Texas 2021 - 87th Regular

Texas House Bill HR4 Compare Versions

Version 1 (Old)

Version 2 (New)

Old	New		Differences
1		-	H.R. No. 4
	1	+	87R7296 ESC/HLB/ISO
	2	+	By: Hunter 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		-	House of Representatives of the 87th ~~[86th]~~ Legislature:
	8	+	House of Representatives of the 87th 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. OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES 11
15	16		3. STANDING COMMITTEES 24
16	17		4. ORGANIZATION, POWERS, AND DUTIES OF
17	18		COMMITTEES 54
18	19		5. FLOOR PROCEDURE 90
19	20		6. ORDER OF BUSINESS AND CALENDARS 113
20	21		7. MOTIONS 133
21	22		8. BILLS 149
22	23		9. JOINT RESOLUTIONS 165
23	24		10. HOUSE RESOLUTIONS AND CONCURRENT
24	25		RESOLUTIONS 167
25	26		11. AMENDMENTS 170
26	27		12. PRINTING 179
27	28		13. INTERACTIONS WITH THE GOVERNOR
28	29		AND SENATE 183
29	30		14. GENERAL PROVISIONS 196
30	31		15. APPROPRIATE WORKPLACE CONDUCT 198
31	32		16. SPECIAL RULE200
32	33		STATEMENT OF AUTHORIZATION AND PRECEDENCE
33	34		Pursuant to and under the authority of Section 11, Article
34	35		III, Texas Constitution, and notwithstanding any provision of
35	36		statute, the House of Representatives adopts the following rules to
36	37		govern its operations and procedures. The provisions of these
37	38		rules shall be deemed the only requirements binding on the House of
38	39		Representatives under Section 11, Article III, Texas Constitution,
39	40		notwithstanding any other requirements expressed in statute.
40	41		RULE 1. DUTIES AND RIGHTS OF THE SPEAKER
41	42		CHAPTER A. DUTIES AS PRESIDING OFFICER
42	43		Sec. 1. ENFORCEMENT OF THE RULES. The speaker shall
43	44		enforce, apply, and interpret the rules of the house in all
44	45		deliberations of the house and shall enforce the legislative rules
45	46		prescribed by the statutes and the Constitution of Texas.
46	47		Sec. 2. CALL TO ORDER. The speaker shall take the chair on
47	48		each calendar day precisely at the hour to which the house adjourned
48	49		or recessed at its last sitting and shall immediately call the
49	50		members to order.
50	51		Sec. 3. LAYING BUSINESS BEFORE THE HOUSE. The speaker
51	52		shall lay before the house its business in the order indicated by
52	53		the rules and shall receive propositions made by members and put
53	54		them to the house.
54	55		Sec. 4. REFERRAL OF PROPOSED LEGISLATION TO COMMITTEE. All
55	56		proposed legislation shall be referred by the speaker to an
56	57		appropriate standing or select committee with jurisdiction,
57	58		subject to correction by a majority vote of the house. A bill or
58	59		resolution may not be referred simultaneously to more than one
59	60		committee.
60	61		Sec. 5. PRESERVATION OF ORDER AND DECORUM. The speaker
61	62		shall preserve order and decorum. In case of disturbance or
62	63		disorderly conduct in the galleries or in the lobby, the speaker may
63	64		order that these areas be cleared. No signs, placards, or other
64	65		objects of similar nature shall be permitted in the rooms, lobby,
65	66		gallery, and hall of the house. The speaker shall see that the
66	67		members of the house conduct themselves in a civil manner in
67	68		accordance with accepted standards of parliamentary conduct and
68	69		may, when necessary, order the sergeant-at-arms to clear the aisles
69	70		and seat the members of the house so that business may be conducted
70	71		in an orderly manner.
71	72		Sec. 6. RECOGNITION OF GALLERY VISITORS. On written
72	73		request of a member, the speaker may recognize persons in the
73	74		gallery. The speaker shall afford that recognition at a convenient
74	75		place in the order of business, considering the need for order and
75	76		decorum and the need for continuity of debate. The request must be
76	77		made on a form prescribed by the Committee on House Administration.
77	78		The speaker may recognize, at a time he or she considers appropriate
78	79		during floor proceedings, the person serving as physician of the
79	80		day.
80	81		Sec. 7. STATING AND VOTING ON QUESTIONS. The speaker shall
81	82		rise to put a question but may state it sitting. The question shall
82	83		be put substantially in this form: "The question occurs on
83	84		______" (here state the question or proposition under
84	85		consideration). "All in favor say 'Aye,'" and after the affirmative
85	86		vote is expressed, "All opposed say 'No.'" If the speaker is in
86	87		doubt as to the result, or if a division is called for, the house
87	88		shall divide: those voting in the affirmative on the question
88	89		shall register "Aye" on the voting machine, and those voting in the
89	90		negative on the question shall register "No." The decision of the
90	91		house on the question shall be printed in the journal and shall
91	92		include the yeas and nays if a record of the yeas and nays is ordered
92	93		in accordance with the rules.
93	94		Sec. 8. VOTING RIGHTS OF THE PRESIDING OFFICER. The
94	95		speaker shall have the same right as other members to vote. If the
95	96		speaker, or a member temporarily presiding, has not voted, he or she
96	97		may cast the deciding vote at the time such opportunity becomes
97	98		official, whether to make or break a tie. If a verification of the
98	99		vote is called for and granted, the decision of the speaker, or a
99	100		member temporarily presiding, to cast the deciding vote need not be
100	101		made until the verification has been completed. In case of error in
101	102		a vote, if the correction leaves decisive effect to the vote of the
102	103		speaker, or a member temporarily presiding, the deciding vote may
103	104		be cast even though the result has been announced.
104	105		Sec. 9. QUESTIONS OF ORDER. (a) The speaker shall decide
105	106		on all questions of order; however, such decisions are subject to an
106	107		appeal to the house made by any 10 members. Pending an appeal, the
107	108		speaker shall call a member to the chair, who shall not have the
108	109		authority to entertain or decide any other matter or proposition
109	110		until the appeal has first been determined by the house. The
110	111		question on appeal is, "Shall the chair be sustained?"
111	112		(b) No member shall speak more than once on an appeal unless
112	113		given leave by a majority of the house. No motion shall be in order,
113	114		pending an appeal, except a motion to adjourn, a motion to lay on
114	115		the table, a motion for the previous question, or a motion for a
115	116		call of the house. Responses to parliamentary inquiries and
116	117		decisions of recognition made by the chair may not be appealed,
117	118		except as provided by Rule 5, Section 24.
118	119		(c) Further consideration of the matter or proposition that
119	120		is the subject of a question of order is prohibited until the
120	121		speaker decides the question of order and any appeal of that
121	122		decision has been determined by the house. Consideration of any
122	123		other matter or proposition is also prohibited while a question of
123	124		order is pending, unless the question of order is temporarily
124	125		withdrawn and the matter or proposition that is the subject of the
125	126		question of order is postponed. Withdrawal of the question of order
126	127		does not prevent any member from raising that question of order when
127	128		the matter or proposition is again before the house.
128	129		(d) A point of order raised as to a violation of a section of
129	130		the rules governing committee reports, committee minutes, or
130	131		accompanying documentation may be overruled if the purpose of that
131	132		section of the rules has been substantially fulfilled and the
132	133		violation does not deceive or mislead.
133	134		(e) When a question of order is pending before the house,
134	135		only the member who raised the question of order, and one other
135	136		member designated by that member, and the primary proponent of the
136	137		matter or proposition to which the question of order applies, and
137	138		one other member designated by the proponent, may present arguments
138	139		to the speaker or parliamentarian regarding the question of order.
139	140		This subsection does not limit any remarks that a member may make
140	141		before the full house if the member is recognized for that purpose.
141	142		Sec. 10. APPOINTMENT OF SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE AND TEMPORARY
142	143		CHAIR. The speaker shall have the right to name any member to
143	144		perform the duties of the chair related to presiding over the
144	145		deliberations of the house and may name a member to serve as speaker
145	146		pro tempore by delivering a written order to the chief clerk and a
146	147		copy to the journal clerk. A permanent speaker pro tempore shall,
147	148		in the absence or inability of the speaker, call the house to order
148	149		and perform all other duties of the chair in presiding over the
149	150		deliberations of the house and perform other duties and exercise
150	151		other responsibilities related to presiding over the deliberations
151	152		of the house as may be assigned in writing by the speaker. If the
152	153		house is not in session, and a permanent speaker pro tempore has not
153	154		been named, or if the speaker pro tempore is not available or for
154	155		any reason is not able to function, the speaker may deliver a
155	156		written order to the chief clerk, with a copy to the journal clerk,
156	157		naming the member who shall call the house to order and preside
157	158		during the speaker's absence. The speaker pro tempore shall serve
158	159		at the pleasure of the speaker. In the event of a vacancy in the
159	160		office of speaker, the speaker pro tempore does not assume the
160	161		office of speaker. The authority of the speaker pro tempore to
161	162		perform the duties and exercise the responsibilities of the speaker
162	163		is limited as provided by this section.
163	164		Sec. 11. EMERGENCY ADJOURNMENT. In the event of an
164	165		emergency of such compelling nature that the speaker must adjourn
165	166		the house without fixing a date and hour of reconvening, the speaker
166	167		shall have authority to determine the date and hour of reconvening
167	168		and to notify the members of the house by any means the speaker
168	169		considers adequate. Should the speaker be disabled or otherwise
169	170		unable to exercise these emergency powers, the permanent speaker
170	171		pro tempore, if one has been named, shall have authority to act. If
171	172		there is no permanent speaker pro tempore, or if that officer is
172	173		unable to act, authority shall be exercised by the chair of the
173	174		Committee on State Affairs, who shall preside until the house can
174	175		proceed to the selection of a temporary presiding officer to
175	176		function until the speaker or the speaker pro tempore is again able
176	177		to exercise the duties and responsibilities of the office.
177	178		Sec. 12. POSTPONEMENT OF RECONVENING. When the house is
178	179		not in session, if the speaker determines that it would be a hazard
179	180		to the safety of the members, officers, employees, and others
180	181		attending the legislature to reconvene at the time determined by
181	182		the house at its last sitting, the speaker may clear the area of the
182	183		capitol under the control of the house and postpone the reconvening
183	184		of the house for a period of not more than 12 hours. On making that
184	185		determination, the speaker shall order the sergeant-at-arms to post
185	186		an assistant at each first floor entrance to the capitol and other
186	187		places and advise all persons entering of the determination and the
187	188		time set for the house to reconvene. The speaker shall also notify
188	189		the journal clerk and the news media of the action, and the action
189	190		shall be entered in the house journal.
190	191		Sec. 13. SIGNING BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS. All bills, joint
191	192		resolutions, and concurrent resolutions shall be signed by the
192	193		speaker in the presence of the house, as required by the
193	194		constitution; and all writs, warrants, and subpoenas issued by
194	195		order of the house shall be signed by the speaker and attested by
195	196		the chief clerk, or the person acting as chief clerk.
196	197		CHAPTER B. ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES
197	198		Sec. 14. CONTROL OVER HALL OF THE HOUSE. The speaker shall
198	199		have general control, except as otherwise provided by law, of the
199	200		hall of the house, its lobbies, galleries, corridors, and passages,
200	201		and other rooms in those parts of the capitol assigned to the use of
201	202		the house; except that the hall of the house shall not be used for
202	203		any meeting other than legislative meetings during any regular or
203	204		special session of the legislature unless specifically authorized
204	205		by resolution.
205	206		Sec. 15. STANDING COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS. (a) The
206	207		speaker shall designate the chair and vice-chair of each standing
207	208		substantive committee and shall also appoint membership of the
208	209		committee, subject to the provisions of Rule 4, Section 2.
209	210		(b) If members of equal seniority request the same
210	211		committee, the speaker shall decide which among them shall be
211	212		assigned to that committee.
212	213		(c) In announcing the membership of the standing
213	214		substantive committees, the speaker shall designate which are
214	215		appointees and which acquire membership by seniority.
215	216		(d) The speaker shall appoint the chair and vice-chair of
216	217		each standing procedural committee and the remaining membership of
217	218		the committee.
218	219		(e) If a new speaker is elected to fill a vacancy in the
219	220		office after the appointment of standing committees, the new
220	221		speaker may not alter the composition of any standing committee
221	222		before the end of the session, except that the new speaker may:
222	223		(1) vacate the new speaker's membership on any
223	224		committee;
224	225		(2) make committee appointments for the member who was
225	226		removed as speaker;
226	227		(3) designate a different member of a standing
227	228		committee as committee chair; and
228	229		(4) fill vacancies that occur on a committee.
229	230		Sec. 16. APPOINTMENT OF SELECT AND CONFERENCE
230	231		COMMITTEES. (a) The speaker shall appoint all conference
231	232		committees. The speaker shall name the chair of each conference
232	233		committee, and may also name the vice-chair thereof.
233	234		(b) The speaker may at any time by proclamation create a
234	235		select committee. The speaker shall name the chair and vice-chair
235	236		thereof. A select committee has the jurisdiction, authority, and
236	237		duties and exists for the period of time specified in the
237	238		proclamation. A select committee has the powers granted by these
238	239		rules to a standing committee except as limited by the
239	240		proclamation. A copy of each proclamation creating a select
240	241		committee shall be filed with the chief clerk.
241	242		Sec. 17. INTERIM STUDIES. When the legislature is not in
242	243		session, the speaker shall have the authority to direct committees
243	244		to make interim studies for such purposes as the speaker may
244	245		designate, and the committees shall meet as often as necessary to
245	246		transact effectively the business assigned to them. The speaker
246	247		shall provide to the chief clerk a copy of interim charges made to a
247	248		standing or select committee.
248	249		CHAPTER C. CAMPAIGNS FOR SPEAKER
249	250		Sec. 18. PLEDGES FOR SPEAKER PROHIBITED DURING REGULAR
250	251		SESSION. During a regular session of the legislature a member may
251	252		not solicit written pledges from other members for their support of
252	253		or promise to vote for any person for the office of speaker.
253	254		RULE 2. OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES
254	255		CHAPTER A. DUTIES OF OFFICERS OF THE HOUSE
255	256		Sec. 1. CHIEF CLERK. (a) The chief clerk shall:
256	257		(1) be the custodian of all bills, resolutions, and
257	258		amendments;
258	259		(2) number in the order of their filing, with a
259	260		separate sequence for each category, all bills, joint resolutions,
260	261		concurrent resolutions, and house resolutions;
261	262		(3) provide for the keeping of a complete record of
262	263		introduction and action on all bills and resolutions, including the
263	264		number, author, brief description of the subject matter, committee
264	265		reference, and the time sequence of action taken on all bills and
265	266		resolutions to reflect at all times their status in the legislative
266	267		process;
267	268		(4) on the day of numbering a bill relating to a
268	269		conservation and reclamation district created under Article XVI,
269	270		Section 59, of the Texas Constitution, send two copies of the bill,
270	271		with two copies of the notice of intention to introduce the bill, to
271	272		the governor and notify the journal clerk of the action;
272	273		(5) receive the recommendations of the Texas
273	274		Commission on Environmental Quality on a bill forwarded to the
274	275		commission under Article XVI, Section 59, of the Texas
275	276		Constitution, attach them to the bill to which they apply, and
276	277		notify the journal clerk that the recommendations have been filed;
277	278		(6) forward to a committee chair in an electronic or
278	279		other format determined by the chief clerk a certified copy of each
279	280		legislative document referred to the committee, including all
280	281		official attachments to the document;
281	282		(7) have printed and distributed correct copies of all
282	283		legislative documents, as provided in the subchapter on printing,
283	284		and keep an exact record of the date and hour of transmittal to the
284	285		printer, return from the printer, and distribution of the document
285	286		to members of the house with that information time-stamped on the
286	287		originals of the document;
287	288		(8) certify the passage of bills and resolutions,
288	289		noting on them the date of passage and the vote by which passed,
289	290		including the yeas and nays if a record of the yeas and nays is
290	291		ordered;
291	292		(9) be responsible for engrossing all house bills and
292	293		resolutions that have passed second reading and those that have
293	294		passed third reading, and for enrolling all house bills and
294	295		resolutions that have passed both houses.
295	296		All engrossed and enrolled documents shall be prepared
296	297		without erasures, interlineations, or additions in the margin.
297	298		House concurrent resolutions passed without amendment
298	299		shall not be engrossed but shall be certified and forwarded
299	300		directly to the senate.
300	301		Engrossed riders may be used in lieu of full engrossment
301	302		on second reading passage;
302	303		(10) be authorized to amend the caption to conform to
303	304		the body of each house bill and joint resolution ordered engrossed
304	305		or enrolled;
305	306		(11) be responsible for noting on each house bill or
306	307		joint resolution, for certification by the speaker of the house,
307	308		the lieutenant governor, the chief clerk of the house, and the
308	309		secretary of the senate, the following information:
309	310		(A) date of final passage, and the vote on final
310	311		passage, including the yeas and nays if a record of the yeas and
311	312		nays is ordered. If the bill was amended in the senate, this fact
312	313		shall also be noted;
313	314		(B) date of concurrence by the house in senate
314	315		amendments, and the vote on concurrence, including the yeas and
315	316		nays if a record of the yeas and nays is ordered;
316	317		(C) date of adoption by each house of a
317	318		conference committee report and the vote on adoption, including the
318	319		yeas and nays if a record of the yeas and nays is ordered;
319	320		(D) that a bill containing an appropriation was
320	321		passed subject to the provisions of Article III, Section 49a, of the
321	322		Texas Constitution; and
322	323		(E) that a concurrent resolution was adopted by
323	324		both houses directing the correction of an enrolled bill, if
324	325		applicable;
325	326		(12) transmit over signature all messages from the
326	327		house to the senate, including typewritten copies of amendments to
327	328		senate bills;
328	329		(13) prepare copies of senate amendments to house
329	330		bills for the journal before the amendments and the bill or
330	331		resolution to which they relate are sent to the printer or to the
331	332		speaker;
332	333		(14) notify the speaker in writing that the senate did
333	334		not concur in house amendments to a bill or resolution and requests
334	335		a conference committee, and include in this notice the names of the
335	336		senate conferees;
336	337		(15) provide a certified copy of a house bill or
337	338		resolution which may be lost showing each parliamentary step taken
338	339		on the bill; and
339	340		(16) request fiscal notes on house bills and joint
340	341		resolutions with senate amendments and distribute fiscal notes on
341	342		house bills and joint resolutions with senate amendments and
342	343		conference committee reports as required by Rule 13, Sections 5 and
343	344		10.
344	345		(b) The chief clerk shall also:
345	346		(1) attest all writs, warrants and subpoenas issued by
346	347		order of the house;
347	348		(2) receive reports of select committees and forward
348	349		copies to the speaker and journal clerk;
349	350		(3) not later than 30 days after the close of each
350	351		session, acquire from each of the various clerks of the house,
351	352		except the journal clerk, all reports, records, bills, papers, and
352	353		other documents remaining in their possession and file them with
353	354		the Legislative Reference Library, unless otherwise provided by
354	355		law;
355	356		(4) receive and file all other documents required by
356	357		law or by the rules of the house;
357	358		(5) prepare a roster of members in order of seniority
358	359		showing the number of years of service of each member, as provided
359	360		in Rule 4, Section 2; and
360	361		(6) have posted the list of Items Eligible for
361	362		Consideration as required by the rules.
362	363		(c) The chief clerk shall also provide for the following to
363	364		be made available on the electronic legislative information system:
364	365		(1) all house calendars and lists of items eligible
365	366		for consideration and the time-stamp information for those
366	367		calendars and lists; and
367	368		(2) the time-stamp information for all official
368	369		printings of bills and resolutions.
369	370		(d) The chief clerk shall provide notice to a Capitol e-mail
370	371		address designated by each member when a new house calendar or list
371	372		of items eligible for consideration is posted on the electronic
372	373		legislative information system. If a member informs the chief
373	374		clerk that the member also desires to receive a paper copy of house
374	375		calendars or lists of items eligible for consideration, the chief
375	376		clerk shall place paper copies of those documents designated by the
376	377		member in the newspaper box of the member as soon as practicable
377	378		after the electronic copies are posted.
378	379		Sec. 2. JOURNAL CLERK. (a) The journal clerk shall:
379	380		(1) keep a journal of the proceedings of the house,
380	381		except when the house is acting as a committee of the whole, and
381	382		enter the following:
382	383		(A) the number, author, and caption of every bill
383	384		introduced;
384	385		(B) descriptions of all congratulatory and
385	386		memorial resolutions on committee report, motions, amendments,
386	387		questions of order and decisions on them, messages from the
387	388		governor, and messages from the senate;
388	389		(C) the summaries of congratulatory and memorial
389	390		resolutions, as printed on the congratulatory and memorial
390	391		calendar;
391	392		(D) the number of each bill, joint resolution,
392	393		and concurrent resolution signed in the presence of the house;
393	394		(E) a listing of reports made by standing
394	395		committees;
395	396		(F) reports of select committees, when ordered by
396	397		the house;
397	398		(G) every vote where a record of the yeas and nays
398	399		is ordered or registration of the house with a concise statement of
399	400		the action and the result;
400	401		(H) the names of all absentees, both excused and
401	402		not excused;
402	403		(I) senate amendments to house bills or
403	404		resolutions, when concurred in by the house;
404	405		(J) the date each bill is transmitted to the
405	406		governor;
406	407		(K) the date recommendations of the Texas
407	408		Commission on Environmental Quality on each bill subject to Article
408	409		XVI, Section 59, of the Texas Constitution, are filed with the chief
409	410		clerk;
410	411		(L) all pairs as a part of a vote where a record
411	412		of the yeas and nays is ordered;
412	413		(M) reasons for a vote;
413	414		(N) the vote of a member on any question where a
414	415		record of the yeas and nays has not been ordered;
415	416		(O) the statement of a member who was absent when
416	417		a vote was taken indicating how the member would have voted;
417	418		(P) official state documents, reports, and other
418	419		matters, when ordered by the house; and
419	420		(Q) the written copy of the speaker's ruling on a
420	421		point of order, which includes the citation of the authorities
421	422		relied upon in the grounds for decision, as provided in Section
422	423		9(b-1) of this rule;
423	424		(2) prepare a daily journal for each calendar day that
424	425		the house is in session and distribute on the succeeding calendar
425	426		day or the earliest possible date copies to the members of the house
426	427		who have submitted requests to the journal clerk to receive a copy;
427	428		and
428	429		(3) prepare and have printed a permanent house journal
429	430		of regular and special sessions in accordance with the law and the
430	431		following provisions:
431	432		(A) When completed, no more than 300 copies shall
432	433		be bound and distributed as follows:
433	434		(i) one copy to each member of the house of
434	435		representatives who submitted a request to the journal clerk to
435	436		receive a copy;
436	437		(ii) one copy to each member of the senate
437	438		who submitted a request to the journal clerk to receive a copy; and
438	439		(iii) the remainder of the copies to be
439	440		distributed by the Committee on House Administration.
440	441		(B) The journal clerk shall not receive or
441	442		receipt for the permanent house journal until it has been correctly
442	443		published.
443	444		(b) The journal clerk shall lock the voting machine of each
444	445		member who is excused or who is otherwise known to be absent when
445	446		the house is in session until the member personally requests that
446	447		the machine be unlocked.
447	448		(c) The journal clerk shall determine and enter in the
448	449		journal the clock of record for the house and that clock may not be
449	450		delayed, set back, or otherwise tampered with to deviate from the
450	451		standard time, as provided by statute, for the place where the house
451	452		is meeting. The journal clerk shall enter in the journal the time
452	453		according to the clock of record when the house convenes, recesses,
453	454		and adjourns. A motion to suspend this rule must be decided by a
454	455		record vote.
455	456		Sec. 3. READING CLERKS. The reading clerks, under the
456	457		supervision of the speaker, shall:
457	458		(1) call the roll of the house in alphabetical order
458	459		when ordered to do so by the speaker; and
459	460		(2) read all bills, resolutions, motions, and other
460	461		matters required by the rules or directed by the speaker.
461	462		Sec. 4. SERGEANT-AT-ARMS. The sergeant-at-arms shall:
462	463		(1) under the direction of the speaker, have charge of
463	464		and maintain order in the hall of the house, its lobbies and
464	465		galleries, and all other rooms in the capitol assigned for the use
465	466		of the house of representatives;
466	467		(2) attend the house and the committee of the whole
467	468		during all meetings and maintain order under the direction of the
468	469		speaker or other presiding officer;
469	470		(3) execute the commands of the house and serve the
470	471		writs and processes issued by the authority of the house and
471	472		directed by the speaker;
472	473		(4) supervise assistants to the sergeant-at-arms who
473	474		shall aid in the performance of prescribed duties and have the same
474	475		authority, subject to the control of the speaker;
475	476		(5) clear the floor of the house of all persons not
476	477		entitled to the privileges of the floor at least 30 minutes prior to
477	478		the convening of each session of the house;
478	479		(6) bring in absent members when so directed under a
479	480		call of the house;
480	481		(7) not allow the distribution of any printed matter
481	482		in the hall of the house, other than newspapers that have been
482	483		published at least once a week for a period of one year, unless it
483	484		first has been authorized in writing by at least one member of the
484	485		house and the name of the member appears on the printed matter. The
485	486		sergeant-at-arms shall refuse to accept for distribution any
486	487		printed matter which does not bear the name of the member or members
487	488		authorizing the distribution;
488	489		(8) keep a copy of written authorization and a record
489	490		of the matter distributed in the permanent files of the house;
490	491		(9) enforce parking regulations applicable to areas of
491	492		the capitol complex under the control of the house and supervise
492	493		parking attendants;
493	494		(10) provide for issuance of an identification card to
494	495		each member and employee of the house; and
495	496		(11) supervise the doorkeeper.
496	497		Sec. 5. DOORKEEPER. The doorkeeper, under the supervision
497	498		of the sergeant-at-arms, shall:
498	499		(1) enforce strictly the rules of the house relating
499	500		to privileges of the floor and perform other duties as directed by
500	501		the speaker;
501	502		(2) close the main entrance and permit no member to
502	503		leave the house without written permission from the speaker when a
503	504		call of the house or a call of the committee of the whole is ordered,
504	505		take up permission cards as members leave the hall, and take up
505	506		permission cards of those who are admitted to the floor of the house
506	507		under the rules and practice of the house;
507	508		(3) obtain recognition from the speaker and announce a
508	509		messenger from the governor or the senate on arrival at the bar of
509	510		the house; and
510	511		(4) obtain recognition from the speaker and announce
511	512		the arrival of the governor or the senate on arrival at the bar of
512	513		the house for official proceedings in the house.
513	514		Sec. 6. CHAPLAIN. The chaplain shall open the first
514	515		session on each calendar day with a prayer and shall perform such
515	516		other duties as directed by the Committee on House Administration.
516	517		Sec. 7. VOTING CLERK. The voting clerk, under the
517	518		supervision of the speaker, shall:
518	519		(1) open and close the voting machine on registrations
519	520		and record votes as ordered by the speaker;
520	521		(2) record votes from the floor as directed by the
521	522		speaker;
522	523		(3) prepare official copies of all record votes for
523	524		the journal; and
524	525		(4) make no additions, subtractions, or other changes
525	526		in any registration or record vote unless specifically granted
526	527		permission by the house or directed by the speaker prior to the
527	528		announcement of the final result.
528	529		Sec. 8. COMMITTEE COORDINATOR. (a) The committee
529	530		coordinator shall:
530	531		(1) under the direction of the Committee on House
531	532		Administration, prepare a schedule for regular meetings of all
532	533		standing committees as provided by Rule 4, Section 8(a);
533	534		(2) post committee meeting notices, as directed by the
534	535		chair of a committee, in accordance with Rule 4, Section 11(a);
535	536		(3) maintain duplicate originals of committee minutes
536	537		as required by Rule 4, Sections 18(c) and (d);
537	538		(4) direct the maintenance of sworn statements either
538	539		in electronic or paper format and, under the direction of the
539	540		Committee on House Administration, prescribe the form of those
540	541		statements, as required by Rule 4, Sections 20(a) and (c);
541	542		(5) receive and forward impact statements as required
542	543		by Rule 4, Section 34(e);
543	544		(6) receive committee reports as required by Rule 4,
544	545		Section 37, and refer them for printing as provided by Rule 6,
545	546		Section 19; and
546	547		(7) receive and distribute the recommendations and
547	548		final reports of interim study committees as provided by Rule 4,
548	549		Section 61.
549	550		(b) The committee coordinator may exclude from the
550	551		committee coordinator's office or refuse to interact with a member
551	552		or a member's staff if the member or member's staff engages in
552	553		abusive, harassing, or threatening behavior.
553	554		Sec. 9. PARLIAMENTARIAN. (a) The speaker may appoint not
554	555		more than two individuals to serve as parliamentarians. The
555	556		parliamentarians are officers of the house who serve at the
556	557		pleasure of the speaker. The parliamentarians shall advise and
557	558		assist the presiding officer and the members of the house on matters
558	559		of procedure. The parliamentarians have a duty of confidentiality
559	560		to the speaker and to each member of the house and shall keep
560	561		confidential all requests made by members of the house for advice or
561	562		guidance regarding procedure unless the parties otherwise agree.
562	563		(b) After the initial appointment of the parliamentarians
563	564		by the speaker, the appointment of a new parliamentarian to fill a
564	565		vacancy must be approved by a majority of the membership of the
565	566		house if the appointment is made during a regular or special
566	567		session. If the appointment to fill the vacancy is made when the
567	568		house is not in session, the appointment must be approved by a
568	569		majority of the membership not later than the third day of the first
569	570		special session that occurs after the date the appointment is made.
570	571		If no special session occurs after the appointment, approval by the
571	572		membership is not required.
572	573		(b-1) The speaker shall instruct the parliamentarians to
573	574		provide to each member a written copy of the speaker's ruling on a
574	575		point of order, including the citation of the authorities relied
575	576		upon in the grounds for decision. The written ruling shall be
576	577		provided to each member through the electronic legislative
577	578		information system not later than 24 hours after the ruling is
578	579		announced in the house.
579	580		(c) In the event of a conflict between this section and the
580	581		housekeeping resolution, this section controls.
581	582		CHAPTER B. OTHER EMPLOYEES
582	583		Sec. 10. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL EMPLOYEES: CONFIDENTIALITY.
583	584		(a) Communications between an attorney employed by the Texas
584	585		Legislative Council and the speaker, another member of the house,
585	586		or an employee of a member or committee of the house are
586	587		confidential in accordance with the rules and laws concerning
587	588		attorney-client privilege.
588	589		(b) Communications between any employee of the Texas
589	590		Legislative Council and the speaker, another member of the house,
590	591		or an employee of a member or committee of the house are
591	592		confidential. The General Investigating Committee of the House may
592	593		investigate an alleged violation of this subsection.
593	594		(c) This section does not prohibit the speaker, member, or
594	595		committee from waiving a privilege as otherwise permitted by law or
595	596		from waiving confidentiality under this section.
596	597		RULE 3. STANDING COMMITTEES
597	598		Sec. 1. AGRICULTURE AND LIVESTOCK. The committee shall
598	599		have nine members, with jurisdiction over all matters pertaining
599	600		to:
600	601		(1) agriculture, horticulture, and farm husbandry;
601	602		(2) livestock and stock raising, and the livestock
602	603		industry;
603	604		(3) the development and preservation of forests, and
604	605		the regulation, control, and promotion of the lumber industry;
605	606		(4) problems and issues particularly affecting rural
606	607		areas of the state, including issues related to rural economic
607	608		development and the provision of and access to infrastructure,
608	609		education, and health services; and
609	610		(5) the following state agencies: the Department of
610	611		Agriculture, the Texas Animal Health Commission, the State Soil and
611	612		Water Conservation Board, the Texas A&M Forest Service, the Texas
612	613		administrator for the South Central Interstate Forest Fire
613	614		Protection Compact, the Texas Apiary Inspection Service, Texas A&M
614	615		AgriLife Research, the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, the
615	616		Food and Fibers Research Council, the State Seed and Plant Board,
616	617		the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners, the Texas A&M
617	618		Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, the Produce Recovery
618	619		Fund Board, the board of directors of the Texas Boll Weevil
619	620		Eradication Foundation, Inc., and the Texas Wildlife Services.
620	621		Sec. 2. APPROPRIATIONS. (a) The committee shall have 27
621	622		members, with jurisdiction over:
622	623		(1) all bills and resolutions appropriating money from
623	624		the state treasury;
624	625		(2) all bills and resolutions containing provisions
625	626		resulting in automatic allocation of funds from the state treasury;
626	627		(3) all bills and resolutions diverting funds from the
627	628		state treasury or preventing funds from going in that otherwise
628	629		would be placed in the state treasury; and
629	630		(4) all matters pertaining to claims and accounts
630	631		filed with the legislature against the state unless jurisdiction
631	632		over those bills and resolutions is specifically granted by these
632	633		rules to some other standing committee.
633	634		(b) The appropriations committee may comment upon any bill
634	635		or resolution containing a provision resulting in an automatic
635	636		allocation of funds.
636	637		Sec. 3. BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY. The committee shall have
637	638		nine members, with jurisdiction over all matters pertaining to:
638	639		(1) industry and manufacturing;
639	640		(2) industrial safety and adequate and safe working
640	641		conditions, and the regulation and control of those conditions;
641	642		(3) hours, wages, collective bargaining, and the
642	643		relationship between employers and employees;
643	644		(4) unemployment compensation, including coverage,
644	645		benefits, taxes, and eligibility;
645	646		(5) labor unions and their organization, control,
646	647		management, and administration;
647	648		(6) the regulation of business transactions and
648	649		transactions involving property interests;
649	650		(7) the organization, incorporation, management, and
650	651		regulation of private corporations and professional associations
651	652		and the Uniform Commercial Code and the Business Organizations
652	653		Code;
653	654		(8) the protection of consumers, governmental
654	655		regulations incident thereto, the agencies of government
655	656		authorized to regulate such activities, and the role of the
656	657		government in consumer protection;
657	658		(9) privacy and identity theft;
658	659		(10) homeowners' associations;
659	660		(11) oversight and regulation of the construction
660	661		industry; and
661	662		(12) the following state agencies: the State Office of
662	663		Risk Management, the Risk Management Board, the Division of
663	664		Workers' Compensation of the Texas Department of Insurance, the
664	665		Workers' compensation research and evaluation group in the Texas
665	666		Department of Insurance, the Office of Injured Employee Counsel,
666	667		including the ombudsman program of that office, and the Texas
667	668		Mutual Insurance Company Board of Directors.
668	669		Sec. 4. CALENDARS (PROCEDURAL). The committee shall have
669	670		11 members, with jurisdiction over:
670	671		(1) the placement of bills and resolutions on
671	672		appropriate calendars, except those within the jurisdiction of the
672	673		Committee on Resolutions Calendars;
673	674		(2) the determination of priorities and proposal of
674	675		rules for floor consideration of such bills and resolutions; and
675	676		(3) all other matters concerning the calendar system
676	677		and the expediting of the business of the house as may be assigned
677	678		by the speaker.
678	679		Sec. 5. CORRECTIONS. The committee shall have nine
679	680		members, with jurisdiction over all matters pertaining to:
680	681		(1) the incarceration and rehabilitation of convicted
681	682		felons;
682	683		(2) the establishment and maintenance of programs that
683	684		provide alternatives to incarceration; and
684	685		(3) the following state agencies: the Texas
685	686		Department of Criminal Justice, the Special Prosecution Unit, the
686	687		Board of Pardons and Paroles, the Texas Civil Commitment Office,
687	688		and the Texas Correctional Office on Offenders with Medical or
688	689		Mental Impairments.
689	690		Sec. 6. COUNTY AFFAIRS. The committee shall have nine
690	691		members, with jurisdiction over all matters pertaining to:
691	692		(1) counties, including their organization, creation,
692	693		boundaries, government, and finance and the compensation and duties
693	694		of their officers and employees;
694	695		(2) establishing districts for the election of
695	696		governing bodies of counties;
696	697		(3) regional councils of governments;
697	698		(4) multicounty boards or commissions;
698	699		(5) relationships or contracts between counties;
699	700		(6) other units of local government; and
700	701		(7) the following state agency: the Commission on
701	702		Jail Standards.
702	703		Sec. 7. CRIMINAL JURISPRUDENCE. The committee shall have
703	704		nine members, with jurisdiction over all matters pertaining to:
704	705		(1) criminal law, prohibitions, standards, and
705	706		penalties;
706	707		(2) probation and parole;
707	708		(3) criminal procedure in the courts of Texas;
708	709		(4) revision or amendment of the Penal Code; and
709	710		(5) the following state agencies: the Office of State
710	711		Prosecuting Attorney and the Texas State Council for Interstate
711	712		Adult Offender Supervision.
712	713		Sec. 8. CULTURE, RECREATION, AND TOURISM. The committee
713	714		shall have nine members, with jurisdiction over:
714	715		(1) the creation, operation, and control of state
715	716		parks, including the development, maintenance, and operation of
716	717		state parks in connection with the sales and use tax imposed on
717	718		sporting goods, but not including any matter within the
718	719		jurisdiction of the Committee on Appropriations;
719	720		(2) the regulation and control of the propagation and
720	721		preservation of wildlife and fish in the state;
721	722		(3) the development and regulation of the fish and
722	723		oyster industries of the state;
723	724		(4) hunting and fishing in the state, and the
724	725		regulation and control thereof, including the imposition of fees,
725	726		fines, and penalties relating to that regulation;
726	727		(5) the regulation of other recreational activities;
727	728		(6) cultural resources and their promotion,
728	729		development, and regulation;
729	730		(7) historical resources and their promotion,
730	731		development, and regulation;
731	732		(8) promotion and development of Texas' image and
732	733		heritage;
733	734		(9) preservation and protection of Texas' shrines,
734	735		monuments, and memorials;
735	736		(10) international and interstate tourist promotion
736	737		and development;
737	738		(11) the Texas Economic Development and Tourism Office
738	739		as it relates to the subject-matter jurisdiction of this committee;
739	740		(12) the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Compact; and
740	741		(13) the following state agencies: the Parks and
741	742		Wildlife Department, the Texas Commission on the Arts, the State
742	743		Cemetery Committee, the Texas State Library and Archives
743	744		Commission, the Texas Historical Commission, the State
744	745		Preservation Board, [the San Jacinto Historical Advisory Board,]
745	746		and an office of state government to the extent the office promotes
746	747		the Texas music industry.
747	748		Sec. 9. DEFENSE AND VETERANS' AFFAIRS. The committee shall
748	749		have nine members, with jurisdiction over all matters pertaining
749	750		to:
750	751		(1) the relations between the State of Texas and the
751	752		federal government involving defense, emergency preparedness, and
752	753		veterans issues;
753	754		(2) the various branches of the military service of
754	755		the United States;
755	756		(3) the realignment or closure of military bases;
756	757		(4) the defense of the state and nation, including
757	758		terrorism response;
758	759		(5) emergency preparedness;
759	760		(6) veterans of military and related services; and
760	761		(7) the following state agencies: the Texas Military
761	762		Department, the Texas Veterans Commission, the Veterans' Land
762	763		Board, the Texas Military Preparedness Commission, the Texas
763	764		Division of Emergency Management, and the Emergency Management
764	765		Council.
765	766		Sec. 10. ELECTIONS. The committee shall have nine members,
766	767		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; and
773	774		(6) the following state agency: the Office of the
774	775		Secretary of State.
775	776		Sec. 11. ENERGY RESOURCES. The committee shall have 11
776	777		members, with jurisdiction over all matters pertaining to:
777	778		(1) the conservation of the energy resources of Texas;
778	779		(2) the production, regulation, transportation, and
779	780		development of oil, gas, and other energy resources;
780	781		(3) mining and the development of mineral deposits
781	782		within the state;
782	783		(4) the leasing and regulation of mineral rights under
783	784		public lands;
784	785		(5) pipelines, pipeline companies, and all others
785	786		operating as common carriers in the state;
786	787		(6) electric utility regulation as it relates to
787	788		energy production and consumption;
788	789		(7) identifying, developing, and using alternative
789	790		energy sources;
790	791		(8) increasing energy efficiency throughout the
791	792		state;
792	793		(9) the coordination of the state's efforts related to
793	794		the federal designation of threatened and endangered species as it
794	795		relates to energy resources in the state; and
795	796		(10) the following state agencies: the Railroad
796	797		Commission of Texas, the Texas representative for the Interstate
797	798		Oil and Gas Compact Commission, the Office of Interstate Mining
798	799		Compact Commissioner for Texas, the State Energy Conservation
799	800		Office, and the Office of Southern States Energy Board Member for
800	801		Texas.
801	802		Sec. 12. ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATION. The committee shall
802	803		have nine members, with jurisdiction over all matters pertaining
803	804		to:
804	805		(1) air, land, and water pollution, including the
805	806		environmental regulation of industrial development;
806	807		(2) the regulation of waste disposal;
807	808		(3) environmental matters that are regulated by the
808	809		Department of State Health Services or the Texas Commission on
809	810		Environmental Quality;
810	811		(4) oversight of the Texas Commission on Environmental
811	812		Quality as it relates to environmental regulation; and
812	813		(5) the following state agency: the Texas Low-Level
813	814		Radioactive Waste Disposal Compact Commission.
814	815		Sec. 13. GENERAL INVESTIGATING (PROCEDURAL). (a) The
815	816		committee shall have five members of the house appointed by the
816	817		speaker. The speaker shall appoint the chair and the vice-chair of
817	818		the committee.
818	819		(b) The committee has all the powers and duties of a general
819	820		investigating committee and shall operate as the general
820	821		investigating committee of the house according to the procedures
821	822		prescribed by Subchapter B, Chapter 301, Government Code, and the
822	823		rules of the house, as applicable.
823	824		(b-1) The committee may begin work as soon as it desires
824	825		after its members are appointed. The committee shall meet,
825	826		organize, and adopt rules of evidence and procedure and any other
826	827		necessary rules. The committee rules may not conflict with Section
827	828		301.025, Government Code.
