Texas 2023 - 88th Regular

Texas House Bill HR4 Compare Versions

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Old	New	Differences
1	1	H.R. No. 4
2	2
3	3
4	4	R E S O L U T I O N
5	5	BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the State of
6	6	Texas, That the following are adopted as the permanent rules of the
7	7	House of Representatives of the 88th [87th] Legislature:
8	8	RULES OF
9	9	THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
10	10	OF THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE
11	11	TABLE OF CONTENTS
12	12	RULE
13	13	1. DUTIES AND RIGHTS OF THE SPEAKER 2
14	14	2. OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES 11
15	15	3. STANDING COMMITTEES 24
16	16	4. ORGANIZATION, POWERS, AND DUTIES OF
17	17	COMMITTEES 53
18	18	5. FLOOR PROCEDURE 89
19	19	6. ORDER OF BUSINESS AND CALENDARS 113
20	20	7. MOTIONS 133
21	21	8. BILLS 149
22	22	9. JOINT RESOLUTIONS 165
23	23	10. HOUSE RESOLUTIONS AND CONCURRENT
24	24	RESOLUTIONS 167
25	25	11. AMENDMENTS 170
26	26	12. PRINTING 179
27	27	13. INTERACTIONS WITH THE GOVERNOR
28	28	AND SENATE 183
29	29	14. GENERAL PROVISIONS 196
30	30	15. APPROPRIATE WORKPLACE CONDUCT 198
31	31	16. SPECIAL RULE200
32	32	STATEMENT OF AUTHORIZATION AND PRECEDENCE
33	33	Pursuant to and under the authority of Section 11, Article
34	34	III, Texas Constitution, and notwithstanding any provision of
35	35	statute, the House of Representatives adopts the following rules to
36	36	govern its operations and procedures. The provisions of these
37	37	rules shall be deemed the only requirements binding on the House of
38	38	Representatives under Section 11, Article III, Texas Constitution,
39	39	notwithstanding any other requirements expressed in statute.
40	40	RULE 1. DUTIES AND RIGHTS OF THE SPEAKER
41	41	CHAPTER A. DUTIES AS PRESIDING OFFICER
42	42	Sec. 1. ENFORCEMENT OF THE RULES. The speaker shall
43	43	enforce, apply, and interpret the rules of the house in all
44	44	deliberations of the house and shall enforce the legislative rules
45	45	prescribed by the statutes and the Constitution of Texas.
46	46	Sec. 2. CALL TO ORDER. The speaker shall take the chair on
47	47	each calendar day precisely at the hour to which the house adjourned
48	48	or recessed at its last sitting and shall immediately call the
49	49	members to order.
50	50	Sec. 3. LAYING BUSINESS BEFORE THE HOUSE. The speaker
51	51	shall lay before the house its business in the order indicated by
52	52	the rules and shall receive propositions made by members and put
53	53	them to the house.
54	54	Sec. 4. REFERRAL OF PROPOSED LEGISLATION TO COMMITTEE. All
55	55	proposed legislation shall be referred by the speaker to an
56	56	appropriate standing or select committee with jurisdiction,
57	57	subject to correction by a majority vote of the house. A bill or
58	58	resolution may not be referred simultaneously to more than one
59	59	committee.
60	60	Sec. 5. PRESERVATION OF ORDER AND DECORUM. The speaker
61	61	shall preserve order and decorum. In case of disturbance or
62	62	disorderly conduct in the galleries or in the lobby, the speaker may
63	63	order that these areas be cleared. No signs, placards, or other
64	64	objects of similar nature shall be permitted in the rooms, lobby,
65	65	gallery, and hall of the house. The speaker shall see that the
66	66	members of the house conduct themselves in a civil manner in
67	67	accordance with accepted standards of parliamentary conduct and
68	68	may, when necessary, order the sergeant-at-arms to clear the aisles
69	69	and seat the members of the house so that business may be conducted
70	70	in an orderly manner.
71	71	Sec. 6. RECOGNITION OF GALLERY VISITORS. On written
72	72	request of a member, the speaker may recognize persons in the
73	73	gallery. The speaker shall afford that recognition at a convenient
74	74	place in the order of business, considering the need for order and
75	75	decorum and the need for continuity of debate. The request must be
76	76	made on a form prescribed by the Committee on House Administration.
77	77	The speaker may recognize, at a time he or she considers appropriate
78	78	during floor proceedings, the person serving as physician of the
79	79	day.
80	80	Sec. 7. STATING AND VOTING ON QUESTIONS. The speaker shall
81	81	rise to put a question but may state it sitting. The question shall
82	82	be put substantially in this form: "The question occurs on
83	83	______" (here state the question or proposition under
84	84	consideration). "All in favor say 'Aye,'" and after the affirmative
85	85	vote is expressed, "All opposed say 'No.'" If the speaker is in
86	86	doubt as to the result, or if a division is called for, the house
87	87	shall divide: those voting in the affirmative on the question
88	88	shall register "Aye" on the voting machine, and those voting in the
89	89	negative on the question shall register "No." The decision of the
90	90	house on the question shall be printed in the journal and shall
91	91	include the yeas and nays if a record of the yeas and nays is ordered
92	92	in accordance with the rules.
93	93	Sec. 8. VOTING RIGHTS OF THE PRESIDING OFFICER. The
94	94	speaker shall have the same right as other members to vote. If the
95	95	speaker, or a member temporarily presiding, has not voted, he or she
96	96	may cast the deciding vote at the time such opportunity becomes
97	97	official, whether to make or break a tie. If a verification of the
98	98	vote is called for and granted, the decision of the speaker, or a
99	99	member temporarily presiding, to cast the deciding vote need not be
100	100	made until the verification has been completed. In case of error in
101	101	a vote, if the correction leaves decisive effect to the vote of the
102	102	speaker, or a member temporarily presiding, the deciding vote may
103	103	be cast even though the result has been announced.
104	104	Sec. 9. QUESTIONS OF ORDER. (a) The speaker shall decide
105	105	on all questions of order; however, such decisions are subject to an
106	106	appeal to the house made by any 10 members. Pending an appeal, the
107	107	speaker shall call a member to the chair, who shall not have the
108	108	authority to entertain or decide any other matter or proposition
109	109	until the appeal has first been determined by the house. The
110	110	question on appeal is, "Shall the chair be sustained?"
111	111	(b) No member shall speak more than once on an appeal unless
112	112	given leave by a majority of the house. No motion shall be in order,
113	113	pending an appeal, except a motion to adjourn, a motion to lay on
114	114	the table, a motion for the previous question, or a motion for a
115	115	call of the house. Responses to parliamentary inquiries and
116	116	decisions of recognition made by the chair may not be appealed,
117	117	except as provided by Rule 5, Section 24.
118	118	(c) Further consideration of the matter or proposition that
119	119	is the subject of a question of order is prohibited until the
120	120	speaker decides the question of order and any appeal of that
121	121	decision has been determined by the house. Consideration of any
122	122	other matter or proposition is also prohibited while a question of
123	123	order is pending, unless the question of order is temporarily
124	124	withdrawn and the matter or proposition that is the subject of the
125	125	question of order is postponed. Withdrawal of the question of order
126	126	does not prevent any member from raising that question of order when
127	127	the matter or proposition is again before the house.
128	128	(d) A point of order raised as to a violation of a section of
129	129	the rules governing committee reports, committee minutes, or
130	130	accompanying documentation may be overruled if the purpose of that
131	131	section of the rules has been substantially fulfilled and the
132	132	violation does not deceive or mislead.
133	133	(e) When a question of order is pending before the house,
134	134	only the member who raised the question of order, and one other
135	135	member designated by that member, and the primary proponent of the
136	136	matter or proposition to which the question of order applies, and
137	137	one other member designated by the proponent, may present arguments
138	138	to the speaker or parliamentarian regarding the question of order.
139	139	This subsection does not limit any remarks that a member may make
140	140	before the full house if the member is recognized for that purpose.
141	141	Sec. 10. APPOINTMENT OF SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE AND TEMPORARY
142	142	CHAIR. The speaker shall have the right to name any member to
143	143	perform the duties of the chair related to presiding over the
144	144	deliberations of the house and may name a member to serve as speaker
145	145	pro tempore by delivering a written order to the chief clerk and a
146	146	copy to the journal clerk. A permanent speaker pro tempore shall,
147	147	in the absence or inability of the speaker, call the house to order
148	148	and perform all other duties of the chair in presiding over the
149	149	deliberations of the house and perform other duties and exercise
150	150	other responsibilities related to presiding over the deliberations
151	151	of the house as may be assigned in writing by the speaker. If the
152	152	house is not in session, and a permanent speaker pro tempore has not
153	153	been named, or if the speaker pro tempore is not available or for
154	154	any reason is not able to function, the speaker may deliver a
155	155	written order to the chief clerk, with a copy to the journal clerk,
156	156	naming the member who shall call the house to order and preside
157	157	during the speaker's absence. The speaker pro tempore shall serve
158	158	at the pleasure of the speaker. In the event of a vacancy in the
159	159	office of speaker, the speaker pro tempore does not assume the
160	160	office of speaker. The authority of the speaker pro tempore to
161	161	perform the duties and exercise the responsibilities of the speaker
162	162	is limited as provided by this section.
163	163	Sec. 11. EMERGENCY ADJOURNMENT. In the event of an
164	164	emergency of such compelling nature that the speaker must adjourn
165	165	the house without fixing a date and hour of reconvening, the speaker
166	166	shall have authority to determine the date and hour of reconvening
167	167	and to notify the members of the house by any means the speaker
168	168	considers adequate. Should the speaker be disabled or otherwise
169	169	unable to exercise these emergency powers, the permanent speaker
170	170	pro tempore, if one has been named, shall have authority to act. If
171	171	there is no permanent speaker pro tempore, or if that officer is
172	172	unable to act, authority shall be exercised by the chair of the
173	173	Committee on State Affairs, who shall preside until the house can
174	174	proceed to the selection of a temporary presiding officer to
175	175	function until the speaker or the speaker pro tempore is again able
176	176	to exercise the duties and responsibilities of the office.
177	177	Sec. 12. POSTPONEMENT OF RECONVENING. When the house is
178	178	not in session, if the speaker determines that it would be a hazard
179	179	to the safety of the members, officers, employees, and others
180	180	attending the legislature to reconvene at the time determined by
181	181	the house at its last sitting, the speaker may clear the area of the
182	182	capitol under the control of the house and postpone the reconvening
183	183	of the house for a period of not more than 12 hours. On making that
184	184	determination, the speaker shall order the sergeant-at-arms to post
185	185	an assistant at each first floor entrance to the capitol and other
186	186	places and advise all persons entering of the determination and the
187	187	time set for the house to reconvene. The speaker shall also notify
188	188	the journal clerk and the news media of the action, and the action
189	189	shall be entered in the house journal.
190	190	Sec. 13. SIGNING BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS. All bills, joint
191	191	resolutions, and concurrent resolutions shall be signed by the
192	192	speaker in the presence of the house, as required by the
193	193	constitution; and all writs, warrants, and subpoenas issued by
194	194	order of the house shall be signed by the speaker and attested by
195	195	the chief clerk, or the person acting as chief clerk.
196	196	CHAPTER B. ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES
197	197	Sec. 14. CONTROL OVER HALL OF THE HOUSE. The speaker shall
198	198	have general control, except as otherwise provided by law, of the
199	199	hall of the house, its lobbies, galleries, corridors, and passages,
200	200	and other rooms in those parts of the capitol assigned to the use of
201	201	the house; except that the hall of the house shall not be used for
202	202	any meeting other than legislative meetings during any regular or
203	203	special session of the legislature unless specifically authorized
204	204	by resolution.
205	205	Sec. 15. STANDING COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS. (a) The
206	206	speaker shall designate the chair and vice-chair of each standing
207	207	substantive committee and shall also appoint membership of the
208	208	committee, subject to the provisions of Rule 4, Section 2.
209	209	(b) If members of equal seniority request the same
210	210	committee, the speaker shall decide which among them shall be
211	211	assigned to that committee.
212	212	(c) In announcing the membership of the standing
213	213	substantive committees, the speaker shall designate which are
214	214	appointees and which acquire membership by seniority.
215	215	(d) The speaker shall appoint the chair and vice-chair of
216	216	each standing procedural committee and the remaining membership of
217	217	the committee.
