting, a quorum being present, each standing committee shall have
1775	1765		the power and authority to issue process to witnesses at any place
1776	1766		in the State of Texas, to compel their attendance, and to compel the
1777	1767		production of all books, records, and instruments. If necessary to
1778	1768		obtain compliance with subpoenas or other process, the committee
1779	1769		shall have the power to issue writs of attachment. All process
1780	1770		issued by the committee may be addressed to and served by an agent
1781	1771		of the committee or a sergeant-at-arms appointed by the committee
1782	1772		or by any peace officer of the State of Texas. The committee shall
1783	1773		also have the power to cite and have prosecuted for contempt, in the
1784	1774		manner provided by law, anyone disobeying the subpoenas or other
1785	1775		process lawfully issued by the committee. The chair of the
1786	1776		committee shall issue, in the name of the committee, the subpoenas
1787	1777		and other process as the committee may direct.
1788	1778		(b) The chair may summon the governing board or other
1789	1779		representatives of a state agency to appear and testify before the
1790	1780		committee without issuing process under Subsection (a) of this
1791	1781		section. The summons may be communicated in writing, orally, or
1792	1782		electronically. If the persons summoned fail or refuse to appear,
1793	1783		the committee may issue process under Subsection (a) of this
1794	1784		section.
1795	1785		Sec. 22. MILEAGE AND PER DIEM FOR WITNESSES. Subject to
1796	1786		prior approval by the Committee on House Administration, witnesses
1797	1787		attending proceedings of any committee under process of the
1798	1788		committee shall be allowed the same mileage and per diem as are
1799	1789		allowed members of the committee when in a travel status, to be paid
1800	1790		out of the contingent expense fund of the house of representatives
1801	1791		on vouchers approved by the chair of the committee, the chair of the
1802	1792		Committee on House Administration, and the speaker of the house.
1803	1793		Sec. 23. POWER TO REQUEST ASSISTANCE OF STATE AGENCIES.
1804	1794		Each committee is authorized to request the assistance, when
1805	1795		needed, of all state departments, agencies, and offices, and it
1806	1796		shall be the duty of the departments, agencies, and offices to
1807	1797		assist the committee when requested to do so. Each committee shall
1808	1798		have the power and authority to inspect the records, documents, and
1809	1799		files of every state department, agency, and office, to the extent
1810	1800		necessary to the discharge of its duties within the area of its
1811	1801		jurisdiction.
1812	1802		Sec. 23A. ASSISTANCE OF OTHER MEMBERS OF LEGISLATURE. At a
1813	1803		meeting of a committee, the chair may recognize a member of the
1814	1804		house who is not a member of the committee to provide information to
1815	1805		the committee, and may recognize a member of the senate for that
1816	1806		purpose. Recognition is solely within the discretion of the chair
1817	1807		and is not subject to appeal by that member.
1818	1808		CHAPTER C. COMMITTEE FUNCTIONS
1819	1809		Sec. 24. INTERIM STUDIES. Standing committees, en banc or
1820	1810		by subcommittees, are hereby authorized to conduct studies that are
1821	1811		authorized by the speaker pursuant to Rule 1, Section 17. Studies
1822	1812		may not be authorized by resolution. The speaker may appoint public
1823	1813		citizens and officials of state and local governments to standing
1824	1814		committees to augment the membership for the purpose of interim
1825	1815		studies and shall provide a list of such appointments to the chief
1826	1816		clerk. The chair of the standing committee shall have authority to
1827	1817		name the subcommittees necessary and desirable for the conduct of
1828	1818		the interim studies and shall also prepare a budget for interim
1829	1819		studies for approval by the Committee on House Administration.
1830	1820		Sec. 25. MOTION PREVENTING REPORTING OR PLACEMENT ON A
1831	1821		CALENDAR. No motion is in order in a committee considering a bill,
1832	1822		resolution, or other matter that would prevent the committee from
1833	1823		reporting it back to the house or placing it on a calendar in
1834	1824		accordance with the Rules of the House.
1835	1825		Sec. 26. FINAL ACTION IN FORM OF REPORT. No action by a
1836	1826		committee on bills or resolutions referred to it shall be
1837	1827		considered as final unless it is in the form of a favorable report,
1838	1828		an unfavorable report, or a report of inability to recommend a
1839	1829		course of action.
1840	1830		Sec. 27. VOTE ON MOTION TO REPORT. Motions made in
1841	1831		committee to report favorably or unfavorably must receive
1842	1832		affirmative majority votes, majority negative votes to either
1843	1833		motion being insufficient to report. If a committee is unable to
1844	1834		agree on a recommendation for action, as in the case of a tie vote,
1845	1835		it should submit a statement of this fact as its report, and the
1846	1836		house shall decide, by a majority vote, the disposition of the
1847	1837		matter by one of the following alternatives:
1848	1838		(1) leave the bill in the committee for further
1849	1839		consideration;
1850	1840		(2) refer the bill to some other committee; or
1851	1841		(3) order the bill printed, in which case the bill
1852	1842		shall go to the Committee on Calendars for placement on a calendar
1853	1843		and for proposal of an appropriate rule for house consideration.
1854	1844		Sec. 28. MINORITY REPORTS. The report of a minority of a
1855	1845		committee shall be made in the same general form as a majority
1856	1846		report. No minority report shall be recognized by the house unless
1857	1847		it has been signed by not less than 4 members of a committee
1858	1848		consisting of 21 or more members, 3 members of a committee
1859	1849		consisting of less than 21 members and more than 10 members, or 2
1860	1850		members of a committee consisting of 10 or less members. Only
1861	1851		members who were present when the vote was taken on the bill,
1862	1852		resolution, or other matter being reported, and who voted on the
1863	1853		losing side, may sign a minority report. Notice of intention to
1864	1854		file a minority report shall be given to the assembled committee
1865	1855		after the vote on the bill, resolution, or other matter, and before
1866	1856		the recess or adjournment of the committee, provided ample
1867	1857		opportunity is afforded for the giving of notice; otherwise, notice
1868	1858		may be given in writing to the chief clerk within 24 hours after the
1869	1859		recess or adjournment of the committee.
1870	1860		Sec. 29. ACTION ON BILLS REPORTED UNFAVORABLY. If the
1871	1861		majority report on a bill is unfavorable, and a favorable minority
1872	1862		report is not signed in accordance with Section 28 of this rule and
1873	1863		filed with the chief clerk within two calendar days, exclusive of
1874	1864		Sunday and the date of committee action, the chief clerk shall file
1875	1865		the bill away as dead; except during the last 15 calendar days of a
1876	1866		regular session, or the last 7 calendar days of a special session,
1877	1867		when the chief clerk shall hold a bill only one calendar day,
1878	1868		exclusive of Sunday and the date of committee action, awaiting the
1879	1869		filing of a minority report before the bill is filed away as dead.
1880	1870		If the favorable minority report is properly signed and filed, the
1881	1871		chief clerk shall hold the bill for five legislative days,
1882	1872		exclusive of the legislative day in which the minority report was
1883	1873		filed, awaiting adoption by the house of a motion to print the bill
1884	1874		on minority report. If the motion to print is carried, the bill
1885	1875		shall be printed as if it had been reported favorably, and shall
1886	1876		then be immediately forwarded to the Committee on Calendars for
1887	1877		placement on a calendar and for proposal of an appropriate rule for
1888	1878		house consideration. If a motion to print a bill on minority report
1889	1879		is not made within the five legislative days authorized above, the
1890	1880		chief clerk shall file the bill away as dead. It shall not be in
1891	1881		order to move to recommit a bill adversely reported with no minority
1892	1882		report, except as provided in Section 30 of this rule. A two-thirds
1893	1883		vote of the house shall be required to print on minority report a
1894	1884		joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of
1895	1885		Texas.
1896	1886		Sec. 30. MAKING ADVERSE REPORTS WITHOUT HEARING THE
1897	1887		AUTHOR. No adverse report shall be made on any bill or resolution
1898	1888		by any committee without first giving the author or sponsor of the
1899	1889		bill an opportunity to be heard. If it becomes evident to the house
1900	1890		that a bill has been reported adversely without the author or
1901	1891		sponsor having had an opportunity to be heard as provided in this
1902	1892		section, the house may, by a majority vote, order the bill
1903	1893		recommitted even though no minority report was filed in the manner
1904	1894		prescribed by the rules. This provision shall have precedence over
1905	1895		Rule 7, Section 20.
1906	1896		Sec. 31. ADVERSE REPORTS ON LOCAL BILLS. If a local bill is
1907	1897		reported adversely, it shall be subject to the same rules that
1908	1898		govern other bills reported adversely.
1909	1899		Sec. 32. FORM OF REPORTS. (a) Reports of standing
1910	1900		committees on bills and resolutions shall be made in duplicate,
1911	1901		with one copy to be filed with the journal clerk for printing in the
1912	1902		journal and the other to accompany the original bill.
1913	1903		(b) All committee reports must be in writing and shall:
1914	1904		(1) be signed by the chair, or the member acting as
1915	1905		chair, or a majority of the membership of the committee;
1916	1906		(2) be addressed to the speaker;
1917	1907		(3) contain a statement of the recommendations of the
1918	1908		committee with reference to the matter which is the subject of the
1919	1909		report;
1920	1910		(4) contain the date the committee made its
1921	1911		recommendation;
1922	1912		(5) indicate whether a copy of a bill or resolution was
1923	1913		forwarded to the Legislative Budget Board for preparation of a
1924	1914		fiscal note or other impact statement, if applicable;
1925	1915		(6) contain the record vote by which the report was
1926	1916		adopted, including the vote of each member of the committee;
1927	1917		(7) contain the recommendation that the bill or
1928	1918		resolution be sent to the Committee on Local and Consent Calendars
1929	1919		for placement on the local, consent, and resolutions calendar if
1930	1920		applicable;
1931	1921		(8) state the name of the primary house sponsor of all
1932	1922		senate bills and resolutions and indicate the names of all joint
1933	1923		sponsors or cosponsors;
1934	1924		(9) include a summary of the committee hearing on the
1935	1925		bill or resolution;
1936	1926		(10) include a list of the names of the persons, other
1937	1927		than members of the legislature, and persons or entities
1938	1928		represented by those persons, who submitted to the committee sworn
1939	1929		statements indicating that the persons were present in favor of, in
1940	1930		opposition to, or without taking a position on the bill or
1941	1931		resolution. The omission from the list of the name of a person who
1942	1932		submitted a sworn statement regarding a bill or resolution but who
1943	1933		was not recognized by the chair to address the committee is not a
1944	1934		sustainable question of order;
1945	1935		(11) for a joint resolution proposing a constitutional
1946	1936		amendment, include the bill number of any enabling legislation for
1947	1937		the constitutional amendment designated as such by the author or
1948	1938		sponsor of the joint resolution;
1949	1939		(12) for a bill that is designated by the author or
1950	1940		sponsor of the bill as enabling legislation for a constitutional
1951	1941		amendment proposed by a joint resolution, include the number of the
1952	1942		joint resolution; and
1953	1943		(13) contain a copy of each form executed by a
1954	1944		translator [an interpreter] for a witness as required by Section
1955	1945		20(h) of this rule.
1956	1946		(c) Except for the general appropriations bill, each
1957	1947		committee report on a bill or joint resolution, including a
1958	1948		complete committee substitute, and, to the extent considered
1959	1949		necessary by the committee, a committee report on any other
1960	1950		resolution, must include in summary or section-by-section form a
1961	1951		detailed analysis of the subject matter of the bill or resolution,
1962	1952		specifically including:
1963	1953		(1) background information on the proposal and
1964	1954		information on what the bill or resolution proposes to do;
1965	1955		(2) an analysis of the content of the bill or
1966	1956		resolution, including a separate statement that lists each statute
1967	1957		or constitutional provision that is expressly repealed by the bill
1968	1958		or resolution;
1969	1959		(3) a statement indicating whether or not any
1970	1960		rulemaking authority is expressly delegated to a state officer,
1971	1961		department, agency, or institution, and, if so, identifying the
1972	1962		sections of the measure in which that rulemaking authority is
1973	1963		delegated;
1974	1964		(4) a statement indicating whether or not the bill or
1975	1965		resolution expressly creates a criminal offense, expressly
1976	1966		increases the punishment for an existing criminal offense or
1977	1967		category of offenses, or expressly changes the eligibility of a
1978	1968		person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory
1979	1969		supervision;
1980	1970		(5) a statement of substantial differences between a
1981	1971		complete committee substitute and the original bill; and
1982	1972		(6) a brief explanation of each amendment adopted by
1983	1973		the committee.
1984	1974		(d) The [author of a bill or resolution for which an
1985	1975		analysis is required by Subsection (c) of this section and the]
1986	1976		committee to which the bill or resolution is referred may request
1987	1977		the Texas Legislative Council to prepare the analysis required by
1988	1978		Subsection (c) of this section. [The Texas Legislative Council
1989	1979		shall provide to the author of a house measure or sponsor of a
1990	1980		senate measure a copy of an analysis requested under this
1991	1981		subsection at the time the analysis is provided to the staff of the
1992	1982		committee.]
1993	1983		(e) A [Except for an analysis prepared by the Texas
1994	1984		Legislative Council, a] committee chair shall provide to the author
1995	1985		of a house measure [or sponsor of a senate measure] a copy of the
1996	1986		analysis required by Subsection (c) of this section as soon as the
1997	1987		analysis is complete.
1998	1988		(f) The author of a bill or resolution may request that an
1999	1989		analysis prepared for purposes of this section include a statement
2000	1990		written by the author that includes any additional information that
2001	1991		the author considers appropriate.
2002	1992		(g) It shall be the duty of the committee chair, on all
2003	1993		matters reported by the committee, to see that all provisions of
2004	1994		Rule 12 are satisfied. The chair shall strictly construe this
2005	1995		provision to achieve the desired purposes.
2006	1996		Sec. 33. FISCAL NOTES. (a) If the chair of a standing
2007	1997		committee determines that a bill or joint resolution, other than
2008	1998		the general appropriations bill, authorizes or requires the
2009	1999		expenditure or diversion of state funds for any purpose, the chair
2010	2000		shall send a copy of the measure to the Legislative Budget Board for
2011	2001		the preparation of a fiscal note outlining the fiscal implications
2012	2002		and probable cost of the measure.
2013	2003		(b) If the chair of a standing committee determines that a
2014	2004		bill or joint resolution has statewide impact on units of local
2015	2005		government of the same type or class and authorizes or requires the
2016	2006		expenditure or diversion of local funds, or creates or impacts a
2017	2007		local tax, fee, license charge, or penalty, the chair shall send a
2018	2008		copy of the measure to the Legislative Budget Board for the
2019	2009		preparation of a fiscal note outlining the fiscal implications and
2020	2010		probable cost of the measure.
2021	2011		(c) In preparing a fiscal note, the director of the
2022	2012		Legislative Budget Board may utilize information or data supplied
2023	2013		by any person, agency, organization, or governmental unit that the
2024	2014		director deems reliable. If the director determines that the fiscal
2025	2015		implications of the measure cannot be ascertained, the director
2026	2016		shall so state in the fiscal note, shall when reasonably
2027	2017		ascertainable provide an estimated range of the fiscal
2028	2018		implications, and shall include in the note a statement of the
2029	2019		reasons the director is unable to ascertain the fiscal implications
2030	2020		of the measure, in which case the fiscal note shall be in full
2031	2021		compliance with the rules. If the director of the Legislative
2032	2022		Budget Board is unable to acquire or develop sufficient information
2033	2023		to prepare the fiscal note within 15 days of receiving the measure
2034	2024		from the chair of a committee, the director shall so state in the
2035	2025		fiscal note, shall when reasonably ascertainable provide an
2036	2026		estimated range of the fiscal implications, and shall include in
2037	2027		the note a statement of the reasons the director is unable to
2038	2028		acquire or develop sufficient information, in which case the note
2039	2029		shall be in full compliance with the rules.
2040	2030		(d) If the chair determines that a fiscal note is required,
2041	2031		copies of the fiscal note must be distributed to the members of the
2042	2032		committee not later than the first time the measure is laid out in a
2043	2033		committee meeting. The fiscal note shall be attached to the measure
2044	2034		on first printing. If the measure is amended by the committee so as
2045	2035		to alter its fiscal implications, the chair shall obtain an updated
2046	2036		fiscal note, which shall also be attached to the measure on first
2047	2037		printing.
2048	2038		(e) All fiscal notes shall remain with the measure
2049	2039		throughout the entire legislative process, including submission to
2050	2040		the governor.
2051	2041		(f) All fiscal notes must include in the summary box on the
2052	2042		first page of the fiscal note a statement that indicates whether the
2053	2043		bill or joint resolution will have fiscal implications or probable
2054	2044		costs in any year.
2055	2045		Sec. 34. OTHER IMPACT STATEMENTS. (a) It is the intent of
2056	2046		this section that all members of the house are timely informed as to
2057	2047		the impact of proposed legislation on the state or other unit of
2058	2048		government.
2059	2049		(a-1) The chair of the appropriations committee shall send a
2060	2050		copy of the general appropriations bill to the Legislative Budget
2061	2051		Board for the preparation of a dynamic economic impact statement,
2062	2052		specifically including the number of state employees to be affected
2063	2053		and the estimated impact on employment by the private sector and
2064	2054		local governments in Texas as a result of any change in state
2065	2055		expenditures made by the bill as compared to the biennium preceding
2066	2056		the biennium to which the bill applies.
2067	2057		(b) If the chair of a standing committee determines that a
2068	2058		bill or joint resolution:
2069	2059		(1) authorizes or requires a change in the sanctions
2070	2060		applicable to adults convicted of felony crimes, the chair shall
2071	2061		send a copy of the measure to the Legislative Budget Board for the
2072	2062		preparation of a criminal justice policy impact statement;
2073	2063		(2) authorizes or requires a change in the public
2074	2064		school finance system, the chair shall send a copy of the measure to
2075	2065		the Legislative Budget Board for the preparation of an equalized
2076	2066		education funding impact statement;
2077	2067		(3) proposes to change benefits or participation in
2078	2068		benefits of a public retirement system or change the financial
2079	2069		obligations of a public retirement system, the chair shall send a
2080	2070		copy of the measure to the Legislative Budget Board for the
2081	2071		preparation of an actuarial impact statement in cooperation with
2082	2072		the State Pension Review Board;
2083	2073		(4) proposes to create a water district under the
2084	2074		authority of Article XVI, Section 59, of the Texas Constitution,
2085	2075		the chair shall send a copy of the measure to the Legislative Budget
2086	2076		Board for the preparation of a water development policy impact
2087	2077		statement; or
2088	2078		(5) creates or impacts a state tax or fee, the chair
2089	2079		shall send a copy of the measure to the Legislative Budget Board for
2090	2080		the preparation of a tax equity note that estimates the general
2091	2081		effects of the proposal on the distribution of tax and fee burdens
2092	2082		among individuals and businesses.
2093	2083		(c) In preparing an impact statement, the director of the
2094	2084		Legislative Budget Board may utilize information or data supplied
2095	2085		by any person, agency, organization, or governmental unit that the
2096	2086		director deems reliable. If the director determines that the
2097	2087		particular implications of the measure cannot be ascertained, the
2098	2088		director shall so state in the impact statement, in which case the
2099	2089		impact statement shall be in full compliance with the rules.
2100	2090		(d) An impact statement is not required to be present before
2101	2091		a measure is laid out in a committee meeting. If timely received,
2102	2092		the impact statement shall be attached to the measure on first
2103	2093		printing. If the measure is amended by the committee so as to alter
2104	2094		its particular implications, the chair shall obtain an updated
2105	2095		impact statement. If timely received, the updated impact statement
2106	2096		shall also be attached to the measure on first printing.
2107	2097		(e) An impact statement that is received after the first
2108	2098		printing of a measure has been distributed to the members shall be
2109	2099		forwarded by the chair of the committee to the committee
2110	2100		coordinator. The committee coordinator shall have the impact
2111	2101		statement printed and distributed to the members.
2112	2102		(f) All impact statements received shall remain with the
2113	2103		measure throughout the entire legislative process, including
2114	2104		submission to the governor.
2115	2105		Sec. 35. REPORTS ON HOUSE AND CONCURRENT
2116	2106		RESOLUTIONS. Committee reports on house and concurrent
2117	2107		resolutions shall be made in the same manner and shall follow the
2118	2108		same procedure as provided for bills, subject to any differences
2119	2109		otherwise authorized or directed by the rules.
2120	2110		Sec. 36. ACTION BY HOUSE ON REPORTS NOT REQUIRED. No
2121	2111		action by the house is necessary on the report of a standing
2122	2112		committee. The bill, resolution, or proposition recommended or
2123	2113		reported by the committee shall automatically be before the house
2124	2114		for its consideration after the bill or resolution has been
2125	2115		referred to the appropriate calendars committee for placement on a
2126	2116		calendar and for proposal of an appropriate rule for house
2127	2117		consideration.
2128	2118		Sec. 37. REFERRAL OF REPORTS TO COMMITTEE COORDINATOR. All
2129	2119		committee reports on bills or resolutions shall be immediately
2130	2120		referred to the committee coordinator. The chair of the committee
2131	2121		shall be responsible for delivery of the report to the committee
2132	2122		coordinator.
2133	2123		Sec. 38. DELIVERY OF REPORTS TO CALENDARS
2134	2124		COMMITTEES. After printing, the chief clerk shall be responsible
2135	2125		for delivery of a certified copy of the committee report to the
2136	2126		appropriate calendars committee, which committee shall immediately
2137	2127		accept the bill or resolution for placement on a calendar and for
2138	2128		the proposal of an appropriate rule for house consideration.
2139	2129		Sec. 38A. NOTIFICATION OF SUNSET BILLS. The chief clerk
2140	2130		shall provide notice to each member at the member's designated
2141	2131		Capitol e-mail address when a committee report under Section 38 of
2142	2132		this rule on a bill extending an agency, commission, or advisory
2143	2133		committee under the Texas Sunset Act has been printed or posted and
2144	2134		is available to be distributed to the appropriate calendars
2145	2135		committee.
2146	2136		Sec. 39. COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS. No committee shall have the
2147	2137		power to amend, delete, or change in any way the nature, purpose, or
2148	2138		content of any bill or resolution referred to it, but may draft and
2149	2139		recommend amendments to it, which shall become effective only if
2150	2140		adopted by a majority vote of the house.
2151	2141		Sec. 40. SUBSTITUTES. The committee may adopt and report a
2152	2142		complete germane committee substitute containing the title,
2153	2143		enacting clause, and text of the bill in lieu of an original bill,
2154	2144		in which event the complete substitute bill on committee report
2155	2145		shall be laid before the house and shall be the matter then before
2156	2146		the house for its consideration, instead of the original bill. If
2157	2147		the substitute bill is defeated at any legislative stage, the bill
2158	2148		is considered not passed.
2159	2149		Sec. 41. GERMANENESS OF SUBSTITUTE. If a point of order is
2160	2150		raised that a complete committee substitute is not germane, in
2161	2151		whole or in part, and the point of order is sustained, the committee
2162	2152		substitute shall be returned to the Committee on Calendars, which
2163	2153		may have the original bill printed and distributed and placed on a
2164	2154		calendar in lieu of the substitute or may return the original bill
2165	2155		to the committee from which it was reported for further action.
2166	2156		Sec. 42. AUTHOR'S RIGHT TO OFFER AMENDMENTS TO
2167	2157		REPORT. Should the author or sponsor of the bill, resolution, or
2168	2158		other proposal not be satisfied with the final recommendation or
2169	2159		form of the committee report, the member shall have the privilege of
2170	2160		offering on the floor of the house such amendments or changes as he
2171	2161		or she considers necessary and desirable, and those amendments or
2172	2162		changes shall be given priority during the periods of time when
2173	2163		original amendments are in order under the provisions of Rule 11,
2174	2164		Section 7.
2175	2165		CHAPTER D. SUBCOMMITTEES
2176	2166		Sec. 43. JURISDICTION. Each committee is authorized to
2177	2167		conduct its activities and perform its work through the use of
2178	2168		subcommittees as shall be determined by the chair of the committee.
2179	2169		Subcommittees shall be created, organized, and operated in such a
2180	2170		way that the subject matter and work area of each subcommittee shall
2181	2171		be homogeneous and shall pertain to related governmental
2182	2172		activities. The size and jurisdiction of each subcommittee shall
2183	2173		be determined by the chair of the committee.
2184	2174		Sec. 44. MEMBERSHIP. The chair of each standing committee
2185	2175		shall appoint from the membership of the committee the members who
2186	2176		are to serve on each subcommittee. Any vacancy on a subcommittee
2187	2177		shall be filled by appointment of the chair of the standing
2188	2178		committee. The chair and vice-chair of each subcommittee shall be
2189	2179		named by the chair of the committee.