828	829		(b-2) Whether or not the legislature is in session, the
829	830		committee may meet at any time or place in the state determined
830	831		necessary by the committee.
831	832		(b-3) If the committee decides not to conduct joint hearings
832	833		as provided by Section 301.019, Government Code, the committee
833	834		shall establish a liaison to fully inform the chair of the senate
834	835		committee of the nature and progress of any inquiry by the other
835	836		committee.
836	837		(b-4) On a majority vote of the committee, the committee may
837	838		conduct joint hearings and investigations.
838	839		(b-5) The committee may:
839	840		(1) initiate or continue inquiries and hearings
840	841		concerning:
841	842		(A) state government;
842	843		(B) any agency or subdivision of government
843	844		within the state;
844	845		(C) the expenditure of public funds at any level
845	846		of government within the state; and
846	847		(D) any other matter the committee considers
847	848		necessary for the information of the legislature or for the welfare
848	849		and protection of state citizens; and
849	850		(2) inspect the records, documents, and files and may
850	851		examine the duties, responsibilities, and activities of each state
851	852		department, agency, and officer and of each municipality, county,
852	853		or other political subdivision of the state.
853	854		(b-6) If a person disobeys a subpoena or other process that
854	855		the committee lawfully issues, the committee may cite the person
855	856		for contempt and cause the person to be prosecuted for contempt
856	857		according to the procedure prescribed by Subchapter B, Chapter 301,
857	858		Government Code, or by other law.
858	859		(b-7) The committee shall make reports to members of the
859	860		legislature that the committee determines are necessary and
860	861		appropriate.
861	862		(b-8) Information held by the committee that if held by a
862	863		law enforcement agency or prosecutor would be excepted from the
863	864		requirements of Section 552.021, Government Code, under Section
864	865		552.108 of that code is confidential and not subject to public
865	866		disclosure.
866	867		(b-9) If for any reason it is necessary to obtain assistance
867	868		in addition to the services provided by the state auditor, attorney
868	869		general, Texas Legislative Council, or Department of Public Safety,
869	870		the committee may employ and compensate assistants to assist in any
870	871		investigation, audit, or legal matter.
871	872		(c) The committee may investigate a matter related to the
872	873		misconduct, malfeasance, misfeasance, abuse of office, or
873	874		incompetency of an individual or officer under Chapter 665,
874	875		Government Code. The committee has all the powers and duties
875	876		conferred by that chapter for the purpose of conducting the
876	877		investigation, including the authority to propose articles of
877	878		impeachment.
878	879		(d) The committee has original jurisdiction over the
879	880		receipt, processing, investigation, and resolution of complaints
880	881		related to appropriate workplace conduct under Rule 15, the
881	882		housekeeping resolution, and policies adopted by the Committee on
882	883		House Administration. If a complaint relates to the conduct of a
883	884		member of the committee, that member's employee, or an individual
884	885		related to the member or the member's employee within the third
885	886		degree by consanguinity or within the second degree by affinity as
886	887		determined under Chapter 573, Government Code:
887	888		(1) the member shall not participate in any committee
888	889		proceedings related to the complaint; and
889	890		(2) the speaker shall designate a member of the house
890	891		drawn by lot under Subsection (e) of this section to act in the
891	892		place of the disqualified member. The designation of a member under
892	893		this subsection ends when the committee makes its final disposition
893	894		of the complaint.
894	895		(e) When a member of the committee is disqualified under
895	896		Subsection (d) of this section, the chief clerk shall prepare a list
896	897		of the currently qualified members of the house, omitting the names
897	898		of the speaker, the disqualified member, each other member of the
898	899		committee, and any member elected from the same county as the
899	900		disqualified member. The chief clerk shall write on a separate
900	901		piece of paper of uniform size and color the name of each member
901	902		that appears on the prepared list. The chief clerk shall deposit
902	903		the pieces of paper in an opaque container that is designed to
903	904		permit the random distribution of the pieces of paper after their
904	905		initial deposit and to prevent the viewing of any of the pieces of
905	906		paper at any time. After the pieces of paper are randomly
906	907		distributed in the container, the sergeant-at-arms shall draw a
907	908		single piece of paper and deliver that piece of paper to the chief
908	909		clerk. The chief clerk shall inform the speaker of the name drawn
909	910		by the sergeant-at-arms for designation under Subsection (d).
910	911		Sec. 14. HIGHER EDUCATION. The committee shall have 11
911	912		members, with jurisdiction over all matters pertaining to:
912	913		(1) education beyond high school;
913	914		(2) the colleges and universities of the State of
914	915		Texas; and
915	916		(3) the following state agencies: the Texas A&M
916	917		Engineering Experiment Station, the Texas A&M Engineering
917	918		Extension Service, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board,
918	919		the Texas Guaranteed Student Loan Corporation, the Prepaid Higher
919	920		Education Tuition Board, and the Texas A&M Transportation
920	921		Institute.
921	922		Sec. 15. HOMELAND SECURITY AND PUBLIC SAFETY. The
922	923		committee shall have nine members, with jurisdiction over all
923	924		matters pertaining to:
924	925		(1) law enforcement;
925	926		(2) the prevention of crime and the apprehension of
926	927		criminals;
927	928		(3) the provision of security services by private
928	929		entities;
929	930		(4) homeland security, including:
930	931		(A) the defense of the state and nation,
931	932		including terrorism response; and
932	933		(B) disaster mitigation, preparedness, response,
933	934		and recovery; and
934	935		(5) the following state agencies: the Texas Commission
935	936		on Law Enforcement, the Department of Public Safety, the Texas
936	937		Division of Emergency Management, the Emergency Management
937	938		Council, the Texas Forensic Science Commission, the Texas Military
938	939		Preparedness Commission, [the Texas Private Security Board,] the
939	940		Commission on State Emergency Communications, and the Texas Crime
940	941		Stoppers Council.
941	942		Sec. 16. HOUSE ADMINISTRATION (PROCEDURAL). (a) The
942	943		committee shall have 11 members, with jurisdiction over:
943	944		(1) administrative operation of the house and its
944	945		employees;
945	946		(2) the adoption of policies and procedures for
946	947		appropriate workplace conduct under Rule 15 and the housekeeping
947	948		resolution, including policies and procedures relating to the
948	949		training of members, officers, and employees;
949	950		(3) the general house fund, with full control over all
950	951		expenditures from the fund;
951	952		(4) all property, equipment, and supplies obtained by
952	953		the house for its use and the use of its members;
953	954		(5) all office space available for the use of the house
954	955		and its members;
955	956		(6) the assignment of vacant office space, vacant
956	957		parking spaces, and vacant desks on the house floor to members with
957	958		seniority based on cumulative years of service in the house, except
958	959		that the committee may make these assignments based on physical
959	960		disability of a member where it deems proper;
960	961		(7) all admissions to the floor during sessions of the
961	962		house;
962	963		(8) all proposals to invite nonmembers to appear
963	964		before or address the house or a joint session;
964	965		(9) all radio, television, and Internet broadcasting,
965	966		live or recorded, of sessions of the house;
966	967		(10) the electronic recording of the proceedings of
967	968		the house of representatives and the custody of the recordings of
968	969		testimony before house committees, with authority to promulgate
969	970		reasonable rules, regulations, and conditions concerning the
970	971		safekeeping, reproducing, and transcribing of the recordings, and
971	972		the defraying of costs for transcribing the recordings, subject to
972	973		other provisions of these rules;
973	974		(11) all witnesses appearing before the house or any
974	975		committee thereof in support of or in opposition to any pending
975	976		legislative proposal;
976	977		(12) the Rules of Procedure of the House of
977	978		Representatives, Joint Rules of the House and Senate, and all
978	979		proposed amendments;
979	980		(13) other matters concerning the rules, procedures,
980	981		and operation of the house assigned by the speaker; and
981	982		(14) the following state agency: the State
982	983		Preservation Board.
983	984		(b) The committee must vote to adopt the annual budget for
984	985		each house department.
985	986		Sec. 17. HUMAN SERVICES. The committee shall have nine
986	987		members, with jurisdiction over all matters pertaining to:
987	988		(1) welfare and rehabilitation programs and their
988	989		development, administration, and control;
989	990		(2) oversight of the Health and Human Services
990	991		Commission and the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council as it
991	992		relates to the subject matter jurisdiction of this committee;
992	993		(3) intellectual disabilities and the development of
993	994		programs incident thereto;
994	995		(4) the prevention and treatment of intellectual
995	996		disabilities; and
996	997		(5) the following state agencies: the Department of
997	998		Family and Protective Services, the Texas State Board of Social
998	999		Worker Examiners, and the Texas State Board of Examiners of
999	1000		Professional Counselors.
1000	1001		Sec. 18. INSURANCE. The committee shall have nine members,
1001	1002		with jurisdiction over all matters pertaining to:
1002	1003		(1) insurance and the insurance industry;
1003	1004		(2) all insurance companies and other organizations of
1004	1005		any type writing or issuing policies of insurance in the State of
1005	1006		Texas, including their organization, incorporation, management,
1006	1007		powers, and limitations; and
1007	1008		(3) the following state agencies: the Texas
1008	1009		Department of Insurance, the Texas Health Benefits Purchasing
1009	1010		Cooperative, and the Office of Public Insurance Counsel.
1010	1011		Sec. 19. INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
1011	1012		The committee shall have nine members, with jurisdiction over all
1012	1013		matters pertaining to:
1013	1014		(1) the relations between the State of Texas and other
1014	1015		nations, including matters related to trade relations and
1015	1016		international trade zones;
1016	1017		(2) the relations between the State of Texas and the
1017	1018		federal government other than matters involving defense, emergency
1018	1019		preparedness, and veterans issues;
1019	1020		(3) the relations between the State of Texas and other
1020	1021		states of the United States;
1021	1022		(4) commerce, trade, and manufacturing, including
1022	1023		international commerce and trade and the regulation of persons
1023	1024		participating in international commerce and trade;
1024	1025		(5) cooperation between the state or a local
1025	1026		governmental entity and the scientific and technological
1026	1027		community, including private businesses, institutions of higher
1027	1028		education, and federal governmental laboratories;
1028	1029		(6) weights and measures;
1029	1030		(7) workforce training;
1030	1031		(8) economic and industrial development;
1031	1032		(9) development and support of small businesses;
1032	1033		(10) job creation and job-training programs;
1033	1034		(11) hours, wages, collective bargaining, and the
1034	1035		relationship between employers and employees;
1035	1036		(12) international and border regions (as described in
1036	1037		Sections 2056.002(e)(2) and (3), Government Code) economic
1037	1038		development, public health and safety issues affecting the border,
1038	1039		tourist development, and goodwill, and economic development,
1039	1040		tourist development, and goodwill in other areas of the state that
1040	1041		have experienced a significant increase in the percentage of the
1041	1042		population that consists of immigrants from other nations,
1042	1043		according to the last two federal decennial censuses or another
1043	1044		reliable measure;
1044	1045		(13) the provision of public services to persons
1045	1046		residing in proximity to Texas' international border or in other
1046	1047		areas of the state that have experienced a significant increase in
1047	1048		the percentage of the population that consists of immigrants from
1048	1049		other nations, according to the last two federal decennial censuses
1049	1050		or another reliable measure; and
1050	1051		(14) the following state agencies: the Office of
1051	1052		State-Federal Relations, the Texas Economic Development and
1052	1053		Tourism Office, the Texas Workforce Commission, and the Texas
1053	1054		Workforce Investment Council.
1054	1055		Sec. 20. JUDICIARY AND CIVIL JURISPRUDENCE. The committee
1055	1056		shall have nine members, with jurisdiction over all matters
1056	1057		pertaining to:
1057	1058		(1) fines and penalties arising under civil laws;
1058	1059		(2) civil law, including rights, duties, remedies, and
1059	1060		procedures thereunder, and including probate and guardianship
1060	1061		matters;
1061	1062		(3) civil procedure in the courts of Texas;
1062	1063		(4) administrative law and the adjudication of rights
1063	1064		by administrative agencies;
1064	1065		(5) permission to sue the state;
1065	1066		(6) uniform state laws;
1066	1067		(7) creating, changing, or otherwise affecting courts
1067	1068		of judicial districts of the state;
1068	1069		(8) establishing districts for the election of
1069	1070		judicial officers;
1070	1071		(9) courts and court procedures except where
1071	1072		jurisdiction is specifically granted to some other standing
1072	1073		committee; and
1073	1074		(10) the following state agencies: the Supreme Court,
1074	1075		the courts of appeals, the Court of Criminal Appeals, the State
1075	1076		Commission on Judicial Conduct, the Office of Court Administration
1076	1077		of the Texas Judicial System, the State Law Library, the Texas
1077	1078		Judicial Council, the Judicial Branch Certification Commission,
1078	1079		the Office of the Attorney General, the Board of Law Examiners, the
1079	1080		State Bar of Texas, and the State Office of Administrative
1080	1081		Hearings.
1081	1082		Sec. 21. JUVENILE JUSTICE AND FAMILY ISSUES. The committee
1082	1083		shall have nine members, with jurisdiction over all matters
1083	1084		pertaining to:
1084	1085		(1) the commitment and rehabilitation of youths;
1085	1086		(2) the construction, operation, and management of
1086	1087		correctional facilities of the state and facilities used for the
1087	1088		commitment and rehabilitation of youths;
1088	1089		(3) juvenile delinquency and gang violence;
1089	1090		(4) criminal law, prohibitions, standards, and
1090	1091		penalties as applied to juveniles;
1091	1092		(5) criminal procedure in the courts of Texas as it
1092	1093		relates to juveniles;
1093	1094		(6) civil law as it relates to familial relationships,
1094	1095		including rights, duties, remedies, and procedures; and
1095	1096		(7) the following state agencies: the Texas Juvenile
1096	1097		Justice Board, the Texas Juvenile Justice Department, the Office of
1097	1098		Independent Ombudsman for the Texas Juvenile Justice Department,
1098	1099		and the Advisory Council on Juvenile Services.
1099	1100		Sec. 22. LAND AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT. The committee shall
1100	1101		have nine members, with jurisdiction over all matters pertaining
1101	1102		to:
1102	1103		(1) the management of public lands;
1103	1104		(2) the power of eminent domain;
1104	1105		(3) the creation, modification, and regulation of
1105	1106		municipal utility districts;
1106	1107		(4) annexation, zoning, and other governmental
1107	1108		regulation of land use; and
1108	1109		(5) the following state agencies: the School Land
1109	1110		Board, the Board for Lease of University Lands, and the General Land
1110	1111		Office.
1111	1112		Sec. 23. LICENSING AND ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES. The
1112	1113		committee shall have 11 members, with jurisdiction over all
1113	1114		matters pertaining to:
1114	1115		(1) the oversight of businesses, industries, general
1115	1116		trades, and occupations regulated by this state;
1116	1117		(2) the regulation of greyhound and horse racing and
1117	1118		other gaming industries;
1118	1119		(3) regulation of the sale of intoxicating beverages
1119	1120		and local option control;
1120	1121		(4) the Alcoholic Beverage Code; and
1121	1122		(5) the following state agencies: the Texas
1122	1123		Department of Licensing and Regulation, the State Office of
1123	1124		Administrative Hearings, the Texas Board of Architectural
1124	1125		Examiners, the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy, the Texas
1125	1126		Real Estate Commission, the Texas State Board of Plumbing
1126	1127		Examiners, the Texas Board of Professional Engineers and Land
1127	1128		Surveyors, the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University, [the
1128	1129		Texas Board of Professional Land Surveying,] the Texas Racing
1129	1130		Commission, the Texas Appraiser Licensing and Certification Board,
1130	1131		the Texas Lottery Commission, and the Texas Alcoholic Beverage
1131	1132		Commission.
1132	1133		Sec. 24. LOCAL AND CONSENT CALENDARS (PROCEDURAL). The
1133	1134		committee shall have 11 members, with jurisdiction over:
1134	1135		(1) the placement on appropriate calendars of bills
1135	1136		and resolutions that, in the opinion of the committee, are in fact
1136	1137		local or will be uncontested, and have been recommended as such by
1137	1138		the standing committee of original jurisdiction; and
1138	1139		(2) the determination of priorities for floor
1139	1140		consideration of bills and resolutions except those within the
1140	1141		jurisdiction of the Committee on Calendars and the Committee on
1141	1142		Resolutions Calendars.
1142	1143		Sec. 25. NATURAL RESOURCES. The committee shall have 11
1143	1144		members, with jurisdiction over all matters pertaining to:
1144	1145		(1) the conservation of the natural resources of
1145	1146		Texas;
1146	1147		(2) the control and development of land and water and
1147	1148		land and water resources, including the taking, storing, control,
1148	1149		and use of all water in the state, and its appropriation and
1149	1150		allocation;
1150	1151		(3) irrigation, irrigation companies, and irrigation
1151	1152		districts, and their incorporation, management, and powers;
1152	1153		(4) the creation, modification, and regulation of
1153	1154		groundwater conservation districts, water supply districts, water
1154	1155		control and improvement districts, conservation and reclamation
1155	1156		districts, and all similar organs of local government dealing with
1156	1157		water and water supply not otherwise assigned by these rules to
1157	1158		another standing committee;
1158	1159		(5) oversight of the Texas Commission on Environmental
1159	1160		Quality as it relates to the regulation of water resources; and
1160	1161		(6) the following state agencies: the Office of
1161	1162		Canadian River Compact Commissioner for Texas, the Office of Pecos
1162	1163		River Compact Commissioner for Texas, the Office of Red River
1163	1164		Compact Commissioner for Texas, the Office of Rio Grande Compact
1164	1165		Commissioner for Texas, the Office of Sabine River Compact
1165	1166		Commissioners for Texas, the Southwestern States Water Commission,
1166	1167		and the Texas Water Development Board.
1167	1168		Sec. 26. PENSIONS, INVESTMENTS, AND FINANCIAL SERVICES.
1168	1169		The committee shall have nine [11] members, with jurisdiction over
1169	1170		all matters pertaining to:
1170	1171		(1) banking and the state banking system;
1171	1172		(2) savings and loan associations;
1172	1173		(3) credit unions;
1173	1174		(4) the regulation of state and local bonded
1174	1175		indebtedness;
1175	1176		(5) the lending of money;
1176	1177		(6) benefits or participation in benefits of a public
1177	1178		retirement system and the financial obligations of a public
1178	1179		retirement system;
1179	1180		(7) the regulation of securities and investments;
1180	1181		(8) privacy and identity theft; and
1181	1182		(9) the following state agencies: the Finance
1182	1183		Commission of Texas, the Credit Union Commission, the Office of
1183	1184		Consumer Credit Commissioner, the Office of Banking Commissioner,
1184	1185		the Texas Department of Banking, the Department of Savings and
1185	1186		Mortgage Lending, the Texas Treasury Safekeeping Trust Company, the
1186	1187		Texas Public Finance Authority, the Bond Review Board, the Texas
1187	1188		Emergency Services Retirement System, the Board of Trustees of the
1188	1189		Teacher Retirement System of Texas, the Board of Trustees of the
1189	1190		Employees Retirement System of Texas, the Board of Trustees of the
1190	1191		Texas County and District Retirement System, the Board of Trustees
1191	1192		of the Texas Municipal Retirement System, the State Pension Review
1192	1193		Board, and the State Securities Board.
1193	1194		Sec. 27. PUBLIC EDUCATION. The committee shall have 13
1194	1195		members, with jurisdiction over all matters pertaining to:
1195	1196		(1) the public schools and the public school system of
1196	1197		Texas and the financing thereof;
1197	1198		(2) the state programming of elementary and secondary
1198	1199		education for the public school system of Texas;
1199	1200		(3) proposals to create, change, or otherwise alter
1200	1201		school districts of the state; and
1201	1202		(4) the following organizations and state agencies:
1202	1203		the State Board of Education, the Texas Education Agency, the Texas
1203	1204		representatives to the Education Commission of the States, the
1204	1205		[Office of] Southern Regional Education Board [Compact
1205	1206		Commissioner for Texas], the Texas School for the Blind and
1206	1207		Visually Impaired, the State Board for Educator Certification, and
1207	1208		the Texas School for the Deaf.
1208	1209		Sec. 28. PUBLIC HEALTH. The committee shall have 11
1209	1210		members, with jurisdiction over all matters pertaining to:
1210	1211		(1) the protection of public health, including
1211	1212		supervision and control of the practice of medicine and dentistry
1212	1213		and other allied health services;
1213	1214		(2) mental health and the development of programs
1214	1215		incident thereto;
1215	1216		(3) the prevention and treatment of mental illness;
1216	1217		(4) oversight of the Health and Human Services
1217	1218		Commission and the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council as it
1218	1219		relates to the subject matter jurisdiction of this committee; and
1219	1220		(5) the following state agencies: the Department of
1220	1221		State Health Services, the Anatomical Board of the State of Texas,
1221	1222		the Texas Funeral Service Commission, the Hearing Instrument
1222	1223		Fitters and Dispensers Advisory Board, the Texas Health Services
1223	1224		Authority, the Texas Optometry Board, the Texas Radiation Advisory
1224	1225		Board, the Texas State Board of Pharmacy, [the Interagency Obesity
1225	1226		Council,] the Texas Board of Nursing, the Texas Board of
1226	1227		Chiropractic Examiners, the Texas Board of Physical Therapy
1227	1228		Examiners, the Massage Therapy Advisory Board, the Podiatric
1228	1229		Medical Examiners Advisory Board, the Texas State Board of
1229	1230		Examiners of Psychologists, the Texas State Board of Examiners of
1230	1231		Marriage and Family Therapists, the Behavior Analyst Advisory
1231	1232		Board, the State Board of Dental Examiners, the Texas Medical
1232	1233		Board, the Advisory Board of Athletic Trainers, the Cancer
1233	1234		Prevention and Research Institute of Texas, the Texas State Board
1234	1235		of Acupuncture Examiners, the Health Professions Council, the
1235	1236		Office of Patient Protection, [and] the Texas Board of Occupational
1236	1237		Therapy Examiners, and the Texas Child Mental Health Care
1237	1238		Consortium.
1238	1239		Sec. 29. REDISTRICTING (PROCEDURAL). The committee shall
1239	1240		have 15 members, with jurisdiction over all matters pertaining to:
1240	1241		(1) legislative districts, both house and senate, and
1241	1242		any changes or amendments;
1242	1243		(2) congressional districts, their creation, and any
1243	1244		changes or amendments;
1244	1245		(3) establishing districts for the election of
1245	1246		judicial officers or of governing bodies or representatives of
1246	1247		political subdivisions or state agencies as required by law; and
1247	1248		(4) preparations for the redistricting process.
1248	1249		Sec. 30. RESOLUTIONS CALENDARS (PROCEDURAL). The committee
1249	1250		shall have 11 members, with jurisdiction over:
1250	1251		(1) the placement on appropriate calendars of
1251	1252		resolutions that, in the opinion of the committee, are in fact
1252	1253		congratulatory or memorial;
1253	1254		(2) the determination of priorities for floor
1254	1255		consideration of resolutions except those within the jurisdiction
1255	1256		of the Committee on Calendars and the Committee on Local and Consent
1256	1257		Calendars;
1257	1258		(3) all procedures for expediting the business of the
1258	1259		house in expressing concern or commendation in an orderly and
1259	1260		efficient manner;
1260	1261		(4) all resolutions to congratulate, memorialize, or
1261	1262		name mascots of the house; and
1262	1263		(5) other matters concerning rules, procedures, and
1263	1264		operation of the house in expressing concern or commendation
1264	1265		assigned by the speaker.
1265	1266		Sec. 31. STATE AFFAIRS. The committee shall have 13
1266	1267		members, with jurisdiction over all matters pertaining to:
1267	1268		(1) questions and matters of state policy;
1268	1269		(2) the administration of state government;
1269	1270		(3) the organization, operation, powers, regulation,
1270	1271		and management of state departments, agencies, and institutions;
1271	1272		(4) the operation and regulation of public lands and
1272	1273		state buildings;
1273	1274		(5) the duties and conduct of officers and employees
1274	1275		of the state government;
1275	1276		(6) the duties and conduct of candidates for public
1276	1277		office and of persons with an interest in influencing public
1277	1278		policy;
1278	1279		(7) the operation of state government and its agencies
1279	1280		and departments; all of above except where jurisdiction is
1280	1281		specifically granted to some other standing committee;
1281	1282		(8) access of the state agencies to scientific and
1282	1283		technological information;
1283	1284		(9) the regulation and deregulation of electric
1284	1285		utilities and the electric industry;
1285	1286		(10) the regulation and deregulation of
1286	1287		telecommunications utilities and the telecommunications industry;
1287	1288		(11) electric utility regulation as it relates to
1288	1289		energy production and consumption;
1289	1290		(12) pipelines, pipeline companies, and all others
1290	1291		operating as common carriers in the state;
1291	1292		(13) the regulation and deregulation of other
1292	1293		industries jurisdiction of which is not specifically assigned to
1293	1294		another committee under these rules;
1294	1295		(14) advances in science and technology, including
1295	1296		telecommunications, electronic technology, or automated data
1296	1297		processing, by state agencies, including institutions of higher
1297	1298		education;
1298	1299		(15) the promotion within the state of an advance
1299	1300		described by Subdivision (14) of this section;
1300	1301		(16) cybersecurity; and
1301	1302		(17) the following organizations and state agencies:
1302	1303		the Council of State Governments, the National Conference of State
1303	1304		Legislatures, the Office of the Governor, the Texas Ethics
1304	1305		Commission, the Texas Facilities Commission, the Department of
1305	1306		Information Resources, the Inaugural Endowment Fund Committee, the
1306	1307		Sunset Advisory Commission, the Public Utility Commission of Texas,
1307	1308		and the Office of Public Utility Counsel.
1308	1309		Sec. 32. TRANSPORTATION. The committee shall have 13
1309	1310		members, with jurisdiction over all matters pertaining to:
1310	1311		(1) commercial motor vehicles, both bus and truck, and
1311	1312		their control, regulation, licensing, and operation;
1312	1313		(2) the Texas highway system, including all roads,
1313	1314		bridges, and ferries constituting a part of the system;
1314	1315		(3) the licensing of private passenger vehicles to
1315	1316		operate on the roads and highways of the state;
1316	1317		(4) the regulation and control of traffic on the
1317	1318		public highways of the State of Texas;
1318	1319		(5) railroads, street railway lines, interurban
1319	1320		railway lines, steamship companies, and express companies;
1320	1321		(6) airports, air traffic, airlines, and other
1321	1322		organizations engaged in transportation by means of aerial flight;
1322	1323		(7) water transportation in the State of Texas, and
1323	1324		the rivers, harbors, and related facilities used in water
1324	1325		transportation and the agencies of government exercising
1325	1326		supervision and control thereover;
1326	1327		(8) the regulation of metropolitan transit; and
1327	1328		(9) the following state agencies: the Texas Department
1328	1329		of Motor Vehicles, the Texas Department of Transportation, and the
1329	1330		Texas Transportation Commission.
1330	1331		Sec. 33. URBAN AFFAIRS. The committee shall have nine
1331	1332		members, with jurisdiction over all matters pertaining to:
1332	1333		(1) municipalities, including their creation,
1333	1334		organization, powers, government, and finance, and the
1334	1335		compensation and duties of their officers and employees;
1335	1336		(2) home-rule municipalities, their relationship to
1336	1337		the state, and their powers, authority, and limitations;
1337	1338		(3) the creation or change of metropolitan areas and
1338	1339		the form of government under which those areas operate;
1339	1340		(4) problems and issues particularly affecting
1340	1341		metropolitan areas of the state;
1341	1342		(5) other units of local government not otherwise
1342	1343		assigned by these rules to other standing committees;
1343	1344		(6) establishing districts for the election of
1344	1345		governing bodies of municipalities;
1345	1346		(7) land use regulation by municipalities; and
1346	1347		(8) the following state agencies: the Texas
1347	1348		Department of Housing and Community Affairs and the Texas
1348	1349		Commission on Fire Protection.
1349	1350		Sec. 34. WAYS AND MEANS. The committee shall have 11
1350	1351		members, with jurisdiction over:
1351	1352		(1) all bills and resolutions proposing to raise state
1352	1353		revenue;
1353	1354		(2) all bills or resolutions proposing to levy state
1354	1355		taxes or other fees;
1355	1356		(3) all proposals to modify, amend, or change any
1356	1357		existing state tax or revenue statute;
1357	1358		(4) all proposals to regulate the manner of collection
1358	1359		of state revenues and taxes;
1359	1360		(5) all bills and resolutions containing provisions
1360	1361		resulting in automatic allocation of funds from the state treasury;
1361	1362		(6) all bills and resolutions diverting funds from the
1362	1363		state treasury or preventing funds from going in that otherwise
1363	1364		would be placed in the state treasury;
1364	1365		(7) all bills and resolutions proposing to permit a
1365	1366		local government to raise revenue;
1366	1367		(8) all bills and resolutions proposing to permit a
1367	1368		local government to levy or impose property taxes, sales and use
1368	1369		taxes, or other taxes and fees;
1369	1370		(9) all proposals to modify, amend, or change any
1370	1371		existing local government tax or revenue statute;
1371	1372		(10) all proposals to regulate the manner of
1372	1373		collection of local government revenues and taxes;
1373	1374		(11) all bills and resolutions relating to the
1374	1375		appraisal of property for taxation;
1375	1376		(12) all bills and resolutions relating to the Tax
1376	1377		Code; and
1377	1378		(13) the following organizations and state agencies:
1378	1379		the [Office of] Multistate Tax Commission [Compact Commissioner for
1379	1380		Texas] and the Comptroller of Public Accounts.
1380	1381		RULE 4. ORGANIZATION, POWERS, AND DUTIES OF COMMITTEES
1381	1382		CHAPTER A. ORGANIZATION
1382	1383		Sec. 1. COMMITTEES, MEMBERSHIP, AND JURISDICTION. Standing
1383	1384		committees of the house, and the number of members and general
1384	1385		jurisdiction of each, shall be as enumerated in Rule 3.
1385	1386		Sec. 2. DETERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP. (a) Membership on
1386	1387		the standing committees shall be determined at the beginning of
1387	1388		each regular session in the following manner:
1388	1389		(1) For each standing substantive committee, a maximum
1389	1390		of one-half of the membership, exclusive of the chair and
1390	1391		vice-chair, shall be determined by seniority. The remaining
1391	1392		membership of the committee shall be appointed by the speaker.
1392	1393		(2) Each member of the house, in order of seniority,
1393	1394		may designate three committees on which he or she desires to serve,
1394	1395		listed in order of preference. The member is entitled to become a
1395	1396		member of the committee of his or her highest preference on which
1396	1397		there remains a vacant seniority position.
1397	1398		(3) If members of equal seniority request the same
1398	1399		committee, the speaker shall appoint the member from among those
1399	1400		requesting that committee. Seniority, as the term is used in this
1400	1401		subsection, shall mean years of cumulative service as a member of
1401	1402		the house of representatives.
1402	1403		(4) After each member of the house has selected one
1403	1404		committee on the basis of seniority, the remaining membership on
1404	1405		each standing committee shall be filled by appointment of the
1405	1406		speaker, subject to the limitations imposed in this chapter.
1406	1407		(5) Seniority shall not apply to a procedural
1407	1408		committee. For purposes of these rules, the procedural committees
1408	1409		are the Committee on Calendars, the Committee on Local and Consent
1409	1410		Calendars, the Committee on Resolutions Calendars, the General
1410	1411		Investigating Committee, the Committee on House Administration,
1411	1412		and the Committee on Redistricting. The entire membership of these
1412	1413		committees shall be appointed by the speaker.
1413	1414		(6) In announcing the membership of committees, the
1414	1415		speaker shall designate those appointed by the speaker and those
1415	1416		acquiring membership by seniority.
1416	1417		(7) The speaker shall designate the chair and
1417	1418		vice-chair from the total membership of the committee.
1418	1419		(b) In the event of a vacancy in a representative district
1419	1420		that has not been filled at the time of the determination of the
1420	1421		membership of standing committees, the representative of the
1421	1422		district who fills that vacancy shall not be entitled to select a
1422	1423		committee on the basis of seniority. Committee appointments on
1423	1424		behalf of that district shall be designated by the district number.
1424	1425		(c) In the event that a member-elect of the current
1425	1426		legislature has not taken the oath of office by the end of the ninth
1426	1427		day of the regular session, the representative of that district
1427	1428		shall not be entitled to select a committee on the basis of
1428	1429		seniority. If the member-elect has not taken the oath of office by
1429	1430		the time committee appointments are announced, committee
1430	1431		appointments on behalf of that district shall be designated by
1431	1432		district number.
1432	1433		Sec. 3. RANKING OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS. Except for the chair
1433	1434		and vice-chair, members of a standing committee shall rank
1434	1435		according to their seniority.
1435	1436		Sec. 4. MEMBERSHIP RESTRICTIONS. (a) No member shall serve
1436	1437		concurrently on more than two standing substantive committees.
1437	1438		(b) A member serving as chair of the Committee on
1438	1439		Appropriations, [or] the Committee on State Affairs, or the
1439	1440		Committee on Ways and Means may not serve on any other substantive
1440	1441		committee.
1441	1442		(c) A permanent speaker pro tempore appointed under Rule 1,
1442	1443		Section 10, may not serve on more than one substantive committee or
1443	1444		as chair of a standing committee.
1444	1445		Sec. 5. VACANCIES ON COMMITTEES. Should a vacancy occur on
1445	1446		a standing, select, or interim committee subsequent to its
1446	1447		organization, the speaker shall appoint an eligible member to fill
1447	1448		the vacancy.
1448	1449		Sec. 6. DUTIES OF THE CHAIR. The chair of each committee
1449	1450		shall:
1450	1451		(1) be responsible for the effective conduct of the
1451	1452		business of the committee;
1452	1453		(2) appoint all subcommittees and determine the number
1453	1454		of members to serve on each subcommittee;
1454	1455		(3) in consultation with members of the committee,
1455	1456		schedule the work of the committee and determine the order in which
1456	1457		the committee shall consider and act on bills, resolutions, and
1457	1458		other matters referred to the committee;
1458	1459		(4) have authority to employ and discharge the staff
1459	1460		and employees authorized for the committee and have supervision and
1460	1461		control over all the staff and employees;
1461	1462		(5) direct the preparation of all committee reports.
1462	1463		No committee report shall be official until signed by the chair of
1463	1464		the committee, or by the person acting as chair, or by a majority of
1464	1465		the membership of the committee;
1465	1466		(6) determine the necessity for public hearings,
1466	1467		schedule hearings, and be responsible for directing the posting of
1467	1468		notice of hearings as required by the rules;
1468	1469		(7) preside at all meetings of the committee and
1469	1470		control its deliberations and activities in accordance with
1470	1471		acceptable parliamentary procedure; and
1471	1472		(8) have authority to direct the sergeant-at-arms to
1472	1473		assist, where necessary, in enforcing the will of the committee.
1473	1474		Sec. 7. BILL ANALYSES. Except for the general
1474	1475		appropriations bill, for each bill or joint resolution referred to
1475	1476		the committee, the staff of the committee shall be responsible for
1476	1477		distributing a copy of a bill analysis to each member of the
1477	1478		committee and the author of a house measure at the earliest possible
1478	1479		opportunity but not later than the first time the measure is laid
1479	1480		out in a committee meeting.
1480	1481		CHAPTER B. PROCEDURE
1481	1482		Sec. 8. MEETINGS. (a) As soon as practicable after
1482	1483		standing committees are constituted and organized, the committee
1483	1484		coordinator, under the direction of the Committee on House
1484	1485		Administration, shall prepare a schedule for regular meetings of
1485	1486		all standing committees. This schedule shall be published in the
1486	1487		house journal and posted in a convenient and conspicuous place near
1487	1488		the entrance to the house and on other posting boards for committee
1488	1489		meeting notices, as determined necessary by the Committee on House
1489	1490		Administration. To the extent practicable during each regular
1490	1491		session, standing committees shall conduct regular committee
1491	1492		meetings in accordance with the schedule of meetings prepared by
1492	1493		the committee coordinator under the supervision of the Committee on
1493	1494		House Administration.
1494	1495		(b) Standing committees shall meet at other times as may be
1495	1496		determined by the committee, or as may be called by the chair.
1496	1497		Subcommittees of standing committees shall likewise meet at other
1497	1498		times as may be determined by the committee, or as may be called by
1498	1499		the chair of the committee or subcommittee.
1499	1500		(c) Committees shall also meet in such places and at such
1500	1501		times as the speaker may designate.
1501	1502		Sec. 9. MEETING WHILE HOUSE IN SESSION. No standing
1502	1503		committee or subcommittee shall meet during the time the house is in
1503	1504		session without permission being given by a majority vote of the
1504	1505		house. No standing committee or subcommittee shall conduct its
1505	1506		meeting on the floor of the house or in the house chamber while the
1506	1507		house is in session, but shall, if given permission to meet while
1507	1508		the house is in session, retire to a designated committee room for
1508	1509		the conduct of its meeting.
1509	1510		Sec. 10. PURPOSES FOR MEETING. A committee or a
1510	1511		subcommittee may be assembled for:
1511	1512		(1) a public hearing where testimony is to be heard,
1512	1513		and where official action may be taken, on bills, resolutions, or
1513	1514		other matters;
1514	1515		(2) a formal meeting where the committee may discuss
1515	1516		and take official action on bills, resolutions, or other matters
1516	1517		without testimony; and
1517	1518		(3) a work session where the committee may discuss
1518	1519		bills, resolutions, or other matters but take no formal action.
1519	1520		Sec. 11. POSTING NOTICE. (a) No committee or
1520	1521		subcommittee, including a calendars committee, shall assemble for
1521	1522		the purpose of a public hearing during a regular session unless
1522	1523		notice of the hearing has been posted in accordance with the rules
1523	1524		at least five calendar days in advance of the hearing. No committee
1524	1525		or subcommittee, including a calendars committee, shall assemble
1525	1526		for the purpose of a public hearing during a special session unless
1526	1527		notice of the hearing has been posted in accordance with the rules
1527	1528		at least 24 hours in advance of the hearing. The committee minutes
1528	1529		shall reflect the date of each posting of notice. Notice shall not
1529	1530		be required for a public hearing or a formal meeting on a senate
1530	1531		bill which is substantially the same as a house bill that has
1531	1532		previously been the subject of a duly posted public hearing by the
1532	1533		committee.
1533	1534		(b) No committee or subcommittee, including a calendars
1534	1535		committee, shall assemble for the purpose of a formal meeting or
1535	1536		work session during a regular or special session unless written
1536	1537		notice has been posted and transmitted to each member of the
1537	1538		committee two hours in advance of the meeting or an announcement has
1538	1539		been filed with the journal clerk and read by the reading clerk
1539	1540		while the house is in session.
1540	1541		(c) All committees meeting during the interim for the
1541	1542		purpose of a formal meeting, work session, or public hearing shall
1542	1543		post notice in accordance with the rules and notify members of the
1543	1544		committee at least five calendar days in advance of the meeting.
1544	1545		Sec. 12. MEETINGS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. All meetings of a
1545	1546		committee or subcommittee, including a calendars committee, shall
1546	1547		be open to other members, the press, and the public unless
1547	1548		specifically provided otherwise by resolution adopted by the house.
1548	1549		However, the General Investigating Committee or a committee
1549	1550		considering an impeachment, an address, the punishment of a member
1550	1551		of the house, or any other matter of a quasi-judicial nature may
1551	1552		meet in executive session for the limited purpose of examining a
1552	1553		witness or deliberating, considering, or debating a decision, but
1553	1554		no decision may be made or voted on except in a meeting that is open
1554	1555		to the public and otherwise in compliance with the rules of the
1555	1556		house.
1556	1557		Sec. 13. RULES GOVERNING OPERATIONS. (a) The Rules of
1557	1558		Procedure of the House of Representatives, and to the extent
1558	1559		applicable, the rules of evidence and procedure in the civil courts
1559	1560		of Texas, shall govern the hearings and operations of each
1560	1561		committee, including a calendars committee. Subject to the
1561	1562		foregoing, and to the extent necessary for orderly transaction of
1562	1563		business, each committee may promulgate and adopt additional rules
1563	1564		and procedures by which it will function. A copy of the rules and
1564	1565		procedures adopted by a committee must be filed with the chief
1565	1566		clerk. If the house is convened in a regular or special session, a
1566	1567		copy of the rules and procedures shall also be delivered to the
1567	1568		journal clerk and printed in the journal.
1568	1569		(b) No standing committee, including a calendars committee,
1569	1570		or any subcommittee, shall adopt any rule of procedure, including
1570	1571		but not limited to an automatic subcommittee rule, which will have
1571	1572		the effect of thwarting the will of the majority of the committee or
1572	1573		subcommittee or denying the committee or subcommittee the right to
1573	1574		ultimately dispose of any pending matter by action of a majority of
1574	1575		the committee or subcommittee. A bill or resolution may not be laid
1575	1576		on the table subject to call in committee without a majority vote of
1576	1577		the committee.
1577	1578		(c) Each committee of the house shall have authority to
1578	1579		determine whether or not to permit television, radio, or Internet
1579	1580		broadcasts, other than official house broadcasts, of any of its
1580	1581		proceedings.
1581	1582		Sec. 14. APPEALS FROM RULINGS OF THE CHAIR. Appeals from
1582	1583		rulings of the chair of a committee shall be in order if seconded by
1583	1584		three members of the committee, which may include the member making
1584	1585		the appeal. Procedure in committee following an appeal which has
1585	1586		been seconded shall be the same as the procedure followed in the
1586	1587		house in a similar situation.
1587	1588		Sec. 15. PREVIOUS QUESTION. Before the previous question
1588	1589		can be ordered in a committee, the motion therefor must be seconded
1589	1590		by not less than 4 members of a committee consisting of 21 or more
1590	1591		members, 3 members of a committee consisting of less than 21 members
1591	1592		and more than 10 members, or 2 members of a committee consisting of
1592	1593		10 members or less. If the motion is properly seconded and ordered
1593	1594		by a majority vote of the committee, further debate on the
1594	1595		proposition under consideration shall be terminated, and the
1595	1596		proposition shall be immediately put to a vote of the committee for
1596	1597		its action.