218	218	(e) If a new speaker is elected to fill a vacancy in the
219	219	office after the appointment of standing committees, the new
220	220	speaker may not alter the composition of any standing committee
221	221	before the end of the session, except that the new speaker may:
222	222	(1) vacate the new speaker's membership on any
223	223	committee;
224	224	(2) make committee appointments for the member who was
225	225	removed as speaker;
226	226	(3) designate a different member of a standing
227	227	committee as committee chair; and
228	228	(4) fill vacancies that occur on a committee.
229	229	Sec. 16. APPOINTMENT OF SELECT AND CONFERENCE
230	230	COMMITTEES. (a) The speaker shall appoint all conference
231	231	committees. The speaker shall name the chair of each conference
232	232	committee, and may also name the vice-chair thereof.
233	233	(b) The speaker may at any time by proclamation create a
234	234	select committee. The speaker shall name the chair and vice-chair
235	235	thereof. A select committee has the jurisdiction, authority, and
236	236	duties and exists for the period of time specified in the
237	237	proclamation. A select committee has the powers granted by these
238	238	rules to a standing committee except as limited by the
239	239	proclamation. A copy of each proclamation creating a select
240	240	committee shall be filed with the chief clerk.
241	241	Sec. 17. INTERIM STUDIES. When the legislature is not in
242	242	session, the speaker shall have the authority to direct committees
243	243	to make interim studies for such purposes as the speaker may
244	244	designate, and the committees shall meet as often as necessary to
245	245	transact effectively the business assigned to them. The speaker
246	246	shall provide to the chief clerk a copy of interim charges made to a
247	247	standing or select committee.
248	248	CHAPTER C. CAMPAIGNS FOR SPEAKER
249	249	Sec. 18. PLEDGES FOR SPEAKER PROHIBITED DURING REGULAR
250	250	SESSION. During a regular session of the legislature a member may
251	251	not solicit written pledges from other members for their support of
252	252	or promise to vote for any person for the office of speaker.
253	253	RULE 2. OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES
254	254	CHAPTER A. DUTIES OF OFFICERS OF THE HOUSE
255	255	Sec. 1. CHIEF CLERK. (a) The chief clerk shall:
256	256	(1) be the custodian of all bills, resolutions, and
257	257	amendments;
258	258	(2) number in the order of their filing, with a
259	259	separate sequence for each category, all bills, joint resolutions,
260	260	concurrent resolutions, and house resolutions;
261	261	(3) provide for the keeping of a complete record of
262	262	introduction and action on all bills and resolutions, including the
263	263	number, author, brief description of the subject matter, committee
264	264	reference, and the time sequence of action taken on all bills and
265	265	resolutions to reflect at all times their status in the legislative
266	266	process;
267	267	(4) on the day of numbering a bill relating to a
268	268	conservation and reclamation district created under Article XVI,
269	269	Section 59, of the Texas Constitution, send two copies of the bill,
270	270	with two copies of the notice of intention to introduce the bill, to
271	271	the governor and notify the journal clerk of the action;
272	272	(5) receive the recommendations of the Texas
273	273	Commission on Environmental Quality on a bill forwarded to the
274	274	commission under Article XVI, Section 59, of the Texas
275	275	Constitution, attach them to the bill to which they apply, and
276	276	notify the journal clerk that the recommendations have been filed;
277	277	(6) forward to a committee chair in an electronic or
278	278	other format determined by the chief clerk a certified copy of each
279	279	legislative document referred to the committee, including all
280	280	official attachments to the document;
281	281	(7) have printed and distributed correct copies of all
282	282	legislative documents, as provided in the subchapter on printing,
283	283	and keep an exact record of the date and hour of transmittal to the
284	284	printer, return from the printer, and distribution of the document
285	285	to members of the house with that information time-stamped on the
286	286	originals of the document;
287	287	(8) certify the passage of bills and resolutions,
288	288	noting on them the date of passage and the vote by which passed,
289	289	including the yeas and nays if a record of the yeas and nays is
290	290	ordered;
291	291	(9) be responsible for engrossing all house bills and
292	292	resolutions that have passed second reading and those that have
293	293	passed third reading, and for enrolling all house bills and
294	294	resolutions that have passed both houses.
295	295	All engrossed and enrolled documents shall be prepared
296	296	without erasures, interlineations, or additions in the margin.
297	297	House concurrent resolutions passed without amendment
298	298	shall not be engrossed but shall be certified and forwarded
299	299	directly to the senate.
300	300	Engrossed riders may be used in lieu of full engrossment
301	301	on second reading passage;
302	302	(10) be authorized to amend the caption to conform to
303	303	the body of each house bill and joint resolution ordered engrossed
304	304	or enrolled;
305	305	(11) be responsible for noting on each house bill or
306	306	joint resolution, for certification by the speaker of the house,
307	307	the lieutenant governor, the chief clerk of the house, and the
308	308	secretary of the senate, the following information:
309	309	(A) date of final passage, and the vote on final
310	310	passage, including the yeas and nays if a record of the yeas and
311	311	nays is ordered. If the bill was amended in the senate, this fact
312	312	shall also be noted;
313	313	(B) date of concurrence by the house in senate
314	314	amendments, and the vote on concurrence, including the yeas and
315	315	nays if a record of the yeas and nays is ordered;
316	316	(C) date of adoption by each house of a
317	317	conference committee report and the vote on adoption, including the
318	318	yeas and nays if a record of the yeas and nays is ordered;
319	319	(D) that a bill containing an appropriation was
320	320	passed subject to the provisions of Article III, Section 49a, of the
321	321	Texas Constitution; and
322	322	(E) that a concurrent resolution was adopted by
323	323	both houses directing the correction of an enrolled bill, if
324	324	applicable;
325	325	(12) transmit over signature all messages from the
326	326	house to the senate, including typewritten copies of amendments to
327	327	senate bills;
328	328	(13) prepare copies of senate amendments to house
329	329	bills for the journal before the amendments and the bill or
330	330	resolution to which they relate are sent to the printer or to the
331	331	speaker;
332	332	(14) notify the speaker in writing that the senate did
333	333	not concur in house amendments to a bill or resolution and requests
334	334	a conference committee, and include in this notice the names of the
335	335	senate conferees;
336	336	(15) provide a certified copy of a house bill or
337	337	resolution which may be lost showing each parliamentary step taken
338	338	on the bill; and
339	339	(16) request fiscal notes on house bills and joint
340	340	resolutions with senate amendments and distribute fiscal notes on
341	341	house bills and joint resolutions with senate amendments and
342	342	conference committee reports as required by Rule 13, Sections 5 and
343	343	10.
344	344	(b) The chief clerk shall also:
345	345	(1) attest all writs, warrants and subpoenas issued by
346	346	order of the house;
347	347	(2) receive reports of select committees and forward
348	348	copies to the speaker and journal clerk;
349	349	(3) not later than 30 days after the close of each
350	350	session, acquire from each of the various clerks of the house,
351	351	except the journal clerk, all reports, records, bills, papers, and
352	352	other documents remaining in their possession and file them with
353	353	the Legislative Reference Library, unless otherwise provided by
354	354	law;
355	355	(4) receive and file all other documents required by
356	356	law or by the rules of the house;
357	357	(5) prepare a roster of members in order of seniority
358	358	showing the number of years of service of each member, as provided
359	359	in Rule 4, Section 2; and
360	360	(6) have posted the list of Items Eligible for
361	361	Consideration as required by the rules.
362	362	(c) The chief clerk shall also provide for the following to
363	363	be made available on the electronic legislative information system:
364	364	(1) all house calendars and lists of items eligible
365	365	for consideration and the time-stamp information for those
366	366	calendars and lists; and
367	367	(2) the time-stamp information for all official
368	368	printings of bills and resolutions.
369	369	(d) The chief clerk shall provide notice to a Capitol e-mail
370	370	address designated by each member when a new house calendar or list
371	371	of items eligible for consideration is posted on the electronic
372	372	legislative information system. If a member informs the chief
373	373	clerk that the member also desires to receive a paper copy of house
374	374	calendars or lists of items eligible for consideration, the chief
375	375	clerk shall place paper copies of those documents designated by the
376	376	member in the newspaper box of the member as soon as practicable
377	377	after the electronic copies are posted.
378	378	Sec. 2. JOURNAL CLERK. (a) The journal clerk shall:
379	379	(1) keep a journal of the proceedings of the house,
380	380	except when the house is acting as a committee of the whole, and
381	381	enter the following:
382	382	(A) the number, author, and caption of every bill
383	383	introduced;
384	384	(B) descriptions of all congratulatory and
385	385	memorial resolutions on committee report, motions, amendments,
386	386	questions of order and decisions on them, messages from the
387	387	governor, and messages from the senate;
388	388	(C) the summaries of congratulatory and memorial
389	389	resolutions, as printed on the congratulatory and memorial
390	390	calendar;
391	391	(D) the number of each bill, joint resolution,
392	392	and concurrent resolution signed in the presence of the house;
393	393	(E) a listing of reports made by standing
394	394	committees;
395	395	(F) reports of select committees, when ordered by
396	396	the house;
397	397	(G) every vote where a record of the yeas and nays
398	398	is ordered or registration of the house with a concise statement of
399	399	the action and the result;
400	400	(H) the names of all absentees, both excused and
401	401	not excused;
402	402	(I) senate amendments to house bills or
403	403	resolutions, when concurred in by the house;
404	404	(J) the date each bill is transmitted to the
405	405	governor;
406	406	(K) the date recommendations of the Texas
407	407	Commission on Environmental Quality on each bill subject to Article
408	408	XVI, Section 59, of the Texas Constitution, are filed with the chief
409	409	clerk;
410	410	(L) all pairs as a part of a vote where a record
411	411	of the yeas and nays is ordered;
412	412	(M) reasons for a vote;
413	413	(N) the vote of a member on any question where a
414	414	record of the yeas and nays has not been ordered;
415	415	(O) the statement of a member who was absent when
416	416	a vote was taken indicating how the member would have voted;
417	417	(P) official state documents, reports, and other
418	418	matters, when ordered by the house; and
419	419	(Q) the written copy of the speaker's ruling on a
420	420	point of order, which includes the citation of the authorities
421	421	relied upon in the grounds for decision, as provided in Section
422	422	9(b-1) of this rule;
423	423	(2) prepare a daily journal for each calendar day that
424	424	the house is in session and distribute on the succeeding calendar
425	425	day or the earliest possible date copies to the members of the house
426	426	who have submitted requests to the journal clerk to receive a copy;
427	427	and
428	428	(3) prepare and have printed a permanent house journal
429	429	of regular and special sessions in accordance with the law and the
430	430	following provisions:
431	431	(A) When completed, no more than 300 copies shall
432	432	be bound and distributed as follows:
433	433	(i) one copy to each member of the house of
434	434	representatives who submitted a request to the journal clerk to
435	435	receive a copy;
436	436	(ii) one copy to each member of the senate
437	437	who submitted a request to the journal clerk to receive a copy; and
438	438	(iii) the remainder of the copies to be
439	439	distributed by the Committee on House Administration.
440	440	(B) The journal clerk shall not receive or
441	441	receipt for the permanent house journal until it has been correctly
442	442	published.
443	443	(b) The journal clerk shall lock the voting machine of each
444	444	member who is excused or who is otherwise known to be absent when
445	445	the house is in session until the member personally requests that
446	446	the machine be unlocked.
447	447	(c) The journal clerk shall determine and enter in the
448	448	journal the clock of record for the house and that clock may not be
449	449	delayed, set back, or otherwise tampered with to deviate from the
450	450	standard time, as provided by statute, for the place where the house
451	451	is meeting. The journal clerk shall enter in the journal the time
452	452	according to the clock of record when the house convenes, recesses,
453	453	and adjourns. A motion to suspend this rule must be decided by a
454	454	record vote.
455	455	Sec. 3. READING CLERKS. The reading clerks, under the
456	456	supervision of the speaker, shall:
457	457	(1) call the roll of the house in alphabetical order
458	458	when ordered to do so by the speaker; and
459	459	(2) read all bills, resolutions, motions, and other
460	460	matters required by the rules or directed by the speaker.