2190	2180		Sec. 45. RULES GOVERNING OPERATIONS. The Rules of
2191	2181		Procedure of the House of Representatives, to the extent
2192	2182		applicable, shall govern the hearings and operations of each
2193	2183		subcommittee. Subject to the foregoing, and to the extent
2194	2184		necessary for orderly transaction of business, each subcommittee
2195	2185		may promulgate and adopt additional rules and procedures by which
2196	2186		it will function.
2197	2187		Sec. 46. QUORUM. A majority of a subcommittee shall
2198	2188		constitute a quorum, and no action or recommendation of a
2199	2189		subcommittee shall be valid unless taken at a meeting with a quorum
2200	2190		actually present. All reports of a subcommittee must be approved by
2201	2191		record vote by a majority of the membership of the subcommittee.
2202	2192		Minutes of the subcommittee shall be maintained in a manner similar
2203	2193		to that required by the rules for standing committees. Proxies
2204	2194		cannot be used in subcommittees.
2205	2195		Sec. 47. POWER AND AUTHORITY. Each subcommittee, within
2206	2196		the area of its jurisdiction, shall have all of the power,
2207	2197		authority, and rights granted by the Rules of Procedure of the House
2208	2198		of Representatives to the standing committee, except subpoena
2209	2199		power, to the extent necessary to discharge the duties and
2210	2200		responsibilities of the subcommittee.
2211	2201		Sec. 48. REFERRAL OF PROPOSED LEGISLATION TO
2212	2202		SUBCOMMITTEE. All bills and resolutions referred to a standing
2213	2203		committee shall be reviewed by the chair to determine appropriate
2214	2204		disposition of the bills and resolutions. All bills and
2215	2205		resolutions shall be considered by the entire standing committee
2216	2206		unless the chair of that standing committee determines to refer the
2217	2207		bills and resolutions to subcommittee. If a bill or resolution is
2218	2208		referred by the chair of the standing committee to a subcommittee,
2219	2209		it shall be considered by the subcommittee in the same form in which
2220	2210		the measure was referred to the standing committee, and any action
2221	2211		taken by the standing committee on a proposed amendment or
2222	2212		committee substitute before a measure is referred to subcommittee
2223	2213		is therefore voided at the time the measure is referred to
2224	2214		subcommittee. The subcommittee shall be charged with the duty and
2225	2215		responsibility of conducting the hearing, doing research, and
2226	2216		performing such other functions as the subcommittee or its parent
2227	2217		standing committee may determine. All meetings of the subcommittee
2228	2218		shall be scheduled by the subcommittee chair, with appropriate
2229	2219		public notice and notification of each member of the subcommittee
2230	2220		under the same rules of procedure as govern the conduct of the
2231	2221		standing committee.
2232	2222		Sec. 49. REPORT BY SUBCOMMITTEE. At the conclusion of its
2233	2223		deliberations on a bill, resolution, or other matter referred to
2234	2224		it, the subcommittee may prepare a written report, comprehensive
2235	2225		in nature, for submission to the full committee. The report shall
2236	2226		include background material as well as recommended action and shall
2237	2227		be accompanied by a complete draft of the bill, resolution, or other
2238	2228		proposal in such form as the subcommittee shall determine.
2239	2229		Sec. 50. ACTION ON SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS. Subcommittee
2240	2230		reports shall be directed to the chair of the committee, who shall
2241	2231		schedule meetings of the standing committee from time to time as
2242	2232		necessary and appropriate for the reception of subcommittee reports
2243	2233		and for action on reports by the standing committee. No
2244	2234		subcommittee report shall be scheduled for action by the standing
2245	2235		committee until at least 24 hours after a copy of the subcommittee
2246	2236		report is provided to each member of the standing committee.
2247	2237		CHAPTER E. COMMITTEES OF THE WHOLE HOUSE
2248	2238		Sec. 51. RESOLUTION INTO A COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
2249	2239		HOUSE. The house may resolve itself into a committee of the whole
2250	2240		house to consider any matter referred to it by the house. In
2251	2241		forming a committee of the whole house, the speaker shall vacate the
2252	2242		chair and shall appoint a chair to preside in committee.
2253	2243		Sec. 52. RULES GOVERNING OPERATIONS. The rules governing
2254	2244		the proceedings of the house and those governing committees shall
2255	2245		be observed in committees of the whole, to the extent that they are
2256	2246		applicable.
2257	2247		Sec. 53. MOTION FOR A CALL OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE
2258	2248		WHOLE. (a) It shall be in order to move a call of the committee of
2259	2249		the whole at any time to secure and maintain a quorum for the
2260	2250		following purposes:
2261	2251		(1) for the consideration of a certain or specific
2262	2252		matter; or
2263	2253		(2) for a definite period of time; or
2264	2254		(3) for the consideration of any designated class of
2265	2255		bills.
2266	2256		(b) When a call of the committee of the whole is moved and
2267	2257		seconded by 10 members, of whom the chair may be one, and is ordered
2268	2258		by majority vote, the main entrance of the hall and all other doors
2269	2259		leading out of the hall shall be locked, and no member shall be
2270	2260		permitted to leave the hall without written permission. Other
2271	2261		proceedings under a call of the committee shall be the same as under
2272	2262		a call of the house.
2273	2263		Sec. 54. HANDLING OF A BILL. A bill committed to a
2274	2264		committee of the whole house shall be handled in the same manner as
2275	2265		in any other committee. The body of the bill shall not be defaced or
2276	2266		interlined, but all amendments shall be duly endorsed by the chief
2277	2267		clerk as they are adopted by the committee, and so reported to the
2278	2268		house. When a bill is reported by the committee of the whole house
2279	2269		it shall be referred immediately to the appropriate calendars
2280	2270		committee for placement on the appropriate calendar and shall
2281	2271		follow the same procedure as any other bill on committee report.
2282	2272		Sec. 55. FAILURE TO COMPLETE WORK AT ANY SITTING. In the
2283	2273		event that the committee of the whole, at any sitting, fails to
2284	2274		complete its work on any bill or resolution under consideration for
2285	2275		lack of time, or desires to take any action on that measure that is
2286	2276		permitted under the rules for other committees, it may, on a motion
2287	2277		made and adopted by majority vote, rise, report progress, and ask
2288	2278		leave of the house to sit again generally, or at a time certain.
2289	2279		Sec. 56. REPORTS OF SELECT COMMITTEES. Reports of select
2290	2280		committees made during a session shall be filed with the chief clerk
2291	2281		and printed in the journal, unless otherwise determined by the
2292	2282		house.
2293	2283		CHAPTER F. INTERIM STUDY COMMITTEES
2294	2284		Sec. 57. INTERIM STUDIES. Pursuant to Rule 1, Section 17,
2295	2285		the speaker may create interim study committees to conduct studies
2296	2286		by issuing a proclamation for each committee, which shall specify
2297	2287		the issue to be studied, committee membership, and any additional
2298	2288		authority and duties. A copy of each proclamation creating an
2299	2289		interim study committee shall be filed with the chief clerk. An
2300	2290		interim study committee expires on release of its final report or
2301	2291		when the next legislature convenes, whichever is earlier. An
2302	2292		interim study committee may not be created by resolution.
2303	2293		Sec. 58. APPOINTMENT AND MEMBERSHIP. The speaker shall
2304	2294		appoint all members of an interim study committee, which may
2305	2295		include public citizens and officials of state and local
2306	2296		governments. The speaker shall also designate the chair and
2307	2297		vice-chair and may authorize the chair to create subcommittees and
2308	2298		appoint citizen advisory committees.
2309	2299		Sec. 59. RULES GOVERNING OPERATIONS. The rules governing
2310	2300		the proceedings of the house and those governing standing
2311	2301		committees shall be observed by an interim study committee, to the
2312	2302		extent that they are applicable. An interim study committee shall
2313	2303		have the power to issue process and to request assistance of state
2314	2304		agencies as provided for a standing committee in Sections 21, 22,
2315	2305		and 23 of this rule.
2316	2306		Sec. 60. FUNDING AND STAFF. An interim study committee
2317	2307		shall use existing staff resources of its members, standing
2318	2308		committees, house offices, and legislative service agencies. The
2319	2309		chair of an interim study committee shall prepare a detailed budget
2320	2310		for approval by the speaker and the Committee on House
2321	2311		Administration. An interim study committee may accept gifts,
2322	2312		grants, and donations for the purpose of funding its activities as
2323	2313		provided by Sections 301.032(b) and (c), Government Code.
2324	2314		Sec. 61. STUDY REPORTS. (a) The final report or
2325	2315		recommendations of an interim study committee shall be approved by
2326	2316		a majority of the committee membership. Dissenting members may
2327	2317		attach statements to the final report.
2328	2318		(b) An interim study committee shall submit the committee's
2329	2319		final report to the committee coordinator in the manner prescribed
2330	2320		by the committee coordinator. The committee coordinator shall:
2331	2321		(1) distribute copies of the final report to the
2332	2322		speaker, the Legislative Reference Library, and other appropriate
2333	2323		agencies; and
2334	2324		(2) make a copy of the final report available on the
2335	2325		house's Internet website.
2336	2326		(c) This section shall also apply to interim study reports
2337	2327		of standing committees.
2338	2328		Sec. 62. JOINT HOUSE AND SENATE INTERIM
2339	2329		STUDIES. Procedures may be established by a concurrent resolution
2340	2330		adopted by both houses, by which the speaker may authorize and
2341	2331		appoint, jointly with the senate, committees to conduct interim
2342	2332		studies. A copy of the authorization for and the appointments to a
2343	2333		joint interim study committee shall be filed with the chief clerk.
2344	2334		Individual joint interim study committees may not be authorized or
2345	2335		created by resolution.
2346	2336		RULE 5. FLOOR PROCEDURE
2347	2337		CHAPTER A. QUORUM AND ATTENDANCE
2348	2338		Sec. 1. QUORUM. Two-thirds of the house shall constitute a
2349	2339		quorum to do business.
2350	2340		Sec. 2. ROLL CALLS. On every roll call or registration,
2351	2341		the names of the members shall be called or listed, as the case may
2352	2342		be, alphabetically by surname, except when two or more have the same
2353	2343		surname, in which case the initials of the members shall be added.
2354	2344		Sec. 3. LEAVE OF ABSENCE. (a) No member shall be absent
2355	2345		from the sessions of the house without leave, and no member shall be
2356	2346		excused on his or her own motion.
2357	2347		(b) A leave of absence may be granted by a majority vote of
2358	2348		the house and may be revoked at any time by a similar vote.
2359	2349		(c) Any member granted a leave of absence due to a meeting of
2360	2350		a committee or conference committee that has authority to meet
2361	2351		while the house is in session shall be so designated on each roll
2362	2352		call or registration for which that member is excused.
2363	2353		Sec. 4. FAILURE TO ANSWER ROLL CALL. Any member who is
2364	2354		present and fails or refuses to record on a roll call after being
2365	2355		requested to do so by the speaker shall be recorded as present by
2366	2356		the speaker and shall be counted for the purpose of making a quorum.
2367	2357		Sec. 5. POINT OF ORDER OF "NO QUORUM." (a) The point of
2368	2358		order of "No Quorum" shall not be accepted by the chair if the last
2369	2359		roll call showed the presence of a quorum, provided the last roll
2370	2360		call was taken within two hours of the time the point of order is
2371	2361		raised.
2372	2362		(b) If the last roll call was taken more than two hours
2373	2363		before the point of order is raised, it shall be in order for the
2374	2364		member who raised the point of order to request a roll call. Such a
2375	2365		request must be seconded by 25 members. If the request for a roll
2376	2366		call is properly seconded, the chair shall order a roll call.
2377	2367		(c) Once a point of order has been made that a quorum is not
2378	2368		present, it may not be withdrawn after the absence of a quorum has
2379	2369		been ascertained and announced.
2380	2370		Sec. 6. MOTIONS IN ORDER WHEN QUORUM NOT PRESENT. If a
2381	2371		registration or record vote reveals that a quorum is not present,
2382	2372		only a motion to adjourn or a motion for a call of the house and the
2383	2373		motions incidental thereto shall be in order.
2384	2374		Sec. 7. MOTION FOR CALL OF THE HOUSE. It shall be in order
2385	2375		to move a call of the house at any time to secure and maintain a
2386	2376		quorum for one of the following purposes:
2387	2377		(1) for the consideration of a specific bill,
2388	2378		resolution, motion, or other measure;
2389	2379		(2) for the consideration of any designated class of
2390	2380		bills; or
2391	2381		(3) for a definite period of time.
2392	2382		Motions for, and incidental to, a call of the house are not
2393	2383		debatable.
2394	2384		Sec. 8. SECURING A QUORUM. When a call of the house is moved
2395	2385		for one of the above purposes and seconded by 15 members (of whom
2396	2386		the speaker may be one) and ordered by a majority vote, the main
2397	2387		entrance to the hall and all other doors leading out of the hall
2398	2388		shall be locked and no member permitted to leave the house without
2399	2389		the written permission of the speaker. The names of members present
2400	2390		shall be recorded. All absentees for whom no sufficient excuse is
2401	2391		made may, by order of a majority of those present, be sent for and
2402	2392		arrested, wherever they may be found, by the sergeant-at-arms or an
2403	2393		officer appointed by the sergeant-at-arms for that purpose, and
2404	2394		their attendance shall be secured and retained. The house shall
2405	2395		determine on what conditions they shall be discharged. Members who
2406	2396		voluntarily appear shall, unless the house otherwise directs, be
2407	2397		immediately admitted to the hall of the house and shall report their
2408	2398		names to the clerk to be entered in the journal as present.
2409	2399		Until a quorum appears, should the roll call fail to show one
2410	2400		present, no business shall be transacted, except to compel the
2411	2401		attendance of absent members or to adjourn. It shall not be in
2412	2402		order to recess under a call of the house.
2413	2403		Sec. 9. FOLLOWING ACHIEVEMENT OF A QUORUM. When a quorum is
2414	2404		shown to be present, the house may proceed with the matters on which
2415	2405		the call was ordered, or may enforce the call and await the
2416	2406		attendance of as many of the absentees as it desires. When the
2417	2407		house proceeds to the business on which the call was ordered, it
2418	2408		may, by a majority vote, direct the sergeant-at-arms to cease
2419	2409		bringing in absent members.
2420	2410		Sec. 10. REPEATING A RECORD VOTE. When a record vote
2421	2411		reveals the lack of a quorum, and a call is ordered to secure one, a
2422	2412		record vote shall again be taken when the house resumes business
2423	2413		with a quorum present.
2424	2414		CHAPTER B. ADMITTANCE TO HOUSE CHAMBER
2425	2415		Sec. 11. PRIVILEGES OF THE HOUSE FLOOR. Only the following
2426	2416		persons shall be entitled to the privileges of the floor of the
2427	2417		house when the house is in session: members of the house; employees
2428	2418		of the house when performing their official duties as determined by
2429	2419		the Committee on House Administration; members of the senate;
2430	2420		employees of the senate when performing their official duties; the
2431	2421		Governor of Texas and the governor's executive and administrative
2432	2422		assistant; the lieutenant governor; the secretary of state; duly
2433	2423		accredited media representatives as permitted by Section 20 of this
2434	2424		rule; contestants in election cases pending before the house; and
2435	2425		immediate families of the members of the legislature on such
2436	2426		special occasions as may be determined by the Committee on House
2437	2427		Administration.
2438	2428		Sec. 12. ADMITTANCE WITHIN THE RAILING. Only the following
2439	2429		persons shall be admitted to the area on the floor of the house
2440	2430		enclosed by the railing when the house is in session: members of the
2441	2431		house; members of the senate; the governor; the lieutenant
2442	2432		governor; officers and employees of the senate and house when those
2443	2433		officers and employees are actually engaged in performing their
2444	2434		official duties as determined by the Committee on House
2445	2435		Administration; spouses of members of the house on such occasions
2446	2436		as may be determined by the Committee on House Administration; and,
2447	2437		within the area specifically designated for media representatives,
2448	2438		duly accredited media representatives as permitted by Section 20
2449	2439		of this rule.
2450	2440		Sec. 13. SOLICITORS AND COLLECTORS PROHIBITED. Solicitors
2451	2441		and collectors shall not be admitted to the floor of the house while
2452	2442		the house is in session.
2453	2443		Sec. 14. INVITATION TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE. A motion to
2454	2444		invite a person to address the house while it is in session shall be
2455	2445		in order only if the person invited is entitled to the privileges of
2456	2446		the floor as defined by Section 11 of this rule and if no business is
2457	2447		pending before the house.
2458	2448		Sec. 15. LOBBYING ON FLOOR. No one, except the governor or
2459	2449		a member of the legislature, who is lobbying or working for or
2460	2450		against any pending or prospective legislative measure shall be
2461	2451		permitted on the floor of the house or in the adjacent rooms while
2462	2452		the house is in session.
2463	2453		Sec. 16. SUSPENSION OF FLOOR PRIVILEGES. If any person
2464	2454		admitted to the floor of the house under the rules, except the
2465	2455		governor or a member of the legislature, lobbies or works for or
2466	2456		against any pending or prospective legislation or violates any of
2467	2457		the other rules of the house, the privileges extended to that person
2468	2458		under the rules shall be suspended by a majority vote of the
2469	2459		Committee on House Administration. The action of the committee
2470	2460		shall be reviewable by the house only if two members of the
2471	2461		committee request an appeal from the decision of the committee. The
2472	2462		request shall be in the form of a minority report and shall be
2473	2463		subject to the same rules that are applicable to minority reports on
2474	2464		bills. Suspension shall remain in force until the accused person
2475	2465		purges himself or herself and comes within the rules, or until the
2476	2466		house, by majority vote, reverses the action of the committee.
2477	2467		Sec. 17. MEMBERS LOUNGE PRIVILEGES. Only the following
2478	2468		persons shall be admitted to the members lounge at any
2479	2469		time: members of the house; members of the senate; and former
2480	2470		members of the house and senate who are not engaged in any form of
2481	2471		employment requiring them to lobby or work for or against any
2482	2472		pending or prospective legislative measures.
2483	2473		Sec. 18. FLOOR DUTIES OF HOUSE OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES. It
2484	2474		shall be the duty of the Committee on House Administration to
2485	2475		determine what duties are to be discharged by officers and
2486	2476		employees of the house on the floor of the house, specifically in
2487	2477		the area enclosed by the railing, when the house is in session. It
2488	2478		shall be the duty of the speaker to see that the officers and
2489	2479		employees do not violate the regulations promulgated by the
2490	2480		Committee on House Administration.
2491	2481		Sec. 19. PROPER DECORUM. No person shall be admitted to,
2492	2482		or allowed to remain in, the house chamber while the house is in
2493	2483		session unless properly attired, and all gentlemen shall wear a
2494	2484		coat and tie. Food or beverage shall not be permitted in the house
2495	2485		chamber at any time, and no person carrying food or beverage shall
2496	2486		be admitted to the chamber, whether the house is in session or in
2497	2487		recess. Reading newspapers shall not be permitted in the house
2498	2488		chamber while the house is in session. Smoking is not permitted in
2499	2489		the member's lounge or bathrooms. The Committee on House
2500	2490		Administration shall designate an area for smoking that is easily
2501	2491		accessible to the house chamber.
2502	2492		Sec. 20. MEDIA ACCESS TO HOUSE CHAMBER. (a) When the house
2503	2493		is in session, no media representative shall be admitted to the
2504	2494		floor of the house or allowed its privileges unless the person is:
2505	2495		(1) employed by a print, broadcast, or Internet news
2506	2496		organization, or by a wire service serving those organizations:
2507	2497		(A) whose principal business is the periodic
2508	2498		dissemination of original news and opinion of interest to a broad
2509	2499		segment of the public;
2510	2500		(B) which has published or operated continuously
2511	2501		for 18 months; and
2512	2502		(C) whose publications or operations are
2513	2503		editorially independent of any institution, foundation, or
2514	2504		interest group that lobbies the government or that is not
2515	2505		principally a general news organization; and
2516	2506		(2) not engaged in any lobbying or paid advocacy,
2517	2507		advertising, publicity, or promotion work for any individual,
2518	2508		political party, corporation, organization, or government agency.
2519	2509		(b) Any media representative seeking admission to the floor
2520	2510		of the house under the provisions of this section must submit to the
2521	2511		Committee on House Administration:
2522	2512		(1) a notarized application in a form determined by
2523	2513		the committee; and
2524	2514		(2) a letter from the media representative's employer
2525	2515		certifying that:
2526	2516		(A) the media representative is engaged
2527	2517		primarily in reporting the sessions of the legislature; and
2528	2518		(B) no part of the media representative's salary
2529	2519		for legislative coverage is paid from a source other than the news
2530	2520		organization that employs the media representative.
2531	2521		(c) Regularly accredited media representatives who have
2532	2522		duly qualified under the provisions of this section may, when
2533	2523		requested to do so, make recommendations through their professional
2534	2524		committees to the Committee on House Administration as to the
2535	2525		sufficiency or insufficiency of the credentials of any person
2536	2526		seeking admission to the floor of the house under this section.
2537	2527		(d) If the Committee on House Administration determines
2538	2528		that a person's media credentials meet the requirements of this
2539	2529		section, the committee shall issue a pass card to the person. The
2540	2530		committee may impose a fee to cover the costs of issuing a pass
2541	2531		card. This pass card must be presented to the doorkeeper each time
2542	2532		the person seeks admission to the floor of the house while the house
2543	2533		is in session. Pass cards issued under this section shall not be
2544	2534		transferable. The failure of a media representative to maintain the
2545	2535		requirements of this section may result in the revocation of the
2546	2536		pass card. Persons admitted to the floor of the house pursuant to
2547	2537		the provisions of this section shall work in appropriate convenient
2548	2538		seats or work stations in the house, which shall be designated for
2549	2539		that purpose by the Committee on House Administration.
2550	2540		(e) Members of the house shall not engage in interviews and
2551	2541		press conferences on the house floor while the house is in session.
2552	2542		The Committee on House Administration is authorized to enforce this
2553	2543		provision and to prescribe such other regulations as may be
2554	2544		necessary and desirable to achieve these purposes.
2555	2545		(f) Permission to make live or recorded television, radio,
2556	2546		or Internet broadcasts in or from the house chamber while the house
2557	2547		is in session may be granted only by the Committee on House
2558	2548		Administration. The committee shall promulgate regulations
2559	2549		governing television, radio, or Internet broadcasts, and such
2560	2550		regulations shall be printed as an addendum to the rules of the
2561	2551		house. When broadcasts from the floor of the house are recommended
2562	2552		by the Committee on House Administration, the recommendation shall
2563	2553		identify those persons in the technical crews to whom pass cards to
2564	2554		the floor of the house and galleries are to be issued. Passes
2565	2555		granted under this authority shall be subject to revocation on the
2566	2556		recommendation of the Committee on House Administration. Each
2567	2557		committee of the house shall have authority to determine whether or
2568	2558		not to permit television, radio, or Internet broadcasts of any of
2569	2559		its proceedings.
2570	2560		(g) A member of the house who believes a media
2571	2561		representative granted privileges under this section does not meet
2572	2562		the requirements of this section or has abused the privileges may
2573	2563		submit a written complaint to the Committee on House
2574	2564		Administration. The committee shall investigate the complaint and
2575	2565		may temporarily suspend the media representative's privileges
2576	2566		pending the investigation. The committee shall notify the subject
2577	2567		of the complaint of the time and place of a hearing on the
2578	2568		complaint. Following the hearing, the media representative's
2579	2569		privileges granted under this section are revoked if the committee
2580	2570		determines that the allegations contained in the complaint are
2581	2571		valid.
2582	2572		Sec. 21. PUBLIC ADMISSION TO AND NONLEGISLATIVE USE OF THE
2583	2573		HOUSE CHAMBER. When the house is not in session, the floor of the
2584	2574		house shall remain open on days and hours determined by the
2585	2575		Committee on House Administration. By resolution, the house may
2586	2576		open the floor of the house during its sessions for the inauguration
2587	2577		of the governor and lieutenant governor and for such other public
2588	2578		ceremonies as may be deemed warranted.
2589	2579		CHAPTER C. SPEAKING AND DEBATE
2590	2580		Sec. 22. ADDRESSING THE HOUSE. When a member desires to
2591	2581		speak or deliver any matter to the house, the member shall rise and
2592	2582		respectfully address the speaker as "Mr. (or Madam) Speaker" and,
2593	2583		on being recognized, may address the house from the microphone at
2594	2584		the reading clerk's desk, and shall confine all remarks to the
2595	2585		question under debate, avoiding personalities.
2596	2586		Sec. 23. WHEN TWO MEMBERS RISE AT ONCE. When two or more
2597	2587		members rise at once, the speaker shall name the one who is to speak
2598	2588		first. This decision shall be final and not open to debate or
2599	2589		appeal.