1597	1598		Sec. 16. QUORUM. A majority of a committee shall
1598	1599		constitute a quorum. No action or recommendation of a committee
1599	1600		shall be valid unless taken at a meeting of the committee with a
1600	1601		quorum actually present, and the committee minutes shall reflect
1601	1602		the names of those members of the committee who were actually
1602	1603		present. No committee report shall be made to the house nor shall
1603	1604		bills or resolutions be placed on a calendar unless ordered by a
1604	1605		majority of the membership of the committee, except as otherwise
1605	1606		provided in the rules, and a quorum of the committee must be present
1606	1607		when the vote is taken on reporting a bill or resolution, on placing
1607	1608		bills or resolutions on a calendar, or on taking any other formal
1608	1609		action within the authority of the committee. No committee report
1609	1610		shall be made nor shall bills or resolutions be placed on a calendar
1610	1611		except by record vote of the members of the committee, with the yeas
1611	1612		and nays to be recorded in the minutes of the committee. Proxies
1612	1613		cannot be used in committees.
1613	1614		Sec. 17. MOVING A CALL OF A COMMITTEE. (a) It shall be in
1614	1615		order to move a call of a committee at any time to secure and
1615	1616		maintain a quorum for any one or more of the following purposes:
1616	1617		(1) for the consideration of a specific bill,
1617	1618		resolution, or other matter;
1618	1619		(2) for a definite period of time; or
1619	1620		(3) for the consideration of any designated class of
1620	1621		bills or other matters.
1621	1622		(b) When a call of a committee is moved for one or more of
1622	1623		the foregoing purposes and seconded by two members, one of whom may
1623	1624		be the chair, and is ordered by a majority of the members present,
1624	1625		no member shall thereafter be permitted to leave the committee
1625	1626		meeting without written permission from the chair. After the call
1626	1627		is ordered, and in the absence of a quorum, the chair shall have the
1627	1628		authority to authorize the sergeant-at-arms to locate absent
1628	1629		members of the committee and to compel their attendance for the
1629	1630		duration of the call.
1630	1631		Sec. 18. MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS. (a) For each committee,
1631	1632		including a calendars committee, the chair, or the member acting as
1632	1633		chair, shall keep complete minutes of the proceedings in committee,
1633	1634		which shall include:
1634	1635		(1) the time and place of each meeting of the
1635	1636		committee;
1636	1637		(2) a roll call to determine the members present at
1637	1638		each meeting of the committee, whether that meeting follows an
1638	1639		adjournment or a recess from a previous committee meeting;
1639	1640		(3) an accurate record of all votes taken, including a
1640	1641		listing of the yeas and nays cast on a record vote;
1641	1642		(4) the date of posting of notice of the meeting; and
1642	1643		(5) other information that the chair shall determine.
1643	1644		(b) The minutes for each public hearing of a committee shall
1644	1645		also include an attachment listing the names of the persons, other
1645	1646		than members of the legislature, and the persons or entities
1646	1647		represented by those persons, who were recognized by the chair to
1647	1648		address the committee. The attachment shall also list the name of
1648	1649		each person, other than a member of the legislature, who submitted
1649	1650		to the committee a sworn statement indicating that the person was
1650	1651		present in favor of, in opposition to, or without taking a position
1651	1652		on the measure or other matter, but who because of the person's
1652	1653		departure or other reason was not recognized by the chair to address
1653	1654		the committee; provided that the omission of the name of such a
1654	1655		person is not subject to a point of order.
1655	1656		(c) Committee minutes shall be corrected only at the
1656	1657		direction of the chair as authorized by a majority vote of the
1657	1658		committee. Duplicate originals of committee minutes shall be
1658	1659		maintained, one to remain with the committee chair and the other to
1659	1660		be filed with the committee coordinator. The committee minutes of a
1660	1661		meeting of the Appropriations Committee on the general
1661	1662		appropriations bill must be filed with the committee coordinator
1662	1663		within five days of the committee meeting. All other committee
1663	1664		minutes must be filed with the committee coordinator within three
1664	1665		days of the committee meeting for a substantive committee or the
1665	1666		Committee on Redistricting, and within one day of the committee
1666	1667		meeting for a procedural committee other than the Committee on
1667	1668		Redistricting. If the date on which the committee minutes are due
1668	1669		occurs on a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday on which the house is not
1669	1670		in session, the committee minutes shall be filed on the following
1670	1671		working day. The time at which the minutes are filed shall be
1671	1672		time-stamped on the duplicate originals of the minutes that are
1672	1673		filed with the committee coordinator. The duplicate originals
1673	1674		shall be available at all reasonable business hours for inspection
1674	1675		by members or the public.
1675	1676		(d) The committee coordinator shall maintain the minutes
1676	1677		and records safe from loss, destruction, and alteration at all
1677	1678		times, and may, at any time, turn them, or any portion, over to the
1678	1679		Committee on House Administration.
1679	1680		Sec. 18A. INTERNET ACCESS TO COMMITTEE DOCUMENTS. (a) The
1680	1681		committee coordinator shall establish procedures for making
1681	1682		available to the public on the Internet documents relating to the
1682	1683		proceedings of substantive committees.
1683	1684		(b) A substantive committee shall make available to the
1684	1685		public on the Internet:
1685	1686		(1) any committee substitute or amendment laid before
1686	1687		the committee; and
1687	1688		(2) any nonconfidential written testimony submitted
1688	1689		by a state agency for consideration by the committee that relates to
1689	1690		a measure referred to the committee.
1690	1691		(c) A committee's failure to comply with this section is not
1691	1692		subject to a point of order.
1692	1693		Sec. 19. RECORDING OF TESTIMONY. All testimony before
1693	1694		committees and subcommittees shall be electronically recorded
1694	1695		under the direction of the Committee on House Administration.
1695	1696		Copies of the testimony may be released under guidelines
1696	1697		promulgated by the Committee on House Administration.
1697	1698		Sec. 19A. RECORDING OF APPROPRIATIONS MEETINGS. (a) The
1698	1699		Committee on House Administration shall ensure that an audio and
1699	1700		video recording of any public hearing, formal meeting, or work
1700	1701		session of the Committee on Appropriations or a subcommittee of the
1701	1702		Committee on Appropriations is made available to the public on the
1702	1703		Internet in a timely manner.
1703	1704		(b) To the extent that current technological capabilities
1704	1705		prohibit immediate implementation of this section, the Committee on
1705	1706		House Administration shall use the committee's best efforts to
1706	1707		conform to the requirements of this section as soon as practicable.
1707	1708		Sec. 20. SWORN STATEMENT OF WITNESSES. (a) The committee
1708	1709		coordinator, under the direction of the Committee on House
1709	1710		Administration, shall prescribe the form of a sworn statement,
1710	1711		which may be in electronic or paper format, to be executed by all
1711	1712		persons, other than members, who wish to be recognized by the chair
1712	1713		to address the committee. The statement shall provide for showing
1713	1714		at least:
1714	1715		(1) the committee or subcommittee;
1715	1716		(2) the name, address, and telephone number of the
1716	1717		person appearing;
1717	1718		(3) the person, firm, corporation, class, or group
1718	1719		represented;
1719	1720		(4) the type of business, profession, or occupation in
1720	1721		which the person is engaged, if the person is representing himself
1721	1722		or herself; and
1722	1723		(5) the matter before the committee on which the
1723	1724		person wishes to be recognized to address the committee and whether
1724	1725		for, against, or neutral on the matter.
1725	1726		(b) No person shall be recognized by the chair to address
1726	1727		the committee in favor of, in opposition to, or without taking a
1727	1728		position on a matter until the sworn statement has been filed with
1728	1729		the chair of the committee. The chair of the committee shall
1729	1730		indicate whether the person completing the statement was recognized
1730	1731		to address the committee.
1731	1732		(c) Sworn statements submitted in paper format for those
1732	1733		persons recognized by the chair to address the committee shall
1733	1734		accompany the copy of the minutes of the meeting filed with the
1734	1735		committee coordinator.
1735	1736		(d) All persons, other than members, recognized by the chair
1736	1737		to address the committee shall give their testimony under oath, and
1737	1738		each committee may avail itself of additional powers and
1738	1739		prerogatives authorized by law.
1739	1740		(e) The committee shall ensure that an individual who is
1740	1741		blind receives any necessary assistance in executing the sworn
1741	1742		statement.
1742	1743		(f) The committee shall inform a witness who is blind which
1743	1744		members of the committee are present when the witness begins to
1744	1745		testify and shall inform the witness during the testimony of the
1745	1746		departure and arrival of committee members.
1746	1747		(g) The chair may recognize a witness who has been invited
1747	1748		by the committee to attend the meeting but is not present in the
1748	1749		same physical location as the committee to testify before the
1749	1750		committee through an Internet or other videoconferencing system if:
1750	1751		(1) the witness has executed a sworn statement, in
1751	1752		electronic or paper format, under this section;
1752	1753		(2) the witness has filed the statement or a copy of
1753	1754		the statement with the chair before testifying; and
1754	1755		(3) two-way communication has been enabled to allow
1755	1756		the witness to be clearly visible and audible to the committee
1756	1757		members and the committee members to be clearly visible and audible
1757	1758		to the witness.
1758	1759		(h) A person who serves as a translator, including an
1759	1760		interpreter, for a witness before a committee must execute a form
1760	1761		prescribed by the committee coordinator, under the direction of the
1761	1762		Committee on House Administration. The form must at least include
1762	1763		the name of the translator and the name of the witness whom the
1763	1764		translator is serving.
1764	1765		Sec. 21. POWER TO ISSUE PROCESS AND SUMMON WITNESSES. (a)
1765	1766		By a record vote of not less than two-thirds of those present and
1766	1767		voting, a quorum being present, each standing committee shall have
1767	1768		the power and authority to issue process to witnesses at any place
1768	1769		in the State of Texas, to compel their attendance, and to compel the
1769	1770		production of all books, records, and instruments. If necessary to
1770	1771		obtain compliance with subpoenas or other process, the committee
1771	1772		shall have the power to issue writs of attachment. All process
1772	1773		issued by the committee may be addressed to and served by an agent
1773	1774		of the committee or a sergeant-at-arms appointed by the committee
1774	1775		or by any peace officer of the State of Texas. The committee shall
1775	1776		also have the power to cite and have prosecuted for contempt, in the
1776	1777		manner provided by law, anyone disobeying the subpoenas or other
1777	1778		process lawfully issued by the committee. The chair of the
1778	1779		committee shall issue, in the name of the committee, the subpoenas
1779	1780		and other process as the committee may direct.
1780	1781		(b) The chair may summon the governing board or other
1781	1782		representatives of a state agency to appear and testify before the
1782	1783		committee without issuing process under Subsection (a) of this
1783	1784		section. The summons may be communicated in writing, orally, or
1784	1785		electronically. If the persons summoned fail or refuse to appear,
1785	1786		the committee may issue process under Subsection (a) of this
1786	1787		section.
1787	1788		Sec. 22. MILEAGE AND PER DIEM FOR WITNESSES. Subject to
1788	1789		prior approval by the Committee on House Administration, witnesses
1789	1790		attending proceedings of any committee under process of the
1790	1791		committee shall be allowed the same mileage and per diem as are
1791	1792		allowed members of the committee when in a travel status, to be paid
1792	1793		out of the contingent expense fund of the house of representatives
1793	1794		on vouchers approved by the chair of the committee, the chair of the
1794	1795		Committee on House Administration, and the speaker of the house.
1795	1796		Sec. 23. POWER TO REQUEST ASSISTANCE OF STATE AGENCIES.
1796	1797		Each committee is authorized to request the assistance, when
1797	1798		needed, of all state departments, agencies, and offices, and it
1798	1799		shall be the duty of the departments, agencies, and offices to
1799	1800		assist the committee when requested to do so. Each committee shall
1800	1801		have the power and authority to inspect the records, documents, and
1801	1802		files of every state department, agency, and office, to the extent
1802	1803		necessary to the discharge of its duties within the area of its
1803	1804		jurisdiction.
1804	1805		Sec. 23A. ASSISTANCE OF OTHER MEMBERS OF LEGISLATURE. At a
1805	1806		meeting of a committee, the chair may recognize a member of the
1806	1807		house who is not a member of the committee to provide information to
1807	1808		the committee, and may recognize a member of the senate for that
1808	1809		purpose. Recognition is solely within the discretion of the chair
1809	1810		and is not subject to appeal by that member.
1810	1811		CHAPTER C. COMMITTEE FUNCTIONS
1811	1812		Sec. 24. INTERIM STUDIES AND HEARINGS. (a) Standing
1812	1813		committees, en banc or by subcommittees, are hereby authorized to
1813	1814		conduct studies that are authorized by the speaker pursuant to Rule
1814	1815		1, Section 17. Studies may not be authorized by resolution. The
1815	1816		speaker may appoint public citizens and officials of state and
1816	1817		local governments to standing committees to augment the membership
1817	1818		for the purpose of interim studies and shall provide a list of such
1818	1819		appointments to the chief clerk. The chair of the standing
1819	1820		committee shall have authority to name the subcommittees necessary
1820	1821		and desirable for the conduct of the interim studies and shall also
1821	1822		prepare a budget for interim studies for approval by the Committee
1822	1823		on House Administration.
1823	1824		(b) The Committee on Appropriations shall hold one or more
1824	1825		public hearings to examine the requests for legislative
1825	1826		appropriations submitted by each major state agency and institution
1826	1827		of higher education under Section 322.007, Government Code, and any
1827	1828		other law, to the Legislative Budget Board following sine die
1828	1829		adjournment of the regular session. The committee may require the
1829	1830		head or any employee of an agency or institution submitting a
1830	1831		request to appear at a public hearing and present information about
1831	1832		the request. A subcommittee may perform the committee's duties
1832	1833		under this subsection as determined by the chair of the committee.
1833	1834		As used in this subsection, "major state agency" means an agency for
1834	1835		which the most recent general appropriations act made an
1835	1836		appropriation in the amount of $40 million or more.
1836	1837		Sec. 25. MOTION PREVENTING REPORTING OR PLACEMENT ON A
1837	1838		CALENDAR. No motion is in order in a committee considering a bill,
1838	1839		resolution, or other matter that would prevent the committee from
1839	1840		reporting it back to the house or placing it on a calendar in
1840	1841		accordance with the Rules of the House.
1841	1842		Sec. 26. FINAL ACTION IN FORM OF REPORT. No action by a
1842	1843		committee on bills or resolutions referred to it shall be
1843	1844		considered as final unless it is in the form of a favorable report,
1844	1845		an unfavorable report, or a report of inability to recommend a
1845	1846		course of action.
1846	1847		Sec. 27. VOTE ON MOTION TO REPORT. Motions made in
1847	1848		committee to report favorably or unfavorably must receive
1848	1849		affirmative majority votes, majority negative votes to either
1849	1850		motion being insufficient to report. If a committee is unable to
1850	1851		agree on a recommendation for action, as in the case of a tie vote,
1851	1852		it should submit a statement of this fact as its report, and the
1852	1853		house shall decide, by a majority vote, the disposition of the
1853	1854		matter by one of the following alternatives:
1854	1855		(1) leave the bill in the committee for further
1855	1856		consideration;
1856	1857		(2) refer the bill to some other committee; or
1857	1858		(3) order the bill printed, in which case the bill
1858	1859		shall go to the Committee on Calendars for placement on a calendar
1859	1860		and for proposal of an appropriate rule for house consideration.
1860	1861		Sec. 28. MINORITY REPORTS. The report of a minority of a
1861	1862		committee shall be made in the same general form as a majority
1862	1863		report. No minority report shall be recognized by the house unless
1863	1864		it has been signed by not less than 4 members of a committee
1864	1865		consisting of 21 or more members, 3 members of a committee
1865	1866		consisting of less than 21 members and more than 10 members, or 2
1866	1867		members of a committee consisting of 10 or less members. Only
1867	1868		members who were present when the vote was taken on the bill,
1868	1869		resolution, or other matter being reported, and who voted on the
1869	1870		losing side, may sign a minority report. Notice of intention to
1870	1871		file a minority report shall be given to the assembled committee
1871	1872		after the vote on the bill, resolution, or other matter, and before
1872	1873		the recess or adjournment of the committee, provided ample
1873	1874		opportunity is afforded for the giving of notice; otherwise, notice
1874	1875		may be given in writing to the chief clerk within 24 hours after the
1875	1876		recess or adjournment of the committee.
1876	1877		Sec. 29. ACTION ON BILLS REPORTED UNFAVORABLY. If the
1877	1878		majority report on a bill is unfavorable, and a favorable minority
1878	1879		report is not signed in accordance with Section 28 of this rule and
1879	1880		filed with the chief clerk within two calendar days, exclusive of
1880	1881		Sunday and the date of committee action, the chief clerk shall file
1881	1882		the bill away as dead; except during the last 15 calendar days of a
1882	1883		regular session, or the last 7 calendar days of a special session,
1883	1884		when the chief clerk shall hold a bill only one calendar day,
1884	1885		exclusive of Sunday and the date of committee action, awaiting the
1885	1886		filing of a minority report before the bill is filed away as dead.
1886	1887		If the favorable minority report is properly signed and filed, the
1887	1888		chief clerk shall hold the bill for five legislative days,
1888	1889		exclusive of the legislative day in which the minority report was
1889	1890		filed, awaiting adoption by the house of a motion to print the bill
1890	1891		on minority report. If the motion to print is carried, the bill
1891	1892		shall be printed as if it had been reported favorably, and shall
1892	1893		then be immediately forwarded to the Committee on Calendars for
1893	1894		placement on a calendar and for proposal of an appropriate rule for
1894	1895		house consideration. If a motion to print a bill on minority report
1895	1896		is not made within the five legislative days authorized above, the
1896	1897		chief clerk shall file the bill away as dead. It shall not be in
1897	1898		order to move to recommit a bill adversely reported with no minority
1898	1899		report, except as provided in Section 30 of this rule. A two-thirds
1899	1900		vote of the house shall be required to print on minority report a
1900	1901		joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of
1901	1902		Texas.
1902	1903		Sec. 30. MAKING ADVERSE REPORTS WITHOUT HEARING THE
1903	1904		AUTHOR. No adverse report shall be made on any bill or resolution
1904	1905		by any committee without first giving the author or sponsor of the
1905	1906		bill an opportunity to be heard. If it becomes evident to the house
1906	1907		that a bill has been reported adversely without the author or
1907	1908		sponsor having had an opportunity to be heard as provided in this
1908	1909		section, the house may, by a majority vote, order the bill
1909	1910		recommitted even though no minority report was filed in the manner
1910	1911		prescribed by the rules. This provision shall have precedence over
1911	1912		Rule 7, Section 20.
1912	1913		Sec. 31. ADVERSE REPORTS ON LOCAL BILLS. If a local bill is
1913	1914		reported adversely, it shall be subject to the same rules that
1914	1915		govern other bills reported adversely.
1915	1916		Sec. 32. FORM OF REPORTS. (a) Reports of standing
1916	1917		committees on bills and resolutions shall be made in duplicate,
1917	1918		with one copy to be filed with the journal clerk for printing in the
1918	1919		journal and the other to accompany the original bill.
1919	1920		(b) All committee reports must be in writing and shall:
1920	1921		(1) be signed by the chair, or the member acting as
1921	1922		chair, or a majority of the membership of the committee;
1922	1923		(2) be addressed to the speaker;
1923	1924		(3) contain a statement of the recommendations of the
1924	1925		committee with reference to the matter which is the subject of the
1925	1926		report;
1926	1927		(4) contain the date the committee made its
1927	1928		recommendation;
1928	1929		(5) indicate whether a copy of a bill or resolution was
1929	1930		forwarded to the Legislative Budget Board for preparation of a
1930	1931		fiscal note or other impact statement, if applicable;
1931	1932		(6) contain the record vote by which the report was
1932	1933		adopted, including the vote of each member of the committee;
1933	1934		(7) contain the recommendation that the bill or
1934	1935		resolution be sent to the Committee on Local and Consent Calendars
1935	1936		for placement on the local, consent, and resolutions calendar if
1936	1937		applicable;
1937	1938		(8) state the name of the primary house sponsor of all
1938	1939		senate bills and resolutions and indicate the names of all joint
1939	1940		sponsors or cosponsors;
1940	1941		(9) include a summary of the committee hearing on the
1941	1942		bill or resolution;
1942	1943		(10) include a list of the names of the persons, other
1943	1944		than members of the legislature, and persons or entities
1944	1945		represented by those persons, who submitted to the committee sworn
1945	1946		statements indicating that the persons were present in favor of, in
1946	1947		opposition to, or without taking a position on the bill or
1947	1948		resolution. The omission from the list of the name of a person who
1948	1949		submitted a sworn statement regarding a bill or resolution but who
1949	1950		was not recognized by the chair to address the committee is not
1950	1951		subject to a point of order;
1951	1952		(11) for a joint resolution proposing a constitutional
1952	1953		amendment, include the bill number of any enabling legislation for
1953	1954		the constitutional amendment designated as such by the author or
1954	1955		sponsor of the joint resolution;
1955	1956		(12) for a bill that is designated by the author or
1956	1957		sponsor of the bill as enabling legislation for a constitutional
1957	1958		amendment proposed by a joint resolution, include the number of the
1958	1959		joint resolution; and
1959	1960		(13) contain a copy of each form executed by a
1960	1961		translator for a witness as required by Section 20(h) of this rule.
1961	1962		(c) Except for the general appropriations bill, each
1962	1963		committee report on a bill or joint resolution, including a
1963	1964		complete committee substitute, and, to the extent considered
1964	1965		necessary by the committee, a committee report on any other
1965	1966		resolution, must include in summary or section-by-section form a
1966	1967		detailed analysis of the subject matter of the bill or resolution,
1967	1968		specifically including:
1968	1969		(1) background information on the proposal and
1969	1970		information on what the bill or resolution proposes to do;
1970	1971		(2) an analysis of the content of the bill or
1971	1972		resolution, including a separate statement that lists each statute
1972	1973		or constitutional provision that is expressly repealed by the bill
1973	1974		or resolution;
1974	1975		(3) a statement indicating whether or not any
1975	1976		rulemaking authority is expressly delegated to a state officer,
1976	1977		department, agency, or institution, and, if so, identifying the
1977	1978		sections of the measure in which that rulemaking authority is
1978	1979		delegated;
1979	1980		(4) a statement indicating whether or not the bill or
1980	1981		resolution expressly creates a criminal offense, expressly
1981	1982		increases the punishment for an existing criminal offense or
1982	1983		category of offenses, or expressly changes the eligibility of a
1983	1984		person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory
1984	1985		supervision;
1985	1986		(5) a statement of substantial differences between a
1986	1987		complete committee substitute and the original bill; and
1987	1988		(6) a brief explanation of each amendment adopted by
1988	1989		the committee.
1989	1990		(d) The committee to which the bill or resolution is
1990	1991		referred may request the Texas Legislative Council to prepare the
1991	1992		analysis required by Subsection (c) of this section.
1992	1993		(e) A committee chair shall provide to the author of a house
1993	1994		measure a copy of the analysis required by Subsection (c) of this
1994	1995		section as soon as the analysis is complete.
1995	1996		(f) The author of a bill or resolution may request that an
1996	1997		analysis prepared for purposes of this section include a statement
1997	1998		written by the author that includes any additional information that
1998	1999		the author considers appropriate.
1999	2000		(g) It shall be the duty of the committee chair, on all
2000	2001		matters reported by the committee, to see that all provisions of
2001	2002		Rule 12 are satisfied. The chair shall strictly construe this
2002	2003		provision to achieve the desired purposes.
2003	2004		Sec. 33. FISCAL NOTES. (a) If the chair of a standing
2004	2005		committee determines that a bill or joint resolution, other than
2005	2006		the general appropriations bill, authorizes or requires the
2006	2007		expenditure or diversion of state funds for any purpose, the chair
2007	2008		shall send a copy of the measure to the Legislative Budget Board for
2008	2009		the preparation of a fiscal note outlining the fiscal implications
2009	2010		and probable cost of the measure.
2010	2011		(b) If the chair of a standing committee determines that a
2011	2012		bill or joint resolution has statewide impact on units of local
2012	2013		government of the same type or class and authorizes or requires the
2013	2014		expenditure or diversion of local funds, or creates or impacts a
2014	2015		local tax, fee, license charge, or penalty, the chair shall send a
2015	2016		copy of the measure to the Legislative Budget Board for the
2016	2017		preparation of a fiscal note outlining the fiscal implications and
2017	2018		probable cost of the measure.
2018	2019		(c) In preparing a fiscal note, the director of the
2019	2020		Legislative Budget Board may utilize information or data supplied
2020	2021		by any person, agency, organization, or governmental unit that the
2021	2022		director deems reliable. If the director determines that the fiscal
2022	2023		implications of the measure cannot be ascertained, the director
2023	2024		shall so state in the fiscal note, shall when reasonably
2024	2025		ascertainable provide an estimated range of the fiscal
2025	2026		implications, and shall include in the note a statement of the
2026	2027		reasons the director is unable to ascertain the fiscal implications
2027	2028		of the measure, in which case the fiscal note shall be in full
2028	2029		compliance with the rules. If the director of the Legislative
2029	2030		Budget Board is unable to acquire or develop sufficient information
2030	2031		to prepare the fiscal note within 15 days of receiving the measure
2031	2032		from the chair of a committee, the director shall so state in the
2032	2033		fiscal note, shall when reasonably ascertainable provide an
2033	2034		estimated range of the fiscal implications, and shall include in
2034	2035		the note a statement of the reasons the director is unable to
2035	2036		acquire or develop sufficient information, in which case the note
2036	2037		shall be in full compliance with the rules.
2037	2038		(d) If the chair determines that a fiscal note is required,
2038	2039		copies of the fiscal note must be distributed to the members of the
2039	2040		committee not later than the first time the measure is laid out in a
2040	2041		committee meeting. The fiscal note shall be attached to the measure
2041	2042		on first printing. If the measure is amended by the committee so as
2042	2043		to alter its fiscal implications, the chair shall obtain an updated
2043	2044		fiscal note, which shall also be attached to the measure on first
2044	2045		printing.
2045	2046		(e) All fiscal notes shall remain with the measure
2046	2047		throughout the entire legislative process, including submission to
2047	2048		the governor.
2048	2049		(f) All fiscal notes must include in the summary box on the
2049	2050		first page of the fiscal note a statement that indicates whether the
2050	2051		bill or joint resolution will have fiscal implications or probable
2051	2052		costs in any year.
2052	2053		Sec. 34. OTHER IMPACT STATEMENTS. (a) It is the intent of
2053	2054		this section that all members of the house are timely informed as to
2054	2055		the impact of proposed legislation on the state or other unit of
2055	2056		government.
2056	2057		(a-1) The chair of the appropriations committee shall send a
2057	2058		copy of the general appropriations bill to the Legislative Budget
2058	2059		Board for the preparation of a dynamic economic impact statement,
2059	2060		specifically including the number of state employees to be affected
2060	2061		and the estimated impact on employment by the private sector and
2061	2062		local governments in Texas as a result of any change in state
2062	2063		expenditures made by the bill as compared to the biennium preceding
2063	2064		the biennium to which the bill applies.
2064	2065		(b) If the chair of a standing committee determines that a
2065	2066		bill or joint resolution:
2066	2067		(1) authorizes or requires a change in the sanctions
2067	2068		applicable to adults convicted of felony crimes, the chair shall
2068	2069		send a copy of the measure to the Legislative Budget Board for the
2069	2070		preparation of a criminal justice policy impact statement;
2070	2071		(2) authorizes or requires a change in the public
2071	2072		school finance system, the chair shall send a copy of the measure to
2072	2073		the Legislative Budget Board for the preparation of an equalized
2073	2074		education funding impact statement;
2074	2075		(3) proposes to change benefits or participation in
2075	2076		benefits of a public retirement system or change the financial
2076	2077		obligations of a public retirement system, the chair shall send a
2077	2078		copy of the measure to the Legislative Budget Board for the
2078	2079		preparation of an actuarial impact statement in cooperation with
2079	2080		the State Pension Review Board;
2080	2081		(4) proposes to create a water district under the
2081	2082		authority of Article XVI, Section 59, of the Texas Constitution,
2082	2083		the chair shall send a copy of the measure to the Legislative Budget
2083	2084		Board for the preparation of a water development policy impact
2084	2085		statement; or
2085	2086		(5) creates or impacts a state tax or fee, the chair
2086	2087		shall send a copy of the measure to the Legislative Budget Board for
2087	2088		the preparation of a tax equity note that estimates the general
2088	2089		effects of the proposal on the distribution of tax and fee burdens
2089	2090		among individuals and businesses.
2090	2091		(c) In preparing an impact statement, the director of the
2091	2092		Legislative Budget Board may utilize information or data supplied
2092	2093		by any person, agency, organization, or governmental unit that the
2093	2094		director deems reliable. If the director determines that the
2094	2095		particular implications of the measure cannot be ascertained, the
2095	2096		director shall so state in the impact statement, in which case the
2096	2097		impact statement shall be in full compliance with the rules.
2097	2098		(d) An impact statement is not required to be present before
2098	2099		a measure is laid out in a committee meeting. If timely received,
2099	2100		the impact statement shall be attached to the measure on first
2100	2101		printing. If the measure is amended by the committee so as to alter
2101	2102		its particular implications, the chair shall obtain an updated
2102	2103		impact statement. If timely received, the updated impact statement
2103	2104		shall also be attached to the measure on first printing.
2104	2105		(e) An impact statement that is received after the first
2105	2106		printing of a measure has been distributed to the members shall be
2106	2107		forwarded by the chair of the committee to the committee
2107	2108		coordinator. The committee coordinator shall have the impact
2108	2109		statement printed and distributed to the members.
2109	2110		(f) All impact statements received shall remain with the
2110	2111		measure throughout the entire legislative process, including
2111	2112		submission to the governor.
2112	2113		Sec. 35. REPORTS ON HOUSE AND CONCURRENT
2113	2114		RESOLUTIONS. Committee reports on house and concurrent
2114	2115		resolutions shall be made in the same manner and shall follow the
2115	2116		same procedure as provided for bills, subject to any differences
2116	2117		otherwise authorized or directed by the rules.
2117	2118		Sec. 36. ACTION BY HOUSE ON REPORTS NOT REQUIRED. No
2118	2119		action by the house is necessary on the report of a standing
2119	2120		committee. The bill, resolution, or proposition recommended or
2120	2121		reported by the committee shall automatically be before the house
2121	2122		for its consideration after the bill or resolution has been
2122	2123		referred to the appropriate calendars committee for placement on a
2123	2124		calendar and for proposal of an appropriate rule for house
2124	2125		consideration.
2125	2126		Sec. 37. REFERRAL OF REPORTS TO COMMITTEE COORDINATOR. All
2126	2127		committee reports on bills or resolutions shall be immediately
2127	2128		referred to the committee coordinator. The chair of the committee
2128	2129		shall be responsible for delivery of the report to the committee
2129	2130		coordinator.
2130	2131		Sec. 38. DELIVERY OF REPORTS TO CALENDARS
2131	2132		COMMITTEES. After printing, the chief clerk shall be responsible
2132	2133		for delivery of a certified copy of the committee report to the
2133	2134		appropriate calendars committee, which committee shall immediately
2134	2135		accept the bill or resolution for placement on a calendar and for
2135	2136		the proposal of an appropriate rule for house consideration.
2136	2137		Sec. 38A. NOTIFICATION OF SUNSET BILLS. The chief clerk
2137	2138		shall provide notice to each member at the member's designated
2138	2139		Capitol e-mail address when a committee report under Section 38 of
2139	2140		this rule on a bill extending an agency, commission, or advisory
2140	2141		committee under the Texas Sunset Act has been printed or posted and
2141	2142		is available to be distributed to the appropriate calendars
2142	2143		committee.
2143	2144		Sec. 39. COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS. No committee shall have the
2144	2145		power to amend, delete, or change in any way the nature, purpose, or
2145	2146		content of any bill or resolution referred to it, but may draft and
2146	2147		recommend amendments to it, which shall become effective only if
2147	2148		adopted by a majority vote of the house.
2148	2149		Sec. 40. SUBSTITUTES. The committee may adopt and report a
2149	2150		complete germane committee substitute containing the title,
2150	2151		enacting clause, and text of the bill in lieu of an original bill,
2151	2152		in which event the complete substitute bill on committee report
2152	2153		shall be laid before the house and shall be the matter then before
2153	2154		the house for its consideration, instead of the original bill. If
2154	2155		the substitute bill is defeated at any legislative stage, the bill
2155	2156		is considered not passed.
2156	2157		Sec. 41. GERMANENESS OF SUBSTITUTE. If a point of order is
2157	2158		raised that a complete committee substitute is not germane, in
2158	2159		whole or in part, and the point of order is sustained, the committee
2159	2160		substitute shall be returned to the Committee on Calendars, which
2160	2161		may have the original bill printed and distributed and placed on a
2161	2162		calendar in lieu of the substitute or may return the original bill
2162	2163		to the committee from which it was reported for further action.
2163	2164		Sec. 42. AUTHOR'S RIGHT TO OFFER AMENDMENTS TO
2164	2165		REPORT. Should the author or sponsor of the bill, resolution, or
2165	2166		other proposal not be satisfied with the final recommendation or
2166	2167		form of the committee report, the member shall have the privilege of
2167	2168		offering on the floor of the house such amendments or changes as he
2168	2169		or she considers necessary and desirable, and those amendments or
2169	2170		changes shall be given priority during the periods of time when
2170	2171		original amendments are in order under the provisions of Rule 11,
2171	2172		Section 7.
2172	2173		CHAPTER D. SUBCOMMITTEES
2173	2174		Sec. 43. JURISDICTION. Each committee is authorized to
2174	2175		conduct its activities and perform its work through the use of
2175	2176		subcommittees as shall be determined by the chair of the committee.
2176	2177		Subcommittees shall be created, organized, and operated in such a
2177	2178		way that the subject matter and work area of each subcommittee shall
2178	2179		be homogeneous and shall pertain to related governmental
2179	2180		activities. The size and jurisdiction of each subcommittee shall
2180	2181		be determined by the chair of the committee.
2181	2182		Sec. 44. MEMBERSHIP. The chair of each standing committee
2182	2183		shall appoint from the membership of the committee the members who
2183	2184		are to serve on each subcommittee. Any vacancy on a subcommittee
2184	2185		shall be filled by appointment of the chair of the standing
2185	2186		committee. The chair and vice-chair of each subcommittee shall be
2186	2187		named by the chair of the committee.
2187	2188		Sec. 45. RULES GOVERNING OPERATIONS. The Rules of
2188	2189		Procedure of the House of Representatives, to the extent
2189	2190		applicable, shall govern the hearings and operations of each
2190	2191		subcommittee. Subject to the foregoing, and to the extent
2191	2192		necessary for orderly transaction of business, each subcommittee
2192	2193		may promulgate and adopt additional rules and procedures by which
2193	2194		it will function.
2194	2195		Sec. 46. QUORUM. A majority of a subcommittee shall
2195	2196		constitute a quorum, and no action or recommendation of a
2196	2197		subcommittee shall be valid unless taken at a meeting with a quorum
2197	2198		actually present. All reports of a subcommittee must be approved by
2198	2199		record vote by a majority of the membership of the subcommittee.
2199	2200		Minutes of the subcommittee shall be maintained in a manner similar
2200	2201		to that required by the rules for standing committees. Proxies
2201	2202		cannot be used in subcommittees.
2202	2203		Sec. 47. POWER AND AUTHORITY. Each subcommittee, within
2203	2204		the area of its jurisdiction, shall have all of the power,
2204	2205		authority, and rights granted by the Rules of Procedure of the House
2205	2206		of Representatives to the standing committee, except subpoena
2206	2207		power, to the extent necessary to discharge the duties and
2207	2208		responsibilities of the subcommittee.
2208	2209		Sec. 48. REFERRAL OF PROPOSED LEGISLATION TO
2209	2210		SUBCOMMITTEE. All bills and resolutions referred to a standing
2210	2211		committee shall be reviewed by the chair to determine appropriate
2211	2212		disposition of the bills and resolutions. All bills and
2212	2213		resolutions shall be considered by the entire standing committee
2213	2214		unless the chair of that standing committee determines to refer the
2214	2215		bills and resolutions to subcommittee. If a bill or resolution is
2215	2216		referred by the chair of the standing committee to a subcommittee,
2216	2217		it shall be considered by the subcommittee in the same form in which
2217	2218		the measure was referred to the standing committee, and any action
2218	2219		taken by the standing committee on a proposed amendment or
2219	2220		committee substitute before a measure is referred to subcommittee
2220	2221		is therefore voided at the time the measure is referred to
2221	2222		subcommittee. The subcommittee shall be charged with the duty and
2222	2223		responsibility of conducting the hearing, doing research, and
2223	2224		performing such other functions as the subcommittee or its parent
2224	2225		standing committee may determine. All meetings of the subcommittee
2225	2226		shall be scheduled by the subcommittee chair, with appropriate
2226	2227		public notice and notification of each member of the subcommittee
2227	2228		under the same rules of procedure as govern the conduct of the
2228	2229		standing committee.
2229	2230		Sec. 49. REPORT BY SUBCOMMITTEE. At the conclusion of its
2230	2231		deliberations on a bill, resolution, or other matter referred to
2231	2232		it, the subcommittee may prepare a written report, comprehensive
2232	2233		in nature, for submission to the full committee. The report shall
2233	2234		include background material as well as recommended action and shall
2234	2235		be accompanied by a complete draft of the bill, resolution, or other
2235	2236		proposal in such form as the subcommittee shall determine.
2236	2237		Sec. 50. ACTION ON SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS. Subcommittee
2237	2238		reports shall be directed to the chair of the committee, who shall
2238	2239		schedule meetings of the standing committee from time to time as
2239	2240		necessary and appropriate for the reception of subcommittee reports
2240	2241		and for action on reports by the standing committee. No
2241	2242		subcommittee report shall be scheduled for action by the standing
2242	2243		committee until at least 24 hours after a copy of the subcommittee
2243	2244		report is provided to each member of the standing committee.
2244	2245		CHAPTER E. COMMITTEES OF THE WHOLE HOUSE
2245	2246		Sec. 51. RESOLUTION INTO A COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
2246	2247		HOUSE. The house may resolve itself into a committee of the whole
2247	2248		house to consider any matter referred to it by the house. In
2248	2249		forming a committee of the whole house, the speaker shall vacate the
2249	2250		chair and shall appoint a chair to preside in committee.
2250	2251		Sec. 52. RULES GOVERNING OPERATIONS. The rules governing
2251	2252		the proceedings of the house and those governing committees shall
2252	2253		be observed in committees of the whole, to the extent that they are
2253	2254		applicable.
2254	2255		Sec. 53. MOTION FOR A CALL OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE
2255	2256		WHOLE. (a) It shall be in order to move a call of the committee of
2256	2257		the whole at any time to secure and maintain a quorum for the
2257	2258		following purposes:
2258	2259		(1) for the consideration of a certain or specific
2259	2260		matter; or
2260	2261		(2) for a definite period of time; or
2261	2262		(3) for the consideration of any designated class of
2262	2263		bills.
2263	2264		(b) When a call of the committee of the whole is moved and
2264	2265		seconded by 10 members, of whom the chair may be one, and is ordered
2265	2266		by majority vote, the main entrance of the hall and all other doors
2266	2267		leading out of the hall shall be locked, and no member shall be
2267	2268		permitted to leave the hall without written permission. Other
2268	2269		proceedings under a call of the committee shall be the same as under
2269	2270		a call of the house.
2270	2271		Sec. 54. HANDLING OF A BILL. A bill committed to a
2271	2272		committee of the whole house shall be handled in the same manner as
2272	2273		in any other committee. The body of the bill shall not be defaced or
2273	2274		interlined, but all amendments shall be duly endorsed by the chief
2274	2275		clerk as they are adopted by the committee, and so reported to the
2275	2276		house. When a bill is reported by the committee of the whole house
2276	2277		it shall be referred immediately to the appropriate calendars
2277	2278		committee for placement on the appropriate calendar and shall
2278	2279		follow the same procedure as any other bill on committee report.
2279	2280		Sec. 55. FAILURE TO COMPLETE WORK AT ANY SITTING. In the
2280	2281		event that the committee of the whole, at any sitting, fails to
2281	2282		complete its work on any bill or resolution under consideration for
2282	2283		lack of time, or desires to take any action on that measure that is
2283	2284		permitted under the rules for other committees, it may, on a motion
2284	2285		made and adopted by majority vote, rise, report progress, and ask
2285	2286		leave of the house to sit again generally, or at a time certain.
2286	2287		CHAPTER F. SELECT AND INTERIM STUDY COMMITTEES
2287	2288		Sec. 56. REPORTS OF SELECT COMMITTEES. Reports of select
2288	2289		committees made during a session shall be filed with the chief clerk
2289	2290		and printed in the journal, unless otherwise determined by the
2290	2291		house.
2291	2292		[CHAPTER F. INTERIM STUDY COMMITTEES]
2292	2293		Sec. 57. INTERIM STUDIES. Pursuant to Rule 1, Section 17,
2293	2294		the speaker may create interim study committees to conduct studies
2294	2295		by issuing a proclamation for each committee, which shall specify
2295	2296		the issue to be studied, committee membership, and any additional
2296	2297		authority and duties. A copy of each proclamation creating an
2297	2298		interim study committee shall be filed with the chief clerk. An
2298	2299		interim study committee expires on release of its final report or
2299	2300		when the next legislature convenes, whichever is earlier. An
2300	2301		interim study committee may not be created by resolution.
