Texas House Bill HJR16

Texas 2021 - 87th 2nd C.S.

Caption

Proposing a constitutional amendment providing that members of the legislature are not entitled to receive a state salary, per diem, or reimbursement for mileage for an unexcused absence when the applicable house of the legislature lacks a quorum.

Impact

The implementation of HJR16 would directly impact the rules governing legislative attendance and compensation, potentially enhancing the level of responsibility members feel towards maintaining quorum. By disallowing compensation in scenarios of unexcused absence, the amendment is designed to discourage legislators from skipping sessions without proper justification, thus ensuring more effective governance. This could lead to increased session attendance, which may enhance legislative productivity and responsiveness to constituents' needs.

Summary

HJR16 is a joint resolution proposing a significant constitutional amendment that seeks to alter the compensation structure for members of the Texas legislature with regard to unexcused absences. Specifically, the resolution stipulates that legislators will not be entitled to receive salaries, per diem, or mileage reimbursement if they are absent without an excuse during times when their respective house lacks a quorum to conduct business. This change aims to address issues of accountability and attendance among legislators.

Contention

While there may be general support for the principle of ensuring accountability among legislators, there are notable points of contention surrounding HJR16. Critics could argue that the strict consequences of denying compensation for unexcused absences might disproportionately affect those legislators with legitimate personal circumstances or unforeseen emergencies that warrant absence. Additionally, the potential for varying interpretations of what constitutes an 'excused' absence may lead to disputes and further complicate legislative operations.