Texas Senate Bill SJR39

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Proposing a constitutional amendment providing that members of the legislature and the lieutenant governor will not receive a state salary or per diem during certain periods unless the legislature has passed the state's budget and that budget is certified by the comptroller.

Impact

The passage of SJR39 would amend Section 24 of Article III of the Texas Constitution by introducing a new subsection that outlines specific conditions under which legislators and the lieutenant governor would forfeit their salaries. If the General Appropriations Act is not certified by the comptroller within 31 days after the last day of a regular legislative session, those officials would temporarily lose their financial remuneration, thereby potentially motivating quicker budget approvals. This change may lead to a more streamlined budgeting process as legislators aim to avoid personal financial penalties.

Summary

SJR39, a joint resolution proposed in the Texas legislature, seeks to amend the state constitution to stipulate that members of the legislature and the lieutenant governor will not receive their state salary or per diem during certain periods unless the legislature has passed and the comptroller has certified the state budget. By placing this requirement into the Texas Constitution, the bill establishes a new standard for fiscal accountability among elected officials, encouraging timely budget legislation and reducing the risk of compensation without budgetary support.

Contention

While there may be broad support for fiscal responsibility, SJR39 is likely to encounter objections regarding potential impacts on legislative operations. Critics may argue that tying compensation directly to budget certification could unduly pressure lawmakers to rush through critical fiscal discussions, possibly sacrificing thoroughness for expedience. Additionally, as this adjustment effectively moves financial accountability into the legislative arena, there could be debates about fairness in compensation practices, especially when considering unforeseen delays in budget negotiations that are often out of legislators' control.