2301	2302		Sec. 58. APPOINTMENT AND MEMBERSHIP. The speaker shall
2302	2303		appoint all members of an interim study committee, which may
2303	2304		include public citizens and officials of state and local
2304	2305		governments. The speaker shall also designate the chair and
2305	2306		vice-chair and may authorize the chair to create subcommittees and
2306	2307		appoint citizen advisory committees.
2307	2308		Sec. 59. RULES GOVERNING OPERATIONS. The rules governing
2308	2309		the proceedings of the house and those governing standing
2309	2310		committees shall be observed by an interim study committee, to the
2310	2311		extent that they are applicable. An interim study committee shall
2311	2312		have the power to issue process and to request assistance of state
2312	2313		agencies as provided for a standing committee in Sections 21, 22,
2313	2314		and 23 of this rule.
2314	2315		Sec. 60. FUNDING AND STAFF. An interim study committee
2315	2316		shall use existing staff resources of its members, standing
2316	2317		committees, house offices, and legislative service agencies. The
2317	2318		chair of an interim study committee shall prepare a detailed budget
2318	2319		for approval by the speaker and the Committee on House
2319	2320		Administration. An interim study committee may accept gifts,
2320	2321		grants, and donations for the purpose of funding its activities as
2321	2322		provided by Sections 301.032(b) and (c), Government Code.
2322	2323		Sec. 61. STUDY REPORTS. (a) The final report or
2323	2324		recommendations of an interim study committee shall be approved by
2324	2325		a majority of the committee membership. Dissenting members may
2325	2326		attach statements to the final report.
2326	2327		(b) An interim study committee shall submit the committee's
2327	2328		final report to the committee coordinator in the manner prescribed
2328	2329		by the committee coordinator. The committee coordinator shall:
2329	2330		(1) distribute copies of the final report to the
2330	2331		speaker, the Legislative Reference Library, and other appropriate
2331	2332		agencies; and
2332	2333		(2) make a copy of the final report available on the
2333	2334		house's Internet website.
2334	2335		(c) This section shall also apply to interim study reports
2335	2336		of standing committees.
2336	2337		Sec. 62. JOINT HOUSE AND SENATE INTERIM
2337	2338		STUDIES. Procedures may be established by a concurrent resolution
2338	2339		adopted by both houses, by which the speaker may authorize and
2339	2340		appoint, jointly with the senate, committees to conduct interim
2340	2341		studies. A copy of the authorization for and the appointments to a
2341	2342		joint interim study committee shall be filed with the chief clerk.
2342	2343		Individual joint interim study committees may not be authorized or
2343	2344		created by resolution.
2344	2345		RULE 5. FLOOR PROCEDURE
2345	2346		CHAPTER A. QUORUM AND ATTENDANCE
2346	2347		Sec. 1. QUORUM. Two-thirds of the house shall constitute a
2347	2348		quorum to do business.
2348	2349		Sec. 2. ROLL CALLS. On every roll call or registration,
2349	2350		the names of the members shall be called or listed, as the case may
2350	2351		be, alphabetically by surname, except when two or more have the same
2351	2352		surname, in which case the initials of the members shall be added.
2352	2353		Sec. 3. LEAVE OF ABSENCE. (a) No member shall be absent
2353	2354		from the sessions of the house without leave, and no member shall be
2354	2355		excused on his or her own motion.
2355	2356		(b) A leave of absence may be granted by a majority vote of
2356	2357		the house and may be revoked at any time by a similar vote.
2357	2358		(c) Any member granted a leave of absence due to a meeting of
2358	2359		a committee or conference committee that has authority to meet
2359	2360		while the house is in session shall be so designated on each roll
2360	2361		call or registration for which that member is excused.
2361	2362		Sec. 4. FAILURE TO ANSWER ROLL CALL. Any member who is
2362	2363		present and fails or refuses to record on a roll call after being
2363	2364		requested to do so by the speaker shall be recorded as present by
2364	2365		the speaker and shall be counted for the purpose of making a quorum.
2365	2366		Sec. 5. POINT OF ORDER OF "NO QUORUM." (a) The point of
2366	2367		order of "No Quorum" shall not be accepted by the chair if the last
2367	2368		roll call showed the presence of a quorum, provided the last roll
2368	2369		call was taken within two hours of the time the point of order is
2369	2370		raised.
2370	2371		(b) If the last roll call was taken more than two hours
2371	2372		before the point of order is raised, it shall be in order for the
2372	2373		member who raised the point of order to request a roll call. Such a
2373	2374		request must be seconded by 25 members. If the request for a roll
2374	2375		call is properly seconded, the chair shall order a roll call.
2375	2376		(c) Once a point of order has been made that a quorum is not
2376	2377		present, it may not be withdrawn after the absence of a quorum has
2377	2378		been ascertained and announced.
2378	2379		Sec. 6. MOTIONS IN ORDER WHEN QUORUM NOT PRESENT. If a
2379	2380		registration or record vote reveals that a quorum is not present,
2380	2381		only a motion to adjourn or a motion for a call of the house and the
2381	2382		motions incidental thereto shall be in order.
2382	2383		Sec. 7. MOTION FOR CALL OF THE HOUSE. It shall be in order
2383	2384		to move a call of the house at any time to secure and maintain a
2384	2385		quorum for one of the following purposes:
2385	2386		(1) for the consideration of a specific bill,
2386	2387		resolution, motion, or other measure;
2387	2388		(2) for the consideration of any designated class of
2388	2389		bills; or
2389	2390		(3) for a definite period of time.
2390	2391		Motions for, and incidental to, a call of the house are not
2391	2392		debatable.
2392	2393		Sec. 8. SECURING A QUORUM. When a call of the house is moved
2393	2394		for one of the above purposes and seconded by 15 members (of whom
2394	2395		the speaker may be one) and ordered by a majority vote, the main
2395	2396		entrance to the hall and all other doors leading out of the hall
2396	2397		shall be locked and no member permitted to leave the house without
2397	2398		the written permission of the speaker. The names of members present
2398	2399		shall be recorded. All absentees for whom no sufficient excuse is
2399	2400		made may, by order of a majority of those present, be sent for and
2400	2401		arrested, wherever they may be found, by the sergeant-at-arms or an
2401	2402		officer appointed by the sergeant-at-arms for that purpose, and
2402	2403		their attendance shall be secured and retained. The house shall
2403	2404		determine on what conditions they shall be discharged. Members who
2404	2405		voluntarily appear shall, unless the house otherwise directs, be
2405	2406		immediately admitted to the hall of the house and shall report their
2406	2407		names to the clerk to be entered in the journal as present.
2407	2408		Until a quorum appears, should the roll call fail to show one
2408	2409		present, no business shall be transacted, except to compel the
2409	2410		attendance of absent members or to adjourn. It shall not be in
2410	2411		order to recess under a call of the house.
2411	2412		Sec. 9. FOLLOWING ACHIEVEMENT OF A QUORUM. When a quorum is
2412	2413		shown to be present, the house may proceed with the matters on which
2413	2414		the call was ordered, or may enforce the call and await the
2414	2415		attendance of as many of the absentees as it desires. When the
2415	2416		house proceeds to the business on which the call was ordered, it
2416	2417		may, by a majority vote, direct the sergeant-at-arms to cease
2417	2418		bringing in absent members.
2418	2419		Sec. 10. REPEATING A RECORD VOTE. When a record vote
2419	2420		reveals the lack of a quorum, and a call is ordered to secure one, a
2420	2421		record vote shall again be taken when the house resumes business
2421	2422		with a quorum present.
2422	2423		CHAPTER B. ADMITTANCE TO HOUSE CHAMBER
2423	2424		Sec. 11. PRIVILEGES OF THE HOUSE FLOOR. Only the following
2424	2425		persons shall be entitled to the privileges of the floor of the
2425	2426		house when the house is in session: members of the house; employees
2426	2427		of the house when performing their official duties as determined by
2427	2428		the Committee on House Administration; members of the senate;
2428	2429		employees of the senate when performing their official duties; the
2429	2430		Governor of Texas and the governor's chief of staff and director of
2430	2431		legislative affairs; the lieutenant governor; the secretary of
2431	2432		state; duly accredited media representatives as permitted by
2432	2433		Section 20 of this rule; contestants in election cases pending
2433	2434		before the house; and immediate families of the members of the
2434	2435		legislature on such special occasions as may be determined by the
2435	2436		Committee on House Administration.
2436	2437		Sec. 12. ADMITTANCE WITHIN THE RAILING. Only the following
2437	2438		persons shall be admitted to the area on the floor of the house
2438	2439		enclosed by the railing when the house is in session: members of the
2439	2440		house; members of the senate; the governor; the lieutenant
2440	2441		governor; officers and employees of the senate and house when those
2441	2442		officers and employees are actually engaged in performing their
2442	2443		official duties as determined by the Committee on House
2443	2444		Administration; spouses of members of the house on such occasions
2444	2445		as may be determined by the Committee on House Administration; and,
2445	2446		within the area specifically designated for media representatives,
2446	2447		duly accredited media representatives as permitted by Section 20 of
2447	2448		this rule.
2448	2449		Sec. 13. SOLICITORS AND COLLECTORS PROHIBITED. Solicitors
2449	2450		and collectors shall not be admitted to the floor of the house while
2450	2451		the house is in session.
2451	2452		Sec. 14. INVITATION TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE. A motion to
2452	2453		invite a person to address the house while it is in session shall be
2453	2454		in order only if the person invited is entitled to the privileges of
2454	2455		the floor as defined by Section 11 of this rule and if no business is
2455	2456		pending before the house.
2456	2457		Sec. 15. LOBBYING ON FLOOR. No one, except the governor or
2457	2458		a member of the legislature, who is lobbying or working for or
2458	2459		against any pending or prospective legislative measure shall be
2459	2460		permitted on the floor of the house or in the adjacent rooms while
2460	2461		the house is in session.
2461	2462		Sec. 16. SUSPENSION OF FLOOR PRIVILEGES. If any person
2462	2463		admitted to the floor of the house under the rules, except the
2463	2464		governor or a member of the legislature, lobbies or works for or
2464	2465		against any pending or prospective legislation or violates any of
2465	2466		the other rules of the house, the privileges extended to that person
2466	2467		under the rules shall be suspended by a majority vote of the
2467	2468		Committee on House Administration. The action of the committee
2468	2469		shall be reviewable by the house only if two members of the
2469	2470		committee request an appeal from the decision of the committee. The
2470	2471		request shall be in the form of a minority report and shall be
2471	2472		subject to the same rules that are applicable to minority reports on
2472	2473		bills. Suspension shall remain in force until the accused person
2473	2474		purges himself or herself and comes within the rules, or until the
2474	2475		house, by majority vote, reverses the action of the committee.
2475	2476		Sec. 17. MEMBERS' [MEMBERS] LOUNGE PRIVILEGES. Only the
2476	2477		following persons shall be admitted to the members' [members]
2477	2478		lounge at any time: members of the house; members of the senate;
2478	2479		and former members of the house and senate who are not engaged in
2479	2480		any form of employment requiring them to lobby or work for or
2480	2481		against any pending or prospective legislative measures.
2481	2482		Sec. 18. FLOOR DUTIES OF HOUSE OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES. It
2482	2483		shall be the duty of the Committee on House Administration to
2483	2484		determine what duties are to be discharged by officers and
2484	2485		employees of the house on the floor of the house, specifically in
2485	2486		the area enclosed by the railing, when the house is in session. It
2486	2487		shall be the duty of the speaker to see that the officers and
2487	2488		employees do not violate the regulations promulgated by the
2488	2489		Committee on House Administration.
2489	2490		Sec. 19. PROPER DECORUM. No person shall be admitted to,
2490	2491		or allowed to remain in, the house chamber while the house is in
2491	2492		session unless properly attired, and all gentlemen shall wear a
2492	2493		coat and tie. Food or beverage shall not be permitted in the house
2493	2494		chamber at any time, and no person carrying food or beverage shall
2494	2495		be admitted to the chamber, whether the house is in session or in
2495	2496		recess. Reading newspapers shall not be permitted in the house
2496	2497		chamber while the house is in session. Smoking is not permitted in
2497	2498		the members' [member's] lounge or bathrooms. The Committee on House
2498	2499		Administration shall designate an area for smoking that is easily
2499	2500		accessible to the house chamber.
2500	2501		Sec. 20. MEDIA ACCESS TO HOUSE CHAMBER. (a) When the house
2501	2502		is in session, no media representative shall be admitted to the
2502	2503		floor of the house or allowed its privileges unless the person is:
2503	2504		(1) employed by a print, broadcast, or Internet news
2504	2505		organization, or by a wire service serving those organizations:
2505	2506		(A) whose principal business is the periodic
2506	2507		dissemination of original news and opinion of interest to a broad
2507	2508		segment of the public;
2508	2509		(B) which has published or operated continuously
2509	2510		for 18 months:
2510	2511		(i) as a for-profit organization that is
2511	2512		supported chiefly by advertising or subscription revenue; or
2512	2513		(ii) as a nonprofit organization that has
2513	2514		qualified as a public charity under Section 501(c)(3), Internal
2514	2515		Revenue Code of 1986; and
2515	2516		(C) whose publications or operations are
2516	2517		editorially independent of any institution, foundation, or
2517	2518		interest group that lobbies the government or that is not
2518	2519		principally a general news organization; and
2519	2520		(2) not engaged in any lobbying or paid advocacy,
2520	2521		advertising, publicity, or promotion work for any individual,
2521	2522		political party, corporation, organization, or government agency.
2522	2523		(b) Any media representative seeking admission to the floor
2523	2524		of the house under the provisions of this section must submit to the
2524	2525		Committee on House Administration:
2525	2526		(1) a notarized application in a form determined by
2526	2527		the committee; and
2527	2528		(2) a letter from the media representative's employer
2528	2529		certifying that:
2529	2530		(A) the media representative is engaged
2530	2531		primarily in reporting the sessions of the legislature; and
2531	2532		(B) no part of the media representative's salary
2532	2533		for legislative coverage is paid from a source other than the news
2533	2534		organization or wire service that employs the media representative.
2534	2535		(c) Regularly accredited media representatives who have
2535	2536		duly qualified under the provisions of this section may, when
2536	2537		requested to do so, make recommendations through their professional
2537	2538		committees to the Committee on House Administration as to the
2538	2539		sufficiency or insufficiency of the credentials of any person
2539	2540		seeking admission to the floor of the house under this section.
2540	2541		(d) If the Committee on House Administration determines
2541	2542		that a person's media credentials meet the requirements of this
2542	2543		section, the committee shall issue a pass card to the person. The
2543	2544		committee may impose a fee to cover the costs of issuing a pass
2544	2545		card. This pass card must be presented to the doorkeeper each time
2545	2546		the person seeks admission to the floor of the house while the house
2546	2547		is in session. Pass cards issued under this section shall not be
2547	2548		transferable. The failure of a media representative to maintain the
2548	2549		requirements of this section may result in the revocation of the
2549	2550		pass card. Persons admitted to the floor of the house pursuant to
2550	2551		the provisions of this section shall work in appropriate convenient
2551	2552		seats or work stations in the house, which shall be designated for
2552	2553		that purpose by the Committee on House Administration.
2553	2554		(e) Members of the house shall not engage in interviews and
2554	2555		press conferences on the house floor while the house is in session.
2555	2556		The Committee on House Administration is authorized to enforce this
2556	2557		provision and to prescribe such other regulations as may be
2557	2558		necessary and desirable to achieve these purposes.
2558	2559		(f) Permission to make recordings [live or recorded
2559	2560		television, radio, or Internet broadcasts] in or from the house
2560	2561		chamber while the house is in session may be granted only by the
2561	2562		Committee on House Administration. The committee shall promulgate
2562	2563		rules [regulations] governing recordings [television, radio, or
2563	2564		Internet broadcasts, and such regulations shall be printed as an
2564	2565		addendum to the rules of the house]. When recordings [broadcasts]
2565	2566		from the [floor of the] house chamber are permitted [recommended]
2566	2567		by the Committee on House Administration, the permission
2567	2568		[recommendation] shall, if necessary, identify those persons in the
2568	2569		technical crews to whom pass cards to the floor of the house and
2569	2570		galleries are to be issued. Passes granted under this authority
2570	2571		shall be subject to revocation by [on the recommendation of] the
2571	2572		Committee on House Administration. As used in this subsection,
2572	2573		"recording" means an audio, video, or photographic recording for
2573	2574		immediate or delayed transmission by television or radio or through
2574	2575		the Internet [Each committee of the house shall have authority to
2575	2576		determine whether or not to permit television, radio, or Internet
2576	2577		broadcasts of any of its proceedings].
2577	2578		(g) The following individuals may submit a written
2578	2579		complaint regarding a decision by the Committee on House
2579	2580		Administration under this section:
2580	2581		(1) an individual who is aggrieved by the committee's
2581	2582		failure or refusal to grant privileges under this section; or
2582	2583		(2) a [A] member of the house who believes a media
2583	2584		representative granted privileges under this section either does
2584	2585		not meet the requirements of this section or has abused the
2585	2586		privileges granted under this section [may submit a written
2586	2587		complaint to the Committee on House Administration].
2587	2588		(h) The Committee on House Administration [committee] shall
2588	2589		investigate the complaint and may, if necessary, temporarily
2589	2590		suspend the media representative's privileges pending the
2590	2591		investigation. The committee shall notify the aggrieved individual
2591	2592		or subject of the complaint of the time and place of a hearing on the
2592	2593		complaint. Following the hearing, which must be conducted as
2593	2594		provided by committee rule, the committee shall determine whether
2594	2595		the aggrieved individual meets the requirements of this section
2595	2596		and, as applicable:
2596	2597		(1) issue a pass card if the committee determines that
2597	2598		the individual's media credentials meet the requirements of this
2598	2599		section; or
2599	2600		(2) revoke the media representative's privileges
2600	2601		granted under this section [are revoked] if the committee
2601	2602		determines that the allegations contained in the complaint are
2602	2603		valid.
2603	2604		(i) The final determination by the Committee on House
2604	2605		Administration on a complaint:
2605	2606		(1) must be entered in the committee minutes and, if
2606	2607		the house is convened in a regular or special session, delivered to
2607	2608		the journal clerk and printed in the journal; and
2608	2609		(2) is not subject to further review except as
2609	2610		provided by this section.
2610	2611		Sec. 21. PUBLIC ADMISSION TO AND NONLEGISLATIVE USE OF THE
2611	2612		HOUSE CHAMBER. When the house is not in session, the floor of the
2612	2613		house shall remain open on days and hours determined by the
2613	2614		Committee on House Administration. By resolution, the house may
2614	2615		open the floor of the house during its sessions for the inauguration
2615	2616		of the governor and lieutenant governor and for such other public
2616	2617		ceremonies as may be deemed warranted.
2617	2618		CHAPTER C. SPEAKING AND DEBATE
2618	2619		Sec. 22. ADDRESSING THE HOUSE. When a member desires to
2619	2620		speak or deliver any matter to the house, the member shall rise and
2620	2621		respectfully address the speaker as "Mr. (or Madam) Speaker" and,
2621	2622		on being recognized, may address the house from the microphone at
2622	2623		the reading clerk's desk, and shall confine all remarks to the
2623	2624		question under debate, avoiding personalities.
2624	2625		Sec. 23. WHEN TWO MEMBERS RISE AT ONCE. When two or more
2625	2626		members rise at once, the speaker shall name the one who is to speak
2626	2627		first. This decision shall be final and not open to debate or
2627	2628		appeal.
2628	2629		Sec. 24. RECOGNITION. (a) Except as otherwise provided
2629	2630		by this section, there shall be no appeal from the speaker's
2630	2631		recognition, but the speaker shall be governed by rules and usage in
2631	2632		priority of entertaining motions from the floor. When a member
2632	2633		seeks recognition, the speaker may ask, "For what purpose does the
2633	2634		member rise?" or "For what purpose does the member seek
2634	2635		recognition?" and may then decide if recognition is to be granted,
2635	2636		except that the speaker shall recognize a member who seeks
2636	2637		recognition on a question of privilege.
2637	2638		(b) If the speaker denies recognition of a member who seeks
2638	2639		recognition on a question of privilege, other than a question of
2639	2640		privilege relating to the right of the house to remove the speaker
2640	2641		and elect a new speaker, the decision of recognition may be appealed
2641	2642		using the procedures provided in Rule 1, Section 9.
2642	2643		(c) If the speaker denies recognition of a member who seeks
2643	2644		recognition on a question of privilege relating to the right of the
2644	2645		house to remove the speaker and elect a new speaker, the member may
2645	2646		appeal the speaker's denial of recognition if the member submits to
2646	2647		the speaker a written request, signed by at least 76 members of the
2647	2648		house, to appeal the decision of recognition. Upon receiving a
2648	2649		request for appeal in accordance with this subsection, the speaker
2649	2650		shall announce the request to the house. The names of the members
2650	2651		who signed the request and the time that the announcement was made
2651	2652		shall be entered in the journal. The appeal of a decision of
2652	2653		recognition under this subsection is eligible for consideration 24
2653	2654		hours after the request for appeal has been announced in accordance
2654	2655		with this subsection. The appeal and consideration of the question
2655	2656		of privilege, if the appeal is successful, takes precedence over
2656	2657		all other questions except motions to adjourn.
2657	2658		Sec. 25. INTERRUPTION OF A MEMBER WHO HAS THE FLOOR. A
2658	2659		member who has the floor shall not be interrupted by another member
2659	2660		for any purpose, unless he or she consents to yield to the other
2660	2661		member. A member desiring to interrupt another in debate should
2661	2662		first address the speaker for the permission of the member
2662	2663		speaking. The speaker shall then ask the member who has the floor
2663	2664		if he or she wishes to yield, and then announce the decision of that
2664	2665		member. The member who has the floor may exercise personal
2665	2666		discretion as to whether or not to yield, and it is entirely within
2666	2667		the member's discretion to determine who shall interrupt and when.
2667	2668		Sec. 26. YIELDING THE FLOOR. A member who obtains the
2668	2669		floor on recognition of the speaker may not be taken off the floor
2669	2670		by a motion, even the highly privileged motion to adjourn, but if
2670	2671		the member yields to another to make a motion or to offer an
2671	2672		amendment, he or she thereby loses the floor.
2672	2673		Sec. 27. RIGHT TO OPEN AND CLOSE DEBATE. The mover of any
2673	2674		proposition, or the member reporting any measure from a committee,
2674	2675		or, in the absence of either of them, any other member designated by
2675	2676		such absentee, shall have the right to open and close the debate,
2676	2677		and for this purpose may speak each time not more than 20 minutes.
2677	2678		Sec. 28. TIME LIMITS ON SPEECHES. All speeches shall be
2678	2679		limited to 10 minutes in duration, except as provided in Section 27
2679	2680		of this rule, and the speaker shall call the members to order at the
2680	2681		expiration of their time. If the house by a majority vote extends
2681	2682		the time of any member, the extension shall be for 10 minutes only.
2682	2683		A second extension of time shall be granted only by unanimous
2683	2684		consent. During the last 10 calendar days of the regular session,
2684	2685		and the last 5 calendar days of a special session, Sundays excepted,
2685	2686		all speeches shall be limited to 10 minutes and shall not be
2686	2687		extended. The time limits established by this rule shall include
2687	2688		time consumed in yielding to questions from the floor.
2688	2689		Sec. 29. LIMIT ON NUMBER OF TIMES TO SPEAK. No member shall
2689	2690		speak more than twice on the same question without leave of the
2690	2691		house, nor more than once until every member choosing to speak has
2691	2692		spoken, nor shall any member be permitted to consume the time of
2692	2693		another member without leave of the house being given by a majority
2693	2694		vote.
2694	2695		Sec. 30. EFFECT OF ADJOURNMENT ON SPEAKING LIMIT. If a
2695	2696		pending question is not disposed of because of an adjournment of the
2696	2697		house, a member who has spoken twice on the subject shall not be
2697	2698		allowed to speak again without leave of the house.
2698	2699		Sec. 31. OBJECTION TO READING A PAPER. When the reading of
2699	2700		a paper is called for, and objection is made, the matter shall be
2700	2701		determined by a majority vote of the house, without debate.
2701	2702		Sec. 32. PASSING BETWEEN MICROPHONES DURING DEBATE. No
2702	2703		person shall pass between the front and back microphones during
2703	2704		debate or when a member has the floor and is addressing the house.
2704	2705		Sec. 33. TRANSGRESSION OF RULES WHILE SPEAKING. If any
2705	2706		member, in speaking or otherwise, transgresses the rules of the
2706	2707		house, the speaker shall, or any member may, call the member to
2707	2708		order, in which case the member so called to order shall immediately
2708	2709		be seated; however, that member may move for an appeal to the house,
2709	2710		and if appeal is duly seconded by 10 members, the matter shall be
2710	2711		submitted to the house for decision by majority vote. In such
2711	2712		cases, the speaker shall not be required to relinquish the chair, as
2712	2713		is required in cases of appeals from the speaker's decisions. The
2713	2714		house shall, if appealed to, decide the matter without debate. If
2714	2715		the decision is in favor of the member called to order, the member
2715	2716		shall be at liberty to proceed; but if the decision is against the
2716	2717		member, he or she shall not be allowed to proceed, and, if the case
2717	2718		requires it, shall be liable to the censure of the house, or such
2718	2719		other punishment as the house may consider proper.
2719	2720		Sec. 34. ELECTRONIC RECORDING OF ALL HOUSE PROCEEDINGS. (a)
2720	2721		All proceedings of the house of representatives shall be
2721	2722		electronically recorded under the direction of the Committee on
2722	2723		House Administration. Copies of the proceedings may be released
2723	2724		under guidelines promulgated by the Committee on House
2724	2725		Administration.
2725	2726		(b) Archived video broadcasts of proceedings in the house
2726	2727		chamber that are available through the house's Internet or intranet
2727	2728		website may, under the direction of the Committee on House
2728	2729		Administration, include a link to the point in time in the video
2729	2730		where each measure under consideration by the house is laid out.
2730	2731		Such a link shall be provided as soon as the committee determines is
2731	2732		practical.
2732	2733		CHAPTER D. QUESTIONS OF PRIVILEGE
2733	2734		Sec. 35. QUESTIONS OF PRIVILEGE DEFINED. Questions of
2734	2735		privilege shall be:
2735	2736		(1) those affecting the rights of the house
2736	2737		collectively, its safety and dignity, and the integrity of its
2737	2738		proceedings, including the right of the house to remove the speaker
2738	2739		and elect a new speaker; and
2739	2740		(2) those affecting the rights, reputation, and
2740	2741		conduct of members individually in their representative capacity
2741	2742		only.
2742	2743		Sec. 36. PRECEDENCE OF QUESTIONS OF PRIVILEGE. Questions
2743	2744		of privilege shall have precedence over all other questions except
2744	2745		motions to adjourn. When in order, a member may address the house
2745	2746		on a question of privilege, or may at any time print it in the
2746	2747		journal, provided it contains no reflection on any member of the
2747	2748		house.
2748	2749		Sec. 37. WHEN QUESTIONS OF PRIVILEGE NOT IN ORDER. (a) It
2749	2750		shall not be in order for a member to address the house on a question
2750	2751		of privilege:
2751	2752		(1) between the time an undebatable motion is offered
2752	2753		and the vote is taken on the motion;
2753	2754		(2) between the time the previous question is ordered
2754	2755		and the vote is taken on the last proposition included under the
2755	2756		previous question; or
2756	2757		(3) between the time a motion to table is offered and
2757	2758		the vote is taken on the motion.
2758	2759		(b) If a question of privilege relating to removal of the
2759	2760		speaker and election of a new speaker fails, a subsequent attempt to
2760	2761		remove the same speaker can be made only by reconsidering the vote
2761	2762		by which the original question of privilege failed. Such
2762	2763		reconsideration shall be subject to the rules of the house
2763	2764		governing reconsideration.
2764	2765		Sec. 38. CONFINING REMARKS TO QUESTION OF PRIVILEGE;
2765	2766		INTERRUPTIONS PROHIBITED. (a) When speaking on privilege,
2766	2767		members must confine their remarks within the limits of Section 35
2767	2768		of this rule, which will be strictly construed to achieve the
2768	2769		purposes hereof.
2769	2770		(b) When a member is speaking on privilege, the member shall
2770	2771		not be interrupted by another member for any purpose. While the
2771	2772		member is speaking, another member may submit a question of order to
2772	2773		the speaker in writing or by approaching the podium in person. The
2773	2774		member submitting the question of order shall not interrupt the
2774	2775		member who is speaking. The speaker may interrupt the member who is
2775	2776		speaking if the speaker determines it is appropriate to address the
2776	2777		question of order at that time.
2777	2778		Sec. 39. DISCUSSION OF MERITS OF MOTION FORBIDDEN. Merits
2778	2779		of a main or subsidiary motion shall not be discussed or debated
2779	2780		under the guise of speaking to a question of privilege.
2780	2781		CHAPTER E. VOTING
2781	2782		Sec. 40. RECORDING ALL VOTES ON VOTING MACHINE. On all
2782	2783		votes, except viva voce votes, members shall record their votes on
2783	2784		the voting machine and shall not be recognized by the chair to cast
2784	2785		their votes from the floor. If a member attempts to vote from the
2785	2786		floor, the speaker shall sustain a point of order directed against
2786	2787		the member's so doing. This rule shall not be applicable to the
2787	2788		mover or the principal opponent of the proposition being voted on
2788	2789		nor to a member whose voting machine is out of order. If a member
2789	2790		demands strict enforcement of this section, Section 47 shall not
2790	2791		apply to the taking of a vote, and the house may discipline a member
2791	2792		in violation of this rule pursuant to its inherent authority.
2792	2793		Sec. 41. REGISTRATION EQUIVALENT TO ROLL CALL VOTE. A
2793	2794		registration or vote taken on the voting machine of the house shall
2794	2795		in all instances be considered the equivalent of a roll call or yea
2795	2796		and nay vote, which might be had for the same purpose.
2796	2797		Sec. 42. DISCLOSURE OF PERSONAL OR PRIVATE INTEREST. Any
2797	2798		member who has a personal or private interest in any measure or bill
2798	2799		proposed or pending before the house shall disclose the fact and not
2799	2800		vote thereon.
2800	2801		Sec. 43. DIVIDING THE QUESTION. By a majority vote of the
2801	2802		house, a quorum being present, the question shall be divided, if it
2802	2803		includes propositions so distinct in substance that, one being
2803	2804		taken away, a substantive proposition remains. A motion for a
2804	2805		division vote cannot be made after the previous question has been
2805	2806		ordered, after a motion to table has been offered, after the
2806	2807		question has been put, nor after the yeas and nays have been
2807	2808		ordered. Under this subsection, the speaker may divide the
2808	2809		question into groups of propositions that are closely related.
2809	2810		Sec. 44. FAILURE OR REFUSAL TO VOTE. Any member who is
2810	2811		present and fails or refuses to vote after being requested to do so
2811	2812		by the speaker shall be recorded as present but not voting, and
2812	2813		shall be counted for the purpose of making a quorum.
2813	2814		Sec. 45. PRESENCE IN HOUSE REQUIRED IN ORDER TO VOTE. A
2814	2815		member must be on the floor of the house or in an adjacent room or
2815	2816		hallway on the same level as the house floor, in order to vote.
2816	2817		Sec. 46. LOCKING VOTING MACHINES OF ABSENT MEMBERS. During
2817	2818		each calendar day in which the house is in session, it shall be the
2818	2819		duty of the journal clerk to lock the voting machine of each member
2819	2820		who is excused or who is otherwise known to be absent. Each such
2820	2821		machine shall remain locked until the member in person contacts the
2821	2822		journal clerk and personally requests the unlocking of the machine.
2822	2823		Unless otherwise directed by the speaker, the journal clerk shall
2823	2824		not unlock any machine except at the personal request of the member
2824	2825		to whom the machine is assigned. Any violation, or any attempt by a
2825	2826		member or employee to circumvent the letter or spirit of this
2826	2827		section, shall be reported immediately to the speaker for such
2827	2828		disciplinary action by the speaker, or by the house, as may be
2828	2829		warranted under the circumstances.
2829	2830		Sec. 47. VOTING FOR ANOTHER MEMBER. Any member found
2830	2831		guilty by the house of knowingly voting for another member on the
2831	2832		voting machine without that other member's permission shall be
2832	2833		subject to discipline deemed appropriate by the house.
2833	2834		Sec. 48. INTERRUPTION OF A ROLL CALL. Once a roll call has
2834	2835		begun, it may not be interrupted for any reason. While a yea and nay
2835	2836		vote is being taken, or the vote is being counted, no member shall
2836	2837		visit the reading clerk's desk or the voting clerk's desk.
2837	2838		Sec. 49. EXPLANATION OF VOTE. (a) No member shall be
2838	2839		allowed to interrupt the vote or to make any explanation of a vote
2839	2840		that the member is about to give after the voting machine has been
2840	2841		opened, but may record in the journal the reasons for giving such a
2841	2842		vote.
2842	2843		(b) A "Reason for Vote" must be in writing and filed with the
2843	2844		journal clerk. If timely received, the "Reason for Vote" shall be
2844	2845		printed immediately following the results of the vote in the
2845	2846		journal. Otherwise, "Reasons for Vote" shall be printed in a
2846	2847		separate section at the end of the journal for the day on which the
2847	2848		reasons were recorded with the journal clerk. Such "Reason for
2848	2849		Vote" shall not deal in personalities or contain any personal
2849	2850		reflection on any member of the legislature, the speaker, the
2850	2851		lieutenant governor, or the governor, and shall not in any other
2851	2852		manner transgress the rules of the house relating to decorum and
2852	2853		debate.
2853	2854		(c) A member absent when a vote was taken may file with the
2854	2855		journal clerk while the house is in session a statement of how the
2855	2856		member would have voted if present. If timely received, the
2856	2857		statement shall be printed immediately following the results of the
2857	2858		vote in the journal. Otherwise, statements shall be printed in a
2858	2859		separate section at the end of the journal for the day on which the
2859	2860		statements were recorded with the journal clerk.
2860	2861		Sec. 50. PAIRS. (a) All pairs must be announced before the
2861	2862		vote is declared by the speaker, and a written statement sent to the
2862	2863		journal clerk. The statement must be signed by the absent member to
2863	2864		the pair, or the member's signature must have been authorized in
2864	2865		writing or by telephone, and satisfactory evidence presented to the
2865	2866		speaker if deemed necessary. If authorized in writing, the writing
2866	2867		shall be delivered to the chief clerk by personal delivery or by
2867	2868		commercially acceptable means of delivery, including electronic
2868	2869		transmission by PDF or similar secure format that is capable of
2869	2870		transmitting an accurate image of the member's signature. If
2870	2871		authorized by telephone, the call must be to and confirmed by the
2871	2872		chief clerk in advance of the vote to which it applies. Pairs shall
2872	2873		be entered in the journal, and the member present shall be counted
2873	2874		to make a quorum.
2874	2875		(b) The speaker may not refuse to recognize a pair that
2875	2876		complies with the requirements of Subsection (a), if both members
2876	2877		consent to the pair.
2877	2878		Sec. 51. ENTRY OF YEA AND NAY VOTE IN JOURNAL. (a) At the
2878		-	desire of any member present, the yeas and nays of ~~the members of~~
2879		-	the house on any question shall be taken and entered ~~in the journal.~~
2880		-	No member or members shall be allowed to call for a ~~yea and nay vote~~
2881		-	after a vote has been declared by the speaker.
	2879	+	desire of any three members [member] present, the yeas and nays of
	2880	+	the members of the house on any question shall be taken and entered
	2881	+	in the journal. No member or members shall be allowed to call for a
	2882	+	yea and nay vote after a vote has been declared by the speaker.
2882	2883		(b) A motion to expunge a yea and nay vote from the journal
2883	2884		shall not be in order.
2884	2885		(c) The yeas and nays of the members of the house on final
2885	2886		passage of any bill, any joint resolution proposing or ratifying a
2886	2887		constitutional amendment, and any other resolution, other than a
2887	2888		resolution of a purely ceremonial or honorary nature, shall be
2888	2889		taken and entered in the journal. For purposes of this subsection, a
2889	2890		vote on final passage includes a vote on:
2890	2891		(1) third reading;
2891	2892		(2) second reading if the house suspends or otherwise
2892	2893		dispenses with the requirement for three readings;
2893	2894		(3) whether to concur in the senate's amendments; or
2894	2895		(4) whether to adopt a conference committee report.
2895	2896		Sec. 51A. REAL-TIME ACCESS BY PUBLIC TO YEAS AND NAYS. The
2896	2897		Committee on House Administration shall ensure that:
2897	2898		(1) the recorded yeas and nays are available to the
2898	2899		public on the Internet and on any televised broadcast of the house
2899	2900		proceedings produced by or under the direction of the house; and
2900	2901		(2) members of the public may view the yeas and nays in
2901	2902		real time to the extent possible on the Internet and on any
2902	2903		televised broadcast of the house proceedings produced by or under
2903	2904		the direction of the house.
2904	2905		Sec. 52. JOURNAL RECORDING OF VOTES ON ANY QUESTION. On
2905	2906		any question where a record of the yeas and nays has not been
2906	2907		ordered, members may have their votes recorded in the journal as
2907	2908		"yea" or "nay" by filing such information with the journal clerk
2908	2909		before adjournment or recess to another calendar day.
2909	2910		Sec. 53. CHANGING A VOTE. Before the result of a vote has
2910	2911		been finally and conclusively pronounced by the chair, but not
2911	2912		thereafter, a member may change his or her vote; however, if a
2912	2913		member's vote is erroneous, the member shall be allowed to change
2913	2914		that vote at a later time provided:
2914	2915		(1) the result of the record vote is not changed
2915	2916		thereby;
2916	2917		(2) the request is made known to the house by the chair
2917	2918		and permission for the change is granted by unanimous consent; and
2918	2919		(3) a notation is made in the journal that the member's
2919	2920		vote was changed.
2920	2921		Sec. 54. TIE VOTE. All matters on which a vote may be taken
2921	2922		by the house shall require for adoption a favorable affirmative
2922	2923		vote as required by these rules, and in the case of a tie vote, the
2923	2924		matter shall be considered lost.
2924	2925		Sec. 55. VERIFICATION OF A YEA AND NAY VOTE. When the
2925	2926		result of a yea and nay vote is close, the speaker may on the request
2926	2927		of any member order a verification vote, or the speaker may order a
2927	2928		verification on his or her own initiative. During verification, no
2928	2929		member shall change a vote unless it was erroneously recorded, nor
2929	2930		may any member not having voted cast a vote; however, when the clerk
2930	2931		errs in reporting the yeas and nays, and correction thereof leaves
2931	2932		decisive effect to the speaker's vote, the speaker may exercise the
2932	2933		right to vote, even though the result has been announced. A
2933	2934		verification shall be called for immediately after the vote is
2934	2935		announced. The speaker shall not entertain a request for
2935	2936		verification after the house has proceeded to the next question, or
2936	2937		after a recess or an adjournment. A vote to recess or adjourn, like
2937	2938		any other proposition, may be verified. Only one vote verification
2938	2939		can be pending at a time. A verification may be dispensed with by a
2939	2940		two-thirds vote.
2940	2941		Sec. 56. VERIFICATION OF A REGISTRATION. The speaker may
2941	2942		allow the verification of a registration (as differentiated from a
2942	2943		record vote) if in the speaker's opinion there is serious doubt as
2943	2944		to the presence of a quorum.
2944	2945		Sec. 57. MOTION FOR A CALL OF THE HOUSE PENDING
2945	2946		VERIFICATION. A motion for a call of the house, and all incidental
2946	2947		motions relating to it, shall be in order pending the verification
2947	2948		of a vote. These motions must be made before the roll call on
2948	2949		verification begins, and it shall not be in order to break into the
2949	2950		roll call to make them.
2950	2951		Sec. 58. ERRONEOUS ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE RESULT OF A
2951	2952		VOTE. If, by an error of the voting clerk or reading clerk in
2952	2953		reporting the yeas and nays from a registration or verification,
2953	2954		the speaker announces a result different from that shown by the
2954	2955		registration or verification, the status of the question shall be
2955	2956		determined by the vote as actually recorded. If the vote is
2956	2957		erroneously announced in such a way as to change the true result,
2957	2958		all subsequent proceedings in connection therewith shall fail, and
2958	2959		the journal shall be amended accordingly.
2959	2960		RULE 6. ORDER OF BUSINESS AND CALENDARS
2960	2961		Sec. 1. DAILY ORDER OF BUSINESS. (a) When the house
2961	2962		convenes on a new legislative day, the daily order of business shall
2962	2963		be as follows:
2963	2964		(1) Call to order by speaker.
2964	2965		(2) Registration of members.
2965	2966		(3) Prayer by chaplain, unless the invocation has been
2966	2967		given previously on the particular calendar day.
2967	2968		(4) Pledge of allegiance to the United States flag.
2968	2969		(5) Pledge of allegiance to the Texas flag.
2969	2970		(6) Excuses for absence of members and officers.
2970	2971		(7) First reading and reference to committee of bills
2971	2972		filed with the chief clerk; and motions to introduce bills, when
2972	2973		such motions are required.
2973	2974		(8) Requests to print bills and other papers; requests
2974	2975		of committees for further time to consider papers referred to them;
2975	2976		and all other routine motions and business not otherwise provided
2976	2977		for, all of which shall be undebatable except that the mover and one
2977	2978		opponent of the motion shall be allowed three minutes each.
2978	2979		The mover of a routine motion shall be allowed his or her
2979	2980		choice of making the opening or the closing speech under this rule.
2980	2981		If the house, under a suspension of the rules, extends the time of a
2981	2982		member under this rule, such extensions shall be for three minutes.
2982	2983		Subsidiary motions that are applicable to routine motions shall be
2983	2984		in order, but the makers of such subsidiary motions shall not be
2984	2985		entitled to speak thereon in the routine motion period, nor shall
2985	2986		the authors of the original routine motions be allowed any
2986	2987		additional time because of subsidiary motions.
2987	2988		(9) Unfinished business.