2600	2590		Sec. 24. RECOGNITION. (a) Except as otherwise provided
2601	2591		by this section, there shall be no appeal from the speaker's
2602	2592		recognition, but the speaker shall be governed by rules and usage in
2603	2593		priority of entertaining motions from the floor. When a member
2604	2594		seeks recognition, the speaker may ask, "For what purpose does the
2605	2595		member rise?" or "For what purpose does the member seek
2606	2596		recognition?" and may then decide if recognition is to be granted,
2607	2597		except that the speaker shall recognize a member who seeks
2608	2598		recognition on a question of privilege.
2609	2599		(b) If the speaker denies recognition of a member who seeks
2610	2600		recognition on a question of privilege, other than a question of
2611	2601		privilege relating to the right of the house to remove the speaker
2612	2602		and elect a new speaker, the decision of recognition may be appealed
2613	2603		using the procedures provided in Rule 1, Section 9.
2614	2604		(c) If the speaker denies recognition of a member who seeks
2615	2605		recognition on a question of privilege relating to the right of the
2616	2606		house to remove the speaker and elect a new speaker, the member may
2617	2607		appeal the speaker's denial of recognition if the member submits to
2618	2608		the speaker a written request, signed by at least 76 members of the
2619	2609		house, to appeal the decision of recognition. Upon receiving a
2620	2610		request for appeal in accordance with this subsection, the speaker
2621	2611		shall announce the request to the house. The names of the members
2622	2612		who signed the request and the time that the announcement was made
2623	2613		shall be entered in the journal. The appeal of a decision of
2624	2614		recognition under this subsection is eligible for consideration 24
2625	2615		hours after the request for appeal has been announced in accordance
2626	2616		with this subsection. The appeal and consideration of the question
2627	2617		of privilege, if the appeal is successful, takes precedence over
2628	2618		all other questions except motions to adjourn.
2629	2619		Sec. 25. INTERRUPTION OF A MEMBER WHO HAS THE FLOOR. A
2630	2620		member who has the floor shall not be interrupted by another member
2631	2621		for any purpose, unless he or she consents to yield to the other
2632	2622		member. A member desiring to interrupt another in debate should
2633	2623		first address the speaker for the permission of the member
2634	2624		speaking. The speaker shall then ask the member who has the floor
2635	2625		if he or she wishes to yield, and then announce the decision of that
2636	2626		member. The member who has the floor may exercise personal
2637	2627		discretion as to whether or not to yield, and it is entirely within
2638	2628		the member's discretion to determine who shall interrupt and when.
2639	2629		Sec. 26. YIELDING THE FLOOR. A member who obtains the
2640	2630		floor on recognition of the speaker may not be taken off the floor
2641	2631		by a motion, even the highly privileged motion to adjourn, but if
2642	2632		the member yields to another to make a motion or to offer an
2643	2633		amendment, he or she thereby loses the floor.
2644	2634		Sec. 27. RIGHT TO OPEN AND CLOSE DEBATE. The mover of any
2645	2635		proposition, or the member reporting any measure from a committee,
2646	2636		or, in the absence of either of them, any other member designated by
2647	2637		such absentee, shall have the right to open and close the debate,
2648	2638		and for this purpose may speak each time not more than 20 minutes.
2649	2639		Sec. 28. TIME LIMITS ON SPEECHES. All speeches shall be
2650	2640		limited to 10 minutes in duration, except as provided in Section 27
2651	2641		of this rule, and the speaker shall call the members to order at the
2652	2642		expiration of their time. If the house by a majority vote extends
2653	2643		the time of any member, the extension shall be for 10 minutes only.
2654	2644		A second extension of time shall be granted only by unanimous
2655	2645		consent. During the last 10 calendar days of the regular session,
2656	2646		and the last 5 calendar days of a special session, Sundays excepted,
2657	2647		all speeches shall be limited to 10 minutes and shall not be
2658	2648		extended. The time limits established by this rule shall include
2659	2649		time consumed in yielding to questions from the floor.
2660	2650		Sec. 29. LIMIT ON NUMBER OF TIMES TO SPEAK. No member shall
2661	2651		speak more than twice on the same question without leave of the
2662	2652		house, nor more than once until every member choosing to speak has
2663	2653		spoken, nor shall any member be permitted to consume the time of
2664	2654		another member without leave of the house being given by a majority
2665	2655		vote.
2666	2656		Sec. 30. EFFECT OF ADJOURNMENT ON SPEAKING LIMIT. If a
2667	2657		pending question is not disposed of because of an adjournment of the
2668	2658		house, a member who has spoken twice on the subject shall not be
2669	2659		allowed to speak again without leave of the house.
2670	2660		Sec. 31. OBJECTION TO READING A PAPER. When the reading of
2671	2661		a paper is called for, and objection is made, the matter shall be
2672	2662		determined by a majority vote of the house, without debate.
2673	2663		Sec. 32. PASSING BETWEEN MICROPHONES DURING DEBATE. No
2674	2664		person shall pass between the front and back microphones during
2675	2665		debate or when a member has the floor and is addressing the house.
2676	2666		Sec. 33. TRANSGRESSION OF RULES WHILE SPEAKING. If any
2677	2667		member, in speaking or otherwise, transgresses the rules of the
2678	2668		house, the speaker shall, or any member may, call the member to
2679	2669		order, in which case the member so called to order shall immediately
2680	2670		be seated; however, that member may move for an appeal to the house,
2681	2671		and if appeal is duly seconded by 10 members, the matter shall be
2682	2672		submitted to the house for decision by majority vote. In such
2683	2673		cases, the speaker shall not be required to relinquish the chair, as
2684	2674		is required in cases of appeals from the speaker's decisions. The
2685	2675		house shall, if appealed to, decide the matter without debate. If
2686	2676		the decision is in favor of the member called to order, the member
2687	2677		shall be at liberty to proceed; but if the decision is against the
2688	2678		member, he or she shall not be allowed to proceed, and, if the case
2689	2679		requires it, shall be liable to the censure of the house, or such
2690	2680		other punishment as the house may consider proper.
2691	2681		Sec. 34. ELECTRONIC RECORDING OF ALL HOUSE PROCEEDINGS. (a)
2692	2682		All proceedings of the house of representatives shall be
2693	2683		electronically recorded under the direction of the Committee on
2694	2684		House Administration. Copies of the proceedings may be released
2695	2685		under guidelines promulgated by the Committee on House
2696	2686		Administration.
2697	2687		(b) Archived video broadcasts of proceedings in the house
2698	2688		chamber that are available through the house's Internet or intranet
2699	2689		website may, under the direction of the Committee on House
2700	2690		Administration, include a link to the point in time in the video
2701	2691		where each measure under consideration by the house is laid out.
2702	2692		Such a link shall be provided as soon as the committee determines is
2703	2693		practical.
2704	2694		CHAPTER D. QUESTIONS OF PRIVILEGE
2705	2695		Sec. 35. QUESTIONS OF PRIVILEGE DEFINED. Questions of
2706	2696		privilege shall be:
2707	2697		(1) those affecting the rights of the house
2708	2698		collectively, its safety and dignity, and the integrity of its
2709	2699		proceedings, including the right of the house to remove the speaker
2710	2700		and elect a new speaker; and
2711	2701		(2) those affecting the rights, reputation, and
2712	2702		conduct of members individually in their representative capacity
2713	2703		only.
2714	2704		Sec. 36. PRECEDENCE OF QUESTIONS OF PRIVILEGE. Questions
2715	2705		of privilege shall have precedence over all other questions except
2716	2706		motions to adjourn. When in order, a member may address the house
2717	2707		on a question of privilege, or may at any time print it in the
2718	2708		journal, provided it contains no reflection on any member of the
2719	2709		house.
2720	2710		Sec. 37. WHEN QUESTIONS OF PRIVILEGE NOT IN ORDER. (a) It
2721	2711		shall not be in order for a member to address the house on a question
2722	2712		of privilege:
2723	2713		(1) between the time an undebatable motion is offered
2724	2714		and the vote is taken on the motion;
2725	2715		(2) between the time the previous question is ordered
2726	2716		and the vote is taken on the last proposition included under the
2727	2717		previous question; or
2728	2718		(3) between the time a motion to table is offered and
2729	2719		the vote is taken on the motion.
2730	2720		(b) If a question of privilege relating to removal of the
2731	2721		speaker and election of a new speaker fails, a subsequent attempt to
2732	2722		remove the same speaker can be made only by reconsidering the vote
2733	2723		by which the original question of privilege failed. Such
2734	2724		reconsideration shall be subject to the rules of the house
2735	2725		governing reconsideration.
2736	2726		Sec. 38. CONFINING REMARKS TO QUESTION OF PRIVILEGE;
2737	2727		INTERRUPTIONS PROHIBITED. (a) When speaking on privilege,
2738	2728		members must confine their remarks within the limits of Section 35
2739	2729		of this rule, which will be strictly construed to achieve the
2740	2730		purposes hereof.
2741	2731		(b) When a member is speaking on privilege, the member shall
2742	2732		not be interrupted by another member for any purpose. While the
2743	2733		member is speaking, another member may submit a question of order to
2744	2734		the speaker in writing or by approaching the podium in person. The
2745	2735		member submitting the question of order shall not interrupt the
2746	2736		member who is speaking. The speaker may interrupt the member who is
2747	2737		speaking if the speaker determines it is appropriate to address the
2748	2738		question of order at that time.
2749	2739		Sec. 39. DISCUSSION OF MERITS OF MOTION FORBIDDEN. Merits
2750	2740		of a main or subsidiary motion shall not be discussed or debated
2751	2741		under the guise of speaking to a question of privilege.
2752	2742		CHAPTER E. VOTING
2753	2743		Sec. 40. RECORDING ALL VOTES ON VOTING MACHINE. On all
2754	2744		votes, except viva voce votes, members shall record their votes on
2755	2745		the voting machine and shall not be recognized by the chair to cast
2756	2746		their votes from the floor. If a member attempts to vote from the
2757	2747		floor, the speaker shall sustain a point of order directed against
2758	2748		the member's so doing. This rule shall not be applicable to the
2759	2749		mover or the principal opponent of the proposition being voted on
2760	2750		nor to a member whose voting machine is out of order. If a member
2761	2751		demands strict enforcement of this section, Section 47 shall not
2762	2752		apply to the taking of a vote, and the house may discipline a member
2763	2753		in violation of this rule pursuant to its inherent authority.
2764	2754		Sec. 41. REGISTRATION EQUIVALENT TO ROLL CALL VOTE. A
2765	2755		registration or vote taken on the voting machine of the house shall
2766	2756		in all instances be considered the equivalent of a roll call or yea
2767	2757		and nay vote, which might be had for the same purpose.
2768	2758		Sec. 42. DISCLOSURE OF PERSONAL OR PRIVATE INTEREST. Any
2769	2759		member who has a personal or private interest in any measure or bill
2770	2760		proposed or pending before the house shall disclose the fact and not
2771	2761		vote thereon.
2772	2762		Sec. 43. DIVIDING THE QUESTION. By a majority vote of the
2773	2763		house, a quorum being present, the question shall be divided, if it
2774	2764		includes propositions so distinct in substance that, one being
2775	2765		taken away, a substantive proposition remains. A motion for a
2776	2766		division vote cannot be made after the previous question has been
2777	2767		ordered, after a motion to table has been offered, after the
2778	2768		question has been put, nor after the yeas and nays have been
2779	2769		ordered. Under this subsection, the speaker may divide the
2780	2770		question into groups of propositions that are closely related.
2781	2771		Sec. 44. FAILURE OR REFUSAL TO VOTE. Any member who is
2782	2772		present and fails or refuses to vote after being requested to do so
2783	2773		by the speaker shall be recorded as present but not voting, and
2784	2774		shall be counted for the purpose of making a quorum.
2785	2775		Sec. 45. PRESENCE IN HOUSE REQUIRED IN ORDER TO VOTE. A
2786	2776		member must be on the floor of the house or in an adjacent room or
2787	2777		hallway on the same level as the house floor, in order to vote.
2788	2778		Sec. 46. LOCKING VOTING MACHINES OF ABSENT MEMBERS. During
2789	2779		each calendar day in which the house is in session, it shall be the
2790	2780		duty of the journal clerk to lock the voting machine of each member
2791	2781		who is excused or who is otherwise known to be absent. Each such
2792	2782		machine shall remain locked until the member in person contacts the
2793	2783		journal clerk and personally requests the unlocking of the machine.
2794	2784		Unless otherwise directed by the speaker, the journal clerk shall
2795	2785		not unlock any machine except at the personal request of the member
2796	2786		to whom the machine is assigned. Any violation, or any attempt by a
2797	2787		member or employee to circumvent the letter or spirit of this
2798	2788		section, shall be reported immediately to the speaker for such
2799	2789		disciplinary action by the speaker, or by the house, as may be
2800	2790		warranted under the circumstances.
2801	2791		Sec. 47. VOTING FOR ANOTHER MEMBER. Any member found
2802	2792		guilty by the house of knowingly voting for another member on the
2803	2793		voting machine without that other member's permission shall be
2804	2794		subject to discipline deemed appropriate by the house.
2805	2795		Sec. 48. INTERRUPTION OF A ROLL CALL. Once a roll call has
2806	2796		begun, it may not be interrupted for any reason. While a yea and nay
2807	2797		vote is being taken, or the vote is being counted, no member shall
2808	2798		visit the reading clerk's desk or the voting clerk's desk.
2809	2799		Sec. 49. EXPLANATION OF VOTE. (a) No member shall be
2810	2800		allowed to interrupt the vote or to make any explanation of a vote
2811	2801		that the member is about to give after the voting machine has been
2812	2802		opened, but may record in the journal the reasons for giving such a
2813	2803		vote.
2814	2804		(b) A "Reason for Vote" must be in writing and filed with the
2815	2805		journal clerk. If timely received, the "Reason for Vote" shall be
2816	2806		printed immediately following the results of the vote in the
2817	2807		journal. Otherwise, "Reasons for Vote" shall be printed in a
2818	2808		separate section at the end of the journal for the day on which the
2819	2809		reasons were recorded with the journal clerk. Such "Reason for
2820	2810		Vote" shall not deal in personalities or contain any personal
2821	2811		reflection on any member of the legislature, the speaker, the
2822	2812		lieutenant governor, or the governor, and shall not in any other
2823	2813		manner transgress the rules of the house relating to decorum and
2824	2814		debate.
2825	2815		(c) A member absent when a vote was taken may file with the
2826	2816		journal clerk while the house is in session a statement of how the
2827	2817		member would have voted if present. If timely received, the
2828	2818		statement shall be printed immediately following the results of the
2829	2819		vote in the journal. Otherwise, statements shall be printed in a
2830	2820		separate section at the end of the journal for the day on which the
2831	2821		statements were recorded with the journal clerk.
2832	2822		Sec. 50. PAIRS. (a) All pairs must be announced before the
2833	2823		vote is declared by the speaker, and a written statement sent to the
2834	2824		journal clerk. The statement must be signed by the absent member to
2835	2825		the pair, or the member's signature must have been authorized in
2836	2826		writing or by telephone, and satisfactory evidence presented to the
2837	2827		speaker if deemed necessary. If authorized in writing, the writing
2838	2828		shall be delivered to the chief clerk by personal delivery or by
2839	2829		commercially acceptable means of delivery, including electronic
2840	2830		transmission by PDF or similar secure format that is capable of
2841	2831		transmitting an accurate image of the member's signature. If
2842	2832		authorized by telephone, the call must be to and confirmed by the
2843	2833		chief clerk in advance of the vote to which it applies. Pairs shall
2844	2834		be entered in the journal, and the member present shall be counted
2845	2835		to make a quorum.
2846	2836		(b) The speaker may not refuse to recognize a pair that
2847	2837		complies with the requirements of Subsection (a), if both members
2848	2838		consent to the pair.
2849	2839		Sec. 51. ENTRY OF YEA AND NAY VOTE IN JOURNAL. (a) At the
2850	2840		desire of any member present, the yeas and nays of the members of
2851	2841		the house on any question shall be taken and entered in the journal.
2852	2842		No member or members shall be allowed to call for a yea and nay vote
2853	2843		after a vote has been declared by the speaker.
2854	2844		(b) A motion to expunge a yea and nay vote from the journal
2855	2845		shall not be in order.
2856	2846		(c) The yeas and nays of the members of the house on final
2857	2847		passage of any bill, and on any joint resolution proposing or
2858	2848		ratifying a constitutional amendment, shall be taken and entered in
2859	2849		the journal. For purposes of this subsection, a vote on final
2860	2850		passage means a vote on:
2861	2851		(1) third reading;
2862	2852		(2) second reading if the house suspends or otherwise
2863	2853		dispenses with the requirement for three readings;
2864	2854		(3) whether to concur in the senate's amendments; or
2865	2855		(4) whether to adopt a conference committee report.
2866	2856		Sec. 51A. REAL-TIME ACCESS BY PUBLIC TO YEAS AND NAYS. The
2867	2857		Committee on House Administration shall ensure that:
2868	2858		(1) the recorded yeas and nays are available to the
2869	2859		public on the Internet and on any televised broadcast of the house
2870	2860		proceedings produced by or under the direction of the house; and
2871	2861		(2) members of the public may view the yeas and nays in
2872	2862		real time to the extent possible on the Internet and on any
2873	2863		televised broadcast of the house proceedings produced by or under
2874	2864		the direction of the house.
2875	2865		Sec. 52. JOURNAL RECORDING OF VOTES ON ANY QUESTION. On
2876	2866		any question where a record of the yeas and nays has not been
2877	2867		ordered, members may have their votes recorded in the journal as
2878	2868		"yea" or "nay" by filing such information with the journal clerk
2879	2869		before adjournment or recess to another calendar day.
2880	2870		Sec. 53. CHANGING A VOTE. Before the result of a vote has
2881	2871		been finally and conclusively pronounced by the chair, but not
2882	2872		thereafter, a member may change his or her vote; however, if a
2883	2873		member's vote is erroneous, the member shall be allowed to change
2884	2874		that vote at a later time provided:
2885	2875		(1) the result of the record vote is not changed
2886	2876		thereby;
2887	2877		(2) the request is made known to the house by the chair
2888	2878		and permission for the change is granted by unanimous consent; and
2889	2879		(3) a notation is made in the journal that the member's
2890	2880		vote was changed.
2891	2881		Sec. 54. TIE VOTE. All matters on which a vote may be taken
2892	2882		by the house shall require for adoption a favorable affirmative
2893	2883		vote as required by these rules, and in the case of a tie vote, the
2894	2884		matter shall be considered lost.
2895	2885		Sec. 55. VERIFICATION OF A YEA AND NAY VOTE. When the
2896	2886		result of a yea and nay vote is close, the speaker may on the request
2897	2887		of any member order a verification vote, or the speaker may order a
2898	2888		verification on his or her own initiative. During verification, no
2899	2889		member shall change a vote unless it was erroneously recorded, nor
2900	2890		may any member not having voted cast a vote; however, when the clerk
2901	2891		errs in reporting the yeas and nays, and correction thereof leaves
2902	2892		decisive effect to the speaker's vote, the speaker may exercise the
2903	2893		right to vote, even though the result has been announced. A
2904	2894		verification shall be called for immediately after the vote is
2905	2895		announced. The speaker shall not entertain a request for
2906	2896		verification after the house has proceeded to the next question, or
2907	2897		after a recess or an adjournment. A vote to recess or adjourn, like
2908	2898		any other proposition, may be verified. Only one vote verification
2909	2899		can be pending at a time. A verification may be dispensed with by a
2910	2900		two-thirds vote.
2911	2901		Sec. 56. VERIFICATION OF A REGISTRATION. The speaker may
2912	2902		allow the verification of a registration (as differentiated from a
2913	2903		record vote) if in the speaker's opinion there is serious doubt as
2914	2904		to the presence of a quorum.
2915	2905		Sec. 57. MOTION FOR A CALL OF THE HOUSE PENDING
2916	2906		VERIFICATION. A motion for a call of the house, and all incidental
2917	2907		motions relating to it, shall be in order pending the verification
2918	2908		of a vote. These motions must be made before the roll call on
2919	2909		verification begins, and it shall not be in order to break into the
2920	2910		roll call to make them.
2921	2911		Sec. 58. ERRONEOUS ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE RESULT OF A
2922	2912		VOTE. If, by an error of the voting clerk or reading clerk in
2923	2913		reporting the yeas and nays from a registration or verification,
2924	2914		the speaker announces a result different from that shown by the
2925	2915		registration or verification, the status of the question shall be
2926	2916		determined by the vote as actually recorded. If the vote is
2927	2917		erroneously announced in such a way as to change the true result,
2928	2918		all subsequent proceedings in connection therewith shall fail, and
2929	2919		the journal shall be amended accordingly.
2930	2920		RULE 6. ORDER OF BUSINESS AND CALENDARS
2931	2921		Sec. 1. DAILY ORDER OF BUSINESS. (a) When the house
2932	2922		convenes on a new legislative day, the daily order of business shall
2933	2923		be as follows:
2934	2924		(1) Call to order by speaker.
2935	2925		(2) Registration of members.
2936	2926		(3) Prayer by chaplain, unless the invocation has been
2937	2927		given previously on the particular calendar day.
2938	2928		(4) Pledge of allegiance to the United States flag.
2939	2929		(5) Pledge of allegiance to the Texas flag.
2940	2930		(6) Excuses for absence of members and officers.
2941	2931		(7) First reading and reference to committee of bills
2942	2932		filed with the chief clerk; and motions to introduce bills, when
2943	2933		such motions are required.
2944	2934		(8) Requests to print bills and other papers; requests
2945	2935		of committees for further time to consider papers referred to them;
2946	2936		and all other routine motions and business not otherwise provided
2947	2937		for, all of which shall be undebatable except that the mover and one
2948	2938		opponent of the motion shall be allowed three minutes each.
2949	2939		The mover of a routine motion shall be allowed his or her
2950	2940		choice of making the opening or the closing speech under this rule.
2951	2941		If the house, under a suspension of the rules, extends the time of a
2952	2942		member under this rule, such extensions shall be for three minutes.
2953	2943		Subsidiary motions that are applicable to routine motions shall be
2954	2944		in order, but the makers of such subsidiary motions shall not be
2955	2945		entitled to speak thereon in the routine motion period, nor shall
2956	2946		the authors of the original routine motions be allowed any
2957	2947		additional time because of subsidiary motions.
2958	2948		(9) Unfinished business.
2959	2949		(10) Third reading calendars of the house in their
2960	2950		order of priority in accordance with Section 7 of this rule, unless
2961	2951		a different order is determined under other provisions of these
2962	2952		rules.
2963	2953		(11) Postponed matters to be laid before the house in
2964	2954		accordance with Rule 7, Section 15.
2965	2955		(12) Second reading calendars of the house in their
2966	2956		order of priority in accordance with Section 7 of this rule, unless
2967	2957		a different order is determined under other provisions of these
2968	2958		rules.
2969	2959		(b) When the house reconvenes for the first time on a new
2970	2960		calendar day following a recess, the daily order of business shall
2971	2961		be:
2972	2962		(1) Call to order by the speaker.
2973	2963		(2) Registration of members.
2974	2964		(3) Prayer by the chaplain.
2975	2965		(4) Pledge of allegiance to the United States flag.
2976	2966		(5) Pledge of allegiance to the Texas flag.
2977	2967		(6) Excuses for absence of members and officers.
2978	2968		(7) Pending business.
2979	2969		(8) Calendars of the house in their order of priority
2980	2970		in accordance with Section 7 of this rule, unless a different order
2981	2971		is determined under other provisions of these rules.
2982	2972		Sec. 2. SPECIAL ORDERS. (a) Any bill, resolution, or
2983	2973		other measure may on any day be made a special order for the same day
2984	2974		or for a future day of the session by an affirmative vote of
2985	2975		two-thirds of the members present. A motion to set a special order
2986	2976		shall be subject to the three-minute pro and con debate rule. When
2987	2977		once established as a special order, a bill, resolution, or other
2988	2978		measure shall be considered from day to day until disposed of; and
2989	2979		until it has been disposed of, no further special orders shall be
2990	2980		made.
2991	2981		A three-fourths vote of the members present shall be required
2992	2982		to suspend the portion of this rule which specifies that only one
2993	2983		special order may be made and pending at a time.
2994	2984		(b) After the first eight items under the daily order of
2995	2985		business for a legislative day have been passed, a special order
2996	2986		shall have precedence when the hour for its consideration has
2997	2987		arrived, except as provided in Section 9 of this rule.
2998	2988		(c) After the 115th day of a regular session, if a joint
2999	2989		resolution has appeared on a daily house calendar and is adopted,
3000	2990		and a bill that is enabling legislation for the joint resolution is
3001	2991		either on or eligible to be placed on a calendar, the author or
3002	2992		sponsor of the bill or another member may immediately be recognized
3003	2993		for a motion to set the bill that is the enabling legislation as a
3004	2994		special order pursuant to this section. For purposes of this
3005	2995		subsection, the bill must have been designated as the enabling
3006	2996		legislation for the joint resolution in writing filed with the
3007	2997		chief clerk not later than the date the committee report for the
3008	2998		enabling legislation is printed and distributed.