461	461	Sec. 4. SERGEANT-AT-ARMS. The sergeant-at-arms shall:
462	462	(1) under the direction of the speaker, have charge of
463	463	and maintain order in the hall of the house, its lobbies and
464	464	galleries, and all other rooms in the capitol assigned for the use
465	465	of the house of representatives;
466	466	(2) attend the house and the committee of the whole
467	467	during all meetings and maintain order under the direction of the
468	468	speaker or other presiding officer;
469	469	(3) execute the commands of the house and serve the
470	470	writs and processes issued by the authority of the house and
471	471	directed by the speaker;
472	472	(4) supervise assistants to the sergeant-at-arms who
473	473	shall aid in the performance of prescribed duties and have the same
474	474	authority, subject to the control of the speaker;
475	475	(5) clear the floor of the house of all persons not
476	476	entitled to the privileges of the floor at least 30 minutes prior to
477	477	the convening of each session of the house;
478	478	(6) bring in absent members when so directed under a
479	479	call of the house;
480	480	(7) not allow the distribution of any printed matter
481	481	in the hall of the house, other than newspapers that have been
482	482	published at least once a week for a period of one year, unless it
483	483	first has been authorized in writing by at least one member of the
484	484	house and the name of the member appears on the printed matter. The
485	485	sergeant-at-arms shall refuse to accept for distribution any
486	486	printed matter which does not bear the name of the member or members
487	487	authorizing the distribution;
488	488	(8) keep a copy of written authorization and a record
489	489	of the matter distributed in the permanent files of the house;
490	490	(9) enforce parking regulations applicable to areas of
491	491	the capitol complex under the control of the house and supervise
492	492	parking attendants;
493	493	(10) provide for issuance of an identification card to
494	494	each member and employee of the house; and
495	495	(11) supervise the doorkeeper.
496	496	Sec. 5. DOORKEEPER. The doorkeeper, under the supervision
497	497	of the sergeant-at-arms, shall:
498	498	(1) enforce strictly the rules of the house relating
499	499	to privileges of the floor and perform other duties as directed by
500	500	the speaker;
501	501	(2) close the main entrance and permit no member to
502	502	leave the house without written permission from the speaker when a
503	503	call of the house or a call of the committee of the whole is ordered,
504	504	take up permission cards as members leave the hall, and take up
505	505	permission cards of those who are admitted to the floor of the house
506	506	under the rules and practice of the house;
507	507	(3) obtain recognition from the speaker and announce a
508	508	messenger from the governor or the senate on arrival at the bar of
509	509	the house; and
510	510	(4) obtain recognition from the speaker and announce
511	511	the arrival of the governor or the senate on arrival at the bar of
512	512	the house for official proceedings in the house.
513	513	Sec. 6. CHAPLAIN. The chaplain shall open the first
514	514	session on each calendar day with a prayer and shall perform such
515	515	other duties as directed by the Committee on House Administration.
516	516	Sec. 7. VOTING CLERK. The voting clerk, under the
517	517	supervision of the speaker, shall:
518	518	(1) open and close the voting machine on registrations
519	519	and record votes as ordered by the speaker;
520	520	(2) record votes from the floor as directed by the
521	521	speaker;
522	522	(3) prepare official copies of all record votes for
523	523	the journal; and
524	524	(4) make no additions, subtractions, or other changes
525	525	in any registration or record vote unless specifically granted
526	526	permission by the house or directed by the speaker prior to the
527	527	announcement of the final result.
528	528	Sec. 8. COMMITTEE COORDINATOR. (a) The committee
529	529	coordinator shall:
530	530	(1) under the direction of the Committee on House
531	531	Administration, prepare a schedule for regular meetings of all
532	532	standing committees as provided by Rule 4, Section 8(a);
533	533	(2) post committee meeting notices, as directed by the
534	534	chair of a committee, in accordance with Rule 4, Section 11(a);
535	535	(3) maintain duplicate originals of committee minutes
536	536	as required by Rule 4, Sections 18(c) and (d);
537	537	(4) direct the maintenance of sworn statements either
538	538	in electronic or paper format and, under the direction of the
539	539	Committee on House Administration, prescribe the form of those
540	540	statements, as required by Rule 4, Sections 20(a) and (c);
541	541	(5) receive and forward impact statements as required
542	542	by Rule 4, Section 34(e);
543	543	(6) receive committee reports as required by Rule 4,
544	544	Section 37, and refer them for printing as provided by Rule 6,
545	545	Section 19; and
546	546	(7) receive and distribute the recommendations and
547	547	final reports of interim study committees as provided by Rule 4,
548	548	Section 61.
549	549	(b) The committee coordinator may exclude from the
550	550	committee coordinator's office or refuse to interact with a member
551	551	or a member's staff if the member or member's staff engages in
552	552	abusive, harassing, or threatening behavior.
553	553	Sec. 9. PARLIAMENTARIAN. (a) The speaker may appoint not
554	554	more than two individuals to serve as parliamentarians. The
555	555	parliamentarians are officers of the house who serve at the
556	556	pleasure of the speaker. The parliamentarians shall advise and
557	557	assist the presiding officer and the members of the house on matters
558	558	of procedure. The parliamentarians have a duty of confidentiality
559	559	to the speaker and to each member of the house and shall keep
560	560	confidential all requests made by members of the house for advice or
561	561	guidance regarding procedure unless the parties otherwise agree.
562	562	(b) After the initial appointment of the parliamentarians
563	563	by the speaker, the appointment of a new parliamentarian to fill a
564	564	vacancy must be approved by a majority of the membership of the
565	565	house if the appointment is made during a regular or special
566	566	session. If the appointment to fill the vacancy is made when the
567	567	house is not in session, the appointment must be approved by a
568	568	majority of the membership not later than the third day of the first
569	569	special session that occurs after the date the appointment is made.
570	570	If no special session occurs after the appointment, approval by the
571	571	membership is not required.
572	572	(b-1) The speaker shall instruct the parliamentarians to
573	573	provide to each member a written copy of the speaker's ruling on a
574	574	point of order, including the citation of the authorities relied
575	575	upon in the grounds for decision. The written ruling shall be
576	576	provided to each member through the electronic legislative
577	577	information system not later than 24 hours after the ruling is
578	578	announced in the house.
579	579	(c) In the event of a conflict between this section and the
580	580	housekeeping resolution, this section controls.
581	581	CHAPTER B. OTHER EMPLOYEES
582	582	Sec. 10. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL EMPLOYEES: CONFIDENTIALITY.
583	583	(a) Communications between an attorney employed by the Texas
584	584	Legislative Council and the speaker, another member of the house,
585	585	or an employee of a member or committee of the house are
586	586	confidential in accordance with the rules and laws concerning
587	587	attorney-client privilege.
588	588	(b) Communications between any employee of the Texas
589	589	Legislative Council and the speaker, another member of the house,
590	590	or an employee of a member or committee of the house are
591	591	confidential. The General Investigating Committee of the House may
592	592	investigate an alleged violation of this subsection.
593	593	(c) This section does not prohibit the speaker, member, or
594	594	committee from waiving a privilege as otherwise permitted by law or
595	595	from waiving confidentiality under this section.
596	596	RULE 3. STANDING COMMITTEES
597	597	Sec. 1. AGRICULTURE AND LIVESTOCK. The committee shall
598	598	have nine members, with jurisdiction over all matters pertaining
599	599	to:
600	600	(1) agriculture, horticulture, and farm husbandry;
601	601	(2) livestock and stock raising, and the livestock
602	602	industry;
603	603	(3) the development and preservation of forests, and
604	604	the regulation, control, and promotion of the lumber industry;
605	605	(4) problems and issues particularly affecting rural
606	606	areas of the state, including issues related to rural economic
607	607	development and the provision of and access to infrastructure,
608	608	education, and health services; and
609	609	(5) the following state agencies: the Department of
610	610	Agriculture, the Texas Animal Health Commission, the State Soil and
611	611	Water Conservation Board, the Texas A&M Forest Service, the Texas
612	612	administrator for the South Central Interstate Forest Fire
613	613	Protection Compact, the Texas Apiary Inspection Service, Texas A&M
614	614	AgriLife Research, the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, [the
615	615	Food and Fibers Research Council,] the State Seed and Plant Board,
616	616	the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners, the Texas A&M
617	617	Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, the Produce Recovery
618	618	Fund Board, the board of directors of the Texas Boll Weevil
619	619	Eradication Foundation, Inc., and the Texas Wildlife Services.
620	620	Sec. 2. APPROPRIATIONS. (a) The committee shall have 27
621	621	members, with jurisdiction over:
622	622	(1) all bills and resolutions appropriating money from
623	623	the state treasury;
624	624	(2) all bills and resolutions containing provisions
625	625	resulting in automatic allocation of funds from the state treasury;
626	626	(3) all bills and resolutions diverting funds from the
627	627	state treasury or preventing funds from going in that otherwise
628	628	would be placed in the state treasury; and
629	629	(4) all matters pertaining to claims and accounts
630	630	filed with the legislature against the state unless jurisdiction
631	631	over those bills and resolutions is specifically granted by these
632	632	rules to some other standing committee.
633	633	(b) The appropriations committee may comment upon any bill
634	634	or resolution containing a provision resulting in an automatic
635	635	allocation of funds.
636	636	Sec. 3. BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY. The committee shall have
637	637	nine members, with jurisdiction over all matters pertaining to:
638	638	(1) industry and manufacturing;
639	639	(2) industrial safety and adequate and safe working
640	640	conditions, and the regulation and control of those conditions;
641	641	(3) hours, wages, collective bargaining, and the
642	642	relationship between employers and employees;
643	643	(4) unemployment compensation, including coverage,
644	644	benefits, taxes, and eligibility;
645	645	(5) labor unions and their organization, control,
646	646	management, and administration;
647	647	(6) the regulation of business transactions and
648	648	transactions involving property interests;
649	649	(7) the organization, incorporation, management, and
650	650	regulation of private corporations and professional associations
651	651	and the Uniform Commercial Code and the Business Organizations
652	652	Code;
653	653	(8) the protection of consumers, governmental
654	654	regulations incident thereto, the agencies of government
655	655	authorized to regulate such activities, and the role of the
656	656	government in consumer protection;
657	657	(9) privacy and identity theft;
658	658	(10) homeowners' associations;
659	659	(11) oversight and regulation of the construction
660	660	industry; and
661	661	(12) the following state agencies: the State Office of
662	662	Risk Management, the Risk Management Board, the Division of
663	663	Workers' Compensation of the Texas Department of Insurance, the
664	664	workers' [Workers'] compensation research and evaluation group in
665	665	the Texas Department of Insurance, the Office of Injured Employee
666	666	Counsel, including the ombudsman program of that office, and the
667	667	Texas Mutual Insurance Company Board of Directors.
668	668	Sec. 4. CALENDARS (PROCEDURAL). The committee shall have
669	669	11 members, with jurisdiction over:
670	670	(1) the placement of bills and resolutions on
671	671	appropriate calendars, except those within the jurisdiction of the
672	672	Committee on Resolutions Calendars;
673	673	(2) the determination of priorities and proposal of
674	674	rules for floor consideration of such bills and resolutions; and
675	675	(3) all other matters concerning the calendar system
676	676	and the expediting of the business of the house as may be assigned
677	677	by the speaker.
678	678	Sec. 5. CORRECTIONS. The committee shall have nine
679	679	members, with jurisdiction over all matters pertaining to:
680	680	(1) the incarceration and rehabilitation of convicted
681	681	felons;
682	682	(2) the establishment and maintenance of programs that
683	683	provide alternatives to incarceration; and
684	684	(3) the following state agencies: the Texas
685	685	Department of Criminal Justice, the Special Prosecution Unit, the
686	686	Board of Pardons and Paroles, the Texas Civil Commitment Office,
687	687	and the Texas Correctional Office on Offenders with Medical or
688	688	Mental Impairments.
689	689	Sec. 6. COUNTY AFFAIRS. The committee shall have nine
690	690	members, with jurisdiction over all matters pertaining to:
691	691	(1) counties, including their organization, creation,
692	692	boundaries, government, and finance and the compensation and duties
693	693	of their officers and employees;
694	694	(2) establishing districts for the election of
695	695	governing bodies of counties;
696	696	(3) regional councils of governments;
697	697	(4) multicounty boards or commissions;
698	698	(5) relationships or contracts between counties;
699	699	(6) other units of local government; and
700	700	(7) the following state agency: the Commission on
701	701	Jail Standards.
702	702	Sec. 7. CRIMINAL JURISPRUDENCE. The committee shall have
703	703	nine members, with jurisdiction over all matters pertaining to:
704	704	(1) criminal law, prohibitions, standards, and
705	705	penalties;
706	706	(2) probation and parole;
707	707	(3) criminal procedure in the courts of Texas;
708	708	(4) revision or amendment of the Penal Code; and
709	709	(5) the following state agencies: the Office of State
710	710	Prosecuting Attorney and the Texas State Council for Interstate
711	711	Adult Offender Supervision.