2988	2989		(10) Third reading calendars of the house in their
2989	2990		order of priority in accordance with Section 7 of this rule, unless
2990	2991		a different order is determined under other provisions of these
2991	2992		rules.
2992	2993		(11) Postponed matters to be laid before the house in
2993	2994		accordance with Rule 7, Section 15.
2994	2995		(12) Second reading calendars of the house in their
2995	2996		order of priority in accordance with Section 7 of this rule, unless
2996	2997		a different order is determined under other provisions of these
2997	2998		rules.
2998	2999		(b) When the house reconvenes for the first time on a new
2999	3000		calendar day following a recess, the daily order of business shall
3000	3001		be:
3001	3002		(1) Call to order by the speaker.
3002	3003		(2) Registration of members.
3003	3004		(3) Prayer by the chaplain.
3004	3005		(4) Pledge of allegiance to the United States flag.
3005	3006		(5) Pledge of allegiance to the Texas flag.
3006	3007		(6) Excuses for absence of members and officers.
3007	3008		(7) Pending business.
3008	3009		(8) Calendars of the house in their order of priority
3009	3010		in accordance with Section 7 of this rule, unless a different order
3010	3011		is determined under other provisions of these rules.
3011	3012		Sec. 2. SPECIAL ORDERS. (a) Any bill, resolution, or
3012	3013		other measure may on any day be made a special order for the same day
3013	3014		or for a future day of the session by an affirmative vote of
3014	3015		two-thirds of the members present. A motion to set a special order
3015	3016		shall be subject to the three-minute pro and con debate rule. When
3016	3017		once established as a special order, a bill, resolution, or other
3017	3018		measure shall be considered from day to day until disposed of; and
3018	3019		until it has been disposed of, no further special orders shall be
3019	3020		made.
3020	3021		A three-fourths vote of the members present shall be required
3021	3022		to suspend the portion of this rule which specifies that only one
3022	3023		special order may be made and pending at a time.
3023	3024		(b) After the first eight items under the daily order of
3024	3025		business for a legislative day have been passed, a special order
3025	3026		shall have precedence when the hour for its consideration has
3026	3027		arrived, except as provided in Section 9 of this rule.
3027	3028		(c) After the 115th day of a regular session, if a joint
3028	3029		resolution has appeared on a daily house calendar and is adopted,
3029	3030		and a bill that is enabling legislation for the joint resolution is
3030	3031		either on or eligible to be placed on a calendar, the author or
3031	3032		sponsor of the bill or another member may immediately be recognized
3032	3033		for a motion to set the bill that is the enabling legislation as a
3033	3034		special order pursuant to this section. For purposes of this
3034	3035		subsection, the bill must have been designated as the enabling
3035	3036		legislation for the joint resolution in writing filed with the
3036	3037		chief clerk not later than the date the committee report for the
3037	3038		enabling legislation is printed and distributed.
3038	3039		Sec. 3. POSTPONEMENT OF A SPECIAL ORDER. A special order
3039	3040		may be postponed to a day certain by a two-thirds vote of those
3040	3041		present, and when so postponed, shall be considered as disposed of
3041	3042		so far as its place as a special order is concerned.
3042	3043		Sec. 4. TABLED MEASURES AS SPECIAL ORDERS. A bill or
3043	3044		resolution laid on the table subject to call may be made a special
3044	3045		order.
3045	3046		Sec. 5. SUBSTITUTION IN MOTION FOR A SPECIAL ORDER. When a
3046	3047		motion is pending to set a particular bill or resolution as a
3047	3048		special order, it shall not be in order to move as a substitute to
3048	3049		set another bill or resolution as a special order. It shall be in
3049	3050		order, however, to substitute, by majority vote, a different time
3050	3051		for the special order consideration than that given in the original
3051	3052		motion.
3052	3053		Sec. 6. MEMBER'S SUSPENSION AND SPECIAL ORDER PRIVILEGES.
3053	3054		If a member moves to set a bill or joint resolution as a special
3054	3055		order, or moves to suspend the rules to take up a bill or joint
3055	3056		resolution out of its regular order, and the motion prevails, the
3056	3057		member shall not have the right to make either of these motions
3057	3058		again until every other member has had an opportunity, via either of
3058	3059		these motions, to have some bill or joint resolution considered out
3059	3060		of its regular order during that session of the legislature. A
3060	3061		member shall not lose the suspension privilege if the motion to
3061	3062		suspend or set for special order does not prevail.
3062	3063		Sec. 7. SYSTEM OF CALENDARS. (a) Legislative business of
3063	3064		the house shall be controlled by a system of calendars, consisting
3064	3065		of the following:
3065	3066		(1) EMERGENCY CALENDAR, on which shall appear bills
3066	3067		considered to be of such pressing and imperative import as to demand
3067	3068		immediate action, bills to raise revenue and levy taxes, and the
3068	3069		general appropriations bill. A bill submitted as an emergency
3069	3070		matter by the governor may also be placed on this calendar.
3070	3071		(2) MAJOR STATE CALENDAR, on which shall appear bills
3071	3072		of statewide effect, not emergency in nature, which establish or
3072	3073		change state policy in a major field of governmental activity and
3073	3074		which will have a major impact in application throughout the state
3074	3075		without regard to class, area, or other limiting factors.
3075	3076		(3) CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS CALENDAR, on which
3076	3077		shall appear joint resolutions proposing amendments to the Texas
3077	3078		Constitution, joint resolutions proposing the ratification of
3078	3079		amendments to the Constitution of the United States, and joint
3079	3080		resolutions applying to Congress for a convention to amend the
3080	3081		Constitution of the United States.
3081	3082		(4) GENERAL STATE CALENDAR, on which shall appear
3082	3083		bills of statewide effect, not emergency in nature, which establish
3083	3084		or change state law and which have application to all areas but are
3084	3085		limited in legal effect by classification or other factors which
3085	3086		minimize the impact to something less than major state policy, and
3086	3087		bills, not emergency in nature, which are not on the local, consent,
3087	3088		and resolutions calendar.
3088	3089		(5) LOCAL, CONSENT, AND RESOLUTIONS CALENDAR, on which
3089	3090		shall appear bills, house resolutions, and concurrent resolutions,
3090	3091		not emergency in nature, regardless of extent and scope, on which
3091	3092		there is such general agreement as to render improbable any
3092	3093		opposition to the consideration and passage thereof, and which have
3093	3094		been recommended by the appropriate standing committee for
3094	3095		placement on the local, consent, and resolutions calendar by the
3095	3096		Committee on Local and Consent Calendars.
3096	3097		(6) RESOLUTIONS CALENDAR, on which shall appear house
3097	3098		resolutions and concurrent resolutions, not emergency in nature and
3098	3099		not privileged.
3099	3100		(7) CONGRATULATORY AND MEMORIAL RESOLUTIONS CALENDAR,
3100	3101		on which shall appear congratulatory and memorial resolutions whose
3101	3102		sole intent is to congratulate, memorialize, or otherwise express
3102	3103		concern or commendation. The Committee on Resolutions Calendars
3103	3104		may provide separate categories for congratulatory and memorial
3104	3105		resolutions.
3105	3106		(b) A calendars committee shall strictly construe and the
3106	3107		speaker shall strictly enforce this system of calendars.
3107	3108		Sec. 8. SENATE BILL CALENDARS. (a) Senate bills and
3108	3109		resolutions pending in the house shall follow the same procedure
3109	3110		with regard to calendars as house bills and resolutions, but
3110	3111		separate calendars shall be maintained for senate bills and
3111	3112		resolutions, and consideration of them on senate bill days shall
3112	3113		have priority in the manner and order specified in this rule.
3113	3114		(b) No other business shall be considered on days devoted to
3114	3115		the consideration of senate bills when there remain any bills on any
3115	3116		of the senate calendars, except with the consent of the senate. When
3116	3117		all senate calendars are clear, the house may proceed to
3117	3118		consideration of house calendars on senate bill days.
3118	3119		Sec. 9. SENATE BILL DAYS. (a) On calendar Wednesday and
3119	3120		on calendar Thursday of each week, only senate bills and senate
3120	3121		resolutions shall be taken up and considered, until disposed of.
3121	3122		Senate bills and senate resolutions shall be considered in the
3122	3123		order prescribed in Section 7 of this rule on separate senate
3123	3124		calendars prepared by the Committee on Calendars. In case a senate
3124	3125		bill or senate resolution is pending at adjournment on calendar
3125	3126		Thursday, it shall go over to the succeeding calendar Wednesday as
3126	3127		unfinished business.
3127	3128		(b) Precedence given in Rule 8 to certain classes of bills
3128	3129		during the first 60 calendar days of a regular session shall also
3129	3130		apply to senate bills on senate bill days.
3130	3131		Sec. 10. CONSIDERATION OF SENATE BILL ON SAME
3131	3132		SUBJECT. When any house bill is reached on the calendar or is
3132	3133		before the house for consideration, it shall be the duty of the
3133	3134		speaker to give the place on the calendar of the house bill to any
3134	3135		senate bill containing the same subject that has been referred to
3135	3136		and reported from a committee of the house and to lay the senate
3136	3137		bill before the house, to be considered in lieu of the house bill.
3137	3138		Sec. 11. PERIODS FOR CONSIDERATION OF CONGRATULATORY AND
3138	3139		MEMORIAL CALENDARS. As the volume of legislation shall warrant,
3139	3140		the chair of the Committee on Resolutions Calendars shall move to
3140	3141		designate periods for the consideration of congratulatory and
3141	3142		memorial calendars. Each such motion shall require a two-thirds
3142	3143		vote for its adoption. In each instance, the Committee on
3143	3144		Resolutions Calendars shall prepare and post on the electronic
3144	3145		legislative information system a calendar at least 24 hours in
3145	3146		advance of the hour set for consideration. No memorial or
3146	3147		congratulatory resolution will be heard by the full house without
3147	3148		having first been approved, at least 24 hours in advance, by a
3148	3149		majority of the membership of the Committee on Resolutions
3149	3150		Calendars, in accordance with Rule 4, Section 16. It shall not be
3150	3151		necessary for the Committee on Resolutions Calendars to report a
3151	3152		memorial or congratulatory resolution from committee in order to
3152	3153		place the resolution on a congratulatory and memorial calendar. If
3153	3154		the Committee on Resolutions Calendars determines that a resolution
3154	3155		is not eligible for placement on the congratulatory and memorial
3155	3156		calendar the measure shall be sent to the Committee on Calendars for
3156	3157		further action. A congratulatory and memorial calendar will
3157	3158		contain the resolution number, the author's name, and a brief
3158	3159		description of the intent of the resolution. On the congratulatory
3159	3160		and memorial calendar, congratulatory resolutions may be listed
3160	3161		separately from memorial resolutions. Once a calendar is posted,
3161	3162		no additional resolutions will be added to it, and the requirements
3162	3163		of this section shall not be subject to suspension.
3163	3164		Sec. 12. PROCEDURE FOR CONSIDERATION OF CONGRATULATORY AND
3164	3165		MEMORIAL CALENDARS. During the consideration of a congratulatory
3165	3166		and memorial calendar, resolutions shall not be read in full unless
3166	3167		they pertain to members or former members of the legislature, or
3167	3168		unless the intended recipient of the resolution is present on the
3168	3169		house floor or in the gallery. All other such resolutions shall be
3169	3170		read only by number, type of resolution, and name of the person or
3170	3171		persons designated in the resolutions. Members shall notify the
3171	3172		chair, in advance of consideration of the calendar, of any
3172	3173		resolutions that will be required to be read in full. In addition,
3173	3174		the following procedures shall be observed:
3174	3175		(1) The chair shall recognize the reading clerk to
3175	3176		read the resolutions within each category on the calendar only by
3176	3177		number, type of resolution, author or sponsor, and name of the
3177	3178		person or persons designated in the resolutions, except for those
3178	3179		resolutions that have been withdrawn or that are required to be read
3179	3180		in full. The resolutions read by the clerk shall then be adopted in
3180	3181		one motion for each category.
3181	3182		(2) Subsequent to the adoption of the resolutions read
3182	3183		by the clerk, the chair shall proceed to lay before the house the
3183	3184		resolutions on the calendar that are required to be read in full.
3184	3185		Each such resolution shall be read and adopted individually.
3185	3186		(3) If it develops that any resolution on the
3186	3187		congratulatory and memorial calendar does not belong on that
3187	3188		calendar, the chair shall withdraw the resolution from further
3188	3189		consideration, remove it from the calendar, and refer it to the
3189	3190		appropriate calendars committee for placement on the proper
3190	3191		calendar.
3191	3192		Sec. 13. PERIODS FOR CONSIDERATION OF LOCAL, CONSENT, AND
3192	3193		RESOLUTIONS CALENDARS. (a) As the volume of legislation shall
3193	3194		warrant, the chair of the Committee on Local and Consent Calendars
3194	3195		shall move to designate periods for the consideration of local,
3195	3196		consent, and resolutions calendars. Each such motion shall require
3196	3197		a two-thirds vote for its adoption. In each instance, the Committee
3197	3198		on Local and Consent Calendars shall prepare and post on the
3198	3199		electronic legislative information system a calendar at least 48
3199	3200		hours in advance of the hour set for consideration. Once a calendar
3200	3201		is posted, no additional bills or resolutions will be added to it.
3201	3202		This requirement can be suspended only by unanimous consent. No
3202	3203		local, consent, and resolutions calendar may be considered by the
3203	3204		house if it is determined that the rules of the house were not
3204	3205		complied with by the Committee on Local and Consent Calendars in
3205	3206		preparing that calendar.
3206	3207		(b) The period designated for the consideration of a local,
3207	3208		consent, and resolutions calendar under this section or under a
3208	3209		special order under Section 2 of this rule may not exceed one
3209	3210		calendar day.
3210	3211		Sec. 14. PROCEDURE FOR CONSIDERATION OF LOCAL, CONSENT, AND
3211	3212		RESOLUTIONS CALENDARS. During the consideration of a local,
3212	3213		consent, and resolutions calendar set by the Committee on Local and
3213	3214		Consent Calendars the following procedures shall be observed:
3214	3215		(1) The chair shall allow the sponsor of each bill or
3215	3216		resolution three minutes to explain the measure, and the time shall
3216	3217		not be extended except by unanimous consent of the house. This rule
3217	3218		shall have precedence over all other rules limiting time for
3218	3219		debate.
3219	3220		(2) If it develops that any bill or resolution on a
3220	3221		local, consent, and resolutions calendar is to be contested on the
3221	3222		floor of the house under Subdivision (3) or (4) of this section, the
3222	3223		chair shall withdraw the bill or resolution from further
3223	3224		consideration and remove it from the calendar.
3224	3225		(3) Any bill or resolution on a local, consent, and
3225	3226		resolutions calendar shall be considered contested if notice is
3226	3227		given by five or more members present in the house under Rule 5,
3227	3228		Section 45, that they intend to oppose the bill or resolution,
3228	3229		either by a raising of hands or the delivery of written notice to
3229	3230		the chair.
3230	3231		(4) Any bill or resolution on a local, consent, and
3231	3232		resolutions calendar shall be considered contested if debate
3232	3233		exceeds 10 minutes, after the chair lays out the bill or resolution
3233	3234		following the sponsor's explanation under Subdivision (1) of this
3234	3235		section. The chair shall strictly enforce this time limit and
3235	3236		automatically withdraw the bill from further consideration if the
3236	3237		time limit herein imposed is exceeded.
3237	3238		(5) Any bill or resolution on a local, consent, and
3238	3239		resolutions calendar that is not reached for floor consideration
3239	3240		because of the expiration of the calendar day period for
3240	3241		consideration established by Section 13 of this rule shall carry
3241	3242		over onto the next local, consent, and resolutions calendar. Bills
3242	3243		or resolutions that carry over must appear in the same relative
3243	3244		order as on the calendar on which the bills or resolutions initially
3244	3245		appeared, and bills or resolutions originally from older calendars
3245	3246		must appear before those originally from more recent calendars.
3246	3247		(6) A motion to postpone a bill or resolution on a
3247	3248		local, consent, and resolutions calendar to a subsequent
3248	3249		legislative or calendar day requires an affirmative vote of
3249	3250		two-thirds of the members present.
3250	3251		Sec. 15. ORDER OF CONSIDERATION OF CALENDARS. Except for
3251	3252		local, consent, and resolutions calendars and congratulatory and
3252	3253		memorial calendars, consideration of calendars shall be in the
3253	3254		order named in Section 7 of this rule, subject to any exceptions
3254	3255		ordered by the Committee on Calendars. Bills and resolutions on
3255	3256		third reading shall have precedence over bills and resolutions on
3256	3257		second reading.
3257	3258		Sec. 16. DAILY CALENDARS, SUPPLEMENTAL CALENDARS, AND LISTS
3258	3259		OF ITEMS ELIGIBLE FOR CONSIDERATION. (a) Calendars shall be
3259	3260		prepared daily when the house is in session. A calendar must be
3260	3261		posted on the electronic legislative information system at least 36
3261	3262		hours if convened in regular session and 24 hours if convened in
3262	3263		special session before the calendar may be considered by the house,
3263	3264		except as otherwise provided by these rules for the calendar on
3264	3265		which the general appropriations bill is first eligible for
3265	3266		consideration on second reading when convened in regular session.
3266	3267		A calendar that contains a bill extending an agency, commission, or
3267	3268		advisory committee under the Texas Sunset Act must be posted at
3268	3269		least 48 hours if convened in regular or special session before the
3269	3270		calendar may be considered by the house. Deviations from the
3270	3271		calendars as posted shall not be permitted except that the
3271	3272		Committee on Calendars shall be authorized to prepare and post, not
3272	3273		later than two hours before the house convenes, a supplemental
3273	3274		daily house calendar, on which shall appear:
3274	3275		(1) bills or resolutions which were passed to third
3275	3276		reading on the previous legislative day, except as provided by
3276	3277		Section 24(b) of this rule;
3277	3278		(2) bills or resolutions which appeared on the Daily
3278	3279		House Calendar for a previous calendar day which were not reached
3279	3280		for floor consideration;
3280	3281		(3) postponed business from a previous calendar day;
3281	3282		and
3282	3283		(4) notice to take from the table a bill or resolution
3283	3284		which was laid on the table subject to call on a previous
3284	3285		legislative day.
3285	3286		In addition to the items listed above, the bills and
3286	3287		resolutions from a daily house calendar that will be eligible for
3287	3288		consideration may be incorporated, in their proper order as
3288	3289		determined by these rules, into the supplemental daily house
3289	3290		calendar.
3290	3291		(a-1) If the house is convened in regular session, the
3291	3292		calendar on which the general appropriations bill is first eligible
3292	3293		for consideration on second reading must be posted on the
3293	3294		electronic legislative information system at least 144 hours before
3294	3295		the calendar may be considered by the house. The posted calendar
3295	3296		must indicate the date and time at which the calendar is scheduled
3296	3297		for consideration by the house, which date and time must be in
3297	3298		accordance with Rule 8, Section 14.
3298	3299		(b) In addition, when the volume of legislation shall
3299	3300		warrant, and upon request of the speaker, the chief clerk shall have
3300	3301		prepared a list of Items Eligible for Consideration, on which shall
3301	3302		appear only:
3302	3303		(1) house bills with senate amendments that are
3303	3304		eligible for consideration under Rule 13, Section 5, including the
3304	3305		number of senate amendments and the total number of pages of senate
3305	3306		amendments;
3306	3307		(2) senate bills for which the senate has requested
3307	3308		appointment of a conference committee; and
3308	3309		(3) conference committee reports that are eligible for
3309	3310		consideration under Rule 13, Section 10.
3310	3311		(c) The list of Items Eligible for Consideration must be
3311	3312		posted on the electronic legislative information system at least
3312	3313		six hours before the list may be considered by the house.
3313	3314		(d) The time at which a calendar or list is posted on the
3314	3315		electronic legislative information system shall be time-stamped on
3315	3316		the originals of the calendar or list.
3316	3317		(e) No house calendar shall be eligible for consideration if
3317	3318		it is determined that the rules of the house were not complied with
3318	3319		by the Committee on Calendars in preparing that calendar.
3319	3320		(f) If the Committee on Calendars has proposed a rule for
3320	3321		floor consideration of a bill or resolution that is eligible to be
3321	3322		placed on a calendar of the daily house calendar, the rule must be
3322	3323		printed and a copy distributed to each member. If the bill or
3323	3324		resolution to which the rule will apply has already been placed on a
3324	3325		calendar of the daily house calendar, a copy of the rule must also
3325	3326		be posted with the calendar on which the bill or resolution appears.
3326	3327		The speaker shall lay a proposed rule before the house prior to the
3327	3328		consideration of the bill or resolution to which the rule will
3328	3329		apply. The rule shall be laid before the house not earlier than six
3329	3330		hours after a copy of the rule has been distributed to each member
3330	3331		in accordance with this subsection. The rule shall not be subject
3331	3332		to amendment, but to be effective, the rule must be approved by the
3332	3333		house by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of those members present
3333	3334		and voting, except that the rule must be approved by an affirmative
3334	3335		vote of a majority of those members present and voting if the rule
3335	3336		applies to a tax bill, an appropriations bill, or a redistricting
3336	3337		bill. If approved by the house in accordance with this subsection,
3337	3338		the rule will be effective for the consideration of the bill or
3338	3339		resolution on both second and third readings.
3339	3340		Sec. 17. POSITION ON A CALENDAR. (a) Unless removed from
3340	3341		the calendar under Subsection (b) of this section, once a bill or
3341	3342		resolution is placed on its appropriate calendar under these rules,
3342	3343		and has appeared on a house calendar, as posted on the electronic
3343	3344		legislative information system, the bill shall retain its relative
3344	3345		position on the calendar until reached for floor consideration, and
3345	3346		the calendars committee with jurisdiction over the bill or
3346	3347		resolution shall have no authority to place other bills on the
3347	3348		calendar ahead of that bill, but all additions to the calendar shall
3348	3349		appear subsequent to the bill.
3349	3350		(b) If a bill or resolution that has been placed on a house
3350	3351		calendar, as posted on the electronic legislative information
3351	3352		system, is recommitted or withdrawn from further consideration, the
3352	3353		bill or resolution relinquishes its position on the calendar, and
3353	3354		the bill or resolution shall be removed from the calendar.
3354	3355		Sec. 18. REQUIREMENTS FOR PLACEMENT ON A CALENDAR. Except
3355	3356		as provided in Section 11 of this rule as it relates to
3356	3357		congratulatory and memorial resolutions, no bill or resolution
3357	3358		shall be placed on a calendar until:
3358	3359		(1) it has been referred to and reported from its
3359	3360		appropriate standing committee by favorable committee action; or
3360	3361		(2) it is ordered printed on minority report or after a
3361	3362		committee has reported its inability to recommend a course of
3362	3363		action.
3363	3364		Sec. 19. REFERRAL TO CALENDARS COMMITTEES. All bills and
3364	3365		resolutions, on being reported from committee, shall be referred
3365	3366		immediately to the committee coordinator for printing and then to
3366	3367		the appropriate calendars committee for placement on the
3367	3368		appropriate calendar.
3368	3369		Sec. 20. TIME LIMIT FOR VOTE TO PLACE ON A CALENDAR. Within
3369	3370		30 calendar days after a bill or resolution has been referred to the
3370	3371		appropriate calendars committee, the committee must vote on whether
3371	3372		to place the bill or resolution on one of the calendars of the daily
3372	3373		house calendar or the local, consent, and resolutions calendar, as
3373	3374		applicable. A vote against placement of the bill or resolution on a
3374	3375		calendar does not preclude a calendars committee from later voting
3375	3376		in favor of placement of the bill or resolution on a calendar.
3376	3377		Sec. 21. MOTION TO PLACE ON A CALENDAR. (a) When a bill or
3377	3378		resolution has been in the appropriate calendars committee for 30
3378	3379		calendar days, exclusive of the calendar day on which it was
3379	3380		referred, awaiting placement on one of the calendars of the daily
3380	3381		house calendar or on the local, consent, and resolutions calendar,
3381	3382		it shall be in order for a member to move that the bill or resolution
3382	3383		be placed on a specific calendar of the daily house calendar or on
3383	3384		the local, consent, and resolutions calendar without action by the
3384	3385		committee. This motion must be seconded by five members and shall
3385	3386		require a majority vote for adoption.
3386	3387		(b) A motion to place a bill or resolution on a specific
3387	3388		calendar of the daily house calendar or on the local, consent, and
3388	3389		resolutions calendar is not a privileged motion and must be made
3389	3390		during the routine motion period unless made under a suspension of
3390	3391		the rules.
3391	3392		Sec. 22. REQUEST FOR PLACEMENT ON LOCAL, CONSENT, AND
3392	3393		RESOLUTIONS CALENDAR. No bill or resolution shall be considered
3393	3394		for placement on the local, consent, and resolutions calendar by
3394	3395		the Committee on Local and Consent Calendars unless a request for
3395	3396		that placement has been made to the chair of the standing committee
3396	3397		from which the bill or resolution was reported and unless the
3397	3398		committee report of the standing committee recommends that the bill
3398	3399		or resolution be sent to the Committee on Local and Consent
3399	3400		Calendars for placement on the local, consent, and resolutions
3400	3401		calendar. The recommendation of the standing committee shall be
3401	3402		advisory only, and the Committee on Local and Consent Calendars
3402	3403		shall have final authority to determine whether or not a bill or
3403	3404		resolution shall be placed on the local, consent, and resolutions
3404	3405		calendar. If the Committee on Local and Consent Calendars
3405	3406		determines that the bill or resolution is not eligible for
3406	3407		placement on the local, consent, and resolutions calendar, the
3407	3408		measure shall be sent to the Committee on Calendars for further
3408	3409		action.
3409	3410		Sec. 23. QUALIFICATIONS FOR PLACEMENT ON THE LOCAL,
3410	3411		CONSENT, AND RESOLUTIONS CALENDAR. (a) No bill defined as a local
3411	3412		bill by Rule 8, Section 10(c), shall be placed on the local,
3412	3413		consent, and resolutions calendar unless:
3413	3414		(1) evidence of publication of notice in compliance
3414	3415		with the Texas Constitution and these rules is filed with the
3415	3416		Committee on Local and Consent Calendars; and
3416	3417		(2) it has been recommended unanimously by the present
3417	3418		and voting members of the committee from which it was reported that
3418	3419		the bill be sent to the Committee on Local and Consent Calendars for
3419	3420		placement on the local, consent, and resolutions calendar.
3420	3421		(b) No other bill or resolution shall be placed on the
3421	3422		local, consent, and resolutions calendar unless it has been
3422	3423		recommended unanimously by the present and voting members of the
3423	3424		committee from which it was reported that the bill be sent to the
3424	3425		Committee on Local and Consent Calendars for placement on the
3425	3426		local, consent, and resolutions calendar.
3426	3427		(c) No bill or resolution shall be placed on the local,
3427	3428		consent, and resolutions calendar that:
3428	3429		(1) directly or indirectly prevents from being
3429	3430		available for purposes of funding state government generally any
3430	3431		money that under existing law would otherwise be available for that
3431	3432		purpose, including a bill that transfers or diverts money in the
3432	3433		state treasury from the general revenue fund to another fund; or
3433	3434		(2) authorizes or requires the expenditure or
3434	3435		diversion of state funds for any purpose, as determined by a fiscal
3435	3436		note attached to the bill.
3436	3437		Sec. 24. REPLACEMENT OF CONTESTED BILLS AND
3437	3438		RESOLUTIONS. (a) A bill on second reading or a resolution once
3438	3439		removed from the local, consent, and resolutions calendar by being
3439	3440		contested on the floor of the house under Section 14(3) or (4) of
3440	3441		this rule shall be returned to the Committee on Local and Consent
3441	3442		Calendars for further action. The Committee on Local and Consent
3442	3443		Calendars, if it feels such action is warranted, may again place the
3443	3444		bill or resolution on the local, consent, and resolutions calendar,
3444	3445		provided, however, that if the bill or resolution is not placed on
3445	3446		the next local, consent, and resolutions calendar set by the
3446	3447		Committee on Local and Consent Calendars, the bill or resolution
3447	3448		shall immediately be referred to the Committee on Calendars for
3448	3449		further action. If a bill on second reading or a resolution is then
3449	3450		removed from the calendar a second time by being contested on the
3450	3451		floor of the house under Section 14(3) or (4) of this rule, the bill
3451	3452		or resolution shall not again be placed on the local, consent, and
3452	3453		resolutions calendar by the Committee on Local and Consent
3453	3454		Calendars during that session of the legislature but shall be
3454	3455		returned to the Committee on Calendars for further action.
3455	3456		(b) A bill on third reading removed from the local, consent,
3456	3457		and resolutions calendar under Section 14(3) or (4) of this rule
3457	3458		shall appear on the supplemental daily house calendar for the next
3458	3459		legislative day for which a supplemental daily house calendar has
3459	3460		not already been distributed, pursuant to Section 16(a)(1) of this
3460	3461		rule.
3461	3462		(c) This section does not apply to a bill or resolution on
3462	3463		the local, consent, and resolutions calendar that is withdrawn from
3463	3464		the calendar at the request of the author or sponsor without being
3464	3465		contested under Section 14(3) or (4) of this rule. A bill or
3465	3466		resolution withdrawn under this subsection shall be returned to the
3466	3467		Committee on Local and Consent Calendars for further action. The
3467	3468		Committee on Local and Consent Calendars, if it feels such action is
3468	3469		warranted, may again place the bill or resolution on the local,
3469	3470		consent, and resolutions calendar or refer the bill or resolution
3470	3471		to the Committee on Calendars for further action.
3471	3472		Sec. 25. DISCRETION IN PLACEMENT ON CALENDARS. Subject to
3472	3473		the limitations contained in this rule, the Committee on Calendars
3473	3474		shall have full authority to make placements on calendars in
3474	3475		whatever order is necessary and desirable under the circumstances
3475	3476		then existing, except that bills on third reading shall have
3476	3477		precedence over bills on second reading. It is the intent of the
3477	3478		calendar system to give the Committee on Calendars wide discretion
3478	3479		to insure adequate consideration by the house of important
3479	3480		legislation.
3480	3481		RULE 7. MOTIONS
3481	3482		CHAPTER A. GENERAL MOTIONS
3482	3483		Sec. 1. MOTIONS DECIDED WITHOUT DEBATE. The following
3483	3484		motions, in addition to any elsewhere provided herein, shall be
3484	3485		decided without debate, except as otherwise provided in these
3485	3486		rules:
3486	3487		(1) to adjourn;
3487	3488		(2) to lay on the table;
3488	3489		(3) to lay on the table subject to call;
3489	3490		(4) to suspend the rule as to the time for introduction
3490	3491		of bills;
3491	3492		(5) to order a call of the house, and all motions
3492	3493		incidental thereto;
3493	3494		(6) an appeal by a member called to order;
3494	3495		(7) on questions relating to priority of business;
3495	3496		(8) to amend the caption of a bill or resolution;
3496	3497		(9) to extend the time of a member speaking under the
3497	3498		previous question or to allow a member who has the right to speak
3498	3499		after the previous question is ordered to yield the time, or a part
3499	3500		of it, to another;
3500	3501		(10) to reconsider and table.
3501	3502		Sec. 2. MOTIONS SUBJECT TO DEBATE. The speaker shall permit
3502	3503		the mover and one opponent of the motion three minutes each during
3503	3504		which to debate the following motions without debating the merits
3504	3505		of the bill, resolution, or other matter, and the mover of the
3505	3506		motion may elect to either open the debate or close the debate, but
3506	3507		the mover's time may not be divided:
3507	3508		(1) to suspend the regular order of business and take
3508	3509		up some measure out of its regular order;
3509	3510		(2) to instruct a committee to report a certain bill or
3510	3511		resolution;
3511	3512		(3) to rerefer a bill or resolution from one committee
3512	3513		to another;
3513	3514		(4) to place a bill or resolution on a specific
3514	3515		calendar without action by the appropriate calendars committee;
3515	3516		(5) to take up a bill or resolution laid on the table
3516	3517		subject to call;
3517	3518		(6) to set a special order;
3518	3519		(7) to suspend the rules;
3519	3520		(8) to suspend the constitutional rule requiring bills
3520	3521		to be read on three several days;
3521	3522		(9) to pass a resolution suspending the joint rules;
3522	3523		(10) to order the previous question;
3523	3524		(11) to order the limiting of amendments to a bill or
3524	3525		resolution;
3525	3526		(12) to print documents, reports, or other material in
3526	3527		the journal;
3527	3528		(13) to take any other action required or permitted
3528	3529		during the routine motion period by Rule 6, Section 1;
3529	3530		(14) to divide the question.
3530	3531		Sec. 3. MOTIONS ALLOWED DURING DEBATE. When a question is
3531	3532		under debate, the following motions, and none other, shall be in
3532	3533		order, and such motions shall have precedence in the following
3533	3534		order:
3534	3535		(1) to adjourn;
3535	3536		(2) to take recess;
3536	3537		(3) to lay on the table;
3537	3538		(4) to lay on the table subject to call;
3538	3539		(5) for the previous question;
3539	3540		(6) to postpone to a day certain;
3540	3541		(7) to commit, recommit, refer, or rerefer;
3541	3542		(8) to amend by striking out the enacting or resolving
3542	3543		clause, which, if carried, shall have the effect of defeating the
3543	3544		bill or resolution;
3544	3545		(9) to amend;
3545	3546		(10) to postpone indefinitely.
3546	3547		Sec. 4. STATEMENT OR READING OF A MOTION. When a motion has
3547	3548		been made, the speaker shall state it, or if it is in writing, order
3548	3549		it read by the clerk; and it shall then be in possession of the
3549	3550		house.
3550	3551		Sec. 5. ENTRY OF MOTIONS IN JOURNAL. Every motion made to
3551	3552		the house and entertained by the speaker shall be reduced to writing
3552	3553		on the demand of any member, and shall be entered on the journal
3553	3554		with the name of the member making it.
3554	3555		Sec. 6. WITHDRAWAL OF A MOTION. A motion may be withdrawn
3555	3556		by the mover at any time before a decision on the motion, even
3556	3557		though an amendment may have been offered and is pending. It cannot
3557	3558		be withdrawn, however, if the motion has been amended. After the
3558	3559		previous question has been ordered, a motion can be withdrawn only
3559	3560		by unanimous consent.
3560	3561		Sec. 7. MOTIONS TO ADJOURN OR RECESS. A motion to adjourn
3561	3562		or recess shall always be in order, except:
3562	3563		(1) when the house is voting on another motion;
3563	3564		(2) when the previous question has been ordered and
3564	3565		before the final vote on the main question, unless a roll call shows
3565	3566		the absence of a quorum;
3566	3567		(3) when a member entitled to the floor has not yielded
3567	3568		for that purpose; or
3568	3569		(4) when no business has been transacted since a
3569	3570		motion to adjourn or recess has been defeated.
3570	3571		Sec. 8. CONSIDERATION OF SEVERAL MOTIONS TO ADJOURN OR
3571	3572		RECESS. When several motions to recess or adjourn are made at the
3572	3573		same period, the motion to adjourn carrying the shortest time shall
3573	3574		be put first, then the next shortest time, and in that order until a
3574	3575		motion to adjourn has been adopted or until all have been voted on
3575	3576		and lost; and then the same procedure shall be followed for motions
3576	3577		to recess.
3577	3578		Sec. 9. WITHDRAWAL OR ADDITION OF A MOTION TO ADJOURN OR
3578	3579		RECESS. A motion to adjourn or recess may not be withdrawn when it
3579	3580		is one of a series upon which voting has commenced, nor may an
3580	3581		additional motion to adjourn or recess be made when voting has
3581	3582		commenced on a series of such motions.
3582	3583		Sec. 10. RECONSIDERATION OF VOTE TO ADJOURN OR RECESS. The
3583	3584		vote by which a motion to adjourn or recess is carried or lost shall
3584	3585		not be subject to a motion to reconsider.
3585	3586		Sec. 11. ADJOURNING WITH LESS THAN A QUORUM. A smaller
3586	3587		number of members than a quorum may adjourn from day to day, and may
3587	3588		compel the attendance of absent members.
3588	3589		Sec. 12. MOTION TO TABLE. A motion to lay on the table, if
3589	3590		carried, shall have the effect of killing the bill, resolution,
3590	3591		amendment, or other immediate proposition to which it was applied.
3591	3592		Such a motion shall not be debatable, but the mover of the
3592	3593		proposition to be tabled, or the member reporting it from
3593	3594		committee, shall be allowed to close the debate after the motion to
3594	3595		table is made and before it is put to a vote. When a motion to table
3595	3596		is made to a debatable main motion, the main motion mover shall be
3596	3597		allowed 20 minutes to close the debate, whereas the movers of other
3597	3598		debatable motions sought to be tabled shall be allowed only 10
3598	3599		minutes to close. The vote by which a motion to table is carried or
3599	3600		lost cannot be reconsidered. After the previous question has been
3600	3601		ordered, a motion to table is not in order. The provisions of this
3601	3602		section do not apply to motions to "lay on the table subject to
3602	3603		call"; however, a motion to lay on the table subject to call cannot
3603	3604		be made after the previous question has been ordered.
3604	3605		Sec. 13. MATTERS TABLED SUBJECT TO CALL. When a bill,
3605	3606		resolution, or other matter is pending before the house, it may be
3606	3607		laid on the table subject to call, and one legislative day's notice,
3607	3608		as provided on the Supplemental House Calendar, must be given
3608	3609		before the proposition can be taken from the table, unless it is on
3609	3610		the same legislative day, in which case it can be taken from the
3610	3611		table at any time except when there is another matter pending before
3611	3612		the house. A bill, resolution, or other matter can be taken from
3612	3613		the table only by a majority vote of the house. When a special order
3613	3614		is pending, a motion to take a proposition from the table cannot be
3614	3615		made unless the proposition is a privileged matter.
3615	3616		Sec. 14. MOTION TO POSTPONE. (a) A motion to postpone to a
3616	3617		day certain may be amended and is debatable within narrow limits,
3617	3618		but the merits of the proposition sought to be postponed cannot be
3618	3619		debated. A motion to postpone indefinitely opens to debate the
3619	3620		entire proposition to which it applies.
3620	3621		(b) A motion to postpone a bill or resolution on a local,
3621	3622		consent, and resolutions calendar to a subsequent legislative or
3622	3623		calendar day requires an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the
3623	3624		members present.
3624	3625		Sec. 15. POSTPONED MATTERS. A bill or proposition
3625	3626		postponed to a day certain shall be laid before the house at the
3626	3627		time on the calendar day to which it was postponed, provided it is
3627	3628		otherwise eligible under the rules and no other business is then
3628	3629		pending. If business is pending, the postponed matter shall be
3629	3630		deferred until the pending business is disposed of without
3630	3631		prejudice otherwise to its right of priority. When a privileged
3631	3632		matter is postponed to a particular time, and that time arrives, the
3632	3633		matter, still retaining its privileged nature, shall be taken up
3633	3634		even though another matter is pending.
3634	3635		Sec. 16. ORDER OF CONSIDERATION OF POSTPONED MATTERS. If
3635	3636		two or more bills, resolutions, or other propositions are postponed
3636	3637		to the same time, and are otherwise eligible for consideration at
3637	3638		that time, they shall be considered in the chronological order of
3638	3639		their setting.
3639	3640		Sec. 17. MOTION TO REFER. When motions are made to refer a
3640	3641		subject to a select or standing committee, the question on the
3641	3642		subject's referral to a standing committee shall be put first.
3642	3643		Sec. 18. MOTION TO RECOMMIT. A motion to recommit a bill,
3643	3644		after being defeated at the routine motion period, may again be made
3644	3645		when the bill itself is under consideration; however, a motion to
3645	3646		recommit a bill shall not be in order at the routine motion period
3646	3647		if the bill is then before the house as either pending business or
3647	3648		unfinished business.
3648	3649		A motion to recommit a bill or resolution can be made and
3649	3650		voted on even though the author, sponsor, or principal proponent is
3650	3651		not present.
3651	3652		Sec. 19. TERMS OF DEBATE ON MOTIONS TO REFER, REREFER,
3652	3653		COMMIT, OR RECOMMIT. A motion to refer, rerefer, commit, or
3653	3654		recommit is debatable within narrow limits, but the merits of the
3654	3655		proposition may not be brought into the debate. A motion to refer,
3655	3656		rerefer, commit, or recommit with instructions is fully debatable.
3656	3657		Sec. 20. RECOMMITTING TO COMMITTEE FOR A SECOND TIME.
3657	3658		Except as provided in Rule 4, Section 30, when a bill has been
3658	3659		recommitted once at any reading and has been reported adversely by
3659	3660		the committee to which it was referred, it shall be in order to
3660	3661		again recommit the bill only if a minority report has been filed in
3661	3662		the time required by the rules of the house. A two-thirds vote of
3662	3663		those present shall be required to recommit a second time.
3663	3664		CHAPTER B. MOTION FOR THE PREVIOUS QUESTION
3664	3665		Sec. 21. MOTION FOR THE PREVIOUS QUESTION. There shall be a
3665	3666		motion for the previous question, which shall be admitted only when
3666	3667		seconded by 25 members. It shall be put by the chair in this manner:
3667	3668		"The motion has been seconded. Three minutes pro and con debate
3668	3669		will be allowed on the motion for ordering the previous question."
3669	3670		As soon as the debate has ended, the chair shall continue: "As many
3670	3671		as are in favor of ordering the previous question on (here state on
3671	3672		which question or questions) will say 'Aye,'" and then, "As many as
3672	3673		are opposed say 'Nay.'" As in all other propositions, a motion for
3673	3674		the previous question may be taken by a record vote if demanded by
3674	3675		any member. If ordered by a majority of the members voting, a
3675	3676		quorum being present, it shall have the effect of cutting off all
3676	3677		debate, except as provided in Section 23 of this rule, and bringing
3677	3678		the house to a direct vote on the immediate question or questions on
3678	3679		which it has been asked and ordered.