3009	2999		Sec. 3. POSTPONEMENT OF A SPECIAL ORDER. A special order
3010	3000		may be postponed to a day certain by a two-thirds vote of those
3011	3001		present, and when so postponed, shall be considered as disposed of
3012	3002		so far as its place as a special order is concerned.
3013	3003		Sec. 4. TABLED MEASURES AS SPECIAL ORDERS. A bill or
3014	3004		resolution laid on the table subject to call may be made a special
3015	3005		order.
3016	3006		Sec. 5. SUBSTITUTION IN MOTION FOR A SPECIAL ORDER. When a
3017	3007		motion is pending to set a particular bill or resolution as a
3018	3008		special order, it shall not be in order to move as a substitute to
3019	3009		set another bill or resolution as a special order. It shall be in
3020	3010		order, however, to substitute, by majority vote, a different time
3021	3011		for the special order consideration than that given in the original
3022	3012		motion.
3023	3013		Sec. 6. MEMBER'S SUSPENSION AND SPECIAL ORDER PRIVILEGES.
3024	3014		If a member moves to set a bill or joint resolution as a special
3025	3015		order, or moves to suspend the rules to take up a bill or joint
3026	3016		resolution out of its regular order, and the motion prevails, the
3027	3017		member shall not have the right to make either of these motions
3028	3018		again until every other member has had an opportunity, via either of
3029	3019		these motions, to have some bill or joint resolution considered out
3030	3020		of its regular order during that session of the legislature. A
3031	3021		member shall not lose the suspension privilege if the motion to
3032	3022		suspend or set for special order does not prevail.
3033	3023		Sec. 7. SYSTEM OF CALENDARS. (a) Legislative business of
3034	3024		the house shall be controlled by a system of calendars, consisting
3035	3025		of the following:
3036	3026		(1) EMERGENCY CALENDAR, on which shall appear bills
3037	3027		considered to be of such pressing and imperative import as to demand
3038	3028		immediate action, bills to raise revenue and levy taxes, and the
3039	3029		general appropriations bill. A bill submitted as an emergency
3040	3030		matter by the governor may also be placed on this calendar.
3041	3031		(2) MAJOR STATE CALENDAR, on which shall appear bills
3042	3032		of statewide effect, not emergency in nature, which establish or
3043	3033		change state policy in a major field of governmental activity and
3044	3034		which will have a major impact in application throughout the state
3045	3035		without regard to class, area, or other limiting factors.
3046	3036		(3) CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS CALENDAR, on which
3047	3037		shall appear joint resolutions proposing amendments to the Texas
3048	3038		Constitution, joint resolutions proposing the ratification of
3049	3039		amendments to the Constitution of the United States, and joint
3050	3040		resolutions applying to Congress for a convention to amend the
3051	3041		Constitution of the United States.
3052	3042		(4) GENERAL STATE CALENDAR, on which shall appear
3053	3043		bills of statewide effect, not emergency in nature, which establish
3054	3044		or change state law and which have application to all areas but are
3055	3045		limited in legal effect by classification or other factors which
3056	3046		minimize the impact to something less than major state policy, and
3057	3047		bills, not emergency in nature, which are not on the local, consent,
3058	3048		and resolutions calendar.
3059	3049		(5) LOCAL, CONSENT, AND RESOLUTIONS CALENDAR, on which
3060	3050		shall appear bills, house resolutions, and concurrent resolutions,
3061	3051		not emergency in nature, regardless of extent and scope, on which
3062	3052		there is such general agreement as to render improbable any
3063	3053		opposition to the consideration and passage thereof, and which have
3064	3054		been recommended by the appropriate standing committee for
3065	3055		placement on the local, consent, and resolutions calendar by the
3066	3056		Committee on Local and Consent Calendars.
3067	3057		(6) RESOLUTIONS CALENDAR, on which shall appear house
3068	3058		resolutions and concurrent resolutions, not emergency in nature and
3069	3059		not privileged.
3070	3060		(7) CONGRATULATORY AND MEMORIAL RESOLUTIONS CALENDAR,
3071	3061		on which shall appear congratulatory and memorial resolutions whose
3072	3062		sole intent is to congratulate, memorialize, or otherwise express
3073	3063		concern or commendation. The Committee on Rules and Resolutions
3074	3064		may provide separate categories for congratulatory and memorial
3075	3065		resolutions.
3076	3066		(b) A calendars committee shall strictly construe and the
3077	3067		speaker shall strictly enforce this system of calendars.
3078	3068		Sec. 8. SENATE BILL CALENDARS. (a) Senate bills and
3079	3069		resolutions pending in the house shall follow the same procedure
3080	3070		with regard to calendars as house bills and resolutions, but
3081	3071		separate calendars shall be maintained for senate bills and
3082	3072		resolutions, and consideration of them on senate bill days shall
3083	3073		have priority in the manner and order specified in this rule.
3084	3074		(b) No other business shall be considered on days devoted to
3085	3075		the consideration of senate bills when there remain any bills on any
3086	3076		of the senate calendars, except with the consent of the senate. When
3087	3077		all senate calendars are clear, the house may proceed to
3088	3078		consideration of house calendars on senate bill days.
3089	3079		Sec. 9. SENATE BILL DAYS. (a) On calendar Wednesday and
3090	3080		on calendar Thursday of each week, only senate bills and senate
3091	3081		resolutions shall be taken up and considered, until disposed of.
3092	3082		Senate bills and senate resolutions shall be considered in the
3093	3083		order prescribed in Section 7 of this rule on separate senate
3094	3084		calendars prepared by the Committee on Calendars. In case a senate
3095	3085		bill or senate resolution is pending at adjournment on calendar
3096	3086		Thursday, it shall go over to the succeeding calendar Wednesday as
3097	3087		unfinished business.
3098	3088		(b) Precedence given in Rule 8 to certain classes of bills
3099	3089		during the first 60 calendar days of a regular session shall also
3100	3090		apply to senate bills on senate bill days.
3101	3091		Sec. 10. CONSIDERATION OF SENATE BILL ON SAME
3102	3092		SUBJECT. When any house bill is reached on the calendar or is
3103	3093		before the house for consideration, it shall be the duty of the
3104	3094		speaker to give the place on the calendar of the house bill to any
3105	3095		senate bill containing the same subject that has been referred to
3106	3096		and reported from a committee of the house and to lay the senate
3107	3097		bill before the house, to be considered in lieu of the house bill.
3108	3098		Sec. 11. PERIODS FOR CONSIDERATION OF CONGRATULATORY AND
3109	3099		MEMORIAL CALENDARS. As the volume of legislation shall warrant,
3110	3100		the chair of the Committee on Rules and Resolutions shall move to
3111	3101		designate periods for the consideration of congratulatory and
3112	3102		memorial calendars. Each such motion shall require a two-thirds
3113	3103		vote for its adoption. In each instance, the Committee on Rules and
3114	3104		Resolutions shall prepare and post on the electronic legislative
3115	3105		information system a calendar at least 24 hours in advance of the
3116	3106		hour set for consideration. No memorial or congratulatory
3117	3107		resolution will be heard by the full house without having first been
3118	3108		approved, at least 24 hours in advance, by a majority of the
3119	3109		membership of the Committee on Rules and Resolutions, in accordance
3120	3110		with Rule 4, Section 16. It shall not be necessary for the
3121	3111		Committee on Rules and Resolutions to report a memorial or
3122	3112		congratulatory resolution from committee in order to place the
3123	3113		resolution on a congratulatory and memorial calendar. If the
3124	3114		Committee on Rules and Resolutions determines that a resolution is
3125	3115		not eligible for placement on the congratulatory and memorial
3126	3116		calendar the measure shall be sent to the Committee on Calendars for
3127	3117		further action. A congratulatory and memorial calendar will
3128	3118		contain the resolution number, the author's name, and a brief
3129	3119		description of the intent of the resolution. On the congratulatory
3130	3120		and memorial calendar, congratulatory resolutions may be listed
3131	3121		separately from memorial resolutions. Once a calendar is posted,
3132	3122		no additional resolutions will be added to it, and the requirements
3133	3123		of this section shall not be subject to suspension.
3134	3124		Sec. 12. PROCEDURE FOR CONSIDERATION OF CONGRATULATORY AND
3135	3125		MEMORIAL CALENDARS. During the consideration of a congratulatory
3136	3126		and memorial calendar, resolutions shall not be read in full unless
3137	3127		they pertain to members or former members of the legislature, or
3138	3128		unless the intended recipient of the resolution is present on the
3139	3129		house floor or in the gallery. All other such resolutions shall be
3140	3130		read only by number, type of resolution, and name of the person or
3141	3131		persons designated in the resolutions. Members shall notify the
3142	3132		chair, in advance of consideration of the calendar, of any
3143	3133		resolutions that will be required to be read in full. In addition,
3144	3134		the following procedures shall be observed:
3145	3135		(1) The chair shall recognize the reading clerk to
3146	3136		read the resolutions within each category on the calendar only by
3147	3137		number, type of resolution, author or sponsor, and name of the
3148	3138		person or persons designated in the resolutions, except for those
3149	3139		resolutions that have been withdrawn or that are required to be read
3150	3140		in full. The resolutions read by the clerk shall then be adopted in
3151	3141		one motion for each category.
3152	3142		(2) Subsequent to the adoption of the resolutions read
3153	3143		by the clerk, the chair shall proceed to lay before the house the
3154	3144		resolutions on the calendar that are required to be read in full.
3155	3145		Each such resolution shall be read and adopted individually.
3156	3146		(3) If it develops that any resolution on the
3157	3147		congratulatory and memorial calendar does not belong on that
3158	3148		calendar, the chair shall withdraw the resolution from further
3159	3149		consideration, remove it from the calendar, and refer it to the
3160	3150		appropriate calendars committee for placement on the proper
3161	3151		calendar.
3162	3152		Sec. 13. PERIODS FOR CONSIDERATION OF LOCAL, CONSENT, AND
3163	3153		RESOLUTIONS CALENDARS. (a) As the volume of legislation shall
3164	3154		warrant, the chair of the Committee on Local and Consent Calendars
3165	3155		shall move to designate periods for the consideration of local,
3166	3156		consent, and resolutions calendars. Each such motion shall require
3167	3157		a two-thirds vote for its adoption. In each instance, the Committee
3168	3158		on Local and Consent Calendars shall prepare and post on the
3169	3159		electronic legislative information system a calendar at least 48
3170	3160		hours in advance of the hour set for consideration. Once a calendar
3171	3161		is posted, no additional bills or resolutions will be added to it.
3172	3162		This requirement can be suspended only by unanimous consent. No
3173	3163		local, consent, and resolutions calendar may be considered by the
3174	3164		house if it is determined that the rules of the house were not
3175	3165		complied with by the Committee on Local and Consent Calendars in
3176	3166		preparing that calendar.
3177	3167		(b) The period designated for the consideration of a local,
3178	3168		consent, and resolutions calendar under this section or under a
3179	3169		special order under Section 2 of this rule may not exceed one
3180	3170		calendar day.
3181	3171		Sec. 14. PROCEDURE FOR CONSIDERATION OF LOCAL, CONSENT, AND
3182	3172		RESOLUTIONS CALENDARS. During the consideration of a local,
3183	3173		consent, and resolutions calendar set by the Committee on Local and
3184	3174		Consent Calendars the following procedures shall be observed:
3185	3175		(1) The chair shall allow the sponsor of each bill or
3186	3176		resolution three minutes to explain the measure, and the time shall
3187	3177		not be extended except by unanimous consent of the house. This rule
3188	3178		shall have precedence over all other rules limiting time for
3189	3179		debate.
3190	3180		(2) If it develops that any bill or resolution on a
3191	3181		local, consent, and resolutions calendar is to be contested on the
3192	3182		floor of the house, the chair shall withdraw the bill or resolution
3193	3183		from further consideration and remove it from the calendar.
3194	3184		(3) Any bill or resolution on a local, consent, and
3195	3185		resolutions calendar shall be considered contested if notice is
3196	3186		given by five or more members that they intend to oppose the bill or
3197	3187		resolution, either by a raising of hands or the delivery of written
3198	3188		notice to the chair.
3199	3189		(4) Any bill or resolution on a local, consent, and
3200	3190		resolutions calendar shall be considered contested if debate
3201	3191		exceeds 10 minutes. The chair shall strictly enforce this time
3202	3192		limit and automatically withdraw the bill from further
3203	3193		consideration if the time limit herein imposed is exceeded.
3204	3194		(5) Any bill or resolution on a local, consent, and
3205	3195		resolutions calendar that is not reached for floor consideration
3206	3196		because of the expiration of the calendar day period for
3207	3197		consideration established by Section 13 of this rule shall carry
3208	3198		over onto the next local, consent, and resolutions calendar. Bills
3209	3199		or resolutions that carry over must appear in the same relative
3210	3200		order as on the calendar on which the bills or resolutions initially
3211	3201		appeared, and bills or resolutions originally from older calendars
3212	3202		must appear before those originally from more recent calendars.
3213	3203		Sec. 15. ORDER OF CONSIDERATION OF CALENDARS. Except for
3214	3204		local, consent, and resolutions calendars and congratulatory and
3215	3205		memorial calendars, consideration of calendars shall be in the
3216	3206		order named in Section 7 of this rule, subject to any exceptions
3217	3207		ordered by the Committee on Calendars. Bills and resolutions on
3218	3208		third reading shall have precedence over bills and resolutions on
3219	3209		second reading.
3220	3210		Sec. 16. DAILY CALENDARS, SUPPLEMENTAL CALENDARS, AND LISTS
3221	3211		OF ITEMS ELIGIBLE FOR CONSIDERATION. (a) Calendars shall be
3222	3212		prepared daily when the house is in session. A calendar must be
3223	3213		posted on the electronic legislative information system at least 36
3224	3214		hours if convened in regular session and 24 hours if convened in
3225	3215		special session before the calendar may be considered by the house,
3226	3216		except as otherwise provided by these rules for the calendar on
3227	3217		which the general appropriations bill is first eligible for
3228	3218		consideration on second reading when convened in regular session.
3229	3219		A calendar that contains a bill extending an agency, commission, or
3230	3220		advisory committee under the Texas Sunset Act must be posted at
3231	3221		least 48 hours if convened in regular or special session before the
3232	3222		calendar may be considered by the house. Deviations from the
3233	3223		calendars as posted shall not be permitted except that the
3234	3224		Committee on Calendars shall be authorized to prepare and post, not
3235	3225		later than two hours before the house convenes, a supplemental
3236	3226		daily house calendar, on which shall appear:
3237	3227		(1) bills or resolutions which were passed to third
3238	3228		reading on the previous legislative day;
3239	3229		(2) bills or resolutions which appeared on the Daily
3240	3230		House Calendar for a previous calendar day which were not reached
3241	3231		for floor consideration;
3242	3232		(3) postponed business from a previous calendar day;
3243	3233		and
3244	3234		(4) notice to take from the table a bill or resolution
3245	3235		which was laid on the table subject to call on a previous
3246	3236		legislative day.
3247	3237		In addition to the items listed above, the bills and
3248	3238		resolutions from a daily house calendar that will be eligible for
3249	3239		consideration may be incorporated, in their proper order as
3250	3240		determined by these rules, into the supplemental daily house
3251	3241		calendar.
3252	3242		(a-1) If the house is convened in regular session, the
3253	3243		calendar on which the general appropriations bill is first eligible
3254	3244		for consideration on second reading must be posted on the
3255	3245		electronic legislative information system at least 144 hours before
3256	3246		the calendar may be considered by the house. The posted calendar
3257	3247		must indicate the date and time at which the calendar is scheduled
3258	3248		for consideration by the house, which date and time must be in
3259	3249		accordance with Rule 8, Section 14.
3260	3250		(b) In addition, when the volume of legislation shall
3261	3251		warrant, and upon request of the speaker, the chief clerk shall have
3262	3252		prepared a list of Items Eligible for Consideration, on which shall
3263	3253		appear only:
3264	3254		(1) house bills with senate amendments that are
3265	3255		eligible for consideration under Rule 13, Section 5, including the
3266	3256		number of senate amendments and the total number of pages of senate
3267	3257		amendments;
3268	3258		(2) senate bills for which the senate has requested
3269	3259		appointment of a conference committee; and
3270	3260		(3) conference committee reports that are eligible for
3271	3261		consideration under Rule 13, Section 10.
3272	3262		(c) The list of Items Eligible for Consideration must be
3273	3263		posted on the electronic legislative information system at least
3274	3264		six hours before the list may be considered by the house.
3275	3265		(d) The time at which a calendar or list is posted on the
3276	3266		electronic legislative information system shall be time-stamped on
3277	3267		the originals of the calendar or list.
3278	3268		(e) No house calendar shall be eligible for consideration if
3279	3269		it is determined that the rules of the house were not complied with
3280	3270		by the Committee on Calendars in preparing that calendar.
3281	3271		(f) If the Committee on Calendars has proposed a rule for
3282	3272		floor consideration of a bill or resolution that is eligible to be
3283	3273		placed on a calendar of the daily house calendar, the rule must be
3284	3274		printed and a copy distributed to each member. If the bill or
3285	3275		resolution to which the rule will apply has already been placed on a
3286	3276		calendar of the daily house calendar, a copy of the rule must also
3287	3277		be posted with the calendar on which the bill or resolution appears.
3288	3278		The speaker shall lay a proposed rule before the house prior to the
3289	3279		consideration of the bill or resolution to which the rule will
3290	3280		apply. The rule shall be laid before the house not earlier than six
3291	3281		hours after a copy of the rule has been distributed to each member
3292	3282		in accordance with this subsection. The rule shall not be subject
3293	3283		to amendment, but to be effective, the rule must be approved by the
3294	3284		house by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of those members present
3295	3285		and voting, except that the rule must be approved by an affirmative
3296	3286		vote of a majority of those members present and voting if the rule
3297	3287		applies to a tax bill, an appropriations bill, or a redistricting
3298	3288		bill. If approved by the house in accordance with this subsection,
3299	3289		the rule will be effective for the consideration of the bill or
3300	3290		resolution on both second and third readings.
3301	3291		Sec. 17. POSITION ON A CALENDAR. (a) Unless removed from
3302	3292		the calendar under Subsection (b) of this section, once a bill or
3303	3293		resolution is placed on its appropriate calendar under these rules,
3304	3294		and has appeared on a house calendar, as posted on the electronic
3305	3295		legislative information system, the bill shall retain its relative
3306	3296		position on the calendar until reached for floor consideration, and
3307	3297		the calendars committee with jurisdiction over the bill or
3308	3298		resolution shall have no authority to place other bills on the
3309	3299		calendar ahead of that bill, but all additions to the calendar shall
3310	3300		appear subsequent to the bill.
3311	3301		(b) If a bill or resolution that has been placed on a house
3312	3302		calendar, as posted on the electronic legislative information
3313	3303		system, is recommitted or withdrawn from further consideration, the
3314	3304		bill or resolution relinquishes its position on the calendar, and
3315	3305		the bill or resolution shall be removed from the calendar.
3316	3306		Sec. 18. REQUIREMENTS FOR PLACEMENT ON A CALENDAR. Except
3317	3307		as provided in Section 11 of this rule as it relates to
3318	3308		congratulatory and memorial resolutions, no bill or resolution
3319	3309		shall be placed on a calendar until:
3320	3310		(1) it has been referred to and reported from its
3321	3311		appropriate standing committee by favorable committee action; or
3322	3312		(2) it is ordered printed on minority report or after a
3323	3313		committee has reported its inability to recommend a course of
3324	3314		action.
3325	3315		Sec. 19. REFERRAL TO CALENDARS COMMITTEES. All bills and
3326	3316		resolutions, on being reported from committee, shall be referred
3327	3317		immediately to the committee coordinator for printing and then to
3328	3318		the appropriate calendars committee for placement on the
3329	3319		appropriate calendar.
3330	3320		Sec. 20. TIME LIMIT FOR VOTE TO PLACE ON A CALENDAR. Within
3331	3321		30 calendar days after a bill or resolution has been referred to the
3332	3322		appropriate calendars committee, the committee must vote on whether
3333	3323		to place the bill or resolution on one of the calendars of the daily
3334	3324		house calendar or the local, consent, and resolutions calendar, as
3335	3325		applicable. A vote against placement of the bill or resolution on a
3336	3326		calendar does not preclude a calendars committee from later voting
3337	3327		in favor of placement of the bill or resolution on a calendar.
3338	3328		Sec. 21. MOTION TO PLACE ON A CALENDAR. (a) When a bill or
3339	3329		resolution has been in the appropriate calendars committee for 30
3340	3330		calendar days, exclusive of the calendar day on which it was
3341	3331		referred, awaiting placement on one of the calendars of the daily
3342	3332		house calendar or on the local, consent, and resolutions calendar,
3343	3333		it shall be in order for a member to move that the bill or resolution
3344	3334		be placed on a specific calendar of the daily house calendar or on
3345	3335		the local, consent, and resolutions calendar without action by the
3346	3336		committee. This motion must be seconded by five members and shall
3347	3337		require a majority vote for adoption.
3348	3338		(b) A motion to place a bill or resolution on a specific
3349	3339		calendar of the daily house calendar or on the local, consent, and
3350	3340		resolutions calendar is not a privileged motion and must be made
3351	3341		during the routine motion period unless made under a suspension of
3352	3342		the rules.
3353	3343		Sec. 22. REQUEST FOR PLACEMENT ON LOCAL, CONSENT, AND
3354	3344		RESOLUTIONS CALENDAR. No bill or resolution shall be considered
3355	3345		for placement on the local, consent, and resolutions calendar by
3356	3346		the Committee on Local and Consent Calendars unless a request for
3357	3347		that placement has been made to the chair of the standing committee
3358	3348		from which the bill or resolution was reported and unless the
3359	3349		committee report of the standing committee recommends that the bill
3360	3350		or resolution be sent to the Committee on Local and Consent
3361	3351		Calendars for placement on the local, consent, and resolutions
3362	3352		calendar. The recommendation of the standing committee shall be
3363	3353		advisory only, and the Committee on Local and Consent Calendars
3364	3354		shall have final authority to determine whether or not a bill or
3365	3355		resolution shall be placed on the local, consent, and resolutions
3366	3356		calendar. If the Committee on Local and Consent Calendars
3367	3357		determines that the bill or resolution is not eligible for
3368	3358		placement on the local, consent, and resolutions calendar, the
3369	3359		measure shall be sent to the Committee on Calendars for further
3370	3360		action.
3371	3361		Sec. 23. QUALIFICATIONS FOR PLACEMENT ON THE LOCAL,
3372	3362		CONSENT, AND RESOLUTIONS CALENDAR. (a) No bill defined as a local
3373	3363		bill by Rule 8, Section 10(c), shall be placed on the local,
3374	3364		consent, and resolutions calendar unless:
3375	3365		(1) evidence of publication of notice in compliance
3376	3366		with the Texas Constitution and these rules is filed with the
3377	3367		Committee on Local and Consent Calendars; and
3378	3368		(2) it has been recommended unanimously by the present
3379	3369		and voting members of the committee from which it was reported that
3380	3370		the bill be sent to the Committee on Local and Consent Calendars for
3381	3371		placement on the local, consent, and resolutions calendar.
3382	3372		(b) No other bill or resolution shall be placed on the
3383	3373		local, consent, and resolutions calendar unless it has been
3384	3374		recommended unanimously by the present and voting members of the
3385	3375		committee from which it was reported that the bill be sent to the
3386	3376		Committee on Local and Consent Calendars for placement on the
3387	3377		local, consent, and resolutions calendar.
3388	3378		(c) No bill or resolution shall be placed on the local,
3389	3379		consent, and resolutions calendar that:
3390	3380		(1) directly or indirectly prevents from being
3391	3381		available for purposes of funding state government generally any
3392	3382		money that under existing law would otherwise be available for that
3393	3383		purpose, including a bill that transfers or diverts money in the
3394	3384		state treasury from the general revenue fund to another fund; or
3395	3385		(2) authorizes or requires the expenditure or
3396	3386		diversion of state funds for any purpose, as determined by a fiscal
3397	3387		note attached to the bill.
3398	3388		Sec. 24. REPLACEMENT OF CONTESTED BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS. A
3399	3389		bill or resolution once removed from the local, consent, and
3400	3390		resolutions calendar shall be returned to the Committee on Local
3401	3391		and Consent Calendars for further action. The Committee on Local
3402	3392		and Consent Calendars, if it feels such action is warranted, may
3403	3393		again place the bill or resolution on the local, consent, and
3404	3394		resolutions calendar, provided, however, that if the bill or
3405	3395		resolution is not placed on the next local, consent, and
3406	3396		resolutions calendar set by the Committee on Local and Consent
3407	3397		Calendars, the bill or resolution shall immediately be referred to
3408	3398		the Committee on Calendars for further action. If the bill or
3409	3399		resolution is then removed from the calendar a second time by being
3410	3400		contested on the floor of the house, the bill or resolution shall
3411	3401		not again be placed on the local, consent, and resolutions calendar
3412	3402		by the Committee on Local and Consent Calendars during that session
3413	3403		of the legislature but shall be returned to the Committee on
3414	3404		Calendars for further action.