712	712	Sec. 8. CULTURE, RECREATION, AND TOURISM. The committee
713	713	shall have nine members, with jurisdiction over:
714	714	(1) the creation, operation, and control of state
715	715	parks, including the development, maintenance, and operation of
716	716	state parks in connection with the sales and use tax imposed on
717	717	sporting goods, but not including any matter within the
718	718	jurisdiction of the Committee on Appropriations;
719	719	(2) the regulation and control of the propagation and
720	720	preservation of wildlife and fish in the state;
721	721	(3) the development and regulation of the fish and
722	722	oyster industries of the state;
723	723	(4) hunting and fishing in the state, and the
724	724	regulation and control thereof, including the imposition of fees,
725	725	fines, and penalties relating to that regulation;
726	726	(5) the regulation of other recreational activities;
727	727	(6) cultural resources and their promotion,
728	728	development, and regulation;
729	729	(7) historical resources and their promotion,
730	730	development, and regulation;
731	731	(8) promotion and development of Texas' image and
732	732	heritage;
733	733	(9) preservation and protection of Texas' shrines,
734	734	monuments, and memorials;
735	735	(10) international and interstate tourist promotion
736	736	and development;
737	737	(11) the Texas Economic Development and Tourism Office
738	738	as it relates to the subject-matter jurisdiction of this committee;
739	739	(12) the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Compact; and
740	740	(13) the following state agencies: the Parks and
741	741	Wildlife Department, the Texas Commission on the Arts, the State
742	742	Cemetery Committee, the Texas State Library and Archives
743	743	Commission, the Texas Historical Commission, the State
744	744	Preservation Board, and an office of state government to the extent
745	745	the office promotes the Texas music industry.
746	746	Sec. 9. DEFENSE AND VETERANS' AFFAIRS. The committee shall
747	747	have nine members, with jurisdiction over all matters pertaining
748	748	to:
749	749	(1) the relations between the State of Texas and the
750	750	federal government involving defense, emergency preparedness, and
751	751	veterans issues;
752	752	(2) the various branches of the military service of
753	753	the United States;
754	754	(3) the realignment or closure of military bases;
755	755	(4) the defense of the state and nation, including
756	756	terrorism response;
757	757	(5) emergency preparedness;
758	758	(6) veterans of military and related services; and
759	759	(7) the following state agencies: the Texas Military
760	760	Department, the Texas Veterans Commission, the Veterans' Land
761	761	Board, the Texas Military Preparedness Commission, the Texas
762	762	Division of Emergency Management, and the Emergency Management
763	763	Council.
764	764	Sec. 10. ELECTIONS. The committee shall have nine members,
765	765	with jurisdiction over all matters pertaining to:
766	766	(1) the right of suffrage in Texas;
767	767	(2) primary, special, and general elections;
768	768	(3) revision, modification, amendment, or change of
769	769	the Election Code;
770	770	(4) the secretary of state in relation to elections;
771	771	(5) campaign finance; and
772	772	(6) the following state agency: the Office of the
773	773	Secretary of State.
774	774	Sec. 11. ENERGY RESOURCES. The committee shall have 11
775	775	members, with jurisdiction over all matters pertaining to:
776	776	(1) the conservation of the energy resources of Texas;
777	777	(2) the production, regulation, transportation, and
778	778	development of oil, gas, and other energy resources;
779	779	(3) mining and the development of mineral deposits
780	780	within the state;
781	781	(4) the leasing and regulation of mineral rights under
782	782	public lands;
783	783	(5) pipelines, pipeline companies, and all others
784	784	operating as common carriers in the state;
785	785	(6) electric utility regulation as it relates to
786	786	energy production and consumption;
787	787	(7) identifying, developing, and using alternative
788	788	energy sources;
789	789	(8) increasing energy efficiency throughout the
790	790	state;
791	791	(9) the coordination of the state's efforts related to
792	792	the federal designation of threatened and endangered species as it
793	793	relates to energy resources in the state; and
794	794	(10) the following state agencies: the Railroad
795	795	Commission of Texas, the Texas representative for the Interstate
796	796	Oil and Gas Compact Commission, the Office of Interstate Mining
797	797	Compact Commissioner for Texas, the State Energy Conservation
798	798	Office, and the Office of Southern States Energy Board Member for
799	799	Texas.
800	800	Sec. 12. ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATION. The committee shall
801	801	have nine members, with jurisdiction over all matters pertaining
802	802	to:
803	803	(1) air, land, and water pollution, including the
804	804	environmental regulation of industrial development;
805	805	(2) the regulation of waste disposal;
806	806	(3) environmental matters that are regulated by the
807	807	Department of State Health Services or the Texas Commission on
808	808	Environmental Quality;
809	809	(4) oversight of the Texas Commission on Environmental
810	810	Quality as it relates to environmental regulation; and
811	811	(5) the following state agency: the Texas Low-Level
812	812	Radioactive Waste Disposal Compact Commission.
813	813	Sec. 13. GENERAL INVESTIGATING (PROCEDURAL). (a) The
814	814	committee shall have five members of the house appointed by the
815	815	speaker. The speaker shall appoint the chair and the vice-chair of
816	816	the committee.
817	817	(b) The committee has all the powers and duties of a general
818	818	investigating committee and shall operate as the general
819	819	investigating committee of the house according to the procedures
820	820	prescribed by Subchapter B, Chapter 301, Government Code, and the
821	821	rules of the house, as applicable.
822	822	(b-1) The committee may begin work as soon as it desires
823	823	after its members are appointed. The committee shall meet,
824	824	organize, and adopt rules of evidence and procedure and any other
825	825	necessary rules. The committee rules may not conflict with Section
826	826	301.025, Government Code.
827	827	(b-2) Whether or not the legislature is in session, the
828	828	committee may meet at any time or place in the state determined
829	829	necessary by the committee.
830	830	(b-3) If the committee decides not to conduct joint hearings
831	831	as provided by Section 301.019, Government Code, the committee
832	832	shall establish a liaison to fully inform the chair of the senate
833	833	committee of the nature and progress of any inquiry by the other
834	834	committee.
835	835	(b-4) On a majority vote of the committee, the committee may
836	836	conduct joint hearings and investigations.
837	837	(b-5) The committee may:
838	838	(1) initiate or continue inquiries and hearings
839	839	concerning:
840	840	(A) state government;
841	841	(B) any agency or subdivision of government
842	842	within the state;
843	843	(C) the expenditure of public funds at any level
844	844	of government within the state; and
845	845	(D) any other matter the committee considers
846	846	necessary for the information of the legislature or for the welfare
847	847	and protection of state citizens; and
848	848	(2) inspect the records, documents, and files and may
849	849	examine the duties, responsibilities, and activities of each state
850	850	department, agency, and officer and of each municipality, county,
851	851	or other political subdivision of the state.
852	852	(b-6) If a person disobeys a subpoena or other process that
853	853	the committee lawfully issues, the committee may cite the person
854	854	for contempt and cause the person to be prosecuted for contempt
855	855	according to the procedure prescribed by Subchapter B, Chapter 301,
856	856	Government Code, or by other law.
857	857	(b-7) The committee shall make reports to members of the
858	858	legislature that the committee determines are necessary and
859	859	appropriate.
860	860	(b-8) Information held by the committee that if held by a
861	861	law enforcement agency or prosecutor would be excepted from the
862	862	requirements of Section 552.021, Government Code, under Section
863	863	552.108 of that code is confidential and not subject to public
864	864	disclosure.
865	865	(b-9) If for any reason it is necessary to obtain assistance
866	866	in addition to the services provided by the state auditor, attorney
867	867	general, Texas Legislative Council, or Department of Public Safety,
868	868	the committee may employ and compensate assistants to assist in any
869	869	investigation, audit, or legal matter.
870	870	(c) The committee may investigate a matter related to the
871	871	misconduct, malfeasance, misfeasance, abuse of office, or
872	872	incompetency of an individual or officer under Chapter 665,
873	873	Government Code. The committee has all the powers and duties
874	874	conferred by that chapter for the purpose of conducting the
875	875	investigation, including the authority to propose articles of
876	876	impeachment.
877	877	(d) The committee has original jurisdiction over the
878	878	receipt, processing, investigation, and resolution of complaints
879	879	related to appropriate workplace conduct under Rule 15, the
880	880	housekeeping resolution, and policies adopted by the Committee on
881	881	House Administration. If a complaint relates to the conduct of a
882	882	member of the committee, that member's employee, or an individual
883	883	related to the member or the member's employee within the third
884	884	degree by consanguinity or within the second degree by affinity as
885	885	determined under Chapter 573, Government Code:
886	886	(1) the member shall not participate in any committee
887	887	proceedings related to the complaint; and
888	888	(2) the speaker shall designate a member of the house
889	889	drawn by lot under Subsection (e) of this section to act in the
890	890	place of the disqualified member. The designation of a member under
891	891	this subsection ends when the committee makes its final disposition
892	892	of the complaint.
893	893	(e) When a member of the committee is disqualified under
894	894	Subsection (d) of this section, the chief clerk shall prepare a list
895	895	of the currently qualified members of the house, omitting the names
896	896	of the speaker, the disqualified member, each other member of the
897	897	committee, and any member elected from the same county as the
898	898	disqualified member. The chief clerk shall write on a separate
899	899	piece of paper of uniform size and color the name of each member
900	900	that appears on the prepared list. The chief clerk shall deposit
901	901	the pieces of paper in an opaque container that is designed to
902	902	permit the random distribution of the pieces of paper after their
903	903	initial deposit and to prevent the viewing of any of the pieces of
904	904	paper at any time. After the pieces of paper are randomly
905	905	distributed in the container, the sergeant-at-arms shall draw a
906	906	single piece of paper and deliver that piece of paper to the chief
907	907	clerk. The chief clerk shall inform the speaker of the name drawn
908	908	by the sergeant-at-arms for designation under Subsection (d).
909	909	Sec. 14. HIGHER EDUCATION. The committee shall have 11
910	910	members, with jurisdiction over all matters pertaining to:
911	911	(1) education beyond high school;
912	912	(2) the colleges and universities of the State of
913	913	Texas; and
914	914	(3) the following state agencies: the Texas A&M
915	915	Engineering Experiment Station, the Texas A&M Engineering
916	916	Extension Service, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board,
917	917	the Texas Guaranteed Student Loan Corporation, the Prepaid Higher
918	918	Education Tuition Board, and the Texas A&M Transportation
919	919	Institute.
920	920	Sec. 15. HOMELAND SECURITY AND PUBLIC SAFETY. The
921	921	committee shall have nine members, with jurisdiction over all
922	922	matters pertaining to:
923	923	(1) law enforcement;
924	924	(2) the prevention of crime and the apprehension of
925	925	criminals;
926	926	(3) the provision of security services by private
927	927	entities;
928	928	(4) homeland security, including:
929	929	(A) the defense of the state and nation,
930	930	including terrorism response; and
931	931	(B) disaster mitigation, preparedness, response,
932	932	and recovery; and
933	933	(5) the following state agencies: the Texas Commission
934	934	on Law Enforcement, the Department of Public Safety, the Texas
935	935	Division of Emergency Management, the Emergency Management
936	936	Council, the Texas Forensic Science Commission, the Texas Military
937	937	Preparedness Commission, the Commission on State Emergency
938	938	Communications, and the Texas Crime Stoppers Council.