3679	3680		Sec. 22. DEBATE ON MOTION FOR PREVIOUS QUESTION. On the
3680	3681		motion for the previous question, there shall be no debate except as
3681	3682		provided in Sections 2 and 21 of this rule. All incidental
3682	3683		questions of order made pending decision on such motion shall be
3683	3684		decided, whether on appeal or otherwise, without debate.
3684	3685		Sec. 23. LIMITATION OF DEBATE AFTER PREVIOUS QUESTION
3685	3686		ORDERED. After the previous question has been ordered, there shall
3686	3687		be no debate upon the questions on which it has been ordered, or
3687	3688		upon the incidental questions, except that the mover of the
3688	3689		proposition or any of the pending amendments or any other motions,
3689	3690		or the member making the report from the committee, or, in the case
3690	3691		of the absence of either of them, any other member designated by
3691	3692		such absentee, shall have the right to close the debate on the
3692	3693		particular proposition or amendment. Then a vote shall be taken
3693	3694		immediately on the amendments or other motions, if any, and then on
3694	3695		the main question.
3695	3696		Sec. 24. SPEAKING AND VOTING AFTER THE PREVIOUS QUESTION
3696	3697		ORDERED. All members having the right to speak after the previous
3697	3698		question has been ordered shall speak before the question is put on
3698	3699		the first proposition covered by the previous question. All votes
3699	3700		shall then be taken in the correct order, and no vote or votes shall
3700	3701		be deferred to allow any member to close on any one of the
3701	3702		propositions separately after the voting has commenced.
3702	3703		Sec. 25. SPEAKING ON AN AMENDMENT AS SUBSTITUTED. When an
3703	3704		amendment has been substituted and the previous question is then
3704	3705		moved on the adoption of the amendment as substituted, the author of
3705	3706		the amendment as substituted shall have the right to close the
3706	3707		debate on that amendment in lieu of the author of the original
3707	3708		amendment.
3708	3709		Sec. 26. SPEAKING ON A MOTION TO POSTPONE OR AMEND. When
3709	3710		the previous question is ordered on a motion to postpone
3710	3711		indefinitely or to amend by striking out the enacting clause of a
3711	3712		bill, the member moving to postpone or amend shall have the right to
3712	3713		close the debate on that motion or amendment, after which the mover
3713	3714		of the proposition or bill proposed to be so postponed or amended,
3714	3715		or the member reporting it from the committee, or, in the absence of
3715	3716		either of them, any other member designated by the absentee, shall
3716	3717		be allowed to close the debate on the original proposition.
3717	3718		Sec. 27. APPLICATION OF THE PREVIOUS QUESTION. The
3718	3719		previous question may be asked and ordered on any debatable single
3719	3720		motion or series of motions, or any amendment or amendments
3720	3721		pending, or it may be made to embrace all authorized debatable
3721	3722		motions or amendments pending and include the bill, resolution, or
3722	3723		proposition that is on second or third reading. The previous
3723	3724		question cannot be ordered, however, on the main proposition
3724	3725		without including other pending motions of lower rank as given in
3725	3726		Section 3 of this rule.
3726	3727		Sec. 28. LIMIT OF APPLICATION. The previous question shall
3727	3728		not extend beyond the final vote on a motion or sequence of motions
3728	3729		to which the previous question has been ordered.
3729	3730		Sec. 29. AMENDMENTS NOT YET LAID BEFORE THE HOUSE.
3730	3731		Amendments on the speaker's desk for consideration which have not
3731	3732		actually been laid before the house and read cannot be included
3732	3733		under a motion for the previous question.
3733	3734		Sec. 30. MOVING THE PREVIOUS QUESTION AFTER A MOTION TO
3734	3735		TABLE. If a motion to table is made directly to a main motion, the
3735	3736		motion for the previous question is not in order. In a case where an
3736	3737		amendment to a main motion is pending, and a motion to table the
3737	3738		amendment is made, it is in order to move the previous question on
3738	3739		the main motion, the pending amendment, and the motion to table the
3739	3740		amendment.
3740	3741		Sec. 31. NO SUBSTITUTE FOR MOTION FOR THE PREVIOUS
3741	3742		QUESTION. There is no acceptable substitute for a motion for the
3742	3743		previous question, nor can other motions be applied to it.
3743	3744		Sec. 32. MOTION FOR THE PREVIOUS QUESTION NOT SUBJECT TO
3744	3745		TABLING. The motion for the previous question is not subject to a
3745	3746		motion to table.
3746	3747		Sec. 33. MOTION TO ADJOURN AFTER MOTION FOR PREVIOUS
3747	3748		QUESTION ACCEPTED. The motion to adjourn is not in order after a
3748	3749		motion for the previous question is accepted by the chair, or after
3749	3750		the seconding of such motion and before a vote is taken.
3750	3751		Sec. 34. MOTIONS IN ORDER AFTER PREVIOUS QUESTION ORDERED.
3751	3752		After the previous question has been ordered, no motion shall be in
3752	3753		order until the question or questions on which it was ordered have
3753	3754		been voted on, without debate, except:
3754	3755		(1) a motion for a call of the house, and motions
3755	3756		incidental thereto;
3756	3757		(2) a motion to extend the time of a member closing on
3757	3758		a proposition;
3758	3759		(3) a motion to permit a member who has the right to
3759	3760		speak to yield the time or a part thereof to another member;
3760	3761		(4) a request for and a verification of a vote;
3761	3762		(5) a motion to reconsider the vote by which the
3762	3763		previous question was ordered. A motion to reconsider may be made
3763	3764		only once and that must be before any vote under the previous
3764	3765		question has been taken;
3765	3766		(6) a motion to table a motion to reconsider the vote
3766	3767		by which the previous question has been ordered;
3767	3768		(7) a double motion to reconsider and table the vote by
3768	3769		which the previous question was ordered.
3769	3770		Sec. 35. MOTION TO ADJOURN OR RECESS AFTER PREVIOUS
3770	3771		QUESTION ORDERED. No motion for an adjournment or a recess shall be
3771	3772		in order after the previous question is ordered until the final vote
3772	3773		under the previous question has been taken, unless the roll call
3773	3774		shows the absence of a quorum.
3774	3775		Sec. 36. ADJOURNING WITHOUT A QUORUM. When the house
3775	3776		adjourns without a quorum under the previous question, the previous
3776	3777		question shall remain in force and effect when the bill,
3777	3778		resolution, or other proposition is again laid before the house.
3778	3779		CHAPTER C. RECONSIDERATION
3779	3780		Sec. 37. MOTION TO RECONSIDER A VOTE. (a) When a question
3780	3781		has been decided by the house and the yeas and nays have been called
3781	3782		for and recorded, any member voting with the prevailing side may, on
3782	3783		the same legislative day, or on the next legislative day, move a
3783	3784		reconsideration; however, if a reconsideration is moved on the next
3784	3785		legislative day, it must be done before the order of the day, as
3785	3786		designated in the 10th item of Rule 6, Section 1(a), is taken up.
3786	3787		If the house refuses to reconsider, or on reconsideration, affirms
3787	3788		its decision, no further action to reconsider shall be in order.
3788	3789		(b) Where the yeas and nays have not been called for and
3789	3790		recorded, any member, regardless of whether he or she voted on the
3790	3791		prevailing side or not, may make the motion to reconsider; however,
3791	3792		even when the yeas and nays have not been recorded, the following
3792	3793		shall not be eligible to make a motion to reconsider:
3793	3794		(1) a member who was absent;
3794	3795		(2) a member who was paired and, therefore, did not
3795	3796		vote; and
3796	3797		(3) a member who was recorded in the journal as having
3797	3798		voted on the losing side.
3798	3799		(c) Except as otherwise provided by this subsection, a
3799	3800		motion to reconsider the vote by which a bill, joint resolution, or
3800	3801		concurrent resolution was defeated is not in order unless a member
3801	3802		has previously provided at least one hour's notice of intent to make
3802	3803		the motion by addressing the house when the house is in session and
3803	3804		stating that a member intends to make a motion to reconsider the
3804	3805		vote by which the bill or resolution was defeated. It is not
3805	3806		necessary for the member providing the notice to be eligible to make
3806	3807		or to be the member who subsequently makes the motion to reconsider.
3807	3808		If notice of intent to make a motion to reconsider is given within
3808	3809		the period that the motion to reconsider may be made under
3809	3810		Subsection (a) of this section and that period expires during the
3810	3811		one-hour period required by this subsection, then the period within
3811	3812		which the motion may be made under Subsection (a) is extended by the
3812	3813		amount of time, not to exceed one hour during which the house is in
3813	3814		session, necessary to satisfy the one-hour notice required by this
3814	3815		subsection. This subsection does not apply to a motion to
3815	3816		reconsider and table or to a motion to reconsider and spread on the
3816	3817		journal, if no business has been transacted after the defeat of the
3817	3818		measure.
3818	3819		Sec. 38. DEBATE ON MOTION TO RECONSIDER. A motion to
3819	3820		reconsider shall be debatable only when the question to be
3820	3821		reconsidered is debatable. Even though the previous question was
3821	3822		in force before the vote on a debatable question was taken, debate
3822	3823		is permissible on the reconsideration of such debatable question.
3823	3824		Sec. 39. MAJORITY VOTE REQUIRED. Every motion to
3824	3825		reconsider shall be decided by a majority vote, even though the vote
3825	3826		on the original question requires a two-thirds vote for affirmative
3826	3827		action. If the motion to reconsider prevails, the question then
3827	3828		immediately recurs on the question reconsidered.
3828	3829		Sec. 40. WITHDRAWAL OF MOTION TO RECONSIDER. A motion to
3829	3830		reconsider cannot be withdrawn unless permission is given by a
3830	3831		majority vote of the house, and the motion may be called up by any
3831	3832		member.
3832	3833		Sec. 41. TABLING MOTION TO RECONSIDER. A motion to
3833	3834		reconsider shall be subject to a motion to table, which, if carried,
3834	3835		shall be a final disposition of the motion to reconsider.
3835	3836		Sec. 42. DOUBLE MOTION TO RECONSIDER AND TABLE. The double
3836	3837		motion to reconsider and table shall be in order. It shall be
3837	3838		undebatable. When carried, the motion to reconsider shall be
3838	3839		tabled. When it fails, the question shall then be on the motion to
3839	3840		reconsider, and the motion to reconsider shall, without further
3840	3841		action, be spread on the journal, but it may be called up by any
3841	3842		member, in accordance with the provisions of Section 43 of this
3842	3843		rule.
3843	3844		Sec. 43. DELAYED DISPOSITION OF MOTION TO RECONSIDER. (a)
3844	3845		If a motion to reconsider is not disposed of when made, it shall be
3845	3846		entered in the journal, and cannot, after that legislative day, be
3846	3847		called up and disposed of unless one legislative day's notice has
3847	3848		been given.
3848	3849		(b) Unless called up and disposed of prior to 72 hours
3849	3850		before final adjournment of the session, all motions to reconsider
3850	3851		shall be regarded as determined and lost.
3851	3852		(c) All motions to reconsider made during the last 72 hours
3852	3853		of the session shall be disposed of when made; otherwise, the motion
3853	3854		shall be considered as lost.
3854	3855		Sec. 44. MOTION TO RECONSIDER AND SPREAD ON JOURNAL. (a) A
3855	3856		member voting on the prevailing side may make a motion to reconsider
3856	3857		and spread on the journal, which does not require a vote, and on the
3857	3858		motion being made, it shall be entered on the journal. Any member,
3858	3859		regardless of whether he or she voted on the prevailing side or not,
3859	3860		who desires immediate action on a motion to reconsider which has
3860	3861		been spread on the journal, can call it up as soon as it is made, and
3861	3862		demand a vote on it, or can call it up and move to table it.
3862	3863		(b) If the motion to table the motion to reconsider is
3863	3864		defeated, the motion to reconsider remains spread on the journal
3864	3865		for future action; however, any member, regardless of whether he or
3865	3866		she voted on the prevailing side or not, can call the motion from
3866	3867		the journal for action by the house, and, once disposed of, no other
3867	3868		motion to reconsider can be made.
3868	3869		Sec. 45. MOTION TO REQUIRE COMMITTEE TO REPORT. (a) During
3869	3870		the first 76 calendar days of a regular session, when any bill,
3870	3871		resolution, or other paper has been in committee for 6 calendar
3871	3872		days, exclusive of the calendar day on which it was referred, it
3872	3873		shall be in order for a member to move that the committee be
3873	3874		required to report the same within 7 calendar days. This motion
3874	3875		shall require a two-thirds vote for passage.
3875	3876		(b) After the first 76 calendar days of a regular session,
3876	3877		when any bill, resolution, or other paper has been in committee for
3877	3878		6 calendar days, exclusive of the calendar day on which it was
3878	3879		referred, it shall be in order for a member to move that the
3879	3880		committee be required to report the same within 7 calendar days.
3880	3881		This motion shall require a majority vote for passage.
3881	3882		(c) A motion to instruct a committee to report is not a
3882	3883		privileged motion and must be made during the routine motion period
3883	3884		unless made under a suspension of the rules.
3884	3885		(d) The house shall have no authority to instruct a
3885	3886		subcommittee directly; however, instructions recognized under the
3886	3887		rules may be given to a committee and shall be binding on all
3887	3888		subcommittees.
3888	3889		Sec. 46. MOTION TO REREFER TO ANOTHER COMMITTEE. (a)
3889	3890		During the first 76 calendar days of a regular session, when any
3890	3891		bill, resolution, or other paper has been in committee for 7
3891	3892		calendar days after the committee was instructed by the house to
3892	3893		report that measure by a motion made under Section 45 of this rule,
3893	3894		it shall be in order for a member to move to rerefer the bill,
3894	3895		resolution, or other paper to a different committee. This motion
3895	3896		shall require a two-thirds vote for passage.
3896	3897		(b) After the first 76 calendar days of a regular session,
3897	3898		when any bill, resolution, or other paper has been in committee for
3898	3899		7 calendar days after the committee has been instructed to report
3899	3900		that measure by a motion made under Section 45 of this rule, it
3900	3901		shall be in order for a member to move to rerefer the bill,
3901	3902		resolution, or other paper to a different committee. This motion
3902	3903		shall require a majority vote for passage.
3903	3904		(c) A motion to rerefer a bill, resolution, or other paper
3904	3905		from one committee to another committee is not a privileged motion
3905	3906		and must be made during the routine motion period unless made under
3906	3907		a suspension of the rules.
3907	3908		RULE 8. BILLS
3908	3909		Sec. 1. CONTENTS OF BILLS. (a) Proposed laws or changes in
3909	3910		laws must be incorporated in bills, which shall consist of:
3910	3911		(1) a title or caption, beginning with the words "A
3911	3912		Bill to be Entitled An Act" and a brief statement that gives the
3912	3913		legislature and the public reasonable notice of the subject of the
3913	3914		proposed measure;
3914	3915		(2) an enacting clause, "Be It Enacted by the
3915	3916		Legislature of the State of Texas"; and
3916	3917		(3) the bill proper.
3917	3918		(b) A house bill that would impose, authorize, increase, or
3918	3919		change the rate or amount of a tax, assessment, surcharge, or fee
3919	3920		must include a short statement at the end of its title or caption
3920	3921		indicating the general effect of the bill on the tax, assessment,
3921	3922		surcharge, or fee, such as "imposing a tax (or assessment),"
3922	3923		"authorizing a surcharge (or fee)," or "increasing the rate (or
3923	3924		amount) of a tax."
3924	3925		(c) A house bill that would create a criminal offense,
3925	3926		increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or
3926	3927		category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for
3927	3928		community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision must
3928	3929		include a short statement at the end of its title or caption
3929	3930		indicating the general effect of the bill on the offense,
3930	3931		punishment, or eligibility, such as "creating a criminal offense,"
3931	3932		"increasing a criminal penalty," or "changing the eligibility for
3932	3933		community supervision (or parole or mandatory supervision)."
3933	3934		(d) A house bill that would create a requirement that an
3934	3935		individual or entity obtain a license, certificate, registration,
3935	3936		permit, or other authorization before engaging in a particular
3936	3937		occupation or profession or that would expand an existing
3937	3938		requirement to additional individuals or entities must include a
3938	3939		short statement at the end of its title or caption indicating the
3939	3940		general effect of the bill on the occupation or profession, such as
3940	3941		"requiring an occupational license" or "expanding the
3941	3942		applicability of an occupational license (or permit or
3942	3943		certificate)."
3943	3944		Sec. 2. PUBLISHING ACTS IN THEIR ENTIRETY. No law shall be
3944	3945		revived or amended by reference to its title. The act revived, or
3945	3946		the section or sections amended, shall be reenacted and published
3946	3947		at length. This rule does not apply to revisions adopted under
3947	3948		Article III, Section 43, of the Texas Constitution.
3948	3949		Sec. 3. LIMITING A BILL TO A SINGLE SUBJECT. Each bill
3949	3950		(except a general appropriations bill, which may embrace the
3950	3951		various subjects and accounts for which money is appropriated or a
3951	3952		revision adopted under Article III, Section 43, of the Texas
3952	3953		Constitution) shall contain only one subject.
3953	3954		Sec. 4. CHANGING GENERAL LAW THROUGH AN APPROPRIATIONS
3954	3955		BILL. A general law may not be changed by the provisions in an
3955	3956		appropriations bill.
3956	3957		Sec. 5. COAUTHORSHIP, JOINT AUTHORSHIP, SPONSORSHIP,
3957	3958		COSPONSORSHIP, AND JOINT SPONSORSHIP. (a) A house bill or
3958	3959		resolution may have only one primary author. The signature of the
3959	3960		primary author shall be the only signature that appears on the
3960	3961		measure filed with the chief clerk. The signatures of all coauthors
3961	3962		or joint authors shall appear on the appropriate forms in the chief
3962	3963		clerk's office.
3963	3964		(b) Any member may become the coauthor of a bill or
3964	3965		resolution by securing permission from the author. If permission
3965	3966		is secured from the author prior to the time the measure is filed
3966	3967		with the chief clerk, the primary author and the coauthor shall sign
3967	3968		the appropriate form, which shall be included with the measure when
3968	3969		it is filed with the chief clerk. If a member wishes to become the
3969	3970		coauthor of a measure after it has been filed, no action shall be
3970	3971		required by the house, but it shall be the duty of the member
3971	3972		seeking to be a coauthor to obtain written authorization on the
3972	3973		appropriate form from the author. This authorization shall be
3973	3974		filed with the chief clerk before the coauthor signs the form for
3974	3975		the bill or resolution. The chief clerk shall report daily to the
3975	3976		journal clerk the names of members filed as coauthors of bills or
3976	3977		resolutions. If a coauthor of a bill or resolution desires to
3977	3978		withdraw from such status, the member shall notify the chief clerk,
3978	3979		who in turn shall notify the journal clerk.
3979	3980		(c) The primary author of a measure may designate up to four
3980	3981		joint authors by providing written authorization on the appropriate
3981	3982		form to the chief clerk. If a member designated as a joint author
3982	3983		has not already signed on the measure as a coauthor, that member
3983	3984		must also sign the form before the records will reflect the joint
3984	3985		author status of that member. The names of all joint authors shall
3985	3986		be shown immediately following the primary author's name on all
3986	3987		official printings of the measure, on all house calendars, in the
3987	3988		house journal, and in the electronic legislative information
3988	3989		system.
3989	3990		(d) The determination of the house sponsor of a senate
3990	3991		measure is made at the time the measure is reported from committee.
3991	3992		In the case of multiple requests for house sponsorship, the house
3992	3993		sponsor of a senate measure shall be determined by the chair of the
3993	3994		committee, in consultation with the senate author of the measure.
3994	3995		The chair of the committee must designate a primary sponsor and may
3995	3996		designate up to four joint sponsors or an unlimited number of
3996	3997		cosponsors. The names of all joint sponsors shall be shown
3997	3998		immediately following the primary sponsor's name on all official
3998	3999		printings of the measure, on all house calendars, in the house
3999	4000		journal, and in the electronic legislative information system.
4000	4001		Sec. 6. FILING, FIRST READING, AND REFERRAL TO COMMITTEE.
4001	4002		Each bill shall be filed with the chief clerk when introduced and
4002	4003		shall be numbered in its regular order. Each bill shall be read
4003	4004		first time by caption and referred by the speaker to the appropriate
4004	4005		committee with jurisdiction.
4005	4006		Sec. 7. PREFILING. Beginning the first Monday after the
4006	4007		general election preceding the next regular legislative session, or
4007	4008		within 30 days prior to any special session, it shall be in order to
4008	4009		file with the chief clerk bills and resolutions for introduction in
4009	4010		that session. On receipt of the bills or resolutions, the chief
4010	4011		clerk shall number them and make them a matter of public record,
4011	4012		available for distribution. Once a bill or resolution has been so
4012	4013		filed, it may not be recalled. This shall apply only to
4013	4014		members-elect of the succeeding legislative session.
4014	4015		Sec. 8. DEADLINE FOR INTRODUCTION. (a) Bills and joint
4015	4016		resolutions introduced during the first 60 calendar days of the
4016	4017		regular session may be considered by the committees and in the house
4017	4018		and disposed of at any time during the session, in accordance with
4018	4019		the rules of the house. After the first 60 calendar days of a
4019	4020		regular session, any bill or joint resolution, except local bills,
4020	4021		emergency appropriations, and all emergency matters submitted by
4021	4022		the governor in special messages to the legislature, shall require
4022	4023		an affirmative vote of four-fifths of those members present and
4023	4024		voting to be introduced.
4024	4025		(b) In addition to a bill defined as a "local bill" under
4025	4026		Section 10(c) of this rule, a bill is considered local for purposes
4026	4027		of this section if it relates to a specified district created under
4027	4028		Article XVI, Section 59, of the Texas Constitution (water
4028	4029		districts, etc.), a specified hospital district, or another
4029	4030		specified special purpose district, even if neither these rules nor
4030	4031		the Texas Constitution require publication of notice for that bill.
4031	4032		Sec. 9. FILING. (a) A bill must be filed with the chief
4032	4033		clerk in the manner and in an electronic or other format specified
4033	4034		by the chief clerk at the time that the bill is introduced.
4034	4035		(b) A bill relating to conservation and reclamation
4035	4036		districts and governed by the provisions of Article XVI, Section
4036	4037		59, of the Texas Constitution must be filed with copies of the
4037	4038		notice to introduce the bill attached if the bill is intended to:
4038	4039		(1) create a particular conservation and reclamation
4039	4040		district; or
4040	4041		(2) amend the act of a particular conservation and
4041	4042		reclamation district to:
4042	4043		(A) add additional land to the district;
4043	4044		(B) alter the taxing authority of the district;
4044	4045		(C) alter the authority of the district with
4045	4046		respect to issuing bonds; or
4046	4047		(D) alter the qualifications or terms of office
4047	4048		of the members of the governing body of the district.
4048	4049		Sec. 10. LOCAL BILLS. (a) The house may not consider a
4049	4050		local bill unless notice of intention to apply for the passage of
4050	4051		the bill was published as provided by law and evidence of the
4051	4052		publication is attached to the bill. If not attached to the bill on
4052	4053		filing with the chief clerk or receipt of the bill from the senate,
4053	4054		copies of the evidence of timely publication shall be filed with the
4054	4055		chief clerk and must be distributed to the members of the committee
4055	4056		not later than the first time the bill is laid out in a committee
4056	4057		meeting. The evidence shall be attached to the bill on first
4057	4058		printing and shall remain with the measure throughout the entire
4058	4059		legislative process, including submission to the governor.
4059	4060		(b) Neither the house nor a committee of the house may
4060	4061		consider a bill whose application is limited to one or more
4061	4062		political subdivisions by means of population brackets or other
4062	4063		artificial devices in lieu of identifying the political subdivision
4063	4064		or subdivisions by name. However, this subsection does not prevent
4064	4065		consideration of a bill that classifies political subdivisions
4065	4066		according to a minimum or maximum population or other criterion
4066	4067		that bears a reasonable relation to the purpose of the proposed
4067	4068		legislation or a bill that updates laws based on population
4068	4069		classifications to conform to a federal decennial census.
4069	4070		(c) Except as provided by Subsection (d) of this section,
4070	4071		"local bill" for purposes of this section means:
4071	4072		(1) a bill for which publication of notice is required
4072	4073		under Article XVI, Section 59, of the Texas Constitution (water
4073	4074		districts, etc.);
4074	4075		(2) a bill for which publication of notice is required
4075	4076		under Article IX, Section 9, of the Texas Constitution (hospital
4076	4077		districts);
4077	4078		(3) a bill relating to hunting, fishing, or
4078	4079		conservation of wildlife resources of a specified locality;
4079	4080		(4) a bill creating or affecting a county court or
4080	4081		statutory court or courts of one or more specified counties or
4081	4082		municipalities;
4082	4083		(5) a bill creating or affecting the juvenile board or
4083	4084		boards of a specified county or counties; or
4084	4085		(6) a bill creating or affecting a road utility
4085	4086		district under the authority of Article III, Section 52, of the
4086	4087		Texas Constitution.
4087	4088		(d) A bill is not considered to be a local bill under
4088	4089		Subsection (c)(3), (4), or (5) if it affects a sufficient number of
4089	4090		localities, counties, or municipalities so as to be of general
4090	4091		application or of statewide importance.
4091	4092		Sec. 11. CONSIDERATION IN COMMITTEE. (a) No bill shall be
4092	4093		considered unless it first has been referred to a committee and
4093	4094		reported from it.
4094	4095		(b) After a bill has been recommitted, it shall be
4095	4096		considered by the committee as a new subject.
4096	4097		Sec. 12. ORDER OF CONSIDERATION. All bills and resolutions
4097	4098		before the house shall be taken up and acted on in the order in which
4098	4099		they appear on their respective calendars, and each calendar shall
4099	4100		have the priority accorded to it by the provisions of Rule 6,
4100	4101		Sections 7 and 8.
4101	4102		Sec. 13. DEADLINES FOR CONSIDERATION. (a) No house bill
4102	4103		that is local as defined by Section 10(c) of this rule and that
4103	4104		appears on a local, consent, and resolutions calendar shall be
4104	4105		considered for any purpose after the 130th day of a regular session,
4105	4106		except to:
4106	4107		(1) act on senate amendments;
4107	4108		(2) adopt a conference committee report;
4108	4109		(3) reconsider the bill to make corrections; or
4109	4110		(4) pass the bill notwithstanding the objections of
4110	4111		the governor.
4111	4112		(b) No other house bill or joint resolution shall be
4112	4113		considered on its second reading after the 122nd day of a regular
4113	4114		session if it appears on a daily or supplemental daily house
4114	4115		calendar, or for any purpose after the 123rd day of a regular
4115	4116		session, except to:
4116	4117		(1) act on senate amendments;
4117	4118		(2) adopt a conference committee report;
4118	4119		(3) reconsider the bill or resolution to make
4119	4120		corrections; or
4120	4121		(4) pass the bill notwithstanding the objections of
4121	4122		the governor.
4122	4123		(c) No senate bill or joint resolution shall be considered
4123	4124		on its second reading after the 134th day of a regular session if it
4124	4125		appears on a daily or supplemental daily house calendar, or for any
4125	4126		purpose after the 135th day of a regular session, except to:
4126	4127		(1) adopt a conference committee report;
4127	4128		(2) reconsider the bill or resolution to remove house
4128	4129		amendments;
4129	4130		(3) reconsider the bill or resolution to make
4130	4131		corrections; or
4131	4132		(4) pass the bill notwithstanding the objections of
4132	4133		the governor.
4133	4134		(d) The speaker shall not lay any bill or joint resolution
4134	4135		before the house or permit a vote to be taken on its passage on the
4135	4136		136th and 137th days of a regular session, except to:
4136	4137		(1) act on senate amendments;
4137	4138		(2) adopt a conference committee report;
4138	4139		(3) reconsider the bill or resolution to remove house
4139	4140		amendments;
4140	4141		(4) reconsider the bill or resolution to make
4141	4142		corrections; or
4142	4143		(5) pass the bill notwithstanding the objections of
4143	4144		the governor.
4144	4145		(e) The speaker shall not lay any bill or joint resolution
4145	4146		before the house or permit a vote to be taken on its passage on the
4146	4147		138th and 139th days of a regular session, except to:
4147	4148		(1) adopt a conference committee report;
4148	4149		(2) reconsider the bill or resolution to remove house
4149	4150		amendments;
4150	4151		(3) discharge house conferees and concur in senate
4151	4152		amendments;
4152	4153		(4) reconsider the bill or resolution to make
4153	4154		corrections; or
4154	4155		(5) pass the bill notwithstanding the objections of
4155	4156		the governor.
4156	4157		(f) No vote shall be taken upon the passage of any bill or
4157	4158		resolution within 24 hours of the final adjournment of a regular
4158	4159		session unless it be to reconsider the bill or resolution to make
4159	4160		corrections, or to adopt a corrective resolution.
4160	4161		(g) The clock of record for the house, as determined under
4161	4162		Rule 2, Section 2, shall be used to determine compliance with
4162	4163		deadlines and other time requirements of the Texas Constitution and
4163	4164		these rules. A motion to suspend this rule must be decided by a
4164	4165		record vote.
4165	4166		Sec. 14. DELIVERY PRIOR TO CONSIDERATION. (a) Each bill or
4166	4167		resolution, except the general appropriations bill, shall be
4167	4168		delivered to each member by making a copy of the bill or resolution
4168	4169		available in an electronic format for viewing by the member and,
4169	4170		when the electronic format copy of the appropriate printing becomes
4170	4171		available, by sending notice of that fact to a Capitol e-mail
4171	4172		address designated by the member, at least 36 hours if convened in
4172	4173		regular session and 24 hours if convened in special session before
4173	4174		the bill can be considered by the house on second reading. If a
4174	4175		member informs the chief clerk in writing that the member desires to
4175	4176		receive paper copies of bills and resolutions under this section in
4176	4177		addition to delivery in an electronic format, the chief clerk shall
4177	4178		place a paper copy of the bill or resolution in the newspaper box of
4178	4179		the member as soon as practicable after the electronic copies of the
4179	4180		bill or resolution are made available for viewing.
4180	4181		(a-1) A printed copy of the general appropriations bill
4181	4182		shall be placed in the newspaper mailbox of each member at least 168
4182	4183		hours during a regular session and at least 72 hours during a
4183	4184		special session before the bill can be considered by the house on
4184	4185		second reading.
4185	4186		(b) By majority vote, the house may order both the original
4186	4187		bill or resolution and the complete committee substitute to be
4187	4188		printed. It shall not be necessary for the house to order complete
4188	4189		committee substitutes printed in lieu of original bills.
4189	4190		(c) A two-thirds vote of the house is necessary to order
4190	4191		that bills, other than local bills, be not printed. It shall not be
4191	4192		necessary for the house to order that local bills be not printed.
4192	4193		Sec. 15. REQUIREMENT FOR THREE READINGS. A bill shall not
4193	4194		have the force of law until it has been read on three several
4194	4195		legislative days in each house and free discussion allowed, unless
4195	4196		this provision is suspended by a vote of four-fifths of the members
4196	4197		present and voting, a quorum being present. The yeas and nays shall
4197	4198		be taken on the question of suspension and entered in the journal.
4198	4199		Sec. 16. CONSIDERATION SECTION BY SECTION. (a) During the
4199	4200		consideration of any bill or resolution, the house may, by a
4200	4201		majority vote, order the bill or resolution to be considered
4201	4202		section by section, or department by department, until each section
4202	4203		or department has been given separate consideration. If such a
4203	4204		procedure is ordered, only amendments to the section or department
4204	4205		under consideration at that time shall be in order. However, after
4205	4206		each section or department has been considered separately, the
4206	4207		entire bill or resolution shall be open for amendment, subject to
4207	4208		the provisions of Rule 11, Section 8(b). Once the consideration of
4208	4209		a bill section by section or department by department has been
4209	4210		ordered, it shall not be in order to move the previous question on
4210	4211		the entire bill, to recommit it, to lay it on the table, or to
4211	4212		postpone it, until each section or department has been given
4212	4213		separate consideration or until the vote by which section by
4213	4214		section consideration was ordered is reconsidered.
4214	4215		(b) A motion to consider a bill section by section is
4215	4216		debatable within narrow limits; that is, the pros and cons of the
4216	4217		proposed consideration can be debated but not the merits of the
4217	4218		bill.
4218	4219		Sec. 17. PASSAGE TO ENGROSSMENT OR THIRD READING. After a
4219	4220		bill or complete committee substitute for a bill has been taken up
4220	4221		and read, amendments shall be in order. If no amendment is made, or
4221	4222		if those proposed are disposed of, then the final question on its
4222	4223		second reading shall be, in the case of a house bill, whether it
4223	4224		shall be passed to engrossment, or, in the case of a senate bill,
4224	4225		whether it shall pass to its third reading. All bills ordered
4225	4226		passed to engrossment or passed to a third reading shall remain on
4226	4227		the calendar on which placed, but with future priority over bills
4227	4228		that have not passed second reading.
4228	4229		Sec. 18. CERTIFICATION OF FINAL PASSAGE. The chief clerk
4229	4230		shall certify the final passage of each bill, noting on the bill the
4230	4231		date of its passage, and the vote by which it passed, if by a yea and
4231	4232		nay vote.
4232	4233		Sec. 19. EFFECTIVE DATE. Every law passed by the
4233	4234		legislature, except the General Appropriations Act, shall take
4234	4235		effect or go into force on the 91st day after the adjournment of the
4235	4236		session at which it was enacted, unless the legislature provides
4236	4237		for an earlier effective date by a vote of two-thirds of all the
4237	4238		members elected to each house. The vote shall be taken by yeas and
4238	4239		nays and entered in the journals.
4239	4240		Sec. 20. BILLS CONTAINING SAME SUBSTANCE AS DEFEATED BILL.
4240	4241		After a bill or resolution has been considered and defeated by
4241	4242		either house of the legislature, no bill or resolution containing
4242	4243		the same substance shall be passed into law during the same session.
4243	4244		Sec. 21. CONSIDERATION OF BILLS INVOLVING STATE FUNDS. (a)
4244	4245		In order to assure the continuation of financial support of
4245	4246		existing state services through the passage of the general
4246	4247		appropriations bill, it shall not be in order during the first 118
4247	4248		days of the regular session for the speaker to lay before the house,
4248	4249		prior to the consideration, passage, and certification by the
4249	4250		comptroller of the general appropriations bill, any bill that
4250	4251		directly or indirectly prevents from being available for purposes
4251	4252		of funding state government generally any money that under existing
4252	4253		law would otherwise be available for that purpose, including a bill
4253	4254		that transfers or diverts money in the state treasury from the
4254	4255		general revenue fund to another fund.
4255	4256		(b) In order to assure compliance with the limitation on
4256	4257		appropriations of state tax revenue not dedicated by the
4257	4258		constitution as provided by Article VIII, Section 22, of the Texas
4258	4259		Constitution, it is not in order for the speaker to lay before the
4259	4260		house, prior to the time that the general appropriations bill has
4260	4261		been finally passed and sent to the comptroller, any bill that
4261	4262		appropriates funds from the state treasury that are not dedicated
4262	4263		by the constitution.
4263	4264		(c) When bills subject to the provisions of Subsection (a)
4264	4265		of this section become eligible for consideration, they shall be
4265	4266		considered for passage under the rules of the house and the joint
4266	4267		rules as any other bill but shall not be signed by the speaker as
4267	4268		required by the Constitution of Texas and the rules of the house
4268	4269		until the general appropriations bill has been signed by the
4269	4270		presiding officers of both houses of the legislature and
4270	4271		transmitted to the comptroller of public accounts for certification
4271	4272		as required by Article III, Section 49a, of the Constitution of
4272	4273		Texas.
4273	4274		(d) All bills subject to the provisions of Subsection (a) of
4274	4275		this section that have finally passed both houses shall be enrolled
4275	4276		as required by the rules and transmitted to the speaker. The
4276	4277		speaker shall note on each bill the date and hour of final
4277	4278		legislative action and shall withhold his or her signature and any
4278	4279		further action on all such bills until the general appropriations
4279	4280		bill has been signed by the presiding officers of both houses and
4280	4281		transmitted to the comptroller of public accounts for
4281	4282		certification. Immediately thereafter, the speaker shall sign in
4282	4283		the presence of the house all bills on which further action was
4283	4284		being withheld because the bills were subject to the provisions of
4284	4285		this section. After being signed by the speaker, the bills shall
4285	4286		then be transmitted to the comptroller of public accounts for
4286	4287		certification or to the governor, as the case may be, in the order
4287	4288		in which final legislative action was taken. "Final legislative
4288	4289		action," as that term is used in this subsection, shall mean the
4289	4290		last act of either house meeting in general session necessary to
4290	4291		place the bill in its final form preparatory to enrollment.
4291	4292		(e) Subsections (a)-(d) of this section shall not apply to
4292	4293		any bills providing for:
4293	4294		(1) the payment of expenses of the legislature;
4294	4295		(2) the payment of judgments against the state;
4295	4296		(3) any emergency matter when requested by the
4296	4297		governor in a formal message to the legislature; or
4297	4298		(4) the reduction of taxes.
4298	4299		(e-1) Subsection (a) of this section does not apply to a
4299	4300		bill that prevents the deposit into the general revenue fund of
4300	4301		money received from the federal government or earnings on that
4301	4302		money if the bill does not prevent that money from being available
4302	4303		for the purpose of funding state government generally to the same
4303	4304		extent as under existing law.
4304	4305		(f) Unless within the authority of a resolution or
4305	4306		resolutions adopted pursuant to Article VIII, Section 22(b), of the
4306	4307		Texas Constitution, it is not in order for the house to consider for
4307	4308		final passage on third reading, on motion to concur in senate
4308	4309		amendments, or on motion to adopt a conference committee report, a
4309	4310		bill appropriating funds from the state treasury in an amount that,
4310	4311		when added to amounts previously appropriated by bills finally
4311	4312		passed and sent or due to be sent to the comptroller, would exceed
4312	4313		the limit on appropriations established under Chapter 316,
4313	4314		Government Code.
4314	4315		(g) The general appropriations bill shall be reported to the
4315	4316		house by the Committee on Appropriations not later than the 90th
4316	4317		calendar day of the regular session. Should the Committee on
4317	4318		Appropriations fail to report by the deadline, Subsections (a)-(d)
4318	4319		of this section shall be suspended for the balance of that regular
4319	4320		session.
4320	4321		RULE 9. JOINT RESOLUTIONS
4321	4322		Sec. 1. AMENDMENTS TO THE TEXAS CONSTITUTION. (a) A
4322	4323		proposed amendment to the Texas Constitution shall take the form of
4323	4324		a joint resolution, which shall be subject to the rules that govern
4324	4325		the proceedings on bills, except as provided by this section.
4325	4326		(b) A joint resolution is not subject to the provisions of
4326	4327		Rule 8, Section 3, or Rule 11, Section 3.
4327	4328		(c) A joint resolution shall be adopted on any reading after
4328	4329		the first if it receives a two-thirds vote of the elected membership
4329	4330		of the house. If such a joint resolution receives only a majority
4330	4331		vote on second reading, it shall be passed to engrossment, and
4331	4332		subsequent proceedings shall be the same as those governing the
4332	4333		final passage of bills which have been passed to engrossment. If
4333	4334		such a joint resolution does not receive a two-thirds vote of the
4334	4335		elected membership of the house on third reading and final passage,
4335	4336		it shall fail of adoption.
4336	4337		Sec. 2. RATIFYING OR PROPOSING AMENDMENTS TO THE
4337	4338		CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES. Ratification by Texas of a
4338	4339		proposed amendment to or application to Congress for a convention
4339	4340		to amend the Constitution of the United States shall take the form
4340	4341		of a joint resolution, which shall be subject to the rules that
4341	4342		govern the proceedings on bills, except that it shall be adopted on
4342	4343		second reading if it receives a majority vote of the members present
4343	4344		and voting, a quorum being present. If such a joint resolution
4344	4345		fails to receive a majority vote, it shall fail of adoption and
4345	4346		shall not be considered again unless revived by a motion to
4346	4347		reconsider as otherwise provided in the rules.
4347	4348		Sec. 3. PLACEMENT OF JOINT RESOLUTIONS ON A CALENDAR. Joint
4348	4349		resolutions on committee report shall be referred to the Committee
4349	4350		on Calendars for placement on an appropriate calendar. The
4350	4351		Committee on Calendars shall maintain a separate calendar for house
4351	4352		joint resolutions and a separate calendar for senate joint
4352	4353		resolutions. Senate joint resolutions shall be considered on
4353	4354		calendar Wednesdays and calendar Thursdays along with senate bills.
4354	4355		RULE 10. HOUSE RESOLUTIONS AND CONCURRENT RESOLUTIONS
4355	4356		Sec. 1. FILING. Resolutions shall be introduced by filing a
4356	4357		resolution with the chief clerk in the manner and in an electronic
4357	4358		or other format specified by the chief clerk, who shall number and
4358	4359		record house resolutions in one series and concurrent resolutions
4359	4360		in a separate series.
4360	4361		Sec. 2. REFERRAL TO COMMITTEE. (a) After numbering and
4361	4362		recording, all resolutions shall be sent to the speaker for
4362	4363		referral to the proper committee.
4363	4364		(b) Resolutions proposing the expenditure of money out of
4364	4365		the contingent expense fund of the legislature shall be referred to
4365	4366		the Committee on House Administration.
4366	4367		(c) All other resolutions shall be referred to the
4367	4368		appropriate committee with jurisdiction.
4368	4369		Sec. 3. REFERRAL TO CALENDARS COMMITTEES. All resolutions
4369	4370		on committee report, other than privileged resolutions, shall be
4370	4371		referred immediately to the appropriate calendars committee for
4371	4372		placement on the appropriate calendar.
4372	4373		Sec. 4. ORDER OF CONSIDERATION. Unless privileged,
4373	4374		resolutions shall be considered by the house only at the time
4374	4375		assigned for their consideration on the calendar, in accordance
4375	4376		with the provisions of Rule 6, Section 7.