3415	3405		Sec. 25. DISCRETION IN PLACEMENT ON CALENDARS. Subject to
3416	3406		the limitations contained in this rule, the Committee on Calendars
3417	3407		shall have full authority to make placements on calendars in
3418	3408		whatever order is necessary and desirable under the circumstances
3419	3409		then existing, except that bills on third reading shall have
3420	3410		precedence over bills on second reading. It is the intent of the
3421	3411		calendar system to give the Committee on Calendars wide discretion
3422	3412		to insure adequate consideration by the house of important
3423	3413		legislation.
3424	3414		RULE 7. MOTIONS
3425	3415		CHAPTER A. GENERAL MOTIONS
3426	3416		Sec. 1. MOTIONS DECIDED WITHOUT DEBATE. The following
3427	3417		motions, in addition to any elsewhere provided herein, shall be
3428	3418		decided without debate, except as otherwise provided in these
3429	3419		rules:
3430	3420		(1) to adjourn;
3431	3421		(2) to lay on the table;
3432	3422		(3) to lay on the table subject to call;
3433	3423		(4) to suspend the rule as to the time for introduction
3434	3424		of bills;
3435	3425		(5) to order a call of the house, and all motions
3436	3426		incidental thereto;
3437	3427		(6) an appeal by a member called to order;
3438	3428		(7) on questions relating to priority of business;
3439	3429		(8) to amend the caption of a bill or resolution;
3440	3430		(9) to extend the time of a member speaking under the
3441	3431		previous question or to allow a member who has the right to speak
3442	3432		after the previous question is ordered to yield the time, or a part
3443	3433		of it, to another;
3444	3434		(10) to reconsider and table.
3445	3435		Sec. 2. MOTIONS SUBJECT TO DEBATE. The speaker shall permit
3446	3436		the mover and one opponent of the motion three minutes each during
3447	3437		which to debate the following motions without debating the merits
3448	3438		of the bill, resolution, or other matter, and the mover of the
3449	3439		motion may elect to either open the debate or close the debate, but
3450	3440		the mover's time may not be divided:
3451	3441		(1) to suspend the regular order of business and take
3452	3442		up some measure out of its regular order;
3453	3443		(2) to instruct a committee to report a certain bill or
3454	3444		resolution;
3455	3445		(3) to rerefer a bill or resolution from one committee
3456	3446		to another;
3457	3447		(4) to place a bill or resolution on a specific
3458	3448		calendar without action by the appropriate calendars committee;
3459	3449		(5) to take up a bill or resolution laid on the table
3460	3450		subject to call;
3461	3451		(6) to set a special order;
3462	3452		(7) to suspend the rules;
3463	3453		(8) to suspend the constitutional rule requiring bills
3464	3454		to be read on three several days;
3465	3455		(9) to pass a resolution suspending the joint rules;
3466	3456		(10) to order the previous question;
3467	3457		(11) to order the limiting of amendments to a bill or
3468	3458		resolution;
3469	3459		(12) to print documents, reports, or other material in
3470	3460		the journal;
3471	3461		(13) to take any other action required or permitted
3472	3462		during the routine motion period by Rule 6, Section 1;
3473	3463		(14) to divide the question.
3474	3464		Sec. 3. MOTIONS ALLOWED DURING DEBATE. When a question is
3475	3465		under debate, the following motions, and none other, shall be in
3476	3466		order, and such motions shall have precedence in the following
3477	3467		order:
3478	3468		(1) to adjourn;
3479	3469		(2) to take recess;
3480	3470		(3) to lay on the table;
3481	3471		(4) to lay on the table subject to call;
3482	3472		(5) for the previous question;
3483	3473		(6) to postpone to a day certain;
3484	3474		(7) to commit, recommit, refer, or rerefer;
3485	3475		(8) to amend by striking out the enacting or resolving
3486	3476		clause, which, if carried, shall have the effect of defeating the
3487	3477		bill or resolution;
3488	3478		(9) to amend;
3489	3479		(10) to postpone indefinitely.
3490	3480		Sec. 4. STATEMENT OR READING OF A MOTION. When a motion has
3491	3481		been made, the speaker shall state it, or if it is in writing, order
3492	3482		it read by the clerk; and it shall then be in possession of the
3493	3483		house.
3494	3484		Sec. 5. ENTRY OF MOTIONS IN JOURNAL. Every motion made to
3495	3485		the house and entertained by the speaker shall be reduced to writing
3496	3486		on the demand of any member, and shall be entered on the journal
3497	3487		with the name of the member making it.
3498	3488		Sec. 6. WITHDRAWAL OF A MOTION. A motion may be withdrawn
3499	3489		by the mover at any time before a decision on the motion, even
3500	3490		though an amendment may have been offered and is pending. It cannot
3501	3491		be withdrawn, however, if the motion has been amended. After the
3502	3492		previous question has been ordered, a motion can be withdrawn only
3503	3493		by unanimous consent.
3504	3494		Sec. 7. MOTIONS TO ADJOURN OR RECESS. A motion to adjourn
3505	3495		or recess shall always be in order, except:
3506	3496		(1) when the house is voting on another motion;
3507	3497		(2) when the previous question has been ordered and
3508	3498		before the final vote on the main question, unless a roll call shows
3509	3499		the absence of a quorum;
3510	3500		(3) when a member entitled to the floor has not yielded
3511	3501		for that purpose; or
3512	3502		(4) when no business has been transacted since a
3513	3503		motion to adjourn or recess has been defeated.
3514	3504		Sec. 8. CONSIDERATION OF SEVERAL MOTIONS TO ADJOURN OR
3515	3505		RECESS. When several motions to recess or adjourn are made at the
3516	3506		same period, the motion to adjourn carrying the shortest time shall
3517	3507		be put first, then the next shortest time, and in that order until a
3518	3508		motion to adjourn has been adopted or until all have been voted on
3519	3509		and lost; and then the same procedure shall be followed for motions
3520	3510		to recess.
3521	3511		Sec. 9. WITHDRAWAL OR ADDITION OF A MOTION TO ADJOURN OR
3522	3512		RECESS. A motion to adjourn or recess may not be withdrawn when it
3523	3513		is one of a series upon which voting has commenced, nor may an
3524	3514		additional motion to adjourn or recess be made when voting has
3525	3515		commenced on a series of such motions.
3526	3516		Sec. 10. RECONSIDERATION OF VOTE TO ADJOURN OR RECESS. The
3527	3517		vote by which a motion to adjourn or recess is carried or lost shall
3528	3518		not be subject to a motion to reconsider.
3529	3519		Sec. 11. ADJOURNING WITH LESS THAN A QUORUM. A smaller
3530	3520		number of members than a quorum may adjourn from day to day, and may
3531	3521		compel the attendance of absent members.
3532	3522		Sec. 12. MOTION TO TABLE. A motion to lay on the table, if
3533	3523		carried, shall have the effect of killing the bill, resolution,
3534	3524		amendment, or other immediate proposition to which it was applied.
3535	3525		Such a motion shall not be debatable, but the mover of the
3536	3526		proposition to be tabled, or the member reporting it from
3537	3527		committee, shall be allowed to close the debate after the motion to
3538	3528		table is made and before it is put to a vote. When a motion to table
3539	3529		is made to a debatable main motion, the main motion mover shall be
3540	3530		allowed 20 minutes to close the debate, whereas the movers of other
3541	3531		debatable motions sought to be tabled shall be allowed only 10
3542	3532		minutes to close. The vote by which a motion to table is carried or
3543	3533		lost cannot be reconsidered. After the previous question has been
3544	3534		ordered, a motion to table is not in order. The provisions of this
3545	3535		section do not apply to motions to "lay on the table subject to
3546	3536		call"; however, a motion to lay on the table subject to call cannot
3547	3537		be made after the previous question has been ordered.
3548	3538		Sec. 13. MATTERS TABLED SUBJECT TO CALL. When a bill,
3549	3539		resolution, or other matter is pending before the house, it may be
3550	3540		laid on the table subject to call, and one legislative day's notice,
3551	3541		as provided on the Supplemental House Calendar, must be given
3552	3542		before the proposition can be taken from the table, unless it is on
3553	3543		the same legislative day, in which case it can be taken from the
3554	3544		table at any time except when there is another matter pending before
3555	3545		the house. A bill, resolution, or other matter can be taken from
3556	3546		the table only by a majority vote of the house. When a special order
3557	3547		is pending, a motion to take a proposition from the table cannot be
3558	3548		made unless the proposition is a privileged matter.
3559	3549		Sec. 14. MOTION TO POSTPONE. A motion to postpone to a day
3560	3550		certain may be amended and is debatable within narrow limits, but
3561	3551		the merits of the proposition sought to be postponed cannot be
3562	3552		debated. A motion to postpone indefinitely opens to debate the
3563	3553		entire proposition to which it applies.
3564	3554		Sec. 15. POSTPONED MATTERS. (a) A bill or proposition
3565	3555		postponed to a day certain shall be laid before the house at the
3566	3556		time on the calendar day to which it was postponed, provided it is
3567	3557		otherwise eligible under the rules and no other business is then
3568	3558		pending. If business is pending, the postponed matter shall be
3569	3559		deferred until the pending business is disposed of without
3570	3560		prejudice otherwise to its right of priority. When a privileged
3571	3561		matter is postponed to a particular time, and that time arrives, the
3572	3562		matter, still retaining its privileged nature, shall be taken up
3573	3563		even though another matter is pending.
3574	3564		(b) Consideration of a bill postponed to a day certain from
3575	3565		the local, consent, and resolutions calendar is governed on second
3576	3566		reading by the rules applicable to the calendar from which it was
3577	3567		postponed to the extent practicable.
3578	3568		Sec. 16. ORDER OF CONSIDERATION OF POSTPONED MATTERS. If
3579	3569		two or more bills, resolutions, or other propositions are postponed
3580	3570		to the same time, and are otherwise eligible for consideration at
3581	3571		that time, they shall be considered in the chronological order of
3582	3572		their setting.
3583	3573		Sec. 17. MOTION TO REFER. When motions are made to refer a
3584	3574		subject to a select or standing committee, the question on the
3585	3575		subject's referral to a standing committee shall be put first.
3586	3576		Sec. 18. MOTION TO RECOMMIT. A motion to recommit a bill,
3587	3577		after being defeated at the routine motion period, may again be made
3588	3578		when the bill itself is under consideration; however, a motion to
3589	3579		recommit a bill shall not be in order at the routine motion period
3590	3580		if the bill is then before the house as either pending business or
3591	3581		unfinished business.
3592	3582		A motion to recommit a bill or resolution can be made and
3593	3583		voted on even though the author, sponsor, or principal proponent is
3594	3584		not present.
3595	3585		Sec. 19. TERMS OF DEBATE ON MOTIONS TO REFER, REREFER,
3596	3586		COMMIT, OR RECOMMIT. A motion to refer, rerefer, commit, or
3597	3587		recommit is debatable within narrow limits, but the merits of the
3598	3588		proposition may not be brought into the debate. A motion to refer,
3599	3589		rerefer, commit, or recommit with instructions is fully debatable.
3600	3590		Sec. 20. RECOMMITTING TO COMMITTEE FOR A SECOND TIME.
3601	3591		Except as provided in Rule 4, Section 30, when a bill has been
3602	3592		recommitted once at any reading and has been reported adversely by
3603	3593		the committee to which it was referred, it shall be in order to
3604	3594		again recommit the bill only if a minority report has been filed in
3605	3595		the time required by the rules of the house. A two-thirds vote of
3606	3596		those present shall be required to recommit a second time.
3607	3597		CHAPTER B. MOTION FOR THE PREVIOUS QUESTION
3608	3598		Sec. 21. MOTION FOR THE PREVIOUS QUESTION. There shall be a
3609	3599		motion for the previous question, which shall be admitted only when
3610	3600		seconded by 25 members. It shall be put by the chair in this manner:
3611	3601		"The motion has been seconded. Three minutes pro and con debate
3612	3602		will be allowed on the motion for ordering the previous question."
3613	3603		As soon as the debate has ended, the chair shall continue: "As many
3614	3604		as are in favor of ordering the previous question on (here state on
3615	3605		which question or questions) will say 'Aye,'" and then, "As many as
3616	3606		are opposed say 'Nay.'" As in all other propositions, a motion for
3617	3607		the previous question may be taken by a record vote if demanded by
3618	3608		any member. If ordered by a majority of the members voting, a
3619	3609		quorum being present, it shall have the effect of cutting off all
3620	3610		debate, except as provided in Section 23 of this rule, and bringing
3621	3611		the house to a direct vote on the immediate question or questions on
3622	3612		which it has been asked and ordered.
3623	3613		Sec. 22. DEBATE ON MOTION FOR PREVIOUS QUESTION. On the
3624	3614		motion for the previous question, there shall be no debate except as
3625	3615		provided in Sections 2 and 21 of this rule. All incidental
3626	3616		questions of order made pending decision on such motion shall be
3627	3617		decided, whether on appeal or otherwise, without debate.
3628	3618		Sec. 23. LIMITATION OF DEBATE AFTER PREVIOUS QUESTION
3629	3619		ORDERED. After the previous question has been ordered, there shall
3630	3620		be no debate upon the questions on which it has been ordered, or
3631	3621		upon the incidental questions, except that the mover of the
3632	3622		proposition or any of the pending amendments or any other motions,
3633	3623		or the member making the report from the committee, or, in the case
3634	3624		of the absence of either of them, any other member designated by
3635	3625		such absentee, shall have the right to close the debate on the
3636	3626		particular proposition or amendment. Then a vote shall be taken
3637	3627		immediately on the amendments or other motions, if any, and then on
3638	3628		the main question.
3639	3629		Sec. 24. SPEAKING AND VOTING AFTER THE PREVIOUS QUESTION
3640	3630		ORDERED. All members having the right to speak after the previous
3641	3631		question has been ordered shall speak before the question is put on
3642	3632		the first proposition covered by the previous question. All votes
3643	3633		shall then be taken in the correct order, and no vote or votes shall
3644	3634		be deferred to allow any member to close on any one of the
3645	3635		propositions separately after the voting has commenced.
3646	3636		Sec. 25. SPEAKING ON AN AMENDMENT AS SUBSTITUTED. When an
3647	3637		amendment has been substituted and the previous question is then
3648	3638		moved on the adoption of the amendment as substituted, the author of
3649	3639		the amendment as substituted shall have the right to close the
3650	3640		debate on that amendment in lieu of the author of the original
3651	3641		amendment.
3652	3642		Sec. 26. SPEAKING ON A MOTION TO POSTPONE OR AMEND. When
3653	3643		the previous question is ordered on a motion to postpone
3654	3644		indefinitely or to amend by striking out the enacting clause of a
3655	3645		bill, the member moving to postpone or amend shall have the right to
3656	3646		close the debate on that motion or amendment, after which the mover
3657	3647		of the proposition or bill proposed to be so postponed or amended,
3658	3648		or the member reporting it from the committee, or, in the absence of
3659	3649		either of them, any other member designated by the absentee, shall
3660	3650		be allowed to close the debate on the original proposition.
3661	3651		Sec. 27. APPLICATION OF THE PREVIOUS QUESTION. The
3662	3652		previous question may be asked and ordered on any debatable single
3663	3653		motion or series of motions, or any amendment or amendments
3664	3654		pending, or it may be made to embrace all authorized debatable
3665	3655		motions or amendments pending and include the bill, resolution, or
3666	3656		proposition that is on second or third reading. The previous
3667	3657		question cannot be ordered, however, on the main proposition
3668	3658		without including other pending motions of lower rank as given in
3669	3659		Section 3 of this rule.
3670	3660		Sec. 28. LIMIT OF APPLICATION. The previous question shall
3671	3661		not extend beyond the final vote on a motion or sequence of motions
3672	3662		to which the previous question has been ordered.
3673	3663		Sec. 29. AMENDMENTS NOT YET LAID BEFORE THE HOUSE.
3674	3664		Amendments on the speaker's desk for consideration which have not
3675	3665		actually been laid before the house and read cannot be included
3676	3666		under a motion for the previous question.
3677	3667		Sec. 30. MOVING THE PREVIOUS QUESTION AFTER A MOTION TO
3678	3668		TABLE. If a motion to table is made directly to a main motion, the
3679	3669		motion for the previous question is not in order. In a case where an
3680	3670		amendment to a main motion is pending, and a motion to table the
3681	3671		amendment is made, it is in order to move the previous question on
3682	3672		the main motion, the pending amendment, and the motion to table the
3683	3673		amendment.
3684	3674		Sec. 31. NO SUBSTITUTE FOR MOTION FOR THE PREVIOUS
3685	3675		QUESTION. There is no acceptable substitute for a motion for the
3686	3676		previous question, nor can other motions be applied to it.
3687	3677		Sec. 32. MOTION FOR THE PREVIOUS QUESTION NOT SUBJECT TO
3688	3678		TABLING. The motion for the previous question is not subject to a
3689	3679		motion to table.
3690	3680		Sec. 33. MOTION TO ADJOURN AFTER MOTION FOR PREVIOUS
3691	3681		QUESTION ACCEPTED. The motion to adjourn is not in order after a
3692	3682		motion for the previous question is accepted by the chair, or after
3693	3683		the seconding of such motion and before a vote is taken.
3694	3684		Sec. 34. MOTIONS IN ORDER AFTER PREVIOUS QUESTION ORDERED.
3695	3685		After the previous question has been ordered, no motion shall be in
3696	3686		order until the question or questions on which it was ordered have
3697	3687		been voted on, without debate, except:
3698	3688		(1) a motion for a call of the house, and motions
3699	3689		incidental thereto;
3700	3690		(2) a motion to extend the time of a member closing on
3701	3691		a proposition;
3702	3692		(3) a motion to permit a member who has the right to
3703	3693		speak to yield the time or a part thereof to another member;
3704	3694		(4) a request for and a verification of a vote;
3705	3695		(5) a motion to reconsider the vote by which the
3706	3696		previous question was ordered. A motion to reconsider may be made
3707	3697		only once and that must be before any vote under the previous
3708	3698		question has been taken;
3709	3699		(6) a motion to table a motion to reconsider the vote
3710	3700		by which the previous question has been ordered;
3711	3701		(7) a double motion to reconsider and table the vote by
3712	3702		which the previous question was ordered.
3713	3703		Sec. 35. MOTION TO ADJOURN OR RECESS AFTER PREVIOUS
3714	3704		QUESTION ORDERED. No motion for an adjournment or a recess shall be
3715	3705		in order after the previous question is ordered until the final vote
3716	3706		under the previous question has been taken, unless the roll call
3717	3707		shows the absence of a quorum.
3718	3708		Sec. 36. ADJOURNING WITHOUT A QUORUM. When the house
3719	3709		adjourns without a quorum under the previous question, the previous
3720	3710		question shall remain in force and effect when the bill,
3721	3711		resolution, or other proposition is again laid before the house.
3722	3712		CHAPTER C. RECONSIDERATION
3723	3713		Sec. 37. MOTION TO RECONSIDER A VOTE. (a) When a question
3724	3714		has been decided by the house and the yeas and nays have been called
3725	3715		for and recorded, any member voting with the prevailing side may, on
3726	3716		the same legislative day, or on the next legislative day, move a
3727	3717		reconsideration; however, if a reconsideration is moved on the next
3728	3718		legislative day, it must be done before the order of the day, as
3729	3719		designated in the 10th item of Rule 6, Section 1(a), is taken up.
3730	3720		If the house refuses to reconsider, or on reconsideration, affirms
3731	3721		its decision, no further action to reconsider shall be in order.
3732	3722		(b) Where the yeas and nays have not been called for and
3733	3723		recorded, any member, regardless of whether he or she voted on the
3734	3724		prevailing side or not, may make the motion to reconsider; however,
3735	3725		even when the yeas and nays have not been recorded, the following
3736	3726		shall not be eligible to make a motion to reconsider:
3737	3727		(1) a member who was absent;
3738	3728		(2) a member who was paired and, therefore, did not
3739	3729		vote; and
3740	3730		(3) a member who was recorded in the journal as having
3741	3731		voted on the losing side.
3742	3732		(c) A motion to reconsider the vote by which a bill, joint
3743	3733		resolution, or concurrent resolution was defeated is not in order
3744	3734		unless a member has previously provided at least one hour's notice
3745	3735		of intent to make the motion by addressing the house when the house
3746	3736		is in session and stating that a member intends to make a motion to
3747	3737		reconsider the vote by which the bill or resolution was defeated.
3748	3738		It is not necessary for the member providing the notice to be
3749	3739		eligible to make or to be the member who subsequently makes the
3750	3740		motion to reconsider. If notice of intent to make a motion to
3751	3741		reconsider is given within the period that the motion to reconsider
3752	3742		may be made under Subsection (a) of this section and that period
3753	3743		expires during the one-hour period required by this subsection,
3754	3744		then the period within which the motion may be made under Subsection
3755	3745		(a) is extended by the amount of time, not to exceed one hour during
3756	3746		which the house is in session, necessary to satisfy the one-hour
3757	3747		notice required by this subsection. For purposes of this
3758	3748		subsection, a motion to reconsider includes a motion to reconsider
3759	3749		and table and a motion to reconsider and spread on the journal.
3760	3750		Sec. 38. DEBATE ON MOTION TO RECONSIDER. A motion to
3761	3751		reconsider shall be debatable only when the question to be
3762	3752		reconsidered is debatable. Even though the previous question was
3763	3753		in force before the vote on a debatable question was taken, debate
3764	3754		is permissible on the reconsideration of such debatable question.
3765	3755		Sec. 39. MAJORITY VOTE REQUIRED. Every motion to
3766	3756		reconsider shall be decided by a majority vote, even though the vote
3767	3757		on the original question requires a two-thirds vote for affirmative
3768	3758		action. If the motion to reconsider prevails, the question then
3769	3759		immediately recurs on the question reconsidered.
3770	3760		Sec. 40. WITHDRAWAL OF MOTION TO RECONSIDER. A motion to
3771	3761		reconsider cannot be withdrawn unless permission is given by a
3772	3762		majority vote of the house, and the motion may be called up by any
3773	3763		member.
3774	3764		Sec. 41. TABLING MOTION TO RECONSIDER. A motion to
3775	3765		reconsider shall be subject to a motion to table, which, if carried,
3776	3766		shall be a final disposition of the motion to reconsider.
3777	3767		Sec. 42. DOUBLE MOTION TO RECONSIDER AND TABLE. The double
3778	3768		motion to reconsider and table shall be in order. It shall be
3779	3769		undebatable. When carried, the motion to reconsider shall be
3780	3770		tabled. When it fails, the question shall then be on the motion to
3781	3771		reconsider, and the motion to reconsider shall, without further
3782	3772		action, be spread on the journal, but it may be called up by any
3783	3773		member, in accordance with the provisions of Section 43 of this
3784	3774		rule.
3785	3775		Sec. 43. DELAYED DISPOSITION OF MOTION TO RECONSIDER. (a)
3786	3776		If a motion to reconsider is not disposed of when made, it shall be
3787	3777		entered in the journal, and cannot, after that legislative day, be
3788	3778		called up and disposed of unless one legislative day's notice has
3789	3779		been given.
3790	3780		(b) Unless called up and disposed of prior to 72 hours
3791	3781		before final adjournment of the session, all motions to reconsider
3792	3782		shall be regarded as determined and lost.
3793	3783		(c) All motions to reconsider made during the last 72 hours
3794	3784		of the session shall be disposed of when made; otherwise, the motion
3795	3785		shall be considered as lost.
3796	3786		Sec. 44. MOTION TO RECONSIDER AND SPREAD ON JOURNAL. (a) A
3797	3787		member voting on the prevailing side may make a motion to reconsider
3798	3788		and spread on the journal, which does not require a vote, and on the
3799	3789		motion being made, it shall be entered on the journal. Any member,
3800	3790		regardless of whether he or she voted on the prevailing side or not,
3801	3791		who desires immediate action on a motion to reconsider which has
3802	3792		been spread on the journal, can call it up as soon as it is made, and
3803	3793		demand a vote on it, or can call it up and move to table it.
3804	3794		(b) If the motion to table the motion to reconsider is
3805	3795		defeated, the motion to reconsider remains spread on the journal
3806	3796		for future action; however, any member, regardless of whether he or
3807	3797		she voted on the prevailing side or not, can call the motion from
3808	3798		the journal for action by the house, and, once disposed of, no other
3809	3799		motion to reconsider can be made.
3810	3800		Sec. 45. MOTION TO REQUIRE COMMITTEE TO REPORT. (a) During
3811	3801		the first 76 calendar days of a regular session, when any bill,
3812	3802		resolution, or other paper has been in committee for 6 calendar
3813	3803		days, exclusive of the calendar day on which it was referred, it
3814	3804		shall be in order for a member to move that the committee be
3815	3805		required to report the same within 7 calendar days. This motion
3816	3806		shall require a two-thirds vote for passage.