939	939	Sec. 16. HOUSE ADMINISTRATION (PROCEDURAL). (a) The
940	940	committee shall have 11 members, with jurisdiction over:
941	941	(1) administrative operation of the house and its
942	942	employees;
943	943	(2) the adoption of policies and procedures for
944	944	appropriate workplace conduct under Rule 15 and the housekeeping
945	945	resolution, including policies and procedures relating to the
946	946	training of members, officers, and employees;
947	947	(3) the general house fund, with full control over all
948	948	expenditures from the fund;
949	949	(4) all property, equipment, and supplies obtained by
950	950	the house for its use and the use of its members;
951	951	(5) all office space available for the use of the house
952	952	and its members;
953	953	(6) the assignment of vacant office space, vacant
954	954	parking spaces, and vacant desks on the house floor to members with
955	955	seniority based on cumulative years of service in the house, except
956	956	that the committee may make these assignments based on physical
957	957	disability of a member where it deems proper;
958	958	(7) all admissions to the floor during sessions of the
959	959	house;
960	960	(8) all proposals to invite nonmembers to appear
961	961	before or address the house or a joint session;
962	962	(9) all radio, television, and Internet broadcasting,
963	963	live or recorded, of sessions of the house;
964	964	(10) the electronic recording of the proceedings of
965	965	the house of representatives and the custody of the recordings of
966	966	testimony before house committees, with authority to promulgate
967	967	reasonable rules, regulations, and conditions concerning the
968	968	safekeeping, reproducing, and transcribing of the recordings, and
969	969	the defraying of costs for transcribing the recordings, subject to
970	970	other provisions of these rules;
971	971	(11) all witnesses appearing before the house or any
972	972	committee thereof in support of or in opposition to any pending
973	973	legislative proposal;
974	974	(12) the Rules of Procedure of the House of
975	975	Representatives, Joint Rules of the House and Senate, and all
976	976	proposed amendments;
977	977	(13) other matters concerning the rules, procedures,
978	978	and operation of the house assigned by the speaker; and
979	979	(14) the following state agency: the State
980	980	Preservation Board.
981	981	(b) The committee must vote to adopt the annual budget for
982	982	each house department.
983	983	Sec. 17. HUMAN SERVICES. The committee shall have nine
984	984	members, with jurisdiction over all matters pertaining to:
985	985	(1) welfare and rehabilitation programs and their
986	986	development, administration, and control;
987	987	(2) oversight of the Health and Human Services
988	988	Commission and the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council as it
989	989	relates to the subject matter jurisdiction of this committee;
990	990	(3) intellectual disabilities and the development of
991	991	programs incident thereto;
992	992	(4) the prevention and treatment of intellectual
993	993	disabilities; and
994	994	(5) the following state agencies: the Department of
995	995	Family and Protective Services, the Texas State Board of Social
996	996	Worker Examiners, and the Texas State Board of Examiners of
997	997	Professional Counselors.
998	998	Sec. 18. INSURANCE. The committee shall have nine members,
999	999	with jurisdiction over all matters pertaining to:
1000	1000	(1) insurance and the insurance industry;
1001	1001	(2) all insurance companies and other organizations of
1002	1002	any type writing or issuing policies of insurance in the State of
1003	1003	Texas, including their organization, incorporation, management,
1004	1004	powers, and limitations; and
1005	1005	(3) the following state agencies: the Texas
1006	1006	Department of Insurance, the Texas Health Benefits Purchasing
1007	1007	Cooperative, and the Office of Public Insurance Counsel.
1008	1008	Sec. 19. INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
1009	1009	The committee shall have nine members, with jurisdiction over all
1010	1010	matters pertaining to:
1011	1011	(1) the relations between the State of Texas and other
1012	1012	nations, including matters related to trade relations and
1013	1013	international trade zones;
1014	1014	(2) the relations between the State of Texas and the
1015	1015	federal government other than matters involving defense, emergency
1016	1016	preparedness, and veterans issues;
1017	1017	(3) the relations between the State of Texas and other
1018	1018	states of the United States;
1019	1019	(4) commerce, trade, and manufacturing, including
1020	1020	international commerce and trade and the regulation of persons
1021	1021	participating in international commerce and trade;
1022	1022	(5) cooperation between the state or a local
1023	1023	governmental entity and the scientific and technological
1024	1024	community, including private businesses, institutions of higher
1025	1025	education, and federal governmental laboratories;
1026	1026	(6) weights and measures;
1027	1027	(7) workforce training;
1028	1028	(8) economic and industrial development;
1029	1029	(9) development and support of small businesses;
1030	1030	(10) job creation and job-training programs;
1031	1031	(11) hours, wages, collective bargaining, and the
1032	1032	relationship between employers and employees;
1033	1033	(12) international and border regions (as described in
1034	1034	Sections 2056.002(e)(2) and (3), Government Code) economic
1035	1035	development, public health and safety issues affecting the border,
1036	1036	tourist development, and goodwill, and economic development,
1037	1037	tourist development, and goodwill in other areas of the state that
1038	1038	have experienced a significant increase in the percentage of the
1039	1039	population that consists of immigrants from other nations,
1040	1040	according to the last two federal decennial censuses or another
1041	1041	reliable measure;
1042	1042	(13) the provision of public services to persons
1043	1043	residing in proximity to Texas' international border or in other
1044	1044	areas of the state that have experienced a significant increase in
1045	1045	the percentage of the population that consists of immigrants from
1046	1046	other nations, according to the last two federal decennial censuses
1047	1047	or another reliable measure; and
1048	1048	(14) the following state agencies: the Office of
1049	1049	State-Federal Relations, the Texas Economic Development and
1050	1050	Tourism Office, the Texas Workforce Commission, and the Texas
1051	1051	Workforce Investment Council.
1052	1052	Sec. 20. JUDICIARY AND CIVIL JURISPRUDENCE. The committee
1053	1053	shall have nine members, with jurisdiction over all matters
1054	1054	pertaining to:
1055	1055	(1) fines and penalties arising under civil laws;
1056	1056	(2) civil law, including rights, duties, remedies, and
1057	1057	procedures thereunder, and including probate and guardianship
1058	1058	matters;
1059	1059	(3) civil procedure in the courts of Texas;
1060	1060	(4) administrative law and the adjudication of rights
1061	1061	by administrative agencies;
1062	1062	(5) permission to sue the state;
1063	1063	(6) uniform state laws;
1064	1064	(7) creating, changing, or otherwise affecting courts
1065	1065	of judicial districts of the state;
1066	1066	(8) establishing districts for the election of
1067	1067	judicial officers;
1068	1068	(9) courts and court procedures except where
1069	1069	jurisdiction is specifically granted to some other standing
1070	1070	committee; and
1071	1071	(10) the following state agencies: the Supreme Court,
1072	1072	the courts of appeals, the Court of Criminal Appeals, the State
1073	1073	Commission on Judicial Conduct, the Office of Court Administration
1074	1074	of the Texas Judicial System, the State Law Library, the Texas
1075	1075	Judicial Council, the Judicial Branch Certification Commission,
1076	1076	the Office of the Attorney General, the Board of Law Examiners, the
1077	1077	State Bar of Texas, and the State Office of Administrative
1078	1078	Hearings.
1079	1079	Sec. 21. JUVENILE JUSTICE AND FAMILY ISSUES. The committee
1080	1080	shall have nine members, with jurisdiction over all matters
1081	1081	pertaining to:
1082	1082	(1) the commitment and rehabilitation of youths;
1083	1083	(2) the construction, operation, and management of
1084	1084	correctional facilities of the state and facilities used for the
1085	1085	commitment and rehabilitation of youths;
1086	1086	(3) juvenile delinquency and gang violence;
1087	1087	(4) criminal law, prohibitions, standards, and
1088	1088	penalties as applied to juveniles;
1089	1089	(5) criminal procedure in the courts of Texas as it
1090	1090	relates to juveniles;
1091	1091	(6) civil law as it relates to familial relationships,
1092	1092	including rights, duties, remedies, and procedures; and
1093	1093	(7) the following state agencies: the Texas Juvenile
1094	1094	Justice Board, the Texas Juvenile Justice Department, the Office of
1095	1095	Independent Ombudsman for the Texas Juvenile Justice Department,
1096	1096	and the Advisory Council on Juvenile Services.
1097	1097	Sec. 22. LAND AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT. The committee shall
1098	1098	have nine members, with jurisdiction over all matters pertaining
1099	1099	to:
1100	1100	(1) the management of public lands;
1101	1101	(2) the power of eminent domain;
1102	1102	(3) the creation, modification, and regulation of
1103	1103	municipal utility districts;
1104	1104	(4) annexation, zoning, and other governmental
1105	1105	regulation of land use; and
1106	1106	(5) the following state agencies: the School Land
1107	1107	Board, the Board for Lease of University Lands, and the General Land
1108	1108	Office.
1109	1109	Sec. 23. LICENSING AND ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES. The
1110	1110	committee shall have 11 members, with jurisdiction over all
1111	1111	matters pertaining to:
1112	1112	(1) the oversight of businesses, industries, general
1113	1113	trades, and occupations regulated by this state;
1114	1114	(2) the regulation of greyhound and horse racing and
1115	1115	other gaming industries;
1116	1116	(3) regulation of the sale of intoxicating beverages
1117	1117	and local option control;
1118	1118	(4) the Alcoholic Beverage Code; and
1119	1119	(5) the following state agencies: the Texas
1120	1120	Department of Licensing and Regulation, the State Office of
1121	1121	Administrative Hearings, the Texas Board of Architectural
1122	1122	Examiners, the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy, the Texas
1123	1123	Real Estate Commission, the Texas State Board of Plumbing
1124	1124	Examiners, the Texas Board of Professional Engineers and Land
1125	1125	Surveyors, the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University, the
1126	1126	Texas Racing Commission, the Texas Appraiser Licensing and
1127	1127	Certification Board, the Texas Lottery Commission, and the Texas
1128	1128	Alcoholic Beverage Commission.
1129	1129	Sec. 24. LOCAL AND CONSENT CALENDARS (PROCEDURAL). The
1130	1130	committee shall have 11 members, with jurisdiction over:
1131	1131	(1) the placement on appropriate calendars of bills
1132	1132	and resolutions that, in the opinion of the committee, are in fact
1133	1133	local or will be uncontested, and have been recommended as such by
1134	1134	the standing committee of original jurisdiction; and
1135	1135	(2) the determination of priorities for floor
1136	1136	consideration of bills and resolutions except those within the
1137	1137	jurisdiction of the Committee on Calendars and the Committee on
1138	1138	Resolutions Calendars.
1139	1139	Sec. 25. NATURAL RESOURCES. The committee shall have 11
1140	1140	members, with jurisdiction over all matters pertaining to:
1141	1141	(1) the conservation of the natural resources of
1142	1142	Texas;
1143	1143	(2) the control and development of land and water and
1144	1144	land and water resources, including the taking, storing, control,
1145	1145	and use of all water in the state, and its appropriation and
1146	1146	allocation;
1147	1147	(3) irrigation, irrigation companies, and irrigation
1148	1148	districts, and their incorporation, management, and powers;
1149	1149	(4) the creation, modification, and regulation of
1150	1150	groundwater conservation districts, water supply districts, water
1151	1151	control and improvement districts, conservation and reclamation
1152	1152	districts, and all similar organs of local government dealing with
1153	1153	water and water supply not otherwise assigned by these rules to
1154	1154	another standing committee;
1155	1155	(5) oversight of the Texas Commission on Environmental
1156	1156	Quality as it relates to the regulation of water resources; and
1157	1157	(6) the following state agencies: the Office of
1158	1158	Canadian River Compact Commissioner for Texas, the Office of Pecos
1159	1159	River Compact Commissioner for Texas, the Office of Red River
1160	1160	Compact Commissioner for Texas, the Office of Rio Grande Compact
1161	1161	Commissioner for Texas, the Office of Sabine River Compact
1162	1162	Commissioners for Texas, the Southwestern States Water Commission,
1163	1163	and the Texas Water Development Board.
1164	1164	Sec. 26. PENSIONS, INVESTMENTS, AND FINANCIAL SERVICES.
1165	1165	The committee shall have nine members, with jurisdiction over all
1166	1166	matters pertaining to:
1167	1167	(1) banking and the state banking system;
1168	1168	(2) savings and loan associations;
1169	1169	(3) credit unions;
1170	1170	(4) the regulation of state and local bonded
1171	1171	indebtedness;
1172	1172	(5) the lending of money;
1173	1173	(6) benefits or participation in benefits of a public
1174	1174	retirement system and the financial obligations of a public
1175	1175	retirement system;
1176	1176	(7) the regulation of securities and investments;
1177	1177	(8) privacy and identity theft; and
1178	1178	(9) the following state agencies: the Finance
1179	1179	Commission of Texas, the Credit Union Commission, the Office of
1180	1180	Consumer Credit Commissioner, the Office of Banking Commissioner,
1181	1181	the Texas Department of Banking, the Department of Savings and
1182	1182	Mortgage Lending, the Texas Treasury Safekeeping Trust Company, the
1183	1183	Texas Public Finance Authority, the Bond Review Board, the Texas
1184	1184	Emergency Services Retirement System, the Board of Trustees of the
1185	1185	Teacher Retirement System of Texas, the Board of Trustees of the
1186	1186	Employees Retirement System of Texas, the Board of Trustees of the
1187	1187	Texas County and District Retirement System, the Board of Trustees
1188	1188	of the Texas Municipal Retirement System, the State Pension Review
1189	1189	Board, and the State Securities Board.