4376	4377		Sec. 4A. RECORD VOTE REQUIRED BY TEXAS CONSTITUTION. A vote
4377	4378		on final passage of a resolution other than a resolution of a purely
4378	4379		ceremonial or honorary nature must be by record vote with the vote
4379	4380		of each member entered in the journal as required by Section 12(b),
4380	4381		Article III, Texas Constitution.
4381	4382		Sec. 5. SIGNING BY GOVERNOR. Concurrent resolutions shall
4382	4383		take the same course as house resolutions, except that they shall be
4383	4384		sent to the governor for signing when finally passed by both houses.
4384	4385		Sec. 6. MASCOT RESOLUTIONS. (a) All candidates for the
4385	4386		office of mascot shall be named in and elected by a single house
4386	4387		resolution.
4387	4388		(b) Only children of house members who are under the age of
4388	4389		12 years shall be eligible for election to the honorary office of
4389	4390		mascot. A child once named a mascot shall not be eligible for the
4390	4391		honor a second time.
4391	4392		(c) No separate classification or special title shall be
4392	4393		given to any mascot, but all shall receive the same title of
4393	4394		honorary mascot of the house of representatives.
4394	4395		(d) The speaker shall issue a certificate showing the
4395	4396		election of each mascot and deliver it to the parent member of the
4396	4397		child.
4397	4398		Pictures of mascots shall appear on the panel picture of the
4398	4399		house.
4399	4400		Sec. 7. CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTIONS DURING CALLED
4400	4401		SESSIONS. The subject matter of house resolutions and concurrent
4401	4402		resolutions does not have to be submitted by the governor in a
4402	4403		called session before they can be considered.
4403	4404		Sec. 8. RESOLUTIONS AUTHORIZING TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS.
4404	4405		Resolutions authorizing the enrolling clerk of the house or senate
4405	4406		to make technical corrections to a measure that has been finally
4406	4407		acted upon by both houses of the legislature shall be privileged in
4407	4408		nature and need not be referred to committee. Such resolutions
4408	4409		shall be eligible for consideration by the house upon introduction
4409	4410		in the house or receipt from the senate.
4410	4411		Sec. 9. AUTHOR'S SIGNATURE ON CONGRATULATORY OR MEMORIAL
4411	4412		RESOLUTION. The enrolled printing of a house congratulatory or
4412	4413		memorial resolution shall include a place for the signature of the
4413	4414		primary author of the resolution. The chief clerk shall provide the
4414	4415		primary author with the opportunity to sign the resolution after
4415	4416		the resolution is enrolled. The absence of the primary author's
4416	4417		signature does not affect the validity of the resolution as adopted
4417	4418		by the house.
4418	4419		RULE 11. AMENDMENTS
4419	4420		Sec. 1. ACCEPTABLE MOTIONS TO AMEND. When a bill,
4420	4421		resolution, motion, or proposition is under consideration, a motion
4421	4422		to amend and a motion to amend that amendment shall be in order. It
4422	4423		shall also be in order to offer a further amendment by way of a
4423	4424		substitute. Such a substitute may not be amended. If the
4424	4425		substitute is adopted, the question shall then be on the amendment
4425	4426		as substituted, and under this condition an amendment is not in
4426	4427		order.
4427	4428		Sec. 2. MOTIONS ON A DIFFERENT SUBJECT OFFERED AS
4428	4429		AMENDMENTS. No motion or proposition on a subject different from
4429	4430		the subject under consideration shall be admitted as an amendment
4430	4431		or as a substitute for the motion or proposition under debate.
4431	4432		"Proposition" as used in this section shall include a bill,
4432	4433		resolution, joint resolution, or any other motion which is
4433	4434		amendable.
4434	4435		Amendments pertaining to the organization, powers,
4435	4436		regulation, and management of the agency, commission, or advisory
4436	4437		committee under consideration are germane to bills extending state
4437	4438		agencies, commissions, or advisory committees under the provisions
4438	4439		of the Texas Sunset Act (Chapter 325, Government Code).
4439	4440		An amendment to a committee substitute laid before the house
4440	4441		in lieu of an original bill is germane if each subject of the
4441	4442		amendment is a subject that is included in the committee substitute
4442	4443		or was included in the original bill.
4443	4444		Sec. 3. AMENDING A BILL TO CHANGE ITS ORIGINAL PURPOSE. No
4444	4445		bill shall be amended in its passage through either house so as to
4445	4446		change its original purpose.
4446	4447		Sec. 4. AMENDMENTS TO BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS ON LOCAL,
4447	4448		CONSENT, AND RESOLUTIONS CALENDARS. Amendments to a bill or
4448	4449		resolution shall not be in order during its consideration on a
4449	4450		local, consent, and resolutions calendar set by the Committee on
4450	4451		Local and Consent Calendars, unless the amendments have first been
4451	4452		submitted to and approved by the Committee on Local and Consent
4452	4453		Calendars, which shall be noted thereon by the chair of the
4453	4454		Committee on Local and Consent Calendars prior to the offering of
4454	4455		the amendments.
4455	4456		Sec. 5. AMENDMENTS ON THIRD READING. When a bill has been
4456	4457		taken up on its third reading, amendments shall be in order, but
4457	4458		shall require a two-thirds vote of the members present for their
4458	4459		adoption. A bill on third reading may be recommitted to a committee
4459	4460		and later reported to the house with amendments, in which case the
4460	4461		bill shall again take the course of a bill at its second reading.
4461	4462		Sec. 6. FILING [COPIES OF] AN AMENDMENT. (a) The chief
4462	4463		clerk shall ensure that for an amendment other than a committee
4463	4464		amendment, [Five] copies of each amendment are [shall be] filed
4464	4465		with the speaker as follows:
4465	4466		(1) six copies of each amendment; and
4466	4467		(2) four additional copies of each amendment that
4467	4468		exceeds one page in length.
4468	4469		(b) The chief clerk may require the member offering the
4469	4470		amendment to provide the number of copies required under Subsection
4470	4471		(a) of this section. The chief clerk shall ensure that, as soon as
4471	4472		practicable after being filed by the offering member, each
4472	4473		amendment is made available on the floor amendment system, or the
4473	4474		system's successor in function, through which members of the house
4474	4475		may view an electronic image of submitted amendments. When the
4475	4476		amendment is read, two copies shall go to the chief clerk, one copy
4476	4477		to the journal clerk, one copy to the reading clerk, and one copy to
4477	4478		the speaker. [No amendment offered from the floor shall be in order
4478	4479		unless the sponsoring member has complied with the provisions of
4479	4480		this section with respect to copies of the amendment.]
4480	4481		(c) The chief clerk shall retain one copy of each amendment
4481	4482		filed with the speaker under this section whether or not the
4482	4483		amendment was laid out by the speaker for consideration [offered by
4483	4484		the filing member].
4484	4485		[(b) Prior to the time that an amendment is offered, if the
4485	4486		amendment exceeds one page in length, the sponsoring member must
4486	4487		provide to the chief clerk a minimum of five copies to be available
4487	4488		for distribution to those members requesting copies of the
4488	4489		amendment.
4489	4490		[(c) If the amendment is only one page in length or less, the
4490	4491		sponsoring member must provide one additional copy of the amendment
4491	4492		to the chief clerk, who shall immediately proceed to have
4492	4493		additional copies made and available for those members requesting
4493	4494		copies of the amendment.]
4494	4495		(d) If an amendment is required to be prefiled with the
4495	4496		chief clerk pursuant to a rule for floor consideration proposed by
4496	4497		the Committee on Calendars and adopted under Rule 6, Section 16(f),
4497	4498		the amendment must be provided to the chief clerk, in a manner
4498	4499		determined by the chief clerk under the direction of the Committee
4499	4500		on House Administration, and available in the chief clerk's office
4500	4501		in accordance with the Calendar Committee rule for floor
4501	4502		consideration [The provisions of this section with respect to
4502	4503		extra copies shall not apply to committee amendments or to
4503	4504		amendments which do nothing more than delete material from the bill
4504	4505		or resolution].
4505	4506		(e) The speaker shall not recognize a member to offer an
4506	4507		original amendment that exceeds one page in length and that is in
4507	4508		the form of a complete substitute for the bill or resolution laid
4508	4509		before the house, or in the opinion of the speaker is a substantial
4509	4510		substitute, unless [10 copies of] the amendment has [have] been
4510	4511		provided to the chief clerk, in a manner determined by the chief
4511	4512		clerk under the direction of the Committee on House Administration,
4512	4513		and was [were] available in the chief clerk's office at least 12
4513	4514		hours prior to the time the calendar on which the bill or resolution
4514	4515		to be amended is eligible for consideration.
4515	4516		(f) An amendment may be typed, hand-printed, or
4516	4517		handwritten, but must be legible in order to be offered.
4517	4518		(g) The speaker shall not recognize a member to offer an
4518	4519		original amendment to a bill on second reading if the bill extends
4519	4520		an agency, commission, or advisory committee under the Texas Sunset
4520	4521		Act unless [10 copies of] the amendment has [have] been provided to
4521	4522		the chief clerk, in a manner determined by the chief clerk under the
4522	4523		direction of the Committee on House Administration, and was [were]
4523	4524		available in the chief clerk's office at least 24 hours prior to the
4524	4525		time the calendar on which the bill appears for second reading is
4525	4526		first eligible for consideration.
4526	4527		(h) If the house is convened in regular session, the speaker
4527	4528		shall not recognize a member to offer an original amendment to the
4528	4529		general appropriations bill on second reading unless [10 copies of]
4529	4530		the amendment has [have] been provided to the chief clerk, in a
4530	4531		manner determined by the chief clerk under the direction of the
4531	4532		Committee on House Administration, and was [were] available in the
4532	4533		chief clerk's office at least 72 hours prior to the time the
4533	4534		calendar on which the general appropriations bill appears for
4534	4535		second reading is first eligible for consideration.
4535	4536		(i) The Committee on House Administration shall ensure
4536	4537		that:
4537	4538		(1) the floor amendment system through which members
4538	4539		of the house may view an electronic image of current or past
4539	4540		amendments, or the system's successor in function, is available to
4540	4541		the public on the Internet;
4541	4542		(2) members of the public using the system available
4542	4543		on the Internet may view the same information that members may view
4543	4544		at the same time that members may view the information; and
4544	4545		(3) members of the public using the system available
4545	4546		on the Internet may view any amendment required to be provided to
4546	4547		the chief clerk under Subsections (e), (g), and (h) of this section
4547	4548		at least 10 hours prior to the time the calendar on which the bill or
4548	4549		resolution to be amended is eligible for consideration.
4549	4550		(j) To the extent practicable, an amendment must include the
4550	4551		page and line numbers of the text of the bill, resolution, or
4551	4552		amendment being amended. Failure to comply with the requirements of
4552	4553		this subsection is not subject to a point of order.
4553	4554		Sec. 7. ORDER OF OFFERING MOTIONS TO AMEND. Classes of
4554	4555		motions to amend shall be offered in the following order:
4555	4556		(1) motions to amend by striking out the enacting
4556	4557		clause of a bill (or the resolving clause of a resolution), which
4557	4558		amendment cannot be amended or substituted;
4558	4559		(2) motions to amend an original bill, resolution,
4559	4560		motion, or proposition (other than substitute bills as provided for
4560	4561		in Subdivision (3) below), which shall have precedence as follows:
4561	4562		(A) original amendment;
4562	4563		(B) amendment to the amendment;
4563	4564		(C) substitute for the amendment to the
4564	4565		amendment.
4565	4566		Recognition for the offering of original amendments shall be
4566	4567		as follows: first, the main author; second, the member or members
4567	4568		offering the committee amendment; and third, members offering other
4568	4569		amendments from the floor;
4569	4570		(3) motions to amend an original bill by striking out
4570	4571		all after the enacting clause (substitute bills), which substitute
4571	4572		bills shall be subject to amendment as follows:
4572	4573		(A) amendment to the substitute bill;
4573	4574		(B) substitute for the amendment to the
4574	4575		substitute bill.
4575	4576		Recognition for offering such substitute bills shall be as
4576	4577		follows: first, the main author of the original bill, if the
4577	4578		member has not sought to perfect the bill by amendments as provided
4578	4579		for in Subdivision (2) above; second, the member or members
4579	4580		offering the committee amendment; and, third, members offering
4580	4581		amendments from the floor.
4581	4582		It shall be in order under the procedure described in this
4582	4583		subdivision to have as many as four complete measures pending
4583	4584		before the house at one time; that is, an original bill, an
4584	4585		amendment striking out all after the enacting clause of the bill and
4585	4586		inserting a new bill body, an amendment to the amendment striking
4586	4587		out all after the enacting clause of the bill and inserting a new
4587	4588		bill body, and a substitute for this amendment to the amendment to
4588	4589		the original bill which is also a new bill body. These "substitute
4589	4590		bills" shall be voted on in the reverse order of their offering;
4590	4591		(4) motions to amend the caption of a bill or joint
4591	4592		resolution, which may also be offered in accordance with Section
4592	4593		9(a) of this rule.
4593	4594		Sec. 8. STRIKE OUTS AND INSERTIONS. (a) A motion to strike
4594	4595		out and to insert new matter in lieu of that to be stricken out shall
4595	4596		be regarded as a substitute and shall be indivisible.
4596	4597		(b) Matter inserted or stricken out of an original bill by
4597	4598		way of amendment may not be taken out or reinserted at a later time
4598	4599		on the same reading except under the following conditions:
4599	4600		(1) reconsideration of the inserting or deleting
4600	4601		amendment;
4601	4602		(2) adoption of a "substitute bill" amendment;
4602	4603		(3) adoption of an amendment for a whole paragraph,
4603	4604		section or subdivision of a bill which so materially changes the
4604	4605		original text that the portion inserted or deleted is in fact of
4605	4606		minor importance.
4606	4607		Sec. 9. AMENDING CAPTIONS. (a) An amendment to the caption
4607	4608		of a bill or resolution shall not be in order until all other
4608	4609		proposed amendments have been acted on and the house is ready to
4609	4610		vote on the passage of the measure, and it shall then be decided
4610	4611		without debate.
4611	4612		(b) If the previous question has been ordered on a bill or
4612	4613		joint resolution at any reading, an amendment to the caption of that
4613	4614		bill or joint resolution may be offered and voted on immediately
4614	4615		preceding the final vote on the bill or joint resolution.
4615	4616		Sec. 10. MOTION TO LIMIT AMENDMENTS. (a) A motion to limit
4616	4617		amendments shall be admitted only when seconded by 25 members. The
4617	4618		motion may take either of two forms:
4618	4619		(1) to limit amendments to those pending before the
4619	4620		house; or
4620	4621		(2) to limit amendments to those pending on the
4621	4622		speaker's desk.
4622	4623		(b) The motion shall be put by the chair in this manner: "The
4623	4624		motion has been seconded. Three minutes pro and con debate will be
4624	4625		allowed on the motion to limit amendments." As soon as the debate
4625	4626		has ended, the chair shall continue: "As many as are in favor of
4626	4627		limiting amendments on (here state on which question or questions)
4627	4628		will say 'Aye,'" and then "As many as are opposed say 'Nay.'" As in
4628	4629		all other propositions, a motion to limit amendments shall be
4629	4630		decided by a record vote if demanded by any member. If ordered by a
4630	4631		majority of the members voting, a quorum being present, the motion
4631	4632		shall have the effect of confining further debate and consideration
4632	4633		to those amendments included within the motion, and thereafter the
4633	4634		chair will accept no more amendments to the proposition to which the
4634	4635		motion is applied.
4635	4636		(c) The motion to limit amendments, if adopted, shall not in
4636	4637		any way cut off or limit debate or other parliamentary maneuvers on
4637	4638		the pending proposition or propositions or amendment or amendments
4638	4639		included within the motion. The sole function of the motion is to
4639	4640		prevent the chair from accepting further amendments to the
4640	4641		proposition to which the motion is applied.
4641	4642		(d) Except as otherwise provided, the motion to limit
4642	4643		amendments shall have no effect on the parliamentary situation to
4643	4644		which the motion is applied, and the matter to which the motion is
4644	4645		applied shall continue to be considered by the house in all other
4645	4646		respects as though the motion had not been made.
4646	4647		(e) The amendments that are included within the motion to
4647	4648		limit amendments shall each be subject to amendment, if otherwise
4648	4649		permitted under the rules.
4649	4650		Sec. 11. MOTION TO TABLE A MOTION TO LIMIT AMENDMENTS. The
4650	4651		motion to limit amendments is not subject to a motion to table.
4651	4652		Sec. 12. ORDER OF VOTING ON AMENDMENTS. When an amendment
4652	4653		is offered, followed by an amendment to that amendment, and then a
4653	4654		substitute for the amendment to the amendment, these questions
4654	4655		shall be voted on in the reverse order of their offering.
4655	4656		Sec. 13. CERTIFICATION OF ADOPTION OF AMENDMENTS. When an
4656	4657		amendment is adopted, such action shall be certified by the chief
4657	4658		clerk on the amendment, and the official copy of the amendment shall
4658	4659		then be securely attached to the bill or resolution which it amends.
4659	4660		RULE 12. PRINTING
4660	4661		Sec. 1. PRINTINGS OF BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS. (a)
4661	4662		Except as otherwise provided in this rule, all bills and joint
4662	4663		resolutions shall be printed and a copy provided to each member at
4663	4664		each of the following stages in the parliamentary progress of the
4664	4665		bill or joint resolution:
4665	4666		(1) at the time of the committee report on the bill or
4666	4667		joint resolution, which shall be known as "First Printing" and
4667	4668		which shall consist of:
4668	4669		(A) a complete text of the bill or joint
4669	4670		resolution as reported from committee;
4670	4671		(B) a complete copy of the bill analysis, a
4671	4672		complete copy of the summary of committee action, and a complete
4672	4673		copy of the witness list;
4673	4674		(C) the text of the committee report;
4674	4675		(D) the record vote by which the measure was
4675	4676		reported from committee, including the vote of individual members;
4676	4677		(E) a copy of the latest fiscal note; and
4677	4678		(F) a copy of each impact statement received by
4678	4679		the committee;
4679	4680		(2) at the time the bill or joint resolution, if
4680	4681		amended, finally passes the senate, senate amendments and house
4681	4682		engrossment text will be printed, which shall be known as "Second
4682	4683		Printing"; and
4683	4684		(3) at the time the conference committee, if any,
4684	4685		makes its report on the bill or joint resolution, which shall be
4685	4686		known as "Third Printing."
4686	4687		(b) In any section of the first printing of a bill or joint
4687	4688		resolution that proposes to amend an existing statute or
4688	4689		constitutional provision, language sought to be deleted must be
4689	4690		bracketed and stricken through, and language sought to be added
4690	4691		must be underlined. This requirement does not apply to:
4691	4692		(1) an appropriations bill;
4692	4693		(2) a local bill;
4693	4694		(3) a game bill;
4694	4695		(4) a recodification bill;
4695	4696		(5) a redistricting bill;
4696	4697		(6) a section of a bill or joint resolution not
4697	4698		purporting to amend an existing statute or constitutional
4698	4699		provision;
4699	4700		(7) a section of a bill or joint resolution that
4700	4701		revises the entire text of an existing statute or constitutional
4701	4702		provision, to the extent that it would confuse rather than clarify
4702	4703		to show deletions and additions; and
4703	4704		(8) a section of a bill or joint resolution providing
4704	4705		for severability, nonseverability, emergency, or repeal of an
4705	4706		existing statute or constitutional provision.
4706	4707		(c) The speaker may overrule a point of order raised as to a
4707	4708		violation of Subsection (b) of this section if the violation is
4708	4709		typographical or minor and does not tend to deceive or mislead.
4709	4710		(d) The requirement to provide a copy of a printing to each
4710	4711		member may be accomplished by making a copy of the printing
4711	4712		available in an electronic format for viewing by the member and,
4712	4713		when the electronic format copy of the appropriate printing becomes
4713	4714		available, sending notice of that fact to a Capitol e-mail address
4714	4715		designated by the member. If a member informs the chief clerk that
4715	4716		the member also desires to receive a paper copy of printings at
4716	4717		first, second, or third printing, the chief clerk shall place paper
4717	4718		copies of those printings designated by the member in the newspaper
4718	4719		box of the member as soon as practicable after the electronic copies
4719	4720		of the printings are made available for viewing.
4720	4721		(e) The provisions of Subsection (d) of this section
4721	4722		authorizing delivery of a printing by electronic means also apply
4722	4723		to any fiscal note, impact statement, analysis, or other item
4723	4724		required by these rules to be delivered or made available to each
4724	4725		member as an attachment to or in connection with the applicable
4725	4726		printing.
4726	4727		Sec. 2. LOCAL BILLS. Local bills shall not be reprinted
4727	4728		after the first printing except when ordered printed by a majority
4728	4729		vote of the house.
4729	4730		Sec. 3. CONCURRENT RESOLUTIONS. A concurrent resolution
4730	4731		shall be printed only if the resolution:
4731	4732		(1) grants permission to sue the state;
4732	4733		(2) memorializes Congress to take or to refrain from
4733	4734		taking certain action;
4734	4735		(3) sets legislative policy or declares legislative
4735	4736		intent;
4736	4737		(4) makes corrective changes in any bill, joint
4737	4738		resolution, or conference committee report;
4738	4739		(5) establishes or interprets policy for a state
4739	4740		agency, department, or political subdivision;
4740	4741		(6) establishes, modifies, or changes internal
4741	4742		procedures or administration of the legislature or any component
4742	4743		part thereof;
4743	4744		(7) proposes an amendment to the Joint Rules of the
4744	4745		Senate and the House of Representatives; or
4745	4746		(8) is ordered printed by a majority vote of the house.
4746	4747		Sec. 4. HOUSE RESOLUTIONS. A house resolution shall be
4747	4748		printed only if the resolution:
4748	4749		(1) proposes an amendment to the rules of the house;
4749	4750		(2) establishes, modifies, or changes the internal
4750	4751		procedures and administration of the house;
4751	4752		(3) establishes legislative policy or interprets
4752	4753		legislative intent; or
4753	4754		(4) is ordered printed by a majority of the house.
4754	4755		Sec. 5. ACCEPTABLE STANDARDS OF COMPLIANCE WITH PRINTING
4755	4756		REQUIREMENTS. Except for matter to be printed in the journal, all
4756	4757		requirements contained in the rules with respect to the printing of
4757	4758		bills, resolutions, reports, and other matters shall be considered
4758	4759		complied with if the material is adequately and properly reproduced
4759	4760		by any acceptable means of reproduction.
4760	4761		RULE 13. INTERACTIONS WITH THE GOVERNOR AND SENATE
4761	4762		CHAPTER A. MESSAGES
4762	4763		Sec. 1. MESSAGES FROM THE GOVERNOR. Messages and
4763	4764		communications from the governor shall be received when announced,
4764	4765		and shall be read on the calendar day received.
4765	4766		Sec. 2. MESSAGES FROM THE SENATE. (a) All messages from
4766	4767		the senate shall be received when announced. Senate bills
4767	4768		announced as passed shall be read for the first time and referred to
4768	4769		the appropriate committee as soon as practicable.
4769	4770		(b) Messages from the senate announcing amendments to house
4770	4771		bills and resolutions, nonconcurrence in house amendments to senate
4771	4772		bills and resolutions, requests for conference committees, reports
4772	4773		of conference committees, and all other matters of disagreement,
4773	4774		amendments, and requests between the two houses, shall go to the
4774	4775		speaker's desk in their regular order, but may be called up for
4775	4776		action by the house at any time as a privileged matter, yielding
4776	4777		only to a motion to adjourn.
4777	4778		CHAPTER B. SENATE AMENDMENTS
4778	4779		Sec. 3. HOUSE ACTION ON SENATE AMENDMENTS. When a bill,
4779	4780		resolution, or other matter is returned to the house with senate
4780	4781		amendments, the house may:
4781	4782		(1) agree to the amendments; or
4782	4783		(2) disagree to all of the amendments and ask for a
4783	4784		conference committee; or
4784	4785		(3) agree to one or more of the amendments and disagree
4785	4786		as to the remainder and request a conference committee to consider
4786	4787		those in disagreement; or
4787	4788		(4) agree to one or more and disagree as to the
4788	4789		remainder; or
4789	4790		(5) disagree to all amendments.
4790	4791		Sec. 4. ADOPTION OF SENATE AMENDMENTS FOR BILLS WITH
4791	4792		IMMEDIATE EFFECT. If a bill is to go into immediate effect, senate
4792	4793		amendments thereto must be adopted by a vote of two-thirds of the
4793	4794		elected membership of the house.
4794	4795		Sec. 5. PRINTING SENATE AMENDMENTS. (a) Senate amendments
4795	4796		to house bills and resolutions must be printed and copies provided
4796	4797		to the members at least 24 hours before any action can be taken
4797	4798		thereon by the house during a regular or special session.
4798	4799		(b) When a house bill or joint resolution, other than the
4799	4800		general appropriations bill, with senate amendments is returned to
4800	4801		the house, the chief clerk shall request the Legislative Budget
4801	4802		Board to prepare a fiscal note outlining the fiscal implications
4802	4803		and probable cost of the measure as impacted by the senate
4803	4804		amendments. A copy of the fiscal note shall be distributed with the
4804	4805		senate amendments on their printing before any action can be taken
4805	4806		on the senate amendments by the house.
4806	4807		(c) When a house bill or joint resolution, other than the
4807	4808		general appropriations bill, with senate amendments is returned to
4808	4809		the house, the chief clerk shall request the Texas Legislative
4809	4810		Council to prepare an analysis that describes the substantive
4810	4811		changes made to the house version of the bill by the senate
4811	4812		amendments. A copy of the council's analysis of senate amendments
4812	4813		shall be provided to the members electronically or as a printed copy
4813	4814		at least 12 hours before action is taken on the senate amendments by
4814	4815		the house. The Texas Legislative Council shall make all reasonable
4815	4816		efforts to timely provide the analysis in as accurate a form as time
4816	4817		allows. However, an unavoidable inability to provide the analysis
4817	4818		or an inadvertent error in the analysis is not subject to a point of
4818	4819		order.
4819	4820		(d) When a house bill or joint resolution for which a tax
4820	4821		equity note was required under Rule 4, Section 34(b)(5), is
4821	4822		returned to the house with senate amendments, the chief clerk shall
4822	4823		request the Legislative Budget Board to prepare a tax equity note
4823	4824		estimating the general effects of the senate amendments on the
4824	4825		distribution of tax and fee burdens among individuals and
4825	4826		businesses. A copy of the updated tax equity note shall be made
4826	4827		available to each member, in some format, before any vote on the
4827	4828		floor can be taken on the senate amendments by the house.
4828	4829		CHAPTER C. CONFERENCE COMMITTEES
4829	4830		Sec. 6. MEMBERSHIP AND OPERATION. (a) In all conferences
4830	4831		between the senate and the house by committee, the number of
4831	4832		committee members from each house shall be five. All votes on
4832	4833		matters of difference shall be taken by each committee separately.
4833	4834		A majority of each committee shall be required to determine the
4834	4835		matter in dispute. Reports by conference committees must be signed
4835	4836		by a majority of each committee of the conference.
4836	4837		(b) A copy of the report signed by a majority of each
4837	4838		committee of the conference must be furnished to each member of the
4838	4839		committee in person or if unable to deliver in person by placing a
4839	4840		copy in the member's newspaper mailbox at least one hour before the
4840	4841		report is furnished to each member of the house under Section 10(a)
4841	4842		of this rule. The paper copies of the report submitted to the chief
4842	4843		clerk under Section 10(b) of this rule must contain a certificate
4843	4844		that the requirement of this subsection has been satisfied, and
4844	4845		that certificate must be attached to the copy of the report
4845	4846		furnished to each member under Section 10(d) of this rule. Failure
4846	4847		to comply with this subsection is not subject to a point of order.
4847	4848		Sec. 7. MEETINGS. (a) House conferees when meeting with
4848	4849		senate conferees to adjust differences shall meet in public and
4849	4850		shall give a reasonable amount of notice of the meeting in the place
4850	4851		designated for giving notice of meetings of house standing
4851	4852		committees. Any such meeting shall be open to the news media. Any
4852	4853		conference committee report adopted in private shall not be
4853	4854		considered by the house.
4854	4855		(b) At a meeting of the conferees to adjust differences on
4855	4856		the general appropriations bill, the chair of the house conferees
4856	4857		may request the assistance of any house member who serves on the
4857	4858		appropriations committee.
4858	4859		Sec. 8. INSTRUCTIONS. Instructions to a conference
4859	4860		committee shall be made after the conference is ordered and before
4860	4861		the conferees are appointed by the speaker, and not thereafter.
4861	4862		Sec. 9. LIMITATIONS ON JURISDICTION. (a) Conference
4862	4863		committees shall limit their discussions and their actions solely
4863	4864		to the matters in disagreement between the two houses. A conference
4864	4865		committee shall have no authority with respect to any bill or
4865	4866		resolution:
4866	4867		(1) to change, alter, or amend text which is not in
4867	4868		disagreement;
4868	4869		(2) to omit text which is not in disagreement;
4869	4870		(3) to add text on any matter which is not in
4870	4871		disagreement;
4871	4872		(4) to add text on any matter which is not included in
4872	4873		either the house or senate version of the bill or resolution.
4873	4874		This rule shall be strictly construed by the presiding
4874	4875		officer in each house to achieve these purposes.
4875	4876		(b) Conference committees on appropriations bills, like
4876	4877		other conference committees, shall limit their discussions and
4877	4878		their actions solely to the matters in disagreement between the two
4878	4879		houses. In addition to the limitations contained elsewhere in the
4879	4880		rules, a conference committee on appropriations bills shall be
4880	4881		strictly limited in its authority as follows:
4881	4882		(1) If an item of appropriation appears in both house
4882	4883		and senate versions of the bill, the item must be included in the
4883	4884		conference committee report.
4884	4885		(2) If an item of appropriation appears in both house
4885	4886		and senate versions of the bill, and in identical amounts, no change
4886	4887		can be made in the item or the amount.
4887	4888		(3) If an item of appropriation appears in both house
4888	4889		and senate versions of the bill but in different amounts, no change
4889	4890		can be made in the item, but the amount shall be at the discretion of
4890	4891		the conference committee, provided that the amount shall not exceed
4891	4892		the larger version and shall not be less than the smaller version.
4892	4893		(4) If an item of appropriation appears in one version
4893	4894		of the bill and not in the other, the item can be included or omitted
4894	4895		at the discretion of the conference committee. If the item is
4895	4896		included, the amount shall not exceed the sum specified in the
4896	4897		version containing the item.
4897	4898		(5) If an item of appropriation appears in neither the
4898	4899		house nor the senate version of the bill, the item must not be
4899	4900		included in the conference committee report. However, the
4900	4901		conference committee report may include appropriations for
4901	4902		purposes or programs authorized by bills that have been passed and
4902	4903		sent to the governor and may include contingent appropriations for
4903	4904		purposes or programs authorized by bills that have been passed by at
4904	4905		least one house.
4905	4906		This rule shall be strictly construed by the presiding
4906	4907		officer in each house to achieve these purposes.
4907	4908		(c) Conference committees on tax bills, like other
4908	4909		conference committees, shall limit their discussions and their
4909	4910		actions solely to the matters in disagreement between the two
4910	4911		houses. In addition to the limitations contained elsewhere in the
4911	4912		rules, a conference committee on a tax bill shall be strictly
4912	4913		limited in its authority as follows:
4913	4914		(1) If a tax item appears in both house and senate
4914	4915		versions of the bill, the item must be included in the conference
4915	4916		committee report.
4916	4917		(2) If a tax item appears in both house and senate
4917	4918		versions of the bill, and in identical form and with identical
4918	4919		rates, no change can be made in the item or the rate provided.
4919	4920		(3) If a tax item appears in both house and senate
4920	4921		versions of the bill but at differing rates, no change can be made
4921	4922		in the item, but the rate shall be at the discretion of the
4922	4923		conference committee, provided that the rate shall not exceed the
4923	4924		higher version and shall not be less than the lower version.
4924	4925		(4) If a tax item appears in one version of the bill
4925	4926		and not in the other, the item can be included or omitted at the
4926	4927		discretion of the conference committee. If the item is included,
4927	4928		the rate shall not exceed the rate specified in the version
4928	4929		containing the item.
4929	4930		(5) If a tax item appears in neither the house nor the
4930	4931		senate version of the bill, the item must not be included in the
4931	4932		conference committee report.
4932	4933		This rule shall be strictly construed by the presiding
4933	4934		officer in each house to achieve these purposes.
4934	4935		(d) Conference committees on reapportionment bills, to the
4935	4936		extent possible, shall limit their discussions and their actions to
4936	4937		the matters in disagreement between the two houses. Since the
4937	4938		adjustment of one district in a reapportionment bill will
4938	4939		inevitably affect other districts, the strict rule of construction
4939	4940		imposed on other conference committees must be relaxed somewhat
4940	4941		when reapportionment bills are involved. Accordingly, the
4941	4942		following authority and limitations shall apply only to conference
4942	4943		committees on reapportionment bills:
4943	4944		(1) If the matters in disagreement affect only certain
4944	4945		districts, and other districts are identical in both house and
4945	4946		senate versions of the bill, the conference committee shall make
4946	4947		adjustments only in those districts whose rearrangement is
4947	4948		essential to the effective resolving of the matters in
4948	4949		disagreement. All other districts shall remain unchanged.
4949	4950		(2) If the matters in disagreement permeate the entire
4950	4951		bill and affect most, if not all, of the districts, the conference
4951	4952		committee shall have wide discretion in rearranging the districts
4952	4953		to the extent necessary to resolve all differences between the two
4953	4954		houses.
4954	4955		(3) Insofar as the actual structure of the districts
4955	4956		is concerned, and only to that extent, the provisions of Subsection
4956	4957		(a) of this section shall not apply to conference committees on
4957	4958		reapportionment bills.
4958	4959		(e) Conference committees on recodification bills, like
4959	4960		other conference committees, shall limit their discussions and
4960	4961		their actions solely to the matters in disagreement between the two
4961	4962		houses. The comprehensive and complicated nature of recodification
4962	4963		bills makes necessary the relaxing of the strict rule of
4963	4964		construction imposed on other conference committees only to the
4964	4965		following extent:
4965	4966		(1) If it develops in conference committee that
4966	4967		material has been inadvertently included in both house and senate
4967	4968		versions which properly has no place in the recodification, that
4968	4969		material may be omitted from the conference committee report, if by
4969	4970		that omission the existing statute is not repealed, altered, or
4970	4971		amended.
4971	4972		(2) If it develops in conference committee that
4972	4973		material has been inadvertently omitted from both the house and
4973	4974		senate versions which properly should be included if the
4974	4975		recodification is to achieve its purpose of being all-inclusive of
4975	4976		the statutes being recodified, that material may be added to the
4976	4977		conference committee report, if by the addition the existing
4977	4978		statute is merely restated without substantive change in existing
4978	4979		law.
4979	4980		(f) Limitations imposed on certain conference committees by
4980	4981		the provisions of this section may be suspended in part by
4981	4982		permission of the house to allow consideration of and action on a
4982	4983		specific matter or matters which otherwise would be prohibited.
4983	4984		Permission shall be granted only by resolution passed by majority
4984	4985		vote of the house. All such resolutions shall be privileged in
4985	4986		nature and need not be referred to a committee. The introduction of
4986	4987		such a resolution shall be announced from the house floor and the
4987	4988		resolution shall be eligible for consideration by the house:
4988	4989		(1) three hours after a copy of the resolution has been
4989	4990		distributed to each member; or
4990	4991		(2) for a resolution suspending limitations on a
4991	4992		conference committee considering the general appropriations bill,
4992	4993		48 hours in a regular session and 24 hours in a special session
4993	4994		after a copy of the resolution has been distributed to each member.
4994	4995		(g) The time at which the copies of such a resolution are
4995	4996		distributed to the members shall be time-stamped on the originals
4996	4997		of the resolution. The resolution shall specify in detail:
4997	4998		(1) the exact language of the matter or matters
4998	4999		proposed to be considered;
4999	5000		(2) the specific limitation or limitations to be
5000	5001		suspended;
5001	5002		(3) the specific action contemplated by the conference
5002	5003		committee;
5003	5004		(4) except for a resolution suspending the limitations
5004	5005		on the conferees for the general appropriations bill, the reasons
5005	5006		that suspension of the limitations is being requested; and
5006	5007		(5) a fiscal note distributed with the resolution
5007	5008		outlining the fiscal implications and probable cost of the items to
5008	5009		be included in the conference committee report that would otherwise
5009	5010		be prohibited but for the passage of the resolution.
5010	5011		(h) In the application of Subsection (g) of this section to
5011	5012		appropriations bills, the resolution:
5012	5013		(1) need not include changes in amounts resulting from
5013	5014		a proposed salary plan or changes in format that do not affect the
5014	5015		amount of an appropriation or the method of finance of an
5015	5016		appropriation, but shall include a general statement describing the
5016	5017		salary plan or format change;
5017	5018		(2) need not include differences in language which do
5018	5019		not affect the substance of the bill;
5019	5020		(3) if suspending a limitation imposed by Subsection
5020	5021		(b)(2), (3), (4), or (5) of this section, must specify the amount by
5021	5022		which the appropriation in the conference committee report is less
5022	5023		than or greater than the amount permitted for that item of
5023	5024		appropriation under Subsection (b) of this section; and
5024	5025		(4) shall be available in its entirety on the
5025	5026		electronic legislative information system that is accessible by the
5026	5027		general public.
5027	5028		(i) Permission granted by a resolution under Subsection (f)
5028	5029		of this section shall suspend the limitations only for the matter or
5029	5030		matters clearly specified in the resolution, and the action of the
5030	5031		conference committee shall be in conformity with the resolution.
5031	5032		Sec. 10. PRINTING AND DISTRIBUTION OF REPORTS. (a) A
5032	5033		conference committee report on the general appropriations bill must
5033	5034		be printed and a copy furnished to each member as provided by Rule
5034	5035		12, Section 1, at least 48 hours before action can be taken on the
5035	5036		report by the house during a regular session or at least 24 hours
5036	5037		before action can be taken by the house during a special session.
5037	5038		All other conference committee reports must be printed and a copy
5038	5039		furnished to each member as provided by Rule 12, Section 1, at least
5039	5040		24 hours before action can be taken on the report by the house
5040	5041		during a regular or special session.
5041	5042		(b) Three original copies of a conference committee report
5042	5043		shall be submitted to the chief clerk for printing. Each original
5043	5044		conference committee report shall contain the following:
5044	5045		(1) the signatures of the house conferees and senate
5045	5046		conferees who voted to adopt the conference committee report;
5046	5047		(2) the text of the bill or resolution as adopted by
5047	5048		the conference committee; and
5048	5049		(3) an analysis of the conference committee report as
5049	5050		required by Section 11 of this rule.
5050	5051		(c) Before action can be taken by the house on a conference
5051	5052		committee report on a bill or joint resolution, other than the
5052	5053		general appropriations bill, a fiscal note outlining the fiscal
5053	5054		implications and probable cost of the conference committee report
5054	5055		shall be submitted to the chief clerk, and a copy of the fiscal note
5055	5056		shall be distributed with the conference committee report on its
5056	5057		printing.
5057	5058		(d) Before a vote on the floor can be taken by the house on a
5058	5059		conference committee report on a bill or joint resolution for which
5059	5060		a tax equity note was required under Rule 4, Section 34(b)(5), a tax
5060	5061		equity note estimating the general effects of the conference
5061	5062		committee report on the distribution of tax and fee burdens among
5062	5063		individuals and businesses shall be submitted to the chief clerk,
5063	5064		and a copy of the tax equity note shall be made available to each
5064	5065		member.
5065	5066		Sec. 11. ANALYSIS OF REPORTS. (a) All reports of conference
5066	5067		committees shall include an analysis showing wherein the report
5067	5068		differs from the house and senate versions of the bill, resolution,
5068	5069		or other matter in disagreement. The analysis of appropriations
5069	5070		bills shall show in dollar amounts the differences between the
5070	5071		conference committee report and the house and senate versions. No
5071	5072		conference committee report shall be considered by the house unless
5072	5073		such an analysis has been prepared and distributed to each member.
5073	5074		(b) The analysis shall to the extent practical indicate any
5074	5075		instance wherein the conference committee in its report appears to
5075	5076		have exceeded the limitations imposed on its jurisdiction by
5076	5077		Section 9 of this rule. An analysis and the conference committee
5077	5078		report in which the analysis is included are not subject to a point
5078	5079		of order due to a failure to comply with this subsection or due to a
5079	5080		mistake made in complying with this subsection.
5080	5081		Sec. 12. CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS. A conference committee
5081	5082		report is not subject to amendment, but must be accepted or rejected
5082	5083		in its entirety. While a conference committee report is pending, a
5083	5084		motion to deal with individual amendments in disagreement is not in
5084	5085		order.
5085	5086		Sec. 13. WHEN REPORTS NOT ACCEPTABLE. When a conference
5086	5087		committee report is not acceptable to the house for any reason, it
5087	5088		may be recommitted to the same committee with the request for
5088	5089		further consideration, and the house may or may not give any
5089	5090		specific instructions on the report to the conference committee; or
5090	5091		the house may request the appointment by the senate of a new
5091	5092		conference committee and then proceed to empower the speaker to
5092	5093		name new conferees for the house.
5093	5094		RULE 14. GENERAL PROVISIONS
5094	5095		Sec. 1. WHEN RULES ARE SILENT. If the rules are silent or
5095	5096		inexplicit on any question of order or parliamentary practice, the
5096	5097		Rules of the House of Representatives of the United States
5097	5098		Congress, and its practice as reflected in published precedents,
5098	5099		and Mason's Manual of Legislative Procedure shall be considered as
5099	5100		authority.
5100	5101		Sec. 2. AMENDMENTS TO THE RULES. (a) Amendments to the
5101	5102		rules of the house shall be proposed by house resolutions which
5102	5103		shall be referred at once, without debate, to the Committee on House
5103	5104		Administration for study and recommendation.