3817	3807		(b) After the first 76 calendar days of a regular session,
3818	3808		when any bill, resolution, or other paper has been in committee for
3819	3809		6 calendar days, exclusive of the calendar day on which it was
3820	3810		referred, it shall be in order for a member to move that the
3821	3811		committee be required to report the same within 7 calendar days.
3822	3812		This motion shall require a majority vote for passage.
3823	3813		(c) A motion to instruct a committee to report is not a
3824	3814		privileged motion and must be made during the routine motion period
3825	3815		unless made under a suspension of the rules.
3826	3816		(d) The house shall have no authority to instruct a
3827	3817		subcommittee directly; however, instructions recognized under the
3828	3818		rules may be given to a committee and shall be binding on all
3829	3819		subcommittees.
3830	3820		Sec. 46. MOTION TO REREFER TO ANOTHER COMMITTEE. (a)
3831	3821		During the first 76 calendar days of a regular session, when any
3832	3822		bill, resolution, or other paper has been in committee for 7
3833	3823		calendar days after the committee was instructed by the house to
3834	3824		report that measure by a motion made under Section 45 of this rule,
3835	3825		it shall be in order for a member to move to rerefer the bill,
3836	3826		resolution, or other paper to a different committee. This motion
3837	3827		shall require a two-thirds vote for passage.
3838	3828		(b) After the first 76 calendar days of a regular session,
3839	3829		when any bill, resolution, or other paper has been in committee for
3840	3830		7 calendar days after the committee has been instructed to report
3841	3831		that measure by a motion made under Section 45 of this rule, it
3842	3832		shall be in order for a member to move to rerefer the bill,
3843	3833		resolution, or other paper to a different committee. This motion
3844	3834		shall require a majority vote for passage.
3845	3835		(c) A motion to rerefer a bill, resolution, or other paper
3846	3836		from one committee to another committee is not a privileged motion
3847	3837		and must be made during the routine motion period unless made under
3848	3838		a suspension of the rules.
3849	3839		RULE 8. BILLS
3850	3840		Sec. 1. CONTENTS OF BILLS. (a) Proposed laws or changes in
3851	3841		laws must be incorporated in bills, which shall consist of:
3852	3842		(1) a title or caption, beginning with the words "A
3853	3843		Bill to be Entitled An Act" and a brief statement that gives the
3854	3844		legislature and the public reasonable notice of the subject of the
3855	3845		proposed measure;
3856	3846		(2) an enacting clause, "Be It Enacted by the
3857	3847		Legislature of the State of Texas"; and
3858	3848		(3) the bill proper.
3859	3849		(b) A house bill that would impose, authorize, increase, or
3860	3850		change the rate or amount of a tax, assessment, surcharge, or fee
3861	3851		must include a short statement at the end of its title or caption
3862	3852		indicating the general effect of the bill on the tax, assessment,
3863	3853		surcharge, or fee, such as "imposing a tax (or assessment),"
3864	3854		"authorizing a surcharge (or fee)," or "increasing the rate (or
3865	3855		amount) of a tax."
3866	3856		(c) A house bill that would create a criminal offense,
3867	3857		increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or
3868	3858		category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for
3869	3859		community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision must
3870	3860		include a short statement at the end of its title or caption
3871	3861		indicating the general effect of the bill on the offense,
3872	3862		punishment, or eligibility, such as "creating a criminal offense,"
3873	3863		"increasing a criminal penalty," or "changing the eligibility for
3874	3864		community supervision (or parole or mandatory supervision)."
3875	3865		(d) A house bill that would create a requirement that an
3876	3866		individual or entity obtain a license, certificate, registration,
3877	3867		permit, or other authorization before engaging in a particular
3878	3868		occupation or profession or that would expand an existing
3879	3869		requirement to additional individuals or entities must include a
3880	3870		short statement at the end of its title or caption indicating the
3881	3871		general effect of the bill on the occupation or profession, such as
3882	3872		"requiring an occupational license" or "expanding the
3883	3873		applicability of an occupational license (or permit or
3884	3874		certificate)."
3885	3875		Sec. 2. PUBLISHING ACTS IN THEIR ENTIRETY. No law shall be
3886	3876		revived or amended by reference to its title. The act revived, or
3887	3877		the section or sections amended, shall be reenacted and published
3888	3878		at length. This rule does not apply to revisions adopted under
3889	3879		Article III, Section 43, of the Texas Constitution.
3890	3880		Sec. 3. LIMITING A BILL TO A SINGLE SUBJECT. Each bill
3891	3881		(except a general appropriations bill, which may embrace the
3892	3882		various subjects and accounts for which money is appropriated or a
3893	3883		revision adopted under Article III, Section 43, of the Texas
3894	3884		Constitution) shall contain only one subject.
3895	3885		Sec. 4. CHANGING GENERAL LAW THROUGH AN APPROPRIATIONS
3896	3886		BILL. A general law may not be changed by the provisions in an
3897	3887		appropriations bill.
3898	3888		Sec. 5. COAUTHORSHIP, JOINT AUTHORSHIP, SPONSORSHIP,
3899	3889		COSPONSORSHIP, AND JOINT SPONSORSHIP. (a) A house bill or
3900	3890		resolution may have only one primary author. The signature of the
3901	3891		primary author shall be the only signature that appears on the
3902	3892		measure filed with the chief clerk. The signatures of all coauthors
3903	3893		or joint authors shall appear on the appropriate forms in the chief
3904	3894		clerk's office.
3905	3895		(b) Any member may become the coauthor of a bill or
3906	3896		resolution by securing permission from the author. If permission
3907	3897		is secured from the author prior to the time the measure is filed
3908	3898		with the chief clerk, the primary author and the coauthor shall sign
3909	3899		the appropriate form, which shall be included with the measure when
3910	3900		it is filed with the chief clerk. If a member wishes to become the
3911	3901		coauthor of a measure after it has been filed, no action shall be
3912	3902		required by the house, but it shall be the duty of the member
3913	3903		seeking to be a coauthor to obtain written authorization on the
3914	3904		appropriate form from the author. This authorization shall be
3915	3905		filed with the chief clerk before the coauthor signs the form for
3916	3906		the bill or resolution. The chief clerk shall report daily to the
3917	3907		journal clerk the names of members filed as coauthors of bills or
3918	3908		resolutions. If a coauthor of a bill or resolution desires to
3919	3909		withdraw from such status, the member shall notify the chief clerk,
3920	3910		who in turn shall notify the journal clerk.
3921	3911		(c) The primary author of a measure may designate up to four
3922	3912		joint authors by providing written authorization on the appropriate
3923	3913		form to the chief clerk. If a member designated as a joint author
3924	3914		has not already signed on the measure as a coauthor, that member
3925	3915		must also sign the form before the records will reflect the joint
3926	3916		author status of that member. The names of all joint authors shall
3927	3917		be shown immediately following the primary author's name on all
3928	3918		official printings of the measure, on all house calendars, in the
3929	3919		house journal, and in the electronic legislative information
3930	3920		system.
3931	3921		(d) The determination of the house sponsor of a senate
3932	3922		measure is made at the time the measure is reported from committee.
3933	3923		In the case of multiple requests for house sponsorship, the house
3934	3924		sponsor of a senate measure shall be determined by the chair of the
3935	3925		committee, in consultation with the senate author of the measure.
3936	3926		The chair of the committee must designate a primary sponsor and may
3937	3927		designate up to four joint sponsors or an unlimited number of
3938	3928		cosponsors. The names of all joint sponsors shall be shown
3939	3929		immediately following the primary sponsor's name on all official
3940	3930		printings of the measure, on all house calendars, in the house
3941	3931		journal, and in the electronic legislative information system.
3942	3932		Sec. 6. FILING, FIRST READING, AND REFERRAL TO COMMITTEE.
3943	3933		Each bill shall be filed with the chief clerk when introduced and
3944	3934		shall be numbered in its regular order. Each bill shall be read
3945	3935		first time by caption and referred by the speaker to the appropriate
3946	3936		committee with jurisdiction.
3947	3937		Sec. 7. PREFILING. Beginning the first Monday after the
3948	3938		general election preceding the next regular legislative session, or
3949	3939		within 30 days prior to any special session, it shall be in order to
3950	3940		file with the chief clerk bills and resolutions for introduction in
3951	3941		that session. On receipt of the bills or resolutions, the chief
3952	3942		clerk shall number them and make them a matter of public record,
3953	3943		available for distribution. Once a bill or resolution has been so
3954	3944		filed, it may not be recalled. This shall apply only to
3955	3945		members-elect of the succeeding legislative session.
3956	3946		Sec. 8. DEADLINE FOR INTRODUCTION. (a) Bills and joint
3957	3947		resolutions introduced during the first 60 calendar days of the
3958	3948		regular session may be considered by the committees and in the house
3959	3949		and disposed of at any time during the session, in accordance with
3960	3950		the rules of the house. After the first 60 calendar days of a
3961	3951		regular session, any bill or joint resolution, except local bills,
3962	3952		emergency appropriations, and all emergency matters submitted by
3963	3953		the governor in special messages to the legislature, shall require
3964	3954		an affirmative vote of four-fifths of those members present and
3965	3955		voting to be introduced.
3966	3956		(b) In addition to a bill defined as a "local bill" under
3967	3957		Section 10(c) of this rule, a bill is considered local for purposes
3968	3958		of this section if it relates to a specified district created under
3969	3959		Article XVI, Section 59, of the Texas Constitution (water
3970	3960		districts, etc.), a specified hospital district, or another
3971	3961		specified special purpose district, even if neither these rules nor
3972	3962		the Texas Constitution require publication of notice for that bill.
3973	3963		Sec. 9. FILING. (a) A bill must be filed with the chief
3974	3964		clerk in the manner and in an electronic or other format specified
3975	3965		by the chief clerk at the time that the bill is introduced.
3976	3966		(b) A bill relating to conservation and reclamation
3977	3967		districts and governed by the provisions of Article XVI, Section
3978	3968		59, of the Texas Constitution must be filed with copies of the
3979	3969		notice to introduce the bill attached if the bill is intended to:
3980	3970		(1) create a particular conservation and reclamation
3981	3971		district; or
3982	3972		(2) amend the act of a particular conservation and
3983	3973		reclamation district to:
3984	3974		(A) add additional land to the district;
3985	3975		(B) alter the taxing authority of the district;
3986	3976		(C) alter the authority of the district with
3987	3977		respect to issuing bonds; or
3988	3978		(D) alter the qualifications or terms of office
3989	3979		of the members of the governing body of the district.
3990	3980		Sec. 10. LOCAL BILLS. (a) The house may not consider a
3991	3981		local bill unless notice of intention to apply for the passage of
3992	3982		the bill was published as provided by law and evidence of the
3993	3983		publication is attached to the bill. If not attached to the bill on
3994	3984		filing with the chief clerk or receipt of the bill from the senate,
3995	3985		copies of the evidence of timely publication shall be filed with the
3996	3986		chief clerk and must be distributed to the members of the committee
3997	3987		not later than the first time the bill is laid out in a committee
3998	3988		meeting. The evidence shall be attached to the bill on first
3999	3989		printing and shall remain with the measure throughout the entire
4000	3990		legislative process, including submission to the governor.
4001	3991		(b) Neither the house nor a committee of the house may
4002	3992		consider a bill whose application is limited to one or more
4003	3993		political subdivisions by means of population brackets or other
4004	3994		artificial devices in lieu of identifying the political subdivision
4005	3995		or subdivisions by name. However, this subsection does not prevent
4006	3996		consideration of a bill that classifies political subdivisions
4007	3997		according to a minimum or maximum population or other criterion
4008	3998		that bears a reasonable relation to the purpose of the proposed
4009	3999		legislation or a bill that updates laws based on population
4010	4000		classifications to conform to a federal decennial census.
4011	4001		(c) Except as provided by Subsection (d) of this section,
4012	4002		"local bill" for purposes of this section means:
4013	4003		(1) a bill for which publication of notice is required
4014	4004		under Article XVI, Section 59, of the Texas Constitution (water
4015	4005		districts, etc.);
4016	4006		(2) a bill for which publication of notice is required
4017	4007		under Article IX, Section 9, of the Texas Constitution (hospital
4018	4008		districts);
4019	4009		(3) a bill relating to hunting, fishing, or
4020	4010		conservation of wildlife resources of a specified locality;
4021	4011		(4) a bill creating or affecting a county court or
4022	4012		statutory court or courts of one or more specified counties or
4023	4013		municipalities;
4024	4014		(5) a bill creating or affecting the juvenile board or
4025	4015		boards of a specified county or counties; or
4026	4016		(6) a bill creating or affecting a road utility
4027	4017		district under the authority of Article III, Section 52, of the
4028	4018		Texas Constitution.
4029	4019		(d) A bill is not considered to be a local bill under
4030	4020		Subsection (c)(3), (4), or (5) if it affects a sufficient number of
4031	4021		localities, counties, or municipalities so as to be of general
4032	4022		application or of statewide importance.
4033	4023		Sec. 11. CONSIDERATION IN COMMITTEE. (a) No bill shall be
4034	4024		considered unless it first has been referred to a committee and
4035	4025		reported from it.
4036	4026		(b) After a bill has been recommitted, it shall be
4037	4027		considered by the committee as a new subject.
4038	4028		Sec. 12. ORDER OF CONSIDERATION. All bills and resolutions
4039	4029		before the house shall be taken up and acted on in the order in which
4040	4030		they appear on their respective calendars, and each calendar shall
4041	4031		have the priority accorded to it by the provisions of Rule 6,
4042	4032		Sections 7 and 8.
4043	4033		Sec. 13. DEADLINES FOR CONSIDERATION. (a) No house bill
4044	4034		that is local as defined by Section 10(c) of this rule and that
4045	4035		appears on a local, consent, and resolutions calendar shall be
4046	4036		considered for any purpose after the 130th day of a regular session,
4047	4037		except to:
4048	4038		(1) act on senate amendments;
4049	4039		(2) adopt a conference committee report;
4050	4040		(3) reconsider the bill to make corrections; or
4051	4041		(4) pass the bill notwithstanding the objections of
4052	4042		the governor.
4053	4043		(b) No other house bill or joint resolution shall be
4054	4044		considered on its second reading after the 122nd day of a regular
4055	4045		session if it appears on a daily or supplemental daily house
4056	4046		calendar, or for any purpose after the 123rd day of a regular
4057	4047		session, except to:
4058	4048		(1) act on senate amendments;
4059	4049		(2) adopt a conference committee report;
4060	4050		(3) reconsider the bill or resolution to make
4061	4051		corrections; or
4062	4052		(4) pass the bill notwithstanding the objections of
4063	4053		the governor.
4064	4054		(c) No senate bill or joint resolution shall be considered
4065	4055		on its second reading after the 134th day of a regular session if it
4066	4056		appears on a daily or supplemental daily house calendar, or for any
4067	4057		purpose after the 135th day of a regular session, except to:
4068	4058		(1) adopt a conference committee report;
4069	4059		(2) reconsider the bill or resolution to remove house
4070	4060		amendments;
4071	4061		(3) reconsider the bill or resolution to make
4072	4062		corrections; or
4073	4063		(4) pass the bill notwithstanding the objections of
4074	4064		the governor.
4075	4065		(d) The speaker shall not lay any bill or joint resolution
4076	4066		before the house or permit a vote to be taken on its passage on the
4077	4067		136th and 137th days of a regular session, except to:
4078	4068		(1) act on senate amendments;
4079	4069		(2) adopt a conference committee report;
4080	4070		(3) reconsider the bill or resolution to remove house
4081	4071		amendments;
4082	4072		(4) reconsider the bill or resolution to make
4083	4073		corrections; or
4084	4074		(5) pass the bill notwithstanding the objections of
4085	4075		the governor.
4086	4076		(e) The speaker shall not lay any bill or joint resolution
4087	4077		before the house or permit a vote to be taken on its passage on the
4088	4078		138th and 139th days of a regular session, except to:
4089	4079		(1) adopt a conference committee report;
4090	4080		(2) reconsider the bill or resolution to remove house
4091	4081		amendments;
4092	4082		(3) discharge house conferees and concur in senate
4093	4083		amendments;
4094	4084		(4) reconsider the bill or resolution to make
4095	4085		corrections; or
4096	4086		(5) pass the bill notwithstanding the objections of
4097	4087		the governor.
4098	4088		(f) No vote shall be taken upon the passage of any bill or
4099	4089		resolution within 24 hours of the final adjournment of a regular
4100	4090		session unless it be to reconsider the bill or resolution to make
4101	4091		corrections, or to adopt a corrective resolution.
4102	4092		(g) The clock of record for the house, as determined under
4103	4093		Rule 2, Section 2, shall be used to determine compliance with
4104	4094		deadlines and other time requirements of the Texas Constitution and
4105	4095		these rules. A motion to suspend this rule must be decided by a
4106	4096		record vote.
4107	4097		Sec. 14. DELIVERY PRIOR TO CONSIDERATION. (a) Each bill or
4108	4098		resolution, except the general appropriations bill, shall be
4109	4099		delivered to each member by making a copy of the bill or resolution
4110	4100		available in an electronic format for viewing by the member and,
4111	4101		when the electronic format copy of the appropriate printing becomes
4112	4102		available, by sending notice of that fact to a Capitol e-mail
4113	4103		address designated by the member, at least 36 hours if convened in
4114	4104		regular session and 24 hours if convened in special session before
4115	4105		the bill can be considered by the house on second reading. If a
4116	4106		member informs the chief clerk in writing that the member desires to
4117	4107		receive paper copies of bills and resolutions under this section in
4118	4108		addition to delivery in an electronic format, the chief clerk shall
4119	4109		place a paper copy of the bill or resolution in the newspaper box of
4120	4110		the member as soon as practicable after the electronic copies of the
4121	4111		bill or resolution are made available for viewing.
4122	4112		(a-1) A printed copy of the general appropriations bill
4123	4113		shall be placed in the newspaper mailbox of each member at least 168
4124	4114		hours during a regular session and at least 72 hours during a
4125	4115		special session before the bill can be considered by the house on
4126	4116		second reading.
4127	4117		(b) By majority vote, the house may order both the original
4128	4118		bill or resolution and the complete committee substitute to be
4129	4119		printed. It shall not be necessary for the house to order complete
4130	4120		committee substitutes printed in lieu of original bills.
4131	4121		(c) A two-thirds vote of the house is necessary to order
4132	4122		that bills, other than local bills, be not printed. It shall not be
4133	4123		necessary for the house to order that local bills be not printed.
4134	4124		Sec. 15. REQUIREMENT FOR THREE READINGS. A bill shall not
4135	4125		have the force of law until it has been read on three several
4136	4126		legislative days in each house and free discussion allowed, unless
4137	4127		this provision is suspended by a vote of four-fifths of the members
4138	4128		present and voting, a quorum being present. The yeas and nays shall
4139	4129		be taken on the question of suspension and entered in the journal.
4140	4130		Sec. 16. CONSIDERATION SECTION BY SECTION. (a) During the
4141	4131		consideration of any bill or resolution, the house may, by a
4142	4132		majority vote, order the bill or resolution to be considered
4143	4133		section by section, or department by department, until each section
4144	4134		or department has been given separate consideration. If such a
4145	4135		procedure is ordered, only amendments to the section or department
4146	4136		under consideration at that time shall be in order. However, after
4147	4137		each section or department has been considered separately, the
4148	4138		entire bill or resolution shall be open for amendment, subject to
4149	4139		the provisions of Rule 11, Section 8(b). Once the consideration of
4150	4140		a bill section by section or department by department has been
4151	4141		ordered, it shall not be in order to move the previous question on
4152	4142		the entire bill, to recommit it, to lay it on the table, or to
4153	4143		postpone it, until each section or department has been given
4154	4144		separate consideration or until the vote by which section by
4155	4145		section consideration was ordered is reconsidered.
4156	4146		(b) A motion to consider a bill section by section is
4157	4147		debatable within narrow limits; that is, the pros and cons of the
4158	4148		proposed consideration can be debated but not the merits of the
4159	4149		bill.
4160	4150		Sec. 17. PASSAGE TO ENGROSSMENT OR THIRD READING. After a
4161	4151		bill or complete committee substitute for a bill has been taken up
4162	4152		and read, amendments shall be in order. If no amendment is made, or
4163	4153		if those proposed are disposed of, then the final question on its
4164	4154		second reading shall be, in the case of a house bill, whether it
4165	4155		shall be passed to engrossment, or, in the case of a senate bill,
4166	4156		whether it shall pass to its third reading. All bills ordered
4167	4157		passed to engrossment or passed to a third reading shall remain on
4168	4158		the calendar on which placed, but with future priority over bills
4169	4159		that have not passed second reading.
4170	4160		Sec. 18. CERTIFICATION OF FINAL PASSAGE. The chief clerk
4171	4161		shall certify the final passage of each bill, noting on the bill the
4172	4162		date of its passage, and the vote by which it passed, if by a yea and
4173	4163		nay vote.
4174	4164		Sec. 19. EFFECTIVE DATE. Every law passed by the
4175	4165		legislature, except the General Appropriations Act, shall take
4176	4166		effect or go into force on the 91st day after the adjournment of the
4177	4167		session at which it was enacted, unless the legislature provides
4178	4168		for an earlier effective date by a vote of two-thirds of all the
4179	4169		members elected to each house. The vote shall be taken by yeas and
4180	4170		nays and entered in the journals.
4181	4171		Sec. 20. BILLS CONTAINING SAME SUBSTANCE AS DEFEATED BILL.
4182	4172		After a bill or resolution has been considered and defeated by
4183	4173		either house of the legislature, no bill or resolution containing
4184	4174		the same substance shall be passed into law during the same session.
4185	4175		Sec. 21. CONSIDERATION OF BILLS INVOLVING STATE FUNDS. (a)
4186	4176		In order to assure the continuation of financial support of
4187	4177		existing state services through the passage of the general
4188	4178		appropriations bill, it shall not be in order during the first 118
4189	4179		days of the regular session for the speaker to lay before the house,
4190	4180		prior to the consideration, passage, and certification by the
4191	4181		comptroller of the general appropriations bill, any bill that
4192	4182		directly or indirectly prevents from being available for purposes
4193	4183		of funding state government generally any money that under existing
4194	4184		law would otherwise be available for that purpose, including a bill
4195	4185		that transfers or diverts money in the state treasury from the
4196	4186		general revenue fund to another fund.
4197	4187		(b) In order to assure compliance with the limitation on
4198	4188		appropriations of state tax revenue not dedicated by the
4199	4189		constitution as provided by Article VIII, Section 22, of the Texas
4200	4190		Constitution, it is not in order for the speaker to lay before the
4201	4191		house, prior to the time that the general appropriations bill has
4202	4192		been finally passed and sent to the comptroller, any bill that
4203	4193		appropriates funds from the state treasury that are not dedicated
4204	4194		by the constitution.
4205	4195		(c) When bills subject to the provisions of Subsection (a)
4206	4196		of this section become eligible for consideration, they shall be
4207	4197		considered for passage under the rules of the house and the joint
4208	4198		rules as any other bill but shall not be signed by the speaker as
4209	4199		required by the Constitution of Texas and the rules of the house
4210	4200		until the general appropriations bill has been signed by the
4211	4201		presiding officers of both houses of the legislature and
4212	4202		transmitted to the comptroller of public accounts for certification
4213	4203		as required by Article III, Section 49a, of the Constitution of
4214	4204		Texas.
4215	4205		(d) All bills subject to the provisions of Subsection (a) of
4216	4206		this section that have finally passed both houses shall be enrolled
4217	4207		as required by the rules and transmitted to the speaker. The
4218	4208		speaker shall note on each bill the date and hour of final
4219	4209		legislative action and shall withhold his or her signature and any
4220	4210		further action on all such bills until the general appropriations
4221	4211		bill has been signed by the presiding officers of both houses and
4222	4212		transmitted to the comptroller of public accounts for
4223	4213		certification. Immediately thereafter, the speaker shall sign in
4224	4214		the presence of the house all bills on which further action was
4225	4215		being withheld because the bills were subject to the provisions of
4226	4216		this section. After being signed by the speaker, the bills shall
4227	4217		then be transmitted to the comptroller of public accounts for
4228	4218		certification or to the governor, as the case may be, in the order
4229	4219		in which final legislative action was taken. "Final legislative
4230	4220		action," as that term is used in this subsection, shall mean the
4231	4221		last act of either house meeting in general session necessary to
4232	4222		place the bill in its final form preparatory to enrollment.
4233	4223		(e) Subsections (a)-(d) of this section shall not apply to
4234	4224		any bills providing for:
4235	4225		(1) the payment of expenses of the legislature;
4236	4226		(2) the payment of judgments against the state;
4237	4227		(3) any emergency matter when requested by the
4238	4228		governor in a formal message to the legislature; or
4239	4229		(4) the reduction of taxes.