1190	1190	Sec. 27. PUBLIC EDUCATION. The committee shall have 13
1191	1191	members, with jurisdiction over all matters pertaining to:
1192	1192	(1) the public schools and the public school system of
1193	1193	Texas and the financing thereof;
1194	1194	(2) the state programming of elementary and secondary
1195	1195	education for the public school system of Texas;
1196	1196	(3) proposals to create, change, or otherwise alter
1197	1197	school districts of the state; and
1198	1198	(4) the following organizations and state agencies:
1199	1199	the State Board of Education, the Texas Education Agency, the Texas
1200	1200	representatives to the Education Commission of the States, the
1201	1201	Southern Regional Education Board, the Texas School for the Blind
1202	1202	and Visually Impaired, the State Board for Educator Certification,
1203	1203	and the Texas School for the Deaf.
1204	1204	Sec. 28. PUBLIC HEALTH. The committee shall have 11
1205	1205	members, with jurisdiction over all matters pertaining to:
1206	1206	(1) the protection of public health, including
1207	1207	supervision and control of the practice of medicine and dentistry
1208	1208	and other allied health services;
1209	1209	(2) mental health and the development of programs
1210	1210	incident thereto;
1211	1211	(3) the prevention and treatment of mental illness;
1212	1212	(4) oversight of the Health and Human Services
1213	1213	Commission and the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council as it
1214	1214	relates to the subject matter jurisdiction of this committee; and
1215	1215	(5) the following state agencies: the Department of
1216	1216	State Health Services, the Anatomical Board of the State of Texas,
1217	1217	the Texas Funeral Service Commission, the Hearing Instrument
1218	1218	Fitters and Dispensers Advisory Board, the Texas Health Services
1219	1219	Authority, the Texas Optometry Board, the Texas Radiation Advisory
1220	1220	Board, the Texas State Board of Pharmacy, the Texas Board of
1221	1221	Nursing, the Texas Board of Chiropractic Examiners, the Texas Board
1222	1222	of Physical Therapy Examiners, the Massage Therapy Advisory Board,
1223	1223	the Podiatric Medical Examiners Advisory Board, the Texas State
1224	1224	Board of Examiners of Psychologists, the Texas State Board of
1225	1225	Examiners of Marriage and Family Therapists, the Behavior Analyst
1226	1226	Advisory Board, the State Board of Dental Examiners, the Texas
1227	1227	Medical Board, the Advisory Board of Athletic Trainers, the Cancer
1228	1228	Prevention and Research Institute of Texas, the Texas State Board
1229	1229	of Acupuncture Examiners, the Health Professions Council, the
1230	1230	Office of Patient Protection, the Texas Board of Occupational
1231	1231	Therapy Examiners, and the Texas Child Mental Health Care
1232	1232	Consortium.
1233	1233	Sec. 29. REDISTRICTING (PROCEDURAL). The committee shall
1234	1234	have 15 members, with jurisdiction over all matters pertaining to:
1235	1235	(1) legislative districts, both house and senate, and
1236	1236	any changes or amendments;
1237	1237	(2) congressional districts, their creation, and any
1238	1238	changes or amendments;
1239	1239	(3) establishing districts for the election of
1240	1240	judicial officers or of governing bodies or representatives of
1241	1241	political subdivisions or state agencies as required by law; and
1242	1242	(4) preparations for the redistricting process.
1243	1243	Sec. 30. RESOLUTIONS CALENDARS (PROCEDURAL). The committee
1244	1244	shall have 11 members, with jurisdiction over:
1245	1245	(1) the placement on appropriate calendars of
1246	1246	resolutions that, in the opinion of the committee, are in fact
1247	1247	congratulatory or memorial;
1248	1248	(2) the determination of priorities for floor
1249	1249	consideration of resolutions except those within the jurisdiction
1250	1250	of the Committee on Calendars and the Committee on Local and Consent
1251	1251	Calendars;
1252	1252	(3) all procedures for expediting the business of the
1253	1253	house in expressing concern or commendation in an orderly and
1254	1254	efficient manner;
1255	1255	(4) all resolutions to congratulate, memorialize, or
1256	1256	name mascots of the house; and
1257	1257	(5) other matters concerning rules, procedures, and
1258	1258	operation of the house in expressing concern or commendation
1259	1259	assigned by the speaker.
1260	1260	Sec. 31. STATE AFFAIRS. The committee shall have 13
1261	1261	members, with jurisdiction over all matters pertaining to:
1262	1262	(1) questions and matters of state policy;
1263	1263	(2) the administration of state government;
1264	1264	(3) the organization, operation, powers, regulation,
1265	1265	and management of state departments, agencies, and institutions;
1266	1266	(4) the operation and regulation of public lands and
1267	1267	state buildings;
1268	1268	(5) the duties and conduct of officers and employees
1269	1269	of the state government;
1270	1270	(6) the duties and conduct of candidates for public
1271	1271	office and of persons with an interest in influencing public
1272	1272	policy;
1273	1273	(7) the operation of state government and its agencies
1274	1274	and departments; all of above except where jurisdiction is
1275	1275	specifically granted to some other standing committee;
1276	1276	(8) access of the state agencies to scientific and
1277	1277	technological information;
1278	1278	(9) the regulation and deregulation of electric
1279	1279	utilities and the electric industry;
1280	1280	(10) the regulation and deregulation of
1281	1281	telecommunications utilities and the telecommunications industry;
1282	1282	(11) electric utility regulation as it relates to
1283	1283	energy production and consumption;
1284	1284	(12) pipelines, pipeline companies, and all others
1285	1285	operating as common carriers in the state;
1286	1286	(13) the regulation and deregulation of other
1287	1287	industries jurisdiction of which is not specifically assigned to
1288	1288	another committee under these rules;
1289	1289	(14) advances in science and technology, including
1290	1290	telecommunications, electronic technology, or automated data
1291	1291	processing, by state agencies, including institutions of higher
1292	1292	education;
1293	1293	(15) the promotion within the state of an advance
1294	1294	described by Subdivision (14) of this section;
1295	1295	(16) cybersecurity; and
1296	1296	(17) the following organizations and state agencies:
1297	1297	the Council of State Governments, the National Conference of State
1298	1298	Legislatures, the Office of the Governor, the Texas Ethics
1299	1299	Commission, the Texas Facilities Commission, the Department of
1300	1300	Information Resources, the Inaugural Endowment Fund Committee, the
1301	1301	Sunset Advisory Commission, the Public Utility Commission of Texas,
1302	1302	and the Office of Public Utility Counsel.
1303	1303	Sec. 32. TRANSPORTATION. The committee shall have 13
1304	1304	members, with jurisdiction over all matters pertaining to:
1305	1305	(1) commercial motor vehicles, both bus and truck, and
1306	1306	their control, regulation, licensing, and operation;
1307	1307	(2) the Texas highway system, including all roads,
1308	1308	bridges, and ferries constituting a part of the system;
1309	1309	(3) the licensing of private passenger vehicles to
1310	1310	operate on the roads and highways of the state;
1311	1311	(4) the regulation and control of traffic on the
1312	1312	public highways of the State of Texas;
1313	1313	(5) railroads, street railway lines, interurban
1314	1314	railway lines, steamship companies, and express companies;
1315	1315	(6) airports, air traffic, airlines, and other
1316	1316	organizations engaged in transportation by means of aerial flight;
1317	1317	(7) water transportation in the State of Texas, and
1318	1318	the rivers, harbors, and related facilities used in water
1319	1319	transportation and the agencies of government exercising
1320	1320	supervision and control thereover;
1321	1321	(8) the regulation of metropolitan transit; and
1322	1322	(9) the following state agencies: the Texas Department
1323	1323	of Motor Vehicles, the Texas Department of Transportation, and the
1324	1324	Texas Transportation Commission.
1325	1325	Sec. 33. URBAN AFFAIRS. The committee shall have nine
1326	1326	members, with jurisdiction over all matters pertaining to:
1327	1327	(1) municipalities, including their creation,
1328	1328	organization, powers, government, and finance, and the
1329	1329	compensation and duties of their officers and employees;
1330	1330	(2) home-rule municipalities, their relationship to
1331	1331	the state, and their powers, authority, and limitations;
1332	1332	(3) the creation or change of metropolitan areas and
1333	1333	the form of government under which those areas operate;
1334	1334	(4) problems and issues particularly affecting
1335	1335	metropolitan areas of the state;
1336	1336	(5) other units of local government not otherwise
1337	1337	assigned by these rules to other standing committees;
1338	1338	(6) establishing districts for the election of
1339	1339	governing bodies of municipalities;
1340	1340	(7) land use regulation by municipalities; and
1341	1341	(8) the following state agencies: the Texas
1342	1342	Department of Housing and Community Affairs and the Texas
1343	1343	Commission on Fire Protection.
1344	1344	Sec. 34. WAYS AND MEANS. The committee shall have 11
1345	1345	members, with jurisdiction over:
1346	1346	(1) all bills and resolutions proposing to raise state
1347	1347	revenue;
1348	1348	(2) all bills or resolutions proposing to levy state
1349	1349	taxes or other fees;
1350	1350	(3) all proposals to modify, amend, or change any
1351	1351	existing state tax or revenue statute;
1352	1352	(4) all proposals to regulate the manner of collection
1353	1353	of state revenues and taxes;
1354	1354	(5) all bills and resolutions containing provisions
1355	1355	resulting in automatic allocation of funds from the state treasury;
1356	1356	(6) all bills and resolutions diverting funds from the
1357	1357	state treasury or preventing funds from going in that otherwise
1358	1358	would be placed in the state treasury;
1359	1359	(7) all bills and resolutions proposing to permit a
1360	1360	local government to raise revenue;
1361	1361	(8) all bills and resolutions proposing to permit a
1362	1362	local government to levy or impose property taxes, sales and use
1363	1363	taxes, or other taxes and fees;
1364	1364	(9) all proposals to modify, amend, or change any
1365	1365	existing local government tax or revenue statute;
1366	1366	(10) all proposals to regulate the manner of
1367	1367	collection of local government revenues and taxes;
1368	1368	(11) all bills and resolutions relating to the
1369	1369	appraisal of property for taxation;
1370	1370	(12) all bills and resolutions relating to the Tax
1371	1371	Code; and
1372	1372	(13) the following organizations and state agencies:
1373	1373	the Multistate Tax Commission and the Comptroller of Public
1374	1374	Accounts.
1375	1375	RULE 4. ORGANIZATION, POWERS, AND DUTIES OF COMMITTEES
1376	1376	CHAPTER A. ORGANIZATION
1377	1377	Sec. 1. COMMITTEES, MEMBERSHIP, AND JURISDICTION. Standing
1378	1378	committees of the house, and the number of members and general
1379	1379	jurisdiction of each, shall be as enumerated in Rule 3.
1380	1380	Sec. 2. DETERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP. (a) Membership on
1381	1381	the standing committees shall be determined at the beginning of
1382	1382	each regular session in the following manner:
1383	1383	(1) For each standing substantive committee, a maximum
1384	1384	of one-half of the membership, exclusive of the chair and
1385	1385	vice-chair, shall be determined by seniority. The remaining
1386	1386	membership of the committee shall be appointed by the speaker.
1387	1387	(2) Each member of the house, in order of seniority,
1388	1388	may designate three committees on which he or she desires to serve,
1389	1389	listed in order of preference. The member is entitled to become a
1390	1390	member of the committee of his or her highest preference on which
1391	1391	there remains a vacant seniority position.
1392	1392	(3) If members of equal seniority request the same
1393	1393	committee, the speaker shall appoint the member from among those
1394	1394	requesting that committee. Seniority, as the term is used in this
1395	1395	subsection, shall mean years of cumulative service as a member of
1396	1396	the house of representatives.
1397	1397	(4) After each member of the house has selected one
1398	1398	committee on the basis of seniority, the remaining membership on
1399	1399	each standing committee shall be filled by appointment of the
1400	1400	speaker, subject to the limitations imposed in this chapter.
1401	1401	(5) Seniority shall not apply to a procedural
1402	1402	committee. For purposes of these rules, the procedural committees
1403	1403	are the Committee on Calendars, the Committee on Local and Consent
1404	1404	Calendars, the Committee on Resolutions Calendars, the General
1405	1405	Investigating Committee, the Committee on House Administration,
1406	1406	and the Committee on Redistricting. The entire membership of these
1407	1407	committees shall be appointed by the speaker.