5104	5105		(b) A resolution proposing an amendment to the rules shall
5105	5106		not be considered by the house until a printed copy of the
5106	5107		resolution has been provided to each member of the house at least 48
5107	5108		hours before consideration.
5108	5109		(c) Amendments to the rules shall require a majority vote of
5109	5110		the house for adoption.
5110	5111		Sec. 3. MOTION TO SUSPEND THE RULES. A motion to suspend
5111	5112		the rules shall be in order at any time, except when motions to
5112	5113		adjourn or recess are pending, even when the house is operating
5113	5114		under the previous question. A motion to "suspend all rules" shall
5114	5115		be sufficient to suspend every rule under which the house is
5115	5116		operating for a particular purpose except the provisions of the
5116	5117		constitution and the joint rules of the two houses. If the rules
5117	5118		have been suspended on a main motion for a given purpose, no other
5118	5119		motion to suspend the rules on a main motion shall be in order until
5119	5120		the original purpose has been accomplished.
5120	5121		Sec. 4. NOTICE OF PENDING MOTION TO SUSPEND THE RULES. It
5121	5122		shall not be in order to move to suspend the rules or the regular
5122	5123		order of business to take up a measure out of its regular order, and
5123	5124		the speaker shall not recognize anyone for either purpose, unless
5124	5125		the speaker has announced to the house in session that the speaker
5125	5126		would recognize a member for that purpose at least one hour before
5126	5127		the member is so recognized to make the motion. In making the
5127	5128		announcement to the house, the speaker shall advise the house of the
5128	5129		member's name and the bill number, and this information, together
5129	5130		with the time that the announcement was made, shall be entered in
5130	5131		the journal. This rule may be suspended only by unanimous consent.
5131	5132		Sec. 5. VOTE REQUIREMENTS FOR SUSPENSION. A standing rule
5132	5133		of the house may be suspended by an affirmative vote of two-thirds
5133	5134		of the members present. However, if a rule contains a specific
5134	5135		provision showing the vote by which that rule may be suspended, that
5135	5136		vote shall be required for the suspension of the rule. The specific
5136	5137		provision may not be suspended under the provisions of this
5137	5138		section.
5138	5139		Sec. 6. DISPOSAL OF MEASURES TAKEN UP UNDER SUSPENSION. Any
5139	5140		measure taken up under suspension and not disposed of on the same
5140	5141		day shall go over as pending or unfinished business to the next day
5141	5142		that the house is in session, and shall be considered thereafter
5142	5143		from day to day (except the days used for the consideration of
5143	5144		senate bills) until disposed of.
5144	5145		RULE 15. APPROPRIATE WORKPLACE CONDUCT
5145	5146		Sec. 1. STATEMENT OF POLICY. (a) The house finds that:
5146	5147		(1) a safe and professional environment in which each
5147	5148		individual is treated with respect is essential for conducting the
5148	5149		legislative business of Texas;
5149	5150		(2) harassment based on an individual's
5150	5151		characteristics and activity protected by law is inconsistent with
5151	5152		the necessary safe and professional environment; and
5152	5153		(3) there is a need for policies designed to prevent
5153	5154		harassment and to appropriately address it if it occurs.
5154	5155		(b) The house declares that all forms of harassment
5155	5156		prohibited by law (including harassment by the making of a
5156	5157		complaint of harassment or discrimination or by participating in
5157	5158		the investigation of a complaint) are against the policy of the
5158	5159		house.
5159	5160		(c) Members, officers, and employees of the house are
5160	5161		expected to promote public confidence in the integrity of the house
5161	5162		by:
5162	5163		(1) conducting themselves in a manner that is free of
5163	5164		harassment in each setting related to the service of the member,
5164	5165		officer, or employee; and
5165	5166		(2) reporting any harassment in the workplace of which
5166	5167		they have direct, personal knowledge.
5167	5168		(d) This rule is the policy on which the house relies for
5168	5169		guidance in promoting appropriate workplace conduct. This rule is
5169	5170		not intended to, and does not, create an independent cause of
5170	5171		action, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity,
5171	5172		by any party against:
5172	5173		(1) the house or its officers, employees, or agents;
5173	5174		(2) the State of Texas or its departments, agencies,
5174	5175		entities, officers, employees, or agents; or
5175	5176		(3) any other person.
5176	5177		RULE 16. SPECIAL RULE
5177	5178		CHAPTER A. GENERAL PROVISIONS
5178	5179		Sec. 1. PURPOSE; SCOPE; APPLICATION. (a) This rule is
5179	5180		adopted to ensure that the house is able to carry out its
5180	5181		legislative responsibilities under the Texas Constitution in the
5181	5182		event of disruptions caused by actual or imminent threat of an
5182	5183		emergency, including an epidemic or a pandemic.
5183	5184		(b) A section of this rule governs the procedure of the
5184	5185		house and its committees only when the section is activated as
5185	5186		provided by this rule.
5186	5187		(c) During the time a section of this rule is activated, the
5187	5188		provisions of that section prevail over a provision of Rules 1
5188	5189		through 15 to the extent of any conflict between the provisions.
5189	5190		(d) This chapter is not subject to deactivation under
5190	5191		Section 4 of this rule.
5191	5192		Sec. 2. INITIAL ACTIVATION. This rule is initially
5192	5193		activated in its entirety upon adoption of the permanent rules of
5193	5194		procedure of the House of Representatives for the 87th Legislature.
5194	5195		Sec. 3. REACTIVATION. (a) A section of this rule that has
5195	5196		been deactivated under this chapter may be reactivated only as
5196	5197		provided by this section.
5197	5198		(b) Reactivation of a section of this rule may occur only
5198	5199		if:
5199	5200		(1) a disaster has been declared and is currently in
5200	5201		effect in this state as the result of a declaration by:
5201	5202		(A) the president of the United States under the
5202	5203		Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42
5203	5204		U.S.C. Section 5121 et seq.), as amended, or other law;
5204	5205		(B) the governor under Chapter 418, Government
5205	5206		Code, or other law, including the Texas Constitution; or
5206	5207		(C) the governing body of a political subdivision
5207	5208		under Chapter 418, Government Code, or other law, including the
5208	5209		Texas Constitution; or
5209	5210		(2) a determination of a public health disaster has
5210	5211		been made and is currently in effect under Chapter 81, Health and
5211	5212		Safety Code, or other law by:
5212	5213		(A) the commissioner of state health services; or
5213	5214		(B) a local health authority.
5214	5215		(c) If the house is convened in regular or special session
5215	5216		and at least one condition listed in Subsection (b) of this section
5216	5217		has been met, the house may reactivate one or more sections of this
5217	5218		rule by resolution. A resolution proposed under this subsection is
5218	5219		subject to the provisions of Rule 14, Section 2, and must:
5219	5220		(1) identify the section or sections proposed to be
5220	5221		reactivated; and
5221	5222		(2) cite the authorities relied on to determine that
5222	5223		at least one condition listed in Subsection (b) of this section has
5223	5224		been met.
5224	5225		(d) If the house is not convened in a regular or special
5225	5226		session and at least one condition listed in Subsection (b) of this
5226	5227		section has been met, the Committee on House Administration may
5227	5228		reactivate one or more sections of this rule only by a vote of a
5228	5229		majority of the membership of the committee in a meeting of the
5229	5230		committee conducted in accordance with the rules. The notice of the
5230	5231		committee meeting must identify the section or sections of this
5231	5232		rule that are proposed to be reactivated and cite the authorities
5232	5233		relied on to determine that at least one condition listed in
5233	5234		Subsection (b) of this section has been met. The minutes of the
5234	5235		committee meeting must identify the section or sections of this
5235	5236		rule that were reactivated by the committee and cite the
5236	5237		authorities relied on to determine that at least one condition
5237	5238		listed in Subsection (b) of this section has been met.
5238	5239		Sec. 4. DEACTIVATION. (a) If the house is convened in a
5239	5240		regular or special session, a section of this rule may be
5240	5241		deactivated only by resolution. A resolution proposed under this
5241	5242		subsection is subject to the provisions of Rule 14, Section 2, and
5242	5243		must identify the section or sections of this rule to be
5243	5244		deactivated.
5244	5245		(b) If the house is not convened in a regular or special
5245	5246		session, the Committee on House Administration may deactivate one
5246	5247		or more sections of this rule. A section of this rule may be
5247	5248		deactivated only by a vote of a majority of the membership of the
5248	5249		committee in a meeting of the committee conducted in accordance
5249	5250		with the rules. The notice of the committee meeting must identify
5250	5251		the section or sections of this rule that are proposed to be
5251	5252		deactivated. The minutes of the committee meeting must identify
5252	5253		the section or sections of this rule that were deactivated by the
5253	5254		committee.
5254	5255		CHAPTER B. DUTIES AND RIGHTS OF THE SPEAKER
5255	5256		Sec. 5. A new Rule 1, Section 10A, relating to the
5256	5257		designation of a temporary chair, shall read as follows:
5257	5258		Rule 1, Sec. 10A. DESIGNATION OF ALTERNATE
5258	5259		TEMPORARY CHAIR. (a) If the speaker and permanent
5259	5260		speaker pro tempore are both unavailable for any
5260	5261		reason, the chair of the Committee on State Affairs is
5261	5262		authorized to convene the house and preside over its
5262	5263		deliberations.
5263	5264		(b) At any time, the speaker may provide a
5264	5265		written order to the chief clerk, with a copy to the
5265	5266		journal clerk, naming those members, in priority
5266	5267		order, authorized to call the house to order and
5267	5268		preside if the speaker, permanent speaker pro tempore,
5268	5269		and chair of the Committee on State Affairs are all
5269	5270		absent or unable to preside. If the speaker, permanent
5270	5271		speaker pro tempore, and chair of the Committee on
5271	5272		State Affairs are all unavailable for any reason, and
5272	5273		it becomes necessary for the house to convene pursuant
5273	5274		to an adjournment, recess, or other provision of the
5274	5275		constitution or other law, the chief clerk shall
5275	5276		contact the members, in the order listed on the
5276	5277		speaker's written order, until the chief clerk locates
5277	5278		a member who is available to convene and preside over
5278	5279		the deliberations of the house.
5279	5280		Sec. 6. Rule 1, Section 11, relating to emergency
5280	5281		adjournment, shall read as follows:
5281	5282		Rule 1, Sec. 11. EMERGENCY ADJOURNMENT. In the
5282	5283		event of an emergency of such compelling nature that
5283	5284		the speaker must adjourn the house without fixing a
5284	5285		date and hour of reconvening, the speaker shall have
5285	5286		authority, subject to the provisions of Section 17,
5286	5287		Article III, Texas Constitution, to determine the date
5287	5288		and hour of reconvening and to notify the members of
5288	5289		the house by any means the speaker considers adequate.
5289	5290		Should the speaker be disabled or otherwise unable to
5290	5291		exercise these emergency powers, the permanent speaker
5291	5292		pro tempore, if one has been named, shall have
5292	5293		authority to act. If there is no permanent speaker pro
5293	5294		tempore, or if that officer is unable to act, authority
5294	5295		shall be exercised by one of the following members, in
5295	5296		the order listed below [the chair of the Committee on
5296	5297		State Affairs], who shall preside until the house can
5297	5298		proceed to the selection of a temporary presiding
5298	5299		officer to function until the speaker or the speaker
5299	5300		pro tempore is again able to exercise the duties and
5300	5301		responsibilities of the office:
5301	5302		(1) the chair of the Committee on State
5302	5303		Affairs; or
5303	5304		(2) the first available member on the
5304	5305		speaker's written order filed with the chief clerk
5305	5306		under Section 10A of this rule.
5306	5307		Sec. 7. Rule 1, Section 12, relating to postponement of
5307	5308		reconvening, shall read as follows:
5308	5309		Rule 1, Sec. 12. POSTPONEMENT OF RECONVENING.
5309	5310		When the house is not in session, if the speaker
5310	5311		determines that it would be a hazard to the safety of
5311	5312		the members, officers, employees, and others attending
5312	5313		the legislature to reconvene at the time determined by
5313	5314		the house at its last sitting, the speaker may clear
5314	5315		the area of the capitol under the control of the house
5315	5316		and, subject to the provisions of Section 17, Article
5316	5317		III, Texas Constitution, postpone the reconvening of
5317	5318		the house for a period of not more than three calendar
5318	5319		days, not including Sundays [12 hours]. On making that
5319	5320		determination, the speaker shall order the
5320	5321		sergeant-at-arms to post an assistant at each first
5321	5322		floor entrance to the capitol and other places and
5322	5323		advise all persons entering of the determination and
5323	5324		the time set for the house to reconvene. The speaker
5324	5325		shall also notify the journal clerk and the news media
5325	5326		of the action, and the action shall be entered in the
5326	5327		house journal. If the speaker is unavailable or unable
5327	5328		to act, the authority to postpone reconvening under
5328	5329		this section may be exercised by one of the following
5329	5330		members, in the order listed below:
5330	5331		(1) the permanent speaker pro tempore;
5331	5332		(2) the chair of the Committee on State
5332	5333		Affairs; or
5333	5334		(3) the first available member on the
5334	5335		speaker's written order filed with the chief clerk
5335	5336		under Section 10A of this rule.
5336	5337		CHAPTER C. OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES
5337	5338		[RESERVED FOR EXPANSION]
5338	5339		CHAPTER D. ORGANIZATION, POWERS, AND DUTIES OF COMMITTEES
5339	5340		Sec. 8. A new Rule 4, Section 8A, relating to required face
5340	5341		masks during committee meetings, shall read as follows:
5341	5342		Rule 4, Sec. 8A. FACE MASKS REQUIRED FOR
5342	5343		COMMITTEE MEETINGS. Each person admitted to a meeting
5343	5344		room for the purpose of participating in or attending a
5344	5345		committee or subcommittee meeting is required to wear
5345	5346		at all times a face mask that complies with the
5346	5347		recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and
5347	5348		Prevention. A member of the house or a witness may
5348	5349		temporarily remove the person's face mask only while
5349	5350		speaking from a microphone on the dais or the witness
5350	5351		podium. An officer or employee of the house may
5351	5352		temporarily remove the person's face mask only while
5352	5353		speaking from a microphone or as directed by the chair.
5353	5354		If the Committee on House Administration has installed
5354	5355		clear barriers that comply with epidemiological best
5355	5356		practices on the dais in a meeting room, a member,
5356	5357		officer, or employee may remove the person's face mask
5357	5358		when the person is protected by the barriers if other
5358	5359		persons who are not protected by the barriers are at
5359	5360		least six feet away from the member, officer, or
5360	5361		employee.
5361	5362		Sec. 9. Rule 4, Section 11, and new Rule 4, Section 11A,
5362	5363		relating to posting notice of committee meetings, shall read as
5363	5364		follows:
5364	5365		Rule 4, Sec. 11. POSTING NOTICE. (a) No
5365	5366		committee or subcommittee, including a calendars
5366	5367		committee, shall assemble for the purpose of a public
5367	5368		hearing during a regular session unless notice of the
5368	5369		hearing has been posted in accordance with the rules at
5369	5370		least five calendar days in advance of the hearing. No
5370	5371		committee or subcommittee, including a calendars
5371	5372		committee, shall assemble for the purpose of a public
5372	5373		hearing during a special session unless notice of the
5373	5374		hearing has been posted in accordance with the rules at
5374	5375		least 24 hours in advance of the hearing. The committee
5375	5376		minutes shall reflect the date of each posting of
5376	5377		notice. Notice shall not be required for a public
5377	5378		hearing or a formal meeting on a senate bill which is
5378	5379		substantially the same as a house bill that has
5379	5380		previously been the subject of a duly posted public
5380	5381		hearing by the committee.
5381	5382		(b) No committee or subcommittee, including a
5382	5383		calendars committee, shall assemble for the purpose of
5383	5384		a formal meeting or work session during a regular or
5384	5385		special session unless written notice has been posted
5385	5386		and transmitted to each member of the committee two
5386	5387		hours in advance of the meeting or an announcement has
5387	5388		been filed with the journal clerk and read by the
5388	5389		reading clerk while the house is in session at least 30
5389	5390		minutes in advance of the meeting.
5390	5391		(c) All committees meeting during the interim
5391	5392		for the purpose of a formal meeting, work session, or
5392	5393		public hearing shall post notice in accordance with
5393	5394		the rules and notify members of the committee at least
5394	5395		five calendar days in advance of the meeting.
5395	5396		Rule 4, Sec. 11A. CONTENTS OF NOTICE. In
5396	5397		addition to other information required by the rules,
5397	5398		the notice of a committee meeting must include:
5398	5399		(1) instructions, or a link to
5399	5400		instructions on the house's Internet website, related
5400	5401		to public access to the meeting location and health and
5401	5402		safety protocols for attending the meeting;
5402	5403		(2) for a meeting that will be video
5403	5404		broadcast under Section 12A of this rule, the link to
5404	5405		that broadcast on the house's Internet website; and
5405	5406		(3) for a public hearing, instructions, or
5406	5407		a link to instructions on the house's Internet website,
5407	5408		for individuals who wish to:
5408	5409		(A) testify in person at the hearing;
5409	5410		or
5410	5411		(B) electronically submit public
5411	5412		comments without testifying.
5412	5413		Sec. 10. A new Rule 4, Section 12A, relating to public
5413	5414		access to committee meetings, shall read as follows:
5414	5415		Rule 4, Sec. 12A. PUBLIC ACCESS TO COMMITTEE
5415	5416		MEETINGS. The requirement for all meetings of a
5416	5417		committee or subcommittee to be open to other members,
5417	5418		the press, and the public may be satisfied by video
5418	5419		broadcasting the meeting in real time through the
5419	5420		Internet. The video broadcast must be accessible from
5420	5421		a link on the house's Internet website.
5421	5422		Sec. 11. A new Rule 4, Section 16A, relating to quorum
5422	5423		requirements for taking testimony, shall read as follows:
5423	5424		Rule 4, Sec. 16A. QUORUM REQUIREMENTS FOR
5424	5425		TAKING TESTIMONY. Two members of a committee shall
5425	5426		constitute a quorum for the sole purpose of taking
5426	5427		testimony during a public hearing. Any other
5427	5428		committee member may participate in the public hearing
5428	5429		through an Internet or other videoconferencing system
5429	5430		if two-way communication has been enabled to allow all
5430	5431		committee members to be clearly visible and audible to
5431		-	each other and clearly audible to the testifying
5432		-	witness.
5433		-	Sec. 12. A new Rule 4, Section 20A, relating to invited
	5432	+	each other and to the testifying witness.
	5433	+	Sec. 12. A new Rule 4, Section 18B, relating to the content
	5434	+	of committee minutes, shall read as follows:
	5435	+	Rule 4, Sec. 18B. MODIFIED CONTENT OF COMMITTEE
	5436	+	MINUTES. The attachment to the minutes required under
	5437	+	Section 18(b) of this rule is not required to include
	5438	+	the names of persons who submitted a sworn statement
	5439	+	and were not recognized by the chair to address the
	5440	+	committee.
	5441	+	Sec. 13. A new Rule 4, Section 20A, relating to invited
5434	5442		testimony, and a new Rule 4, Section 20B, relating to public
5435	5443		comments, shall read as follows:
5436		-	Rule 4, Sec. 20A. INVITED TESTIMONY. When
	5444	+	Rule 4, Sec. 20A. INVITED TESTIMONY. (a) When
5437	5445		inviting witnesses to testify at a public hearing in
5438	5446		the manner described by Section 20(g) of this rule, the
5439		-	chair of a committee or subcommittee shall make a
5440		-	reasonable effort to invite witnesses representing
5441		-	different viewpoints on the measures and other matters
5442		-	scheduled for a public hearing.
	5447	+	chair of a committee shall:
	5448	+	(1) make a reasonable effort to invite
	5449	+	witnesses representing different viewpoints on the
	5450	+	measures and other matters scheduled for a public
	5451	+	hearing; and
	5452	+	(2) comply with a request to extend a
	5453	+	witness invitation if the request meets the
	5454	+	requirements of Subsections (b) and (c) of this
	5455	+	section.
	5456	+	(b) Members of a committee may submit a request
	5457	+	to the chair to extend an invitation to not more than
	5458	+	two witnesses to testify on a particular measure or
	5459	+	matter at a public hearing in the manner described by
	5460	+	Section 20(g) of this rule. A member of a committee
	5461	+	may not sign a request for more than two witnesses for
	5462	+	a particular measure or matter scheduled for a public
	5463	+	hearing.
	5464	+	(c) A request made under Subsection (b) of this
	5465	+	section must be:
	5466	+	(1) submitted to the chair at least 24
	5467	+	hours before the scheduled time of the public hearing;
	5468	+	and
	5469	+	(2) signed by the requisite number of
	5470	+	committee members:
	5471	+	(A) two members of a committee
	5472	+	consisting of fewer than nine members;
	5473	+	(B) three members of a committee
	5474	+	consisting of nine members;
	5475	+	(C) four members of a committee
	5476	+	consisting of more than nine but fewer than 15
	5477	+	members; and
	5478	+	(D) five members of a committee
	5479	+	consisting of 15 or more members.
	5480	+	(d) The provisions of this section apply to the
	5481	+	operations of subcommittees.
5443	5482		Rule 4, Sec. 20B. PUBLIC COMMENTS. For each
5444	5483		public hearing scheduled, the chair of the committee
5445	5484		must allow persons domiciled in this state to
5446	5485		electronically submit comments to the committee that
5447	5486		relate to the measures or matters included on the
5448	5487		notice for the public hearing. The Committee on House
5449	5488		Administration shall establish a standard process for
5450	5489		the electronic submission and posting of public
5451	5490		comments submitted to house committees.
	5491	+	Sec. 14. A new Rule 4, Section 32A, relating to the form of
	5492	+	committee reports, shall read as follows:
	5493	+	Rule 4, Sec. 32A. MODIFIED CONTENT OF COMMITTEE
	5494	+	REPORT. The list required to be included in the
	5495	+	committee report under Section 32(b)(10) of this rule
	5496	+	is not required to include the names of persons who
	5497	+	submitted a sworn statement and were not recognized by
	5498	+	the chair to address the committee.
5452	5499		CHAPTER E. FLOOR PROCEDURE
5453		-	Sec. 13. Rule 5, Sections 11 and 12, and new Rule 5, Section
	5500	+	Sec. 15. Rule 5, Sections 11 and 12, and new Rule 5, Section
5454	5501		20A, relating to admission privileges of accredited media, shall
5455	5502		read as follows:
5456	5503		Rule 5, Sec. 11. PRIVILEGES OF THE HOUSE FLOOR.
5457	5504		Only the following persons shall be entitled to the
5458	5505		privileges of the floor of the house when the house is
5459	5506		in session: members of the house; employees of the
5460	5507		house when performing their official duties as
5461	5508		determined by the Committee on House Administration;
5462	5509		members of the senate; employees of the senate when
5463	5510		performing their official duties; the Governor of
5464	5511		Texas and the governor's chief of staff and director of
5465	5512		legislative affairs; the lieutenant governor; the
5466	5513		secretary of state; duly accredited media
5467	5514		representatives only as permitted by Section 20(f) of
5468	5515		this rule; contestants in election cases pending
5469	5516		before the house; and immediate families of the
5470	5517		members of the legislature on such special occasions
5471	5518		as may be determined by the Committee on House
5472	5519		Administration.
5473	5520		Rule 5, Sec. 12. ADMITTANCE WITHIN THE RAILING.
5474	5521		Only the following persons shall be admitted to the
5475	5522		area on the floor of the house enclosed by the railing
5476	5523		when the house is in session: members of the house;
5477	5524		members of the senate; the governor; the lieutenant
5478	5525		governor; officers and employees of the senate and
5479	5526		house when those officers and employees are actually
5480	5527		engaged in performing their official duties as
5481	5528		determined by the Committee on House Administration;
5482	5529		and spouses of members of the house on such occasions
5483	5530		as may be determined by the Committee on House
5484	5531		Administration [; and, within the area specifically
5485	5532		designated for media representatives, duly accredited
5486	5533		media representatives as permitted by Section 20 of
5487	5534		this rule].
5488	5535		Rule 5, Sec. 20A. MEDIA ACCESS TO HOUSE CHAMBER
5489	5536		UNDER RULE 16. (a) When the house is in session, an
5490	5537		accredited media representative:
5491	5538		(1) is entitled to admission to that
5492	5539		portion of the gallery specifically designated for
5493	5540		media representatives, subject to available seating;
5494	5541		and
5495	5542		(2) is not entitled to admission to the
5496	5543		floor of the house or allowed its privileges, except as
5497	5544		permitted by Section 20(f) of this rule.
5498	5545		(b) A pass card issued under Section 20 of this
5499	5546		rule must be presented to the sergeant-at-arms each
5500	5547		time the media representative seeks admission to that
5501	5548		portion of the gallery specifically designated for
5502	5549		media representatives. Media representatives
5503	5550		admitted to that portion of the gallery specifically
5504	5551		designated for media representatives pursuant to the
5505	5552		provisions of this section shall work in seats
5506	5553		designated by the Committee on House Administration
5507	5554		for use by accredited media representatives.
5508		-	Sec. 14. A new Rule 5, Section 19A, relating to face masks
	5555	+	Sec. 16. A new Rule 5, Section 19A, relating to face masks
5509	5556		during floor sessions, shall read as follows:
5510	5557		Rule 5, Sec. 19A. FACE MASKS REQUIRED DURING
5511	5558		FLOOR SESSIONS. Each person admitted to the house
5512	5559		floor or gallery for the purpose of participating in,
5513	5560		attending, providing support for, or observing house
5514	5561		proceedings is required to wear at all times a face
5515	5562		mask that complies with the recommendations of the
5516	5563		Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A member
5517	5564		of the house may temporarily remove the member's face
5518	5565		mask only while speaking from the front or back
5519	5566		microphone. An officer or employee of the house or
5520	5567		senate may temporarily remove the person's face mask
5521	5568		only while speaking from the front or back microphone
5522	5569		or as directed by the presiding officer. The speaker,
5523	5570		or a member presiding under Rule 1, may temporarily
5524	5571		remove the person's face mask only while speaking from
5525	5572		the microphone at the speaker's desk.
5526		-	Sec. 15. Rule 5, Section 40, relating to recording votes on
	5573	+	Sec. 17. Rule 5, Section 40, relating to recording votes on
5527	5574		the voting machine, shall read as follows:
5528	5575		Rule 5, Sec. 40. RECORDING ALL VOTES ON VOTING
5529	5576		MACHINE. On all votes, except viva voce votes,
5530	5577		members shall record their votes on the voting machine
5531	5578		and shall not be recognized by the chair to cast their
5532	5579		votes from the floor or gallery. If a member attempts
5533	5580		to vote from the floor or gallery, the speaker shall
5534	5581		sustain a point of order directed against the member's
5535	5582		so doing. This rule shall not be applicable to the
5536	5583		mover or the principal opponent of the proposition
5537	5584		being voted on nor to a member whose voting machine is
5538	5585		out of order. If a member demands strict enforcement of
5539	5586		this section, Section 47 of this rule shall not apply
5540	5587		to the taking of a vote, and the house may discipline a
5541	5588		member in violation of this rule pursuant to its
5542	5589		inherent authority. As used in these rules, the term
5543	5590		"voting machine" includes a device issued to a member
5544	5591		by the Texas Legislative Council and configured to
5545	5592		provide access to a secure website through which the
5546	5593		member, when present in the house under Section 45 of
5547	5594		this rule, may:
5548	5595		(1) register presence during a
5549	5596		registration; or
5550	5597		(2) cast a vote during a division or record
5551	5598		vote.
5552		-	Sec. 16. Rule 5, Section 45, relating to areas from which
	5599	+	Sec. 18. Rule 5, Section 45, relating to areas from which
5553	5600		voting is allowed, shall read as follows:
5554	5601		Rule 5, Sec. 45. PRESENCE IN HOUSE REQUIRED IN
5555	5602		ORDER TO VOTE. A member must be on the floor of the
5556	5603		house, in the house gallery, or in an adjacent room or
5557	5604		hallway on the same level as the house floor or
5558	5605		gallery, in order to vote.
5559	5606		CHAPTER F. ORDER OF BUSINESS AND CALENDARS
5560		-	Sec. 17. Rule 6, Section 1, relating to the daily order of
	5607	+	Sec. 19. Rule 6, Section 1, relating to the daily order of
5561	5608		business, shall read as follows:
5562	5609		Rule 6, Sec. 1. DAILY ORDER OF BUSINESS. (a)
5563	5610		When the house convenes on a new legislative day, the
5564	5611		daily order of business shall be as follows:
5565	5612		(1) Call to order by speaker.
5566	5613		(2) Registration of members.
5567	5614		(3) Prayer [by chaplain], unless the
5568	5615		invocation has been given previously on the particular
5569	5616		calendar day.
5570	5617		(4) Pledge of allegiance to the United
5571	5618		States flag.
5572	5619		(5) Pledge of allegiance to the Texas
5573	5620		flag.
5574	5621		(6) Excuses for absence of members and
5575	5622		officers.
5576	5623		(7) First reading and reference to
5577	5624		committee of bills filed with the chief clerk; and
5578	5625		motions to introduce bills, when such motions are
5579	5626		required.
5580	5627		(8) Requests to print bills and other
5581	5628		papers; requests of committees for further time to
5582	5629		consider papers referred to them; and all other
5583	5630		routine motions and business not otherwise provided
5584	5631		for, all of which shall be undebatable except that the
5585	5632		mover and one opponent of the motion shall be allowed
5586	5633		three minutes each.
5587	5634		The mover of a routine motion shall be allowed his
5588	5635		or her choice of making the opening or the closing
5589	5636		speech under this rule. If the house, under a
5590	5637		suspension of the rules, extends the time of a member
5591	5638		under this rule, such extensions shall be for three
5592	5639		minutes. Subsidiary motions that are applicable to
5593	5640		routine motions shall be in order, but the makers of
5594	5641		such subsidiary motions shall not be entitled to speak
5595	5642		thereon in the routine motion period, nor shall the
5596	5643		authors of the original routine motions be allowed any
5597	5644		additional time because of subsidiary motions.
5598	5645		(9) Unfinished business.
5599	5646		(10) Third reading calendars of the house
5600	5647		in their order of priority in accordance with Section 7
5601	5648		of this rule, unless a different order is determined
5602	5649		under other provisions of these rules.
5603	5650		(11) Postponed matters to be laid before
5604	5651		the house in accordance with Rule 7, Section 15.
5605	5652		(12) Second reading calendars of the
5606	5653		house in their order of priority in accordance with
5607	5654		Section 7 of this rule, unless a different order is
5608	5655		determined under other provisions of these rules.
5609	5656		(13) First reading and reference to
5610	5657		committee of bills filed with the chief clerk; and
5611	5658		motions to introduce bills, when such motions are
5612	5659		required.
5613	5660		(b) When the house reconvenes for the first time
5614	5661		on a new calendar day following a recess, the daily
5615	5662		order of business shall be:
5616	5663		(1) Call to order by the speaker.
5617	5664		(2) [Registration of members.
5618	5665		[(3)] Prayer [by the chaplain].
5619	5666		(3) [(4)] Pledge of allegiance to the
5620	5667		United States flag.
5621	5668		(4) [(5)] Pledge of allegiance to the
5622	5669		Texas flag.
5623	5670		(5) [(6)] Excuses for absence of members
5624	5671		and officers.
5625	5672		(6) Requests to print bills and other
5626	5673		papers; requests of committees for further time to
5627	5674		consider papers referred to them; and all other
5628	5675		routine motions and business not otherwise provided
5629	5676		for, all of which shall be undebatable except that the
5630	5677		mover and one opponent of the motion shall be allowed
5631	5678		three minutes each.
5632	5679		The mover of a routine motion shall be allowed his
5633	5680		or her choice of making the opening or the closing
5634	5681		speech under this rule. If the house, under a
5635	5682		suspension of the rules, extends the time of a member
5636	5683		under this rule, such extensions shall be for three
5637	5684		minutes. Subsidiary motions that are applicable to
5638	5685		routine motions shall be in order, but the makers of
5639	5686		such subsidiary motions shall not be entitled to speak
5640	5687		thereon in the routine motion period, nor shall the
5641	5688		authors of the original routine motions be allowed any
5642	5689		additional time because of subsidiary motions.
5643	5690		(7) Pending business.
5644	5691		(8) Calendars of the house in their order
5645	5692		of priority in accordance with Section 7 of this rule,
5646	5693		unless a different order is determined under other
5647	5694		provisions of these rules.
5648	5695		(9) First reading and reference to
5649	5696		committee of bills filed with the chief clerk; and
5650	5697		motions to introduce bills, when such motions are
5651	5698		required.
	5699	+	Sec. 20. Rule 6, Section 7, relating to the system of
	5700	+	calendars, and a new Rule 6, Section 7A, relating to consideration
	5701	+	of the consensus calendar, shall read as follows:
	5702	+	Rule 6, Sec. 7. SYSTEM OF CALENDARS. (a)
	5703	+	Legislative business of the house shall be controlled
	5704	+	by a system of calendars, consisting of the following:
	5705	+	(1) EMERGENCY CALENDAR, on which shall
	5706	+	appear bills considered to be of such pressing and
	5707	+	imperative import as to demand immediate action, bills
	5708	+	to raise revenue and levy taxes, and the general
	5709	+	appropriations bill. A bill submitted as an emergency
	5710	+	matter by the governor may also be placed on this
	5711	+	calendar.
	5712	+	(1-a) CONSENSUS CALENDAR, on which shall
	5713	+	appear bills, not emergency in nature, that were not
	5714	+	recommended by the appropriate standing committee for
	5715	+	placement on the local, consent, and resolutions
	5716	+	calendar and that, in the opinion of the Committee on
	5717	+	Calendars, can be considered expeditiously with
	5718	+	limited debate.
	5719	+	(2) MAJOR STATE CALENDAR, on which shall
	5720	+	appear bills of statewide effect, not emergency in
	5721	+	nature, which establish or change state policy in a
	5722	+	major field of governmental activity and which will
	5723	+	have a major impact in application throughout the
	5724	+	state without regard to class, area, or other limiting
	5725	+	factors.
	5726	+	(3) CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS CALENDAR,
	5727	+	on which shall appear joint resolutions proposing
	5728	+	amendments to the Texas Constitution, joint
	5729	+	resolutions proposing the ratification of amendments
	5730	+	to the Constitution of the United States, and joint
	5731	+	resolutions applying to Congress for a convention to
	5732	+	amend the Constitution of the United States.
	5733	+	(4) GENERAL STATE CALENDAR, on which shall
	5734	+	appear bills of statewide effect, not emergency in
	5735	+	nature, which establish or change state law and which
	5736	+	have application to all areas but are limited in legal
	5737	+	effect by classification or other factors which
	5738	+	minimize the impact to something less than major state
	5739	+	policy, and bills, not emergency in nature, which are
	5740	+	not on the local, consent, and resolutions calendar.
	5741	+	(5) LOCAL, CONSENT, AND RESOLUTIONS
	5742	+	CALENDAR, on which shall appear bills, house
	5743	+	resolutions, and concurrent resolutions, not
	5744	+	emergency in nature, regardless of extent and scope,
	5745	+	on which there is such general agreement as to render
	5746	+	improbable any opposition to the consideration and
	5747	+	passage thereof, and which have been recommended by
	5748	+	the appropriate standing committee for placement on
	5749	+	the local, consent, and resolutions calendar by the
	5750	+	Committee on Local and Consent Calendars.
	5751	+	(6) RESOLUTIONS CALENDAR, on which shall
	5752	+	appear house resolutions and concurrent resolutions,
	5753	+	not emergency in nature and not privileged.
	5754	+	(7) CONGRATULATORY AND MEMORIAL
	5755	+	RESOLUTIONS CALENDAR, on which shall appear
	5756	+	congratulatory and memorial resolutions whose sole
	5757	+	intent is to congratulate, memorialize, or otherwise
	5758	+	express concern or commendation. The Committee on
	5759	+	Resolutions Calendars may provide separate categories
	5760	+	for congratulatory and memorial resolutions.
	5761	+	(b) A calendars committee shall strictly
	5762	+	construe and the speaker shall strictly enforce this
	5763	+	system of calendars.
	5764	+	Rule 6, Sec. 7A. PROCEDURE FOR CONSIDERATION OF
	5765	+	BILLS PLACED ON A CONSENSUS CALENDAR. During the
	5766	+	consideration of a bill placed on the consensus
	5767	+	calendar, the following procedures shall be observed:
	5768	+	(1) All speeches shall be limited to three
	5769	+	minutes in duration and shall not be extended. The
	5770	+	speaker shall call the members to order at the
	5771	+	expiration of their time. The time limits established
	5772	+	by this subdivision shall include time consumed in
	5773	+	yielding to questions from the floor.
	5774	+	(2) An amendment to a bill placed on the
	5775	+	consensus calendar shall not be in order during second
	5776	+	reading consideration of the bill unless the amendment
	5777	+	has first been submitted to and approved by the
	5778	+	Committee on Calendars, which shall be noted thereon
	5779	+	by the chair of the Committee on Calendars prior to the
	5780	+	offering of the amendment.
5652	5781		CHAPTER G. MOTIONS
5653	5782		[RESERVED FOR EXPANSION]
5654	5783		CHAPTER H. BILLS
5655		-	Sec. 18. Rule 8, Section 14, relating to distribution of
	5784	+	Sec. 21. Rule 8, Section 14, relating to distribution of
5656	5785		committee reports, shall read as follows:
5657	5786		Rule 8, Sec. 14. DELIVERY PRIOR TO
5658	5787		CONSIDERATION. (a) Each bill or resolution, except
5659	5788		the general appropriations bill, shall be delivered to
5660	5789		each member by making a copy of the bill or resolution
5661	5790		available in an electronic format for viewing by the
5662	5791		member and, when the electronic format copy of the
5663	5792		appropriate printing becomes available, by sending
5664	5793		notice of that fact to a Capitol e-mail address
5665	5794		designated by the member, at least 36 hours if convened
5666	5795		in regular session and 24 hours if convened in special
5667	5796		session before the bill can be considered by the house
5668	5797		on second reading. If a member informs the chief clerk
5669	5798		in writing that the member desires to receive paper
5670	5799		copies of bills and resolutions under this section in
5671	5800		addition to delivery in an electronic format, the
5672	5801		chief clerk shall place a paper copy of the bill or
5673	5802		resolution in the newspaper box of the member as soon
5674	5803		as practicable after the electronic copies of the bill
5675	5804		or resolution are made available for viewing.
5676	5805		(a-1) At [A printed copy of the general
5677	5806		appropriations bill shall be placed in the newspaper
5678	5807		mailbox of each member at] least 168 hours during a
5679	5808		regular session and at least 72 hours during a special
5680	5809		session before the general appropriations bill can be
5681	5810		considered by the house on second reading:
5682	5811		(1) a copy of the bill must be made
5683	5812		available to each member in an electronic format; and
5684	5813		(2) notice of availability of the
5685	5814		electronic format of the bill must be sent to the
5686	5815		Capitol e-mail address designated by each member under
5687	5816		Subsection (a) of this section.
5688	5817		(a-2) A printed copy of the general
5689	5818		appropriations bill shall be placed in the newspaper
5690	5819		mailbox of each member as soon as practicable after the
5691	5820		requirements of Subsection (a-1) of this section have
5692	5821		been met.
5693	5822		(b) By majority vote, the house may order both
5694	5823		the original bill or resolution and the complete
5695	5824		committee substitute to be printed. It shall not be
5696	5825		necessary for the house to order complete committee
5697	5826		substitutes printed in lieu of original bills.
5698	5827		(c) A two-thirds vote of the house is necessary
5699	5828		to order that bills, other than local bills, be not
5700	5829		printed. It shall not be necessary for the house to
5701	5830		order that local bills be not printed.
5702	5831		CHAPTER I. JOINT RESOLUTIONS
5703	5832		[RESERVED FOR EXPANSION]
5704	5833		CHAPTER J. HOUSE RESOLUTIONS AND CONCURRENT RESOLUTIONS
5705	5834		[RESERVED FOR EXPANSION]
5706	5835		CHAPTER K. AMENDMENTS
5707		-	[RESERVED FOR EXPANSION]
	5836	+	Sec. 22. A new Rule 11, Section 6A, relating to the required
	5837	+	prefiling of certain amendments, shall read as follows:
	5838	+	Rule 11, Sec. 6A. FILING OF AMENDMENTS TO BILLS
	5839	+	ON THE EMERGENCY OR MAJOR STATE CALENDAR. The speaker
	5840	+	shall not recognize a member to offer an original
	5841	+	amendment to a bill on second reading that appears on
	5842	+	the emergency calendar or major state calendar unless
	5843	+	the amendment has been provided to the chief clerk, in
	5844	+	a manner determined by the chief clerk under the
	5845	+	direction of the Committee on House Administration,
	5846	+	and was available in the chief clerk's office at least
	5847	+	12 hours prior to the time the calendar on which the
	5848	+	bill to be amended is eligible for consideration. This
	5849	+	section does not apply to an amendment that is subject
	5850	+	to Section 6(g) or (h) of this rule.
5708	5851		CHAPTER L. PRINTING
5709	5852		[RESERVED FOR EXPANSION]
5710	5853		CHAPTER M. INTERACTIONS WITH THE GOVERNOR AND SENATE
5711	5854		[RESERVED FOR EXPANSION]
5712	5855		CHAPTER N. GENERAL PROVISIONS
5713	5856		[RESERVED FOR EXPANSION]
5714		-	Hunter
5715		-	Hernandez
5716		-	Landgraf
5717		-	Moody
5718		-	______________________________
5719		-	Speaker of the House
5720		-	I certify that H.R. No. 4 was adopted by the House on January
5721		-	14, 2021, by the following vote: Yeas 141, Nays 0, 1 present, not
5722		-	voting.
5723		-	______________________________
5724		-	Chief Clerk of the House