4240	4230		(e-1) Subsection (a) of this section does not apply to a
4241	4231		bill that prevents the deposit into the general revenue fund of
4242	4232		money received from the federal government or earnings on that
4243	4233		money if the bill does not prevent that money from being available
4244	4234		for the purpose of funding state government generally to the same
4245	4235		extent as under existing law.
4246	4236		(f) Unless within the authority of a resolution or
4247	4237		resolutions adopted pursuant to Article VIII, Section 22(b), of the
4248	4238		Texas Constitution, it is not in order for the house to consider for
4249	4239		final passage on third reading, on motion to concur in senate
4250	4240		amendments, or on motion to adopt a conference committee report, a
4251	4241		bill appropriating funds from the state treasury in an amount that,
4252	4242		when added to amounts previously appropriated by bills finally
4253	4243		passed and sent or due to be sent to the comptroller, would exceed
4254	4244		the limit on appropriations established under Chapter 316,
4255	4245		Government Code.
4256	4246		(g) The general appropriations bill shall be reported to the
4257	4247		house by the Committee on Appropriations not later than the 90th
4258	4248		calendar day of the regular session. Should the Committee on
4259	4249		Appropriations fail to report by the deadline, Subsections (a)-(d)
4260	4250		of this section shall be suspended for the balance of that regular
4261	4251		session.
4262	4252		RULE 9. JOINT RESOLUTIONS
4263	4253		Sec. 1. AMENDMENTS TO THE TEXAS CONSTITUTION. (a) A
4264	4254		proposed amendment to the Texas Constitution shall take the form of
4265	4255		a joint resolution, which shall be subject to the rules that govern
4266	4256		the proceedings on bills, except as provided by this section.
4267	4257		(b) A joint resolution is not subject to the provisions of
4268	4258		Rule 8, Section 3, or Rule 11, Section 3.
4269	4259		(c) A joint resolution shall be adopted on any reading after
4270	4260		the first if it receives a two-thirds vote of the elected membership
4271	4261		of the house. If such a joint resolution receives only a majority
4272	4262		vote on second reading, it shall be passed to engrossment, and
4273	4263		subsequent proceedings shall be the same as those governing the
4274	4264		final passage of bills which have been passed to engrossment. If
4275	4265		such a joint resolution does not receive a two-thirds vote of the
4276	4266		elected membership of the house on third reading and final passage,
4277	4267		it shall fail of adoption.
4278	4268		Sec. 2. RATIFYING OR PROPOSING AMENDMENTS TO THE
4279	4269		CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES. Ratification by Texas of a
4280	4270		proposed amendment to or application to Congress for a convention
4281	4271		to amend the Constitution of the United States shall take the form
4282	4272		of a joint resolution, which shall be subject to the rules that
4283	4273		govern the proceedings on bills, except that it shall be adopted on
4284	4274		second reading if it receives a majority vote of the members present
4285	4275		and voting, a quorum being present. If such a joint resolution
4286	4276		fails to receive a majority vote, it shall fail of adoption and
4287	4277		shall not be considered again unless revived by a motion to
4288	4278		reconsider as otherwise provided in the rules.
4289	4279		Sec. 3. PLACEMENT OF JOINT RESOLUTIONS ON A CALENDAR. Joint
4290	4280		resolutions on committee report shall be referred to the Committee
4291	4281		on Calendars for placement on an appropriate calendar. The
4292	4282		Committee on Calendars shall maintain a separate calendar for house
4293	4283		joint resolutions and a separate calendar for senate joint
4294	4284		resolutions. Senate joint resolutions shall be considered on
4295	4285		calendar Wednesdays and calendar Thursdays along with senate bills.
4296	4286		RULE 10. HOUSE RESOLUTIONS AND CONCURRENT RESOLUTIONS
4297	4287		Sec. 1. FILING. Resolutions shall be introduced by filing a
4298	4288		resolution with the chief clerk in the manner and in an electronic
4299	4289		or other format specified by the chief clerk, who shall number and
4300	4290		record house resolutions in one series and concurrent resolutions
4301	4291		in a separate series.
4302	4292		Sec. 2. REFERRAL TO COMMITTEE. (a) After numbering and
4303	4293		recording, all resolutions shall be sent to the speaker for
4304	4294		referral to the proper committee.
4305	4295		(b) Resolutions proposing the expenditure of money out of
4306	4296		the contingent expense fund of the legislature shall be referred to
4307	4297		the Committee on House Administration.
4308	4298		(c) All other resolutions shall be referred to the
4309	4299		appropriate committee with jurisdiction.
4310	4300		Sec. 3. REFERRAL TO CALENDARS COMMITTEES. All resolutions
4311	4301		on committee report, other than privileged resolutions, shall be
4312	4302		referred immediately to the appropriate calendars committee for
4313	4303		placement on the appropriate calendar.
4314	4304		Sec. 4. ORDER OF CONSIDERATION. Unless privileged,
4315	4305		resolutions shall be considered by the house only at the time
4316	4306		assigned for their consideration on the calendar, in accordance
4317	4307		with the provisions of Rule 6, Section 7.
4318	4308		Sec. 4A. RECORD VOTE REQUIRED BY TEXAS CONSTITUTION. A vote
4319	4309		on final passage of a resolution other than a resolution of a purely
4320	4310		ceremonial or honorary nature must be by record vote with the vote
4321	4311		of each member entered in the journal as required by Section 12(b),
4322	4312		Article III, Texas Constitution.
4323	4313		Sec. 5. SIGNING BY GOVERNOR. Concurrent resolutions shall
4324	4314		take the same course as house resolutions, except that they shall be
4325	4315		sent to the governor for signing when finally passed by both houses.
4326	4316		Sec. 6. MASCOT RESOLUTIONS. (a) All candidates for the
4327	4317		office of mascot shall be named in and elected by a single house
4328	4318		resolution.
4329	4319		(b) Only children of house members who are under the age of
4330	4320		12 years shall be eligible for election to the honorary office of
4331	4321		mascot. A child once named a mascot shall not be eligible for the
4332	4322		honor a second time.
4333	4323		(c) No separate classification or special title shall be
4334	4324		given to any mascot, but all shall receive the same title of
4335	4325		honorary mascot of the house of representatives.
4336	4326		(d) The speaker shall issue a certificate showing the
4337	4327		election of each mascot and deliver it to the parent member of the
4338	4328		child.
4339	4329		Pictures of mascots shall appear on the panel picture of the
4340	4330		house.
4341	4331		Sec. 7. CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTIONS DURING CALLED
4342	4332		SESSIONS. The subject matter of house resolutions and concurrent
4343	4333		resolutions does not have to be submitted by the governor in a
4344	4334		called session before they can be considered.
4345	4335		Sec. 8. RESOLUTIONS AUTHORIZING TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS.
4346	4336		Resolutions authorizing the enrolling clerk of the house or senate
4347	4337		to make technical corrections to a measure that has been finally
4348	4338		acted upon by both houses of the legislature shall be privileged in
4349	4339		nature and need not be referred to committee. Such resolutions
4350	4340		shall be eligible for consideration by the house upon introduction
4351	4341		in the house or receipt from the senate.
4352	4342		Sec. 9. AUTHOR'S SIGNATURE ON CONGRATULATORY OR MEMORIAL
4353	4343		RESOLUTION. The enrolled printing of a house congratulatory or
4354	4344		memorial resolution shall include a place for the signature of the
4355	4345		primary author of the resolution. The chief clerk shall provide the
4356	4346		primary author with the opportunity to sign the resolution after
4357	4347		the resolution is enrolled. The absence of the primary author's
4358	4348		signature does not affect the validity of the resolution as adopted
4359	4349		by the house.
4360	4350		RULE 11. AMENDMENTS
4361	4351		Sec. 1. ACCEPTABLE MOTIONS TO AMEND. When a bill,
4362	4352		resolution, motion, or proposition is under consideration, a motion
4363	4353		to amend and a motion to amend that amendment shall be in order. It
4364	4354		shall also be in order to offer a further amendment by way of a
4365	4355		substitute. Such a substitute may not be amended. If the
4366	4356		substitute is adopted, the question shall then be on the amendment
4367	4357		as substituted, and under this condition an amendment is not in
4368	4358		order.
4369	4359		Sec. 2. MOTIONS ON A DIFFERENT SUBJECT OFFERED AS
4370	4360		AMENDMENTS. No motion or proposition on a subject different from
4371	4361		the subject under consideration shall be admitted as an amendment
4372	4362		or as a substitute for the motion or proposition under debate.
4373	4363		"Proposition" as used in this section shall include a bill,
4374	4364		resolution, joint resolution, or any other motion which is
4375	4365		amendable.
4376	4366		Amendments pertaining to the organization, powers,
4377	4367		regulation, and management of the agency, commission, or advisory
4378	4368		committee under consideration are germane to bills extending state
4379	4369		agencies, commissions, or advisory committees under the provisions
4380	4370		of the Texas Sunset Act (Chapter 325, Government Code).
4381	4371		An amendment to a committee substitute laid before the house
4382	4372		in lieu of an original bill is germane if each subject of the
4383	4373		amendment is a subject that is included in the committee substitute
4384	4374		or was included in the original bill.
4385	4375		Sec. 3. AMENDING A BILL TO CHANGE ITS ORIGINAL PURPOSE. No
4386	4376		bill shall be amended in its passage through either house so as to
4387	4377		change its original purpose.
4388	4378		Sec. 4. AMENDMENTS TO BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS ON LOCAL,
4389	4379		CONSENT, AND RESOLUTIONS CALENDARS. Amendments to a bill or
4390	4380		resolution shall not be in order during its consideration on a
4391	4381		local, consent, and resolutions calendar set by the Committee on
4392	4382		Local and Consent Calendars, unless the amendments have first been
4393	4383		submitted to and approved by the Committee on Local and Consent
4394	4384		Calendars, which shall be noted thereon by the chair of the
4395	4385		Committee on Local and Consent Calendars prior to the offering of
4396	4386		the amendments.
4397	4387		Sec. 5. AMENDMENTS ON THIRD READING. When a bill has been
4398	4388		taken up on its third reading, amendments shall be in order, but
4399	4389		shall require a two-thirds vote of the members present for their
4400	4390		adoption. A bill on third reading may be recommitted to a committee
4401	4391		and later reported to the house with amendments, in which case the
4402	4392		bill shall again take the course of a bill at its second reading.
4403	4393		Sec. 6. COPIES OF AN AMENDMENT. (a) Five copies of each
4404	4394		amendment shall be filed with the speaker. When the amendment is
4405	4395		read, two copies shall go to the chief clerk, one copy to the
4406	4396		journal clerk, one copy to the reading clerk, and one copy to the
4407	4397		speaker. No amendment offered from the floor shall be in order
4408	4398		unless the sponsoring member has complied with the provisions of
4409	4399		this section with respect to copies of the amendment. The chief
4410	4400		clerk shall retain one copy of each amendment filed with the speaker
4411	4401		under this section whether or not the amendment was offered by the
4412	4402		filing member.
4413	4403		(b) Prior to the time that an amendment is offered, if the
4414	4404		amendment exceeds one page in length, the sponsoring member must
4415	4405		provide to the chief clerk a minimum of five copies to be available
4416	4406		for distribution to those members requesting copies of the
4417	4407		amendment.
4418	4408		(c) If the amendment is only one page in length or less, the
4419	4409		sponsoring member must provide one additional copy of the amendment
4420	4410		to the chief clerk, who shall immediately proceed to have
4421	4411		additional copies made and available for those members requesting
4422	4412		copies of the amendment.
4423	4413		(d) The provisions of this section with respect to extra
4424	4414		copies shall not apply to committee amendments or to amendments
4425	4415		which do nothing more than delete material from the bill or
4426	4416		resolution.
4427	4417		(e) The speaker shall not recognize a member to offer an
4428	4418		original amendment that exceeds one page in length and that is in
4429	4419		the form of a complete substitute for the bill or resolution laid
4430	4420		before the house, or in the opinion of the speaker is a substantial
4431	4421		substitute, unless 10 copies of the amendment have been provided to
4432	4422		the chief clerk and were available in the chief clerk's office at
4433	4423		least 12 hours prior to the time the calendar on which the bill or
4434	4424		resolution to be amended is eligible for consideration.
4435	4425		(f) An amendment may be typed, hand-printed, or
4436	4426		handwritten, but must be legible in order to be offered.
4437	4427		(g) The speaker shall not recognize a member to offer an
4438	4428		original amendment to a bill extending an agency, commission, or
4439	4429		advisory committee under the Texas Sunset Act unless 10 copies of
4440	4430		the amendment have been provided to the chief clerk and were
4441	4431		available in the chief clerk's office at least 24 hours prior to the
4442	4432		time the calendar on which the bill or resolution to be amended is
4443	4433		eligible for consideration.
4444	4434		(h) If the house is convened in regular session, the speaker
4445	4435		shall not recognize a member to offer an original amendment to the
4446	4436		general appropriations bill on second reading unless 10 copies of
4447	4437		the amendment have been provided to the chief clerk and were
4448	4438		available in the chief clerk's office at least 72 hours prior to the
4449	4439		time the calendar on which the general appropriations bill appears
4450	4440		for second reading is first eligible for consideration.
4451	4441		(i) The Committee on House Administration shall ensure
4452	4442		that:
4453	4443		(1) the floor amendment system through which members
4454	4444		of the house may view an electronic image of current or past
4455	4445		amendments, or the system's successor in function, is available to
4456	4446		the public on the Internet;
4457	4447		(2) members of the public using the system available
4458	4448		on the Internet may view the same information that members may view
4459	4449		at the same time that members may view the information; and
4460	4450		(3) members of the public using the system available
4461	4451		on the Internet may view any amendment required to be provided to
4462	4452		the chief clerk under Rule 11, Sections 6(e), (g), and (h) at least
4463	4453		10 hours prior to the time the calendar on which the bill or
4464	4454		resolution to be amended is eligible for consideration.
4465	4455		(j) To the extent practicable, an amendment must include the
4466	4456		page and line numbers of the text of the bill, resolution, or
4467	4457		amendment being amended. Failure to comply with the requirements of
4468	4458		this subsection is not a sustainable point of order.
4469	4459		Sec. 7. ORDER OF OFFERING MOTIONS TO AMEND. Classes of
4470	4460		motions to amend shall be offered in the following order:
4471	4461		(1) motions to amend by striking out the enacting
4472	4462		clause of a bill (or the resolving clause of a resolution), which
4473	4463		amendment cannot be amended or substituted;
4474	4464		(2) motions to amend an original bill, resolution,
4475	4465		motion, or proposition (other than substitute bills as provided for
4476	4466		in Subdivision (3) below), which shall have precedence as follows:
4477	4467		(A) original amendment;
4478	4468		(B) amendment to the amendment;
4479	4469		(C) substitute for the amendment to the
4480	4470		amendment.
4481	4471		Recognition for the offering of original amendments shall be
4482	4472		as follows: first, the main author; second, the member or members
4483	4473		offering the committee amendment; and third, members offering other
4484	4474		amendments from the floor;
4485	4475		(3) motions to amend an original bill by striking out
4486	4476		all after the enacting clause (substitute bills), which substitute
4487	4477		bills shall be subject to amendment as follows:
4488	4478		(A) amendment to the substitute bill;
4489	4479		(B) substitute for the amendment to the
4490	4480		substitute bill.
4491	4481		Recognition for offering such substitute bills shall be as
4492	4482		follows: first, the main author of the original bill, if the
4493	4483		member has not sought to perfect the bill by amendments as provided
4494	4484		for in Subdivision (2) above; second, the member or members
4495	4485		offering the committee amendment; and, third, members offering
4496	4486		amendments from the floor.
4497	4487		It shall be in order under the procedure described in this
4498	4488		subdivision to have as many as four complete measures pending
4499	4489		before the house at one time; that is, an original bill, an
4500	4490		amendment striking out all after the enacting clause of the bill and
4501	4491		inserting a new bill body, an amendment to the amendment striking
4502	4492		out all after the enacting clause of the bill and inserting a new
4503	4493		bill body, and a substitute for this amendment to the amendment to
4504	4494		the original bill which is also a new bill body. These "substitute
4505	4495		bills" shall be voted on in the reverse order of their offering;
4506	4496		(4) motions to amend the caption of a bill or joint
4507	4497		resolution, which may also be offered in accordance with Section
4508	4498		9(a) of this rule.
4509	4499		Sec. 8. STRIKE OUTS AND INSERTIONS. (a) A motion to strike
4510	4500		out and to insert new matter in lieu of that to be stricken out shall
4511	4501		be regarded as a substitute and shall be indivisible.
4512	4502		(b) Matter inserted or stricken out of an original bill by
4513	4503		way of amendment may not be taken out or reinserted at a later time
4514	4504		on the same reading except under the following conditions:
4515	4505		(1) reconsideration of the inserting or deleting
4516	4506		amendment;
4517	4507		(2) adoption of a "substitute bill" amendment;
4518	4508		(3) adoption of an amendment for a whole paragraph,
4519	4509		section or subdivision of a bill which so materially changes the
4520	4510		original text that the portion inserted or deleted is in fact of
4521	4511		minor importance.
4522	4512		Sec. 9. AMENDING CAPTIONS. (a) An amendment to the caption
4523	4513		of a bill or resolution shall not be in order until all other
4524	4514		proposed amendments have been acted on and the house is ready to
4525	4515		vote on the passage of the measure, and it shall then be decided
4526	4516		without debate.
4527	4517		(b) If the previous question has been ordered on a bill or
4528	4518		joint resolution at any reading, an amendment to the caption of that
4529	4519		bill or joint resolution may be offered and voted on immediately
4530	4520		preceding the final vote on the bill or joint resolution.
4531	4521		Sec. 10. MOTION TO LIMIT AMENDMENTS. (a) A motion to limit
4532	4522		amendments shall be admitted only when seconded by 25 members. The
4533	4523		motion may take either of two forms:
4534	4524		(1) to limit amendments to those pending before the
4535	4525		house; or
4536	4526		(2) to limit amendments to those pending on the
4537	4527		speaker's desk.
4538	4528		(b) The motion shall be put by the chair in this manner: "The
4539	4529		motion has been seconded. Three minutes pro and con debate will be
4540	4530		allowed on the motion to limit amendments." As soon as the debate
4541	4531		has ended, the chair shall continue: "As many as are in favor of
4542	4532		limiting amendments on (here state on which question or questions)
4543	4533		will say 'Aye,'" and then "As many as are opposed say 'Nay.'" As in
4544	4534		all other propositions, a motion to limit amendments shall be
4545	4535		decided by a record vote if demanded by any member. If ordered by a
4546	4536		majority of the members voting, a quorum being present, the motion
4547	4537		shall have the effect of confining further debate and consideration
4548	4538		to those amendments included within the motion, and thereafter the
4549	4539		chair will accept no more amendments to the proposition to which the
4550	4540		motion is applied.
4551	4541		(c) The motion to limit amendments, if adopted, shall not in
4552	4542		any way cut off or limit debate or other parliamentary maneuvers on
4553	4543		the pending proposition or propositions or amendment or amendments
4554	4544		included within the motion. The sole function of the motion is to
4555	4545		prevent the chair from accepting further amendments to the
4556	4546		proposition to which the motion is applied.
4557	4547		(d) Except as otherwise provided, the motion to limit
4558	4548		amendments shall have no effect on the parliamentary situation to
4559	4549		which the motion is applied, and the matter to which the motion is
4560	4550		applied shall continue to be considered by the house in all other
4561	4551		respects as though the motion had not been made.
4562	4552		(e) The amendments that are included within the motion to
4563	4553		limit amendments shall each be subject to amendment, if otherwise
4564	4554		permitted under the rules.
4565	4555		Sec. 11. MOTION TO TABLE A MOTION TO LIMIT AMENDMENTS. The
4566	4556		motion to limit amendments is not subject to a motion to table.
4567	4557		Sec. 12. ORDER OF VOTING ON AMENDMENTS. When an amendment
4568	4558		is offered, followed by an amendment to that amendment, and then a
4569	4559		substitute for the amendment to the amendment, these questions
4570	4560		shall be voted on in the reverse order of their offering.
4571	4561		Sec. 13. CERTIFICATION OF ADOPTION OF AMENDMENTS. When an
4572	4562		amendment is adopted, such action shall be certified by the chief
4573	4563		clerk on the amendment, and the official copy of the amendment shall
4574	4564		then be securely attached to the bill or resolution which it amends.
4575	4565		RULE 12. PRINTING
4576	4566		Sec. 1. PRINTINGS OF BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS. (a)
4577	4567		Except as otherwise provided in this rule, all bills and joint
4578	4568		resolutions shall be printed and a copy provided to each member at
4579	4569		each of the following stages in the parliamentary progress of the
4580	4570		bill or joint resolution:
4581	4571		(1) at the time of the committee report on the bill or
4582	4572		joint resolution, which shall be known as "First Printing" and
4583	4573		which shall consist of:
4584	4574		(A) a complete text of the bill or joint
4585	4575		resolution as reported from committee;
4586	4576		(B) a complete copy of the bill analysis, a
4587	4577		complete copy of the summary of committee action, and a complete
4588	4578		copy of the witness list;
4589	4579		(C) the text of the committee report;
4590	4580		(D) the record vote by which the measure was
4591	4581		reported from committee, including the vote of individual members;
4592	4582		(E) a copy of the latest fiscal note; and
4593	4583		(F) a copy of each impact statement received by
4594	4584		the committee;
4595	4585		(2) at the time the bill or joint resolution, if
4596	4586		amended, finally passes the senate, senate amendments and house
4597	4587		engrossment text will be printed, which shall be known as "Second
4598	4588		Printing"; and
4599	4589		(3) at the time the conference committee, if any,
4600	4590		makes its report on the bill or joint resolution, which shall be
4601	4591		known as "Third Printing."
4602	4592		(b) In any section of the first printing of a bill or joint
4603	4593		resolution that proposes to amend an existing statute or
4604	4594		constitutional provision, language sought to be deleted must be
4605	4595		bracketed and stricken through, and language sought to be added
4606	4596		must be underlined. This requirement does not apply to:
4607	4597		(1) an appropriations bill;
4608	4598		(2) a local bill;
4609	4599		(3) a game bill;
4610	4600		(4) a recodification bill;
4611	4601		(5) a redistricting bill;
4612	4602		(6) a section of a bill or joint resolution not
4613	4603		purporting to amend an existing statute or constitutional
4614	4604		provision;
4615	4605		(7) a section of a bill or joint resolution that
4616	4606		revises the entire text of an existing statute or constitutional
4617	4607		provision, to the extent that it would confuse rather than clarify
4618	4608		to show deletions and additions; and
4619	4609		(8) a section of a bill or joint resolution providing
4620	4610		for severability, nonseverability, emergency, or repeal of an
4621	4611		existing statute or constitutional provision.
4622	4612		(c) The speaker may overrule a point of order raised as to a
4623	4613		violation of Subsection (b) of this section if the violation is
4624	4614		typographical or minor and does not tend to deceive or mislead.
4625	4615		(d) The requirement to provide a copy of a printing to each
4626	4616		member may be accomplished by making a copy of the printing
4627	4617		available in an electronic format for viewing by the member and,
4628	4618		when the electronic format copy of the appropriate printing becomes
4629	4619		available, sending notice of that fact to a Capitol e-mail address
4630	4620		designated by the member. If a member informs the chief clerk that
4631	4621		the member also desires to receive a paper copy of printings at
4632	4622		first, second, or third printing, the chief clerk shall place paper
4633	4623		copies of those printings designated by the member in the newspaper
4634	4624		box of the member as soon as practicable after the electronic copies
4635	4625		of the printings are made available for viewing.
4636	4626		(e) The provisions of Subsection (d) of this section
4637	4627		authorizing delivery of a printing by electronic means also apply
4638	4628		to any fiscal note, impact statement, analysis, or other item
4639	4629		required by these rules to be delivered or made available to each
4640	4630		member as an attachment to or in connection with the applicable
4641	4631		printing.
4642	4632		Sec. 2. LOCAL BILLS. Local bills shall not be reprinted
4643	4633		after the first printing except when ordered printed by a majority
4644	4634		vote of the house.
4645	4635		Sec. 3. CONCURRENT RESOLUTIONS. A concurrent resolution
4646	4636		shall be printed only if the resolution:
4647	4637		(1) grants permission to sue the state;
4648	4638		(2) memorializes Congress to take or to refrain from
4649	4639		taking certain action;
4650	4640		(3) sets legislative policy or declares legislative
4651	4641		intent;
4652	4642		(4) makes corrective changes in any bill, joint
4653	4643		resolution, or conference committee report;
4654	4644		(5) establishes or interprets policy for a state
4655	4645		agency, department, or political subdivision;
4656	4646		(6) establishes, modifies, or changes internal
4657	4647		procedures or administration of the legislature or any component
4658	4648		part thereof;
4659	4649		(7) proposes an amendment to the Joint Rules of the
4660	4650		Senate and the House of Representatives; or
4661	4651		(8) is ordered printed by a majority vote of the house.
4662	4652		Sec. 4. HOUSE RESOLUTIONS. A house resolution shall be
4663	4653		printed only if the resolution:
4664	4654		(1) proposes an amendment to the rules of the house;
4665	4655		(2) establishes, modifies, or changes the internal
4666	4656		procedures and administration of the house;
4667	4657		(3) establishes legislative policy or interprets
4668	4658		legislative intent; or
4669	4659		(4) is ordered printed by a majority of the house.
4670	4660		Sec. 5. ACCEPTABLE STANDARDS OF COMPLIANCE WITH PRINTING
4671	4661		REQUIREMENTS. Except for matter to be printed in the journal, all
4672	4662		requirements contained in the rules with respect to the printing of
4673	4663		bills, resolutions, reports, and other matters shall be considered
4674	4664		complied with if the material is adequately and properly reproduced
4675	4665		by any acceptable means of reproduction.
4676	4666		RULE 13. INTERACTIONS WITH THE GOVERNOR AND SENATE
4677	4667		CHAPTER A. MESSAGES
4678	4668		Sec. 1. MESSAGES FROM THE GOVERNOR. Messages and
4679	4669		communications from the governor shall be received when announced,
4680	4670		and shall be read on the calendar day received.
4681	4671		Sec. 2. MESSAGES FROM THE SENATE. (a) All messages from
4682	4672		the senate shall be received when announced. Senate bills
4683	4673		announced as passed shall be read for the first time and referred to
4684	4674		the appropriate committee as soon as practicable.
4685	4675		(b) Messages from the senate announcing amendments to house
4686	4676		bills and resolutions, nonconcurrence in house amendments to senate
4687	4677		bills and resolutions, requests for conference committees, reports
4688	4678		of conference committees, and all other matters of disagreement,
4689	4679		amendments, and requests between the two houses, shall go to the
4690	4680		speaker's desk in their regular order, but may be called up for
4691	4681		action by the house at any time as a privileged matter, yielding
4692	4682		only to a motion to adjourn.
4693	4683		CHAPTER B. SENATE AMENDMENTS
4694	4684		Sec. 3. HOUSE ACTION ON SENATE AMENDMENTS. When a bill,
4695	4685		resolution, or other matter is returned to the house with senate
4696	4686		amendments, the house may:
4697	4687		(1) agree to the amendments; or
4698	4688		(2) disagree to all of the amendments and ask for a
4699	4689		conference committee; or
4700	4690		(3) agree to one or more of the amendments and disagree
4701	4691		as to the remainder and request a conference committee to consider
4702	4692		those in disagreement; or
4703	4693		(4) agree to one or more and disagree as to the
4704	4694		remainder; or
4705	4695		(5) disagree to all amendments.
4706	4696		Sec. 4. ADOPTION OF SENATE AMENDMENTS FOR BILLS WITH
4707	4697		IMMEDIATE EFFECT. If a bill is to go into immediate effect, senate
4708	4698		amendments thereto must be adopted by a vote of two-thirds of the
4709	4699		elected membership of the house.
4710	4700		Sec. 5. PRINTING SENATE AMENDMENTS. (a) Senate amendments
4711	4701		to house bills and resolutions must be printed and copies provided
4712	4702		to the members at least 24 hours before any action can be taken
4713	4703		thereon by the house during a regular or special session.
4714	4704		(b) When a house bill or joint resolution, other than the
4715	4705		general appropriations bill, with senate amendments is returned to
4716	4706		the house, the chief clerk shall request the Legislative Budget
4717	4707		Board to prepare a fiscal note outlining the fiscal implications
4718	4708		and probable cost of the measure as impacted by the senate
4719	4709		amendments. A copy of the fiscal note shall be distributed with the
4720	4710		senate amendments on their printing before any action can be taken
4721	4711		on the senate amendments by the house.
4722	4712		(c) When a house bill or joint resolution, other than the
4723	4713		general appropriations bill, with senate amendments is returned to
4724	4714		the house, the chief clerk shall request the Texas Legislative
4725	4715		Council to prepare an analysis that describes the substantive
4726	4716		changes made to the house version of the bill by the senate
4727	4717		amendments. A copy of the council's analysis of senate amendments
4728	4718		shall be provided to the members electronically or as a printed copy
4729	4719		at least 12 hours before action is taken on the senate amendments by
4730	4720		the house. The Texas Legislative Council shall make all reasonable
4731	4721		efforts to timely provide the analysis in as accurate a form as time
4732	4722		allows. However, an unavoidable inability to provide the analysis
4733	4723		or an inadvertent error in the analysis is not a sustainable
4734	4724		question of order.
4735	4725		(d) When a house bill or joint resolution for which a tax
4736	4726		equity note was required under Rule 4, Section 34(b)(5), is
4737	4727		returned to the house with senate amendments, the chief clerk shall
4738	4728		request the Legislative Budget Board to prepare a tax equity note
4739	4729		estimating the general effects of the senate amendments on the
4740	4730		distribution of tax and fee burdens among individuals and
4741	4731		businesses. A copy of the updated tax equity note shall be made
4742	4732		available to each member, in some format, before any vote on the
4743	4733		floor can be taken on the senate amendments by the house.
4744	4734		Sec. 5A. RETURN OF NONGERMANE SENATE AMENDMENTS BY SPEAKER.
4745	4735		When a house bill or joint resolution, other than the general
4746	4736		appropriations bill, with senate amendments is returned to the
4747	4737		house, the speaker, with the permission of the primary author of the
4748	4738		bill or resolution, may return the bill or resolution to the senate
4749	4739		if the speaker determines that the senate amendments are not
4750	4740		germane to the house version of the bill or resolution. The speaker
4751	4741		may act under this section without regard to whether the bill or
4752	4742		resolution is eligible for consideration by the house. If the
4753	4743		speaker returns a bill or resolution to the senate under this
4754	4744		section, the speaker shall attach to the bill or resolution a
4755	4745		statement of the speaker's action that includes an explanation of
4756	4746		the speaker's determination, and shall enter the statement in the
4757	4747		journal as soon as practicable.
4758	4748		CHAPTER C. CONFERENCE COMMITTEES
4759	4749		Sec. 6. MEMBERSHIP AND OPERATION. (a) In all conferences
4760	4750		between the senate and the house by committee, the number of
4761	4751		committee members from each house shall be five. All votes on
4762	4752		matters of difference shall be taken by each committee separately.
4763	4753		A majority of each committee shall be required to determine the
4764	4754		matter in dispute. Reports by conference committees must be signed
4765	4755		by a majority of each committee of the conference.
4766	4756		(b) A copy of the report signed by a majority of each
4767	4757		committee of the conference must be furnished to each member of the
4768	4758		committee in person or if unable to deliver in person by placing a
4769	4759		copy in the member's newspaper mailbox at least one hour before the
4770	4760		report is furnished to each member of the house under Section 10(a)
4771	4761		of this rule. The paper copies of the report submitted to the chief
4772	4762		clerk under Section 10(b) of this rule must contain a certificate
4773	4763		that the requirement of this subsection has been satisfied, and
4774	4764		that certificate must be attached to the copy of the report
4775	4765		furnished to each member under Section 10(d) of this rule. Failure
4776	4766		to comply with this subsection is not a sustainable point of order
4777	4767		under this rule.
4778	4768		Sec. 7. MEETINGS. (a) House conferees when meeting with
4779	4769		senate conferees to adjust differences shall meet in public and
4780	4770		shall give a reasonable amount of notice of the meeting in the place
4781	4771		designated for giving notice of meetings of house standing
4782	4772		committees. Any such meeting shall be open to the news media. Any
4783	4773		conference committee report adopted in private shall not be
4784	4774		considered by the house.
4785	4775		(b) At a meeting of the conferees to adjust differences on
4786	4776		the general appropriations bill, the chair of the house conferees
4787	4777		may request the assistance of any house member who serves on the
4788	4778		appropriations committee.
4789	4779		Sec. 8. INSTRUCTIONS. Instructions to a conference
4790	4780		committee shall be made after the conference is ordered and before
4791	4781		the conferees are appointed by the speaker, and not thereafter.
4792	4782		Sec. 9. LIMITATIONS ON JURISDICTION. (a) Conference
4793	4783		committees shall limit their discussions and their actions solely
4794	4784		to the matters in disagreement between the two houses. A conference
4795	4785		committee shall have no authority with respect to any bill or
4796	4786		resolution:
4797	4787		(1) to change, alter, or amend text which is not in
4798	4788		disagreement;
4799	4789		(2) to omit text which is not in disagreement;
4800	4790		(3) to add text on any matter which is not in
4801	4791		disagreement;
4802	4792		(4) to add text on any matter which is not included in
4803	4793		either the house or senate version of the bill or resolution.
4804	4794		This rule shall be strictly construed by the presiding
4805	4795		officer in each house to achieve these purposes.
4806	4796		(b) Conference committees on appropriations bills, like
4807	4797		other conference committees, shall limit their discussions and
4808	4798		their actions solely to the matters in disagreement between the two
4809	4799		houses. In addition to the limitations contained elsewhere in the
4810	4800		rules, a conference committee on appropriations bills shall be
4811	4801		strictly limited in its authority as follows:
4812	4802		(1) If an item of appropriation appears in both house
4813	4803		and senate versions of the bill, the item must be included in the
4814	4804		conference committee report.
4815	4805		(2) If an item of appropriation appears in both house
4816	4806		and senate versions of the bill, and in identical amounts, no change
4817	4807		can be made in the item or the amount.
4818	4808		(3) If an item of appropriation appears in both house
4819	4809		and senate versions of the bill but in different amounts, no change
4820	4810		can be made in the item, but the amount shall be at the discretion of
4821	4811		the conference committee, provided that the amount shall not exceed
4822	4812		the larger version and shall not be less than the smaller version.
4823	4813		(4) If an item of appropriation appears in one version
4824	4814		of the bill and not in the other, the item can be included or omitted
4825	4815		at the discretion of the conference committee. If the item is
4826	4816		included, the amount shall not exceed the sum specified in the
4827	4817		version containing the item.
4828	4818		(5) If an item of appropriation appears in neither the
4829	4819		house nor the senate version of the bill, the item must not be
4830	4820		included in the conference committee report. However, the
4831	4821		conference committee report may include appropriations for
4832	4822		purposes or programs authorized by bills that have been passed and
4833	4823		sent to the governor and may include contingent appropriations for
4834	4824		purposes or programs authorized by bills that have been passed by at
4835	4825		least one house.
4836	4826		This rule shall be strictly construed by the presiding
4837	4827		officer in each house to achieve these purposes.
4838	4828		(c) Conference committees on tax bills, like other
4839	4829		conference committees, shall limit their discussions and their
4840	4830		actions solely to the matters in disagreement between the two
4841	4831		houses. In addition to the limitations contained elsewhere in the
4842	4832		rules, a conference committee on a tax bill shall be strictly
4843	4833		limited in its authority as follows:
4844	4834		(1) If a tax item appears in both house and senate
4845	4835		versions of the bill, the item must be included in the conference
4846	4836		committee report.
4847	4837		(2) If a tax item appears in both house and senate
4848	4838		versions of the bill, and in identical form and with identical
4849	4839		rates, no change can be made in the item or the rate provided.
4850	4840		(3) If a tax item appears in both house and senate
4851	4841		versions of the bill but at differing rates, no change can be made
4852	4842		in the item, but the rate shall be at the discretion of the
4853	4843		conference committee, provided that the rate shall not exceed the
4854	4844		higher version and shall not be less than the lower version.
4855	4845		(4) If a tax item appears in one version of the bill
4856	4846		and not in the other, the item can be included or omitted at the
4857	4847		discretion of the conference committee. If the item is included,
4858	4848		the rate shall not exceed the rate specified in the version
4859	4849		containing the item.
4860	4850		(5) If a tax item appears in neither the house nor the
4861	4851		senate version of the bill, the item must not be included in the
4862	4852		conference committee report.
4863	4853		This rule shall be strictly construed by the presiding
4864	4854		officer in each house to achieve these purposes.
4865	4855		(d) Conference committees on reapportionment bills, to the
4866	4856		extent possible, shall limit their discussions and their actions to
4867	4857		the matters in disagreement between the two houses. Since the
4868	4858		adjustment of one district in a reapportionment bill will
4869	4859		inevitably affect other districts, the strict rule of construction
4870	4860		imposed on other conference committees must be relaxed somewhat
4871	4861		when reapportionment bills are involved. Accordingly, the
4872	4862		following authority and limitations shall apply only to conference
4873	4863		committees on reapportionment bills:
4874	4864		(1) If the matters in disagreement affect only certain
4875	4865		districts, and other districts are identical in both house and
4876	4866		senate versions of the bill, the conference committee shall make
4877	4867		adjustments only in those districts whose rearrangement is
4878	4868		essential to the effective resolving of the matters in
4879	4869		disagreement. All other districts shall remain unchanged.
4880	4870		(2) If the matters in disagreement permeate the entire
4881	4871		bill and affect most, if not all, of the districts, the conference
4882	4872		committee shall have wide discretion in rearranging the districts
4883	4873		to the extent necessary to resolve all differences between the two
4884	4874		houses.
4885	4875		(3) Insofar as the actual structure of the districts
4886	4876		is concerned, and only to that extent, the provisions of Subsection
4887	4877		(a) of this section shall not apply to conference committees on
4888	4878		reapportionment bills.
4889	4879		(e) Conference committees on recodification bills, like
4890	4880		other conference committees, shall limit their discussions and
4891	4881		their actions solely to the matters in disagreement between the two
4892	4882		houses. The comprehensive and complicated nature of recodification
4893	4883		bills makes necessary the relaxing of the strict rule of
4894	4884		construction imposed on other conference committees only to the
4895	4885		following extent:
4896	4886		(1) If it develops in conference committee that
4897	4887		material has been inadvertently included in both house and senate
4898	4888		versions which properly has no place in the recodification, that
4899	4889		material may be omitted from the conference committee report, if by
4900	4890		that omission the existing statute is not repealed, altered, or
4901	4891		amended.
4902	4892		(2) If it develops in conference committee that
4903	4893		material has been inadvertently omitted from both the house and
4904	4894		senate versions which properly should be included if the
4905	4895		recodification is to achieve its purpose of being all-inclusive of
4906	4896		the statutes being recodified, that material may be added to the
4907	4897		conference committee report, if by the addition the existing
4908	4898		statute is merely restated without substantive change in existing
4909	4899		law.
4910	4900		(f) Limitations imposed on certain conference committees by
4911	4901		the provisions of this section may be suspended in part by
4912	4902		permission of the house to allow consideration of and action on a
4913	4903		specific matter or matters which otherwise would be prohibited.
4914	4904		Permission shall be granted only by resolution passed by majority
4915	4905		vote of the house. All such resolutions shall be privileged in
4916	4906		nature and need not be referred to a committee. The introduction of
4917	4907		such a resolution shall be announced from the house floor and the
4918	4908		resolution shall be eligible for consideration by the house:
4919	4909		(1) three hours after a copy of the resolution has been
4920	4910		distributed to each member; or
4921	4911		(2) for a resolution suspending limitations on a
4922	4912		conference committee considering the general appropriations bill,
4923	4913		48 hours in a regular session and 24 hours in a special session
4924	4914		after a copy of the resolution has been distributed to each member.
4925	4915		(g) The time at which the copies of such a resolution are
4926	4916		distributed to the members shall be time-stamped on the originals
4927	4917		of the resolution. The resolution shall specify in detail:
4928	4918		(1) the exact language of the matter or matters
4929	4919		proposed to be considered;
4930	4920		(2) the specific limitation or limitations to be
4931	4921		suspended;
4932	4922		(3) the specific action contemplated by the conference
4933	4923		committee;
4934	4924		(4) except for a resolution suspending the limitations
4935	4925		on the conferees for the general appropriations bill, the reasons
4936	4926		that suspension of the limitations is being requested; and
4937	4927		(5) a fiscal note distributed with the resolution
4938	4928		outlining the fiscal implications and probable cost of the items to
4939	4929		be included in the conference committee report that would otherwise
4940	4930		be prohibited but for the passage of the resolution.
4941	4931		(h) In the application of Subsection (g) of this section to
4942	4932		appropriations bills, the resolution:
4943	4933		(1) need not include changes in amounts resulting from
4944	4934		a proposed salary plan or changes in format that do not affect the
4945	4935		amount of an appropriation or the method of finance of an
4946	4936		appropriation, but shall include a general statement describing the
4947	4937		salary plan or format change;
4948	4938		(2) need not include differences in language which do
4949	4939		not affect the substance of the bill;
4950	4940		(3) if suspending a limitation imposed by Subsection
4951	4941		(b)(2), (3), (4), or (5) of this section, must specify the amount by
4952	4942		which the appropriation in the conference committee report is less
4953	4943		than or greater than the amount permitted for that item of
4954	4944		appropriation under Subsection (b) of this section; and
4955	4945		(4) shall be available in its entirety on the
4956	4946		electronic legislative information system that is accessible by the
4957	4947		general public.
4958	4948		(i) Permission granted by a resolution under Subsection (f)
4959	4949		of this section shall suspend the limitations only for the matter or
4960	4950		matters clearly specified in the resolution, and the action of the
4961	4951		conference committee shall be in conformity with the resolution.
4962	4952		Sec. 10. PRINTING AND DISTRIBUTION OF REPORTS. (a) All
4963	4953		conference committee reports must be printed and a copy furnished
4964	4954		to each member as provided by Rule 12, Section 1, at least 24 hours
4965	4955		before action can be taken on the report by the house during a
4966	4956		regular or special session.
4967	4957		(b) Three original copies of a conference committee report
4968	4958		shall be submitted to the chief clerk for printing. Each original
4969	4959		conference committee report shall contain the following:
4970	4960		(1) the signatures of the house conferees and senate
4971	4961		conferees who voted to adopt the conference committee report;
4972	4962		(2) the text of the bill or resolution as adopted by
4973	4963		the conference committee; and
4974	4964		(3) an analysis of the conference committee report as
4975	4965		required by Section 11 of this rule.
4976	4966		(c) Before action can be taken by the house on a conference
4977	4967		committee report on a bill or joint resolution, other than the
4978	4968		general appropriations bill, a fiscal note outlining the fiscal
4979	4969		implications and probable cost of the conference committee report
4980	4970		shall be submitted to the chief clerk, and a copy of the fiscal note
4981	4971		shall be distributed with the conference committee report on its
4982	4972		printing.
4983	4973		(d) Before a vote on the floor can be taken by the house on a
4984	4974		conference committee report on a bill or joint resolution for which
4985	4975		a tax equity note was required under Rule 4, Section 34(b)(5), a tax
4986	4976		equity note estimating the general effects of the conference
4987	4977		committee report on the distribution of tax and fee burdens among
4988	4978		individuals and businesses shall be submitted to the chief clerk,
4989	4979		and a copy of the tax equity note shall be made available to each
4990	4980		member.
4991	4981		Sec. 11. ANALYSIS OF REPORTS. (a) All reports of conference
4992	4982		committees shall include an analysis showing wherein the report
4993	4983		differs from the house and senate versions of the bill, resolution,
4994	4984		or other matter in disagreement. The analysis of appropriations
4995	4985		bills shall show in dollar amounts the differences between the
4996	4986		conference committee report and the house and senate versions. No
4997	4987		conference committee report shall be considered by the house unless
4998	4988		such an analysis has been prepared and distributed to each member.
4999	4989		(b) The analysis shall to the extent practical indicate any
5000	4990		instance wherein the conference committee in its report appears to
5001	4991		have exceeded the limitations imposed on its jurisdiction by
5002	4992		Section 9 of this rule. An analysis and the conference committee
5003	4993		report in which the analysis is included are not subject to a point
5004	4994		of order due to a failure to comply with this subsection or due to a
5005	4995		mistake made in complying with this subsection.
5006	4996		Sec. 12. CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS. A conference committee
5007	4997		report is not subject to amendment, but must be accepted or rejected
5008	4998		in its entirety. While a conference committee report is pending, a
5009	4999		motion to deal with individual amendments in disagreement is not in
5010	5000		order.
5011	5001		Sec. 13. WHEN REPORTS NOT ACCEPTABLE. When a conference
5012	5002		committee report is not acceptable to the house for any reason, it
5013	5003		may be recommitted to the same committee with the request for
5014	5004		further consideration, and the house may or may not give any
5015	5005		specific instructions on the report to the conference committee; or
5016	5006		the house may request the appointment by the senate of a new
5017	5007		conference committee and then proceed to empower the speaker to
5018	5008		name new conferees for the house.
5019	5009		RULE 14. GENERAL PROVISIONS
5020	5010		Sec. 1. WHEN RULES ARE SILENT. If the rules are silent or
5021	5011		inexplicit on any question of order or parliamentary practice, the
5022	5012		Rules of the House of Representatives of the United States
5023	5013		Congress, and its practice as reflected in published precedents,
5024	5014		and Mason's Manual of Legislative Procedure shall be considered as
5025	5015		authority.
5026	5016		Sec. 2. AMENDMENTS TO THE RULES. (a) Amendments to the
5027	5017		rules of the house shall be proposed by house resolutions which
5028	5018		shall be referred at once, without debate, to the Committee on Rules
5029	5019		and Resolutions for study and recommendation.
5030	5020		(b) A resolution proposing an amendment to the rules shall
5031	5021		not be considered by the house until a printed copy of the
5032	5022		resolution has been provided to each member of the house at least 48
5033	5023		hours before consideration.
5034	5024		(c) Amendments to the rules shall require a majority vote of
5035	5025		the house for adoption.
5036	5026		Sec. 3. MOTION TO SUSPEND THE RULES. A motion to suspend
5037	5027		the rules shall be in order at any time, except when motions to
5038	5028		adjourn or recess are pending, even when the house is operating
5039	5029		under the previous question. A motion to "suspend all rules" shall
5040	5030		be sufficient to suspend every rule under which the house is
5041	5031		operating for a particular purpose except the provisions of the
5042	5032		constitution and the joint rules of the two houses. If the rules
5043	5033		have been suspended on a main motion for a given purpose, no other
5044	5034		motion to suspend the rules on a main motion shall be in order until
5045	5035		the original purpose has been accomplished.
5046	5036		Sec. 4. NOTICE OF PENDING MOTION TO SUSPEND THE RULES. It
5047	5037		shall not be in order to move to suspend the rules or the regular
5048	5038		order of business to take up a measure out of its regular order, and
5049	5039		the speaker shall not recognize anyone for either purpose, unless
5050	5040		the speaker has announced to the house in session that the speaker
5051	5041		would recognize a member for that purpose at least one hour before
5052	5042		the member is so recognized to make the motion. In making the
5053	5043		announcement to the house, the speaker shall advise the house of the
5054	5044		member's name and the bill number, and this information, together
5055	5045		with the time that the announcement was made, shall be entered in
5056	5046		the journal. This rule may be suspended only by unanimous consent.
5057	5047		Sec. 5. VOTE REQUIREMENTS FOR SUSPENSION. A standing rule
5058	5048		of the house may be suspended by an affirmative vote of two-thirds
5059	5049		of the members present. However, if a rule contains a specific
5060	5050		provision showing the vote by which that rule may be suspended, that
5061	5051		vote shall be required for the suspension of the rule. The specific
5062	5052		provision may not be suspended under the provisions of this
5063	5053		section.
5064	5054		Sec. 6. DISPOSAL OF MEASURES TAKEN UP UNDER SUSPENSION. Any
5065	5055		measure taken up under suspension and not disposed of on the same
5066	5056		day shall go over as pending or unfinished business to the next day
5067	5057		that the house is in session, and shall be considered thereafter
5068	5058		from day to day (except the days used for the consideration of
5069	5059		senate bills) until disposed of.
5070	5060		Sec. 7. COMMITTEE GIFTS. A member of the house may not
5071	5061		offer, confer, or agree to confer to a committee member one or more
5072	5062		gifts with a total value of more than $75 per year.
5073	5063		Sec. 8. EXPLANATION OF THE FINAL RULING OF A POINT OF ORDER.
5074	5064		The speaker shall instruct the parliamentarian to provide to each
5075	5065		member a written explanation of the final ruling on a point of
5076	5066		order, including providing the citation of any house or
5077	5067		congressional precedents used in determining the ruling. The
5078	5068		explanation shall be provided to each member through the electronic
5079	5069		legislative information system not later than 24 hours after the
5080	5070		final ruling was announced before the house.
5081		-	Smithee
5082		-	______________________________
5083		-	Speaker of the House
5084		-	I certify that H.R. No. 4 was adopted by the House on January
5085		-	11, 2017, by the following vote: Yeas 147, Nays 0, 1 present, not
5086		-	voting.
5087		-	______________________________
5088		-	Chief Clerk of the House