1408	1408	(6) In announcing the membership of committees, the
1409	1409	speaker shall designate those appointed by the speaker and those
1410	1410	acquiring membership by seniority.
1411	1411	(7) The speaker shall designate the chair and
1412	1412	vice-chair from the total membership of the committee.
1413	1413	(b) In the event of a vacancy in a representative district
1414	1414	that has not been filled at the time of the determination of the
1415	1415	membership of standing committees, the representative of the
1416	1416	district who fills that vacancy shall not be entitled to select a
1417	1417	committee on the basis of seniority. Committee appointments on
1418	1418	behalf of that district shall be designated by the district number.
1419	1419	(c) In the event that a member-elect of the current
1420	1420	legislature has not taken the oath of office by the end of the ninth
1421	1421	day of the regular session, the representative of that district
1422	1422	shall not be entitled to select a committee on the basis of
1423	1423	seniority. If the member-elect has not taken the oath of office by
1424	1424	the time committee appointments are announced, committee
1425	1425	appointments on behalf of that district shall be designated by
1426	1426	district number.
1427	1427	Sec. 3. RANKING OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS. Except for the chair
1428	1428	and vice-chair, members of a standing committee shall rank
1429	1429	according to their seniority.
1430	1430	Sec. 4. MEMBERSHIP RESTRICTIONS. (a) No member shall serve
1431	1431	concurrently on more than two standing substantive committees.
1432	1432	(b) A member serving as chair of the Committee on
1433	1433	Appropriations, the Committee on State Affairs, or the Committee on
1434	1434	Ways and Means may not serve on any other substantive committee.
1435	1435	(c) A permanent speaker pro tempore appointed under Rule 1,
1436	1436	Section 10, may not serve on more than one substantive committee or
1437	1437	as chair of a standing committee.
1438	1438	Sec. 5. VACANCIES ON COMMITTEES. Should a vacancy occur on
1439	1439	a standing, select, or interim committee subsequent to its
1440	1440	organization, the speaker shall appoint an eligible member to fill
1441	1441	the vacancy.
1442	1442	Sec. 6. DUTIES OF THE CHAIR. The chair of each committee
1443	1443	shall:
1444	1444	(1) be responsible for the effective conduct of the
1445	1445	business of the committee;
1446	1446	(2) appoint all subcommittees and determine the number
1447	1447	of members to serve on each subcommittee;
1448	1448	(3) in consultation with members of the committee,
1449	1449	schedule the work of the committee and determine the order in which
1450	1450	the committee shall consider and act on bills, resolutions, and
1451	1451	other matters referred to the committee;
1452	1452	(4) have authority to employ and discharge the staff
1453	1453	and employees authorized for the committee and have supervision and
1454	1454	control over all the staff and employees;
1455	1455	(5) direct the preparation of all committee reports.
1456	1456	No committee report shall be official until signed by the chair of
1457	1457	the committee, or by the person acting as chair, or by a majority of
1458	1458	the membership of the committee;
1459	1459	(6) determine the necessity for public hearings,
1460	1460	schedule hearings, and be responsible for directing the posting of
1461	1461	notice of hearings as required by the rules;
1462	1462	(7) preside at all meetings of the committee and
1463	1463	control its deliberations and activities in accordance with
1464	1464	acceptable parliamentary procedure; and
1465	1465	(8) have authority to direct the sergeant-at-arms to
1466	1466	assist, where necessary, in enforcing the will of the committee.
1467	1467	Sec. 7. BILL ANALYSES. Except for the general
1468	1468	appropriations bill, for each bill or joint resolution referred to
1469	1469	the committee, the staff of the committee shall be responsible for
1470	1470	distributing a copy of a bill analysis to each member of the
1471	1471	committee and the author of a house measure at the earliest possible
1472	1472	opportunity but not later than the first time the measure is laid
1473	1473	out in a committee meeting.
1474	1474	CHAPTER B. PROCEDURE
1475	1475	Sec. 8. MEETINGS. (a) As soon as practicable after
1476	1476	standing committees are constituted and organized, the committee
1477	1477	coordinator, under the direction of the Committee on House
1478	1478	Administration, shall prepare a schedule for regular meetings of
1479	1479	all standing committees. This schedule shall be published in the
1480	1480	house journal and posted in a convenient and conspicuous place near
1481	1481	the entrance to the house and on other posting boards for committee
1482	1482	meeting notices, as determined necessary by the Committee on House
1483	1483	Administration. To the extent practicable during each regular
1484	1484	session, standing committees shall conduct regular committee
1485	1485	meetings in accordance with the schedule of meetings prepared by
1486	1486	the committee coordinator under the supervision of the Committee on
1487	1487	House Administration.
1488	1488	(b) Standing committees shall meet at other times as may be
1489	1489	determined by the committee, or as may be called by the chair.
1490	1490	Subcommittees of standing committees shall likewise meet at other
1491	1491	times as may be determined by the committee, or as may be called by
1492	1492	the chair of the committee or subcommittee.
1493	1493	(c) Committees shall also meet in such places and at such
1494	1494	times as the speaker may designate.
1495	1495	Sec. 9. MEETING WHILE HOUSE IN SESSION. No standing
1496	1496	committee or subcommittee shall meet during the time the house is in
1497	1497	session without permission being given by a majority vote of the
1498	1498	house. No standing committee or subcommittee shall conduct its
1499	1499	meeting on the floor of the house or in the house chamber while the
1500	1500	house is in session, but shall, if given permission to meet while
1501	1501	the house is in session, retire to a designated committee room for
1502	1502	the conduct of its meeting.
1503	1503	Sec. 10. PURPOSES FOR MEETING. A committee or a
1504	1504	subcommittee may be assembled for:
1505	1505	(1) a public hearing where testimony is to be heard,
1506	1506	and where official action may be taken, on bills, resolutions, or
1507	1507	other matters;
1508	1508	(2) a formal meeting where the committee may discuss
1509	1509	and take official action on bills, resolutions, or other matters
1510	1510	without testimony; and
1511	1511	(3) a work session where the committee may discuss
1512	1512	bills, resolutions, or other matters but take no formal action.
1513	1513	Sec. 11. POSTING NOTICE. (a) No committee or
1514	1514	subcommittee, including a calendars committee, shall assemble for
1515	1515	the purpose of a public hearing during a regular session unless
1516	1516	notice of the hearing has been posted in accordance with the rules
1517	1517	at least five calendar days in advance of the hearing. No committee
1518	1518	or subcommittee, including a calendars committee, shall assemble
1519	1519	for the purpose of a public hearing during a special session unless
1520	1520	notice of the hearing has been posted in accordance with the rules
1521	1521	at least 24 hours in advance of the hearing. The committee minutes
1522	1522	shall reflect the date of each posting of notice. Notice shall not
1523	1523	be required for a public hearing or a formal meeting on a senate
1524	1524	bill which is substantially the same as a house bill that has
1525	1525	previously been the subject of a duly posted public hearing by the
1526	1526	committee.
1527	1527	(b) No committee or subcommittee, including a calendars
1528	1528	committee, shall assemble for the purpose of a formal meeting or
1529	1529	work session during a regular or special session unless written
1530	1530	notice has been posted and transmitted to each member of the
1531	1531	committee two hours in advance of the meeting or an announcement has
1532	1532	been filed with the journal clerk and read by the reading clerk
1533	1533	while the house is in session.
1534	1534	(c) All committees meeting during the interim for the
1535	1535	purpose of a formal meeting, work session, or public hearing shall
1536	1536	post notice in accordance with the rules and notify members of the
1537	1537	committee at least five calendar days in advance of the meeting.
1538	1538	Sec. 12. MEETINGS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. All meetings of a
1539	1539	committee or subcommittee, including a calendars committee, shall
1540	1540	be open to other members, the press, and the public unless
1541	1541	specifically provided otherwise by resolution adopted by the house.
1542	1542	However, the General Investigating Committee or a committee
1543	1543	considering an impeachment, an address, the punishment of a member
1544	1544	of the house, or any other matter of a quasi-judicial nature may
1545	1545	meet in executive session for the limited purpose of examining a
1546	1546	witness or deliberating, considering, or debating a decision, but
1547	1547	no decision may be made or voted on except in a meeting that is open
1548	1548	to the public and otherwise in compliance with the rules of the
1549	1549	house.
1550	1550	Sec. 13. RULES GOVERNING OPERATIONS. (a) The Rules of
1551	1551	Procedure of the House of Representatives, and to the extent
1552	1552	applicable, the rules of evidence and procedure in the civil courts
1553	1553	of Texas, shall govern the hearings and operations of each
1554	1554	committee, including a calendars committee. Subject to the
1555	1555	foregoing, and to the extent necessary for orderly transaction of
1556	1556	business, each committee may promulgate and adopt additional rules
1557	1557	and procedures by which it will function. A copy of the rules and
1558	1558	procedures adopted by a committee must be filed with the chief
1559	1559	clerk. If the house is convened in a regular or special session, a
1560	1560	copy of the rules and procedures shall also be delivered to the
1561	1561	journal clerk and printed in the journal.
1562	1562	(b) No standing committee, including a calendars committee,
1563	1563	or any subcommittee, shall adopt any rule of procedure, including
1564	1564	but not limited to an automatic subcommittee rule, which will have
1565	1565	the effect of thwarting the will of the majority of the committee or
1566	1566	subcommittee or denying the committee or subcommittee the right to
1567	1567	ultimately dispose of any pending matter by action of a majority of
1568	1568	the committee or subcommittee. A bill or resolution may not be laid
1569	1569	on the table subject to call in committee without a majority vote of
1570	1570	the committee.
1571	1571	(c) Each committee of the house shall have authority to
1572	1572	determine whether or not to permit television, radio, or Internet
1573	1573	broadcasts, other than official house broadcasts, of any of its
1574	1574	proceedings.
1575	1575	Sec. 14. APPEALS FROM RULINGS OF THE CHAIR. Appeals from
1576	1576	rulings of the chair of a committee shall be in order if seconded by
1577	1577	three members of the committee, which may include the member making
1578	1578	the appeal. Procedure in committee following an appeal which has
1579	1579	been seconded shall be the same as the procedure followed in the
1580	1580	house in a similar situation.
1581	1581	Sec. 15. PREVIOUS QUESTION. Before the previous question
1582	1582	can be ordered in a committee, the motion therefor must be seconded
1583	1583	by not less than 4 members of a committee consisting of 21 or more
1584	1584	members, 3 members of a committee consisting of less than 21 members
1585	1585	and more than 10 members, or 2 members of a committee consisting of
1586	1586	10 members or less. If the motion is properly seconded and ordered
1587	1587	by a majority vote of the committee, further debate on the
1588	1588	proposition under consideration shall be terminated, and the
1589	1589	proposition shall be immediately put to a vote of the committee for
1590	1590	its action.
1591	1591	Sec. 16. QUORUM. A majority of a committee shall
1592	1592	constitute a quorum. No action or recommendation of a committee
1593	1593	shall be valid unless taken at a meeting of the committee with a
1594	1594	quorum actually present, and the committee minutes shall reflect
1595	1595	the names of those members of the committee who were actually
1596	1596	present. No committee report shall be made to the house nor shall
1597	1597	bills or resolutions be placed on a calendar unless ordered by a
1598	1598	majority of the membership of the committee, except as otherwise
1599	1599	provided in the rules, and a quorum of the committee must be present
1600	1600	when the vote is taken on reporting a bill or resolution, on placing
1601	1601	bills or resolutions on a calendar, or on taking any other formal
1602	1602	action within the authority of the committee. No committee report
1603	1603	shall be made nor shall bills or resolutions be placed on a calendar
1604	1604	except by record vote of the members of the committee, with the yeas
1605	1605	and nays to be recorded in the minutes of the committee. Proxies
1606	1606	cannot be used in committees.
1607	1607	Sec. 17. MOVING A CALL OF A COMMITTEE. (a) It shall be in
1608	1608	order to move a call of a committee at any time to secure and
1609	1609	maintain a quorum for any one or more of the following purposes:
1610	1610	(1) for the consideration of a specific bill,
1611	1611	resolution, or other matter;
1612	1612	(2) for a definite period of time; or
1613	1613	(3) for the consideration of any designated class of
1614	1614	bills or other matters.
1615	1615	(b) When a call of a committee is moved for one or more of
1616	1616	the foregoing purposes and seconded by two members, one of whom may
1617	1617	be the chair, and is ordered by a majority of the members present,
1618	1618	no member shall thereafter be permitted to leave the committee
1619	1619	meeting without written permission from the chair. After the call
1620	1620	is ordered, and in the absence of a quorum, the chair shall have the
1621	1621	authority to authorize the sergeant-at-arms to locate absent
1622	1622	members of the committee and to compel their attendance for the
1623	1623	duration of the call.
1624	1624	Sec. 18. MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS. (a) For each committee,
1625	1625	including a calendars committee, the chair, or the member acting as
1626	1626	chair, shall keep complete minutes of the proceedings in committee,
1627	1627	which shall include:
1628	1628	(1) the time and place of each meeting of the
1629	1629	committee;
1630	1630	(2) a roll call to determine the members present at
1631	1631	each meeting of the committee, whether that meeting follows an
1632	1632	adjournment or a recess from a previous committee meeting;
1633	1633	(3) an accurate record of all votes taken, including a
1634	1634	listing of the yeas and nays cast on a record vote;
1635	1635	(4) the date of posting of notice of the meeting; and
1636	1636	(5) other information that the chair shall determine.
1637	1637	(b) The minutes for each public hearing of a committee shall
1638	1638	also include an attachment listing the names of the persons, other
1639	1639	than members of the legislature, and the persons or entities
1640	1640	represented by those persons, who were recognized by the chair to
1641	1641	address the committee. The attachment shall also list the name of
1642	1642	each person, other than a member of the legislature, who submitted
1643	1643	to the committee a sworn statement indicating that the person was
1644	1644	present in favor of, in opposition to, or without taking a position
1645	1645	on the measure or other matter, but who because of the person's
1646	1646	departure or other reason was not recognized by the chair to address
1647	1647	the committee; provided that the omission of the name of such a
1648	1648	person is not subject to a point of order.
1649	1649	(c) Committee minutes shall be corrected only at the
1650	1650	direction of the chair as authorized by a majority vote of the
1651	1651	committee. Duplicate originals of committee minutes shall be
1652	1652	maintained, one to remain with the committee chair and the other to
1653	1653	be filed with the committee coordinator. The committee minutes of a
1654	1654	meeting of the Appropriations Committee on the general
1655	1655	appropriations bill must be filed with the committee coordinator
1656	1656	within five days of the committee meeting. All other committee
1657	1657	minutes must be filed with the committee coordinator within three
1658	1658	days of the committee meeting for a substantive committee or the
1659	1659	Committee on Redistricting, and within one day of the committee
1660	1660	meeting for a procedural committee other than the Committee on
1661	1661	Redistricting. If the date on which the committee minutes are due
1662	1662	occurs on a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday on which the house is not
1663	1663	in session, the committee minutes shall be filed on the following
1664	1664	working day. The time at which the minutes are filed shall be
1665	1665	time-stamped on the duplicate originals of the minutes that are
1666	1666	filed with the committee coordinator. The duplicate originals
1667	1667	shall be available at all reasonable business hours for inspection
1668	1668	by members or the public.
1669	1669	(d) The committee coordinator shall maintain the minutes
1670	1670	and records safe from loss, destruction, and alteration at all
1671	1671	times, and may, at any time, turn them, or any portion, over to the
1672	1672	Committee on House Administration.
1673	1673	Sec. 18A. INTERNET ACCESS TO COMMITTEE DOCUMENTS. (a) The
1674	1674	committee coordinator shall establish procedures for making
1675	1675	available to the public on the Internet documents relating to the
1676	1676	proceedings of substantive committees.
1677	1677	(b) A substantive committee shall make available to the
1678	1678	public on the Internet:
1679	1679	(1) any committee substitute or amendment laid before
1680	1680	the committee; and
1681	1681	(2) any nonconfidential written testimony submitted
1682	1682	by a state agency for consideration by the committee that relates to
1683	1683	a measure referred to the committee.
1684	1684	(c) A committee's failure to comply with this section is not
1685	1685	subject to a point of order.
1686	1686	Sec. 19. RECORDING OF TESTIMONY. All testimony before
1687	1687	committees and subcommittees shall be electronically recorded
1688	1688	under the direction of the Committee on House Administration.
1689	1689	Copies of the testimony may be released under guidelines
1690	1690	promulgated by the Committee on House Administration.
1691	1691	Sec. 19A. RECORDING OF APPROPRIATIONS MEETINGS. (a) The
1692	1692	Committee on House Administration shall ensure that an audio and
1693	1693	video recording of any public hearing, formal meeting, or work
1694	1694	session of the Committee on Appropriations or a subcommittee of the
1695	1695	Committee on Appropriations is made available to the public on the
1696	1696	Internet in a timely manner.
1697	1697	(b) To the extent that current technological capabilities
1698	1698	prohibit immediate implementation of this section, the Committee on
1699	1699	House Administration shall use the committee's best efforts to
1700	1700	conform to the requirements of this section as soon as practicable.
1701	1701	Sec. 20. SWORN STATEMENT OF WITNESSES. (a) The committee
1702	1702	coordinator, under the direction of the Committee on House
1703	1703	Administration, shall prescribe the form of a sworn statement,
1704	1704	which may be in electronic or paper format, to be executed by all
1705	1705	persons, other than members, who wish to be recognized by the chair
1706	1706	to address the committee. The statement shall provide for showing
1707	1707	at least:
1708	1708	(1) the committee or subcommittee;
1709	1709	(2) the name, address, and telephone number of the
1710	1710	person appearing;
1711	1711	(3) the person, firm, corporation, class, or group
1712	1712	represented;
1713	1713	(4) the type of business, profession, or occupation in
1714	1714	which the person is engaged, if the person is representing himself
1715	1715	or herself; and
1716	1716	(5) the matter before the committee on which the
1717	1717	person wishes to be recognized to address the committee and whether
1718	1718	for, against, or neutral on the matter.
1719	1719	(b) No person shall be recognized by the chair to address
1720	1720	the committee in favor of, in opposition to, or without taking a
1721	1721	position on a matter until the sworn statement has been filed with
1722	1722	the chair of the committee. The chair of the committee shall
1723	1723	indicate whether the person completing the statement was recognized
1724	1724	to address the committee.
1725	1725	(c) Sworn statements submitted in paper format for those
1726	1726	persons recognized by the chair to address the committee shall
1727	1727	accompany the copy of the minutes of the meeting filed with the
1728	1728	committee coordinator.
1729	1729	(d) All persons, other than members, recognized by the chair
1730	1730	to address the committee shall give their testimony under oath, and
1731	1731	each committee may avail itself of additional powers and
1732	1732	prerogatives authorized by law.
1733	1733	(e) The committee shall ensure that an individual who is
1734	1734	blind receives any necessary assistance in executing the sworn
1735	1735	statement.
1736	1736	(f) The committee shall inform a witness who is blind which
1737	1737	members of the committee are present when the witness begins to
1738	1738	testify and shall inform the witness during the testimony of the
1739	1739	departure and arrival of committee members.
1740	1740	(g) The chair may recognize a witness who has been invited
1741	1741	by the committee to attend the meeting but is not present in the
1742	1742	same physical location as the committee to testify before the
1743	1743	committee through an Internet or other videoconferencing system if:
1744	1744	(1) the witness has executed a sworn statement, in
1745	1745	electronic or paper format, under this section;
1746	1746	(2) the witness has filed the statement or a copy of
1747	1747	the statement with the chair before testifying; and
1748	1748	(3) two-way communication has been enabled to allow
1749	1749	the witness to be clearly visible and audible to the committee
1750	1750	members and the committee members to be clearly visible and audible
1751	1751	to the witness.
1752	1752	(h) A person who serves as a translator, including an
1753	1753	interpreter, for a witness before a committee must execute a form
1754	1754	prescribed by the committee coordinator, under the direction of the
1755	1755	Committee on House Administration. The form must at least include
1756	1756	the name of the translator and the name of the witness whom the
1757	1757	translator is serving.
1758	1758	Sec. 21. POWER TO ISSUE PROCESS AND SUMMON WITNESSES. (a)
1759	1759	By a record vote of not less than two-thirds of those present and
1760	1760	voting, a quorum being present, each standing committee shall have
1761	1761	the power and authority to issue process to witnesses at any place
1762	1762	in the State of Texas, to compel their attendance, and to compel the
1763	1763	production of all books, records, and instruments. If necessary to
1764	1764	obtain compliance with subpoenas or other process, the committee
1765	1765	shall have the power to issue writs of attachment. All process
1766	1766	issued by the committee may be addressed to and served by an agent
1767	1767	of the committee or a sergeant-at-arms appointed by the committee
1768	1768	or by any peace officer of the State of Texas. The committee shall
1769	1769	also have the power to cite and have prosecuted for contempt, in the
1770	1770	manner provided by law, anyone disobeying the subpoenas or other
1771	1771	process lawfully issued by the committee. The chair of the
1772	1772	committee shall issue, in the name of the committee, the subpoenas
1773	1773	and other process as the committee may direct.
1774	1774	(b) The chair may summon the governing board or other
1775	1775	representatives of a state agency to appear and testify before the
1776	1776	committee without issuing process under Subsection (a) of this
1777	1777	section. The summons may be communicated in writing, orally, or
1778	1778	electronically. If the persons summoned fail or refuse to appear,
1779	1779	the committee may issue process under Subsection (a) of this
1780	1780	section.
1781	1781	Sec. 22. MILEAGE AND PER DIEM FOR WITNESSES. Subject to
1782	1782	prior approval by the Committee on House Administration, witnesses
1783	1783	attending proceedings of any committee under process of the
1784	1784	committee shall be allowed the same mileage and per diem as are
1785	1785	allowed members of the committee when in a travel status, to be paid
1786	1786	out of the contingent expense fund of the house of representatives
1787	1787	on vouchers approved by the chair of the committee, the chair of the
1788	1788	Committee on House Administration, and the speaker of the house.
1789	1789	Sec. 23. POWER TO REQUEST ASSISTANCE OF STATE AGENCIES.
1790	1790	Each committee is authorized to request the assistance, when
1791	1791	needed, of all state departments, agencies, and offices, and it
1792	1792	shall be the duty of the departments, agencies, and offices to
1793	1793	assist the committee when requested to do so. Each committee shall
1794	1794	have the power and authority to inspect the records, documents, and
1795	1795	files of every state department, agency, and office, to the extent
1796	1796	necessary to the discharge of its duties within the area of its
1797	1797	jurisdiction.
1798	1798	Sec. 23A. ASSISTANCE OF OTHER MEMBERS OF LEGISLATURE. At a
1799	1799	meeting of a committee, the chair may recognize a member of the
1800	1800	house who is not a member of the committee to provide information to
1801	1801	the committee, and may recognize a member of the senate for that
1802	1802	purpose. Recognition is solely within the discretion of the chair
1803	1803	and is not subject to appeal by that member.
1804	1804	CHAPTER C. COMMITTEE FUNCTIONS
1805	1805	Sec. 24. INTERIM STUDIES AND HEARINGS. (a) Standing
1806	1806	committees, en banc or by subcommittees, are hereby authorized to
1807	1807	conduct studies that are authorized by the speaker pursuant to Rule
1808	1808	1, Section 17. Studies may not be authorized by resolution. The
1809	1809	speaker may appoint public citizens and officials of state and
1810	1810	local governments to standing committees to augment the membership
1811	1811	for the purpose of interim studies and shall provide a list of such
1812	1812	appointments to the chief clerk. The chair of the standing
1813	1813	committee shall have authority to name the subcommittees necessary
1814	1814	and desirable for the conduct of the interim studies and shall also
1815	1815	prepare a budget for interim studies for approval by the Committee
1816	1816	on House Administration.
1817	1817	(b) The Committee on Appropriations shall hold one or more
1818	1818	public hearings to examine the requests for legislative
1819	1819	appropriations submitted by each major state agency and institution
1820	1820	of higher education under Section 322.007, Government Code, and any
1821	1821	other law, to the Legislative Budget Board following sine die
1822	1822	adjournment of the regular session. The committee may require the
1823	1823	head or any employee of an agency or institution submitting a
1824	1824	request to appear at a public hearing and present information about
1825	1825	the request. A subcommittee may perform the committee's duties
1826	1826	under this subsection as determined by the chair of the committee.
1827	1827	As used in this subsection, "major state agency" means an agency for
1828	1828	which the most recent general appropriations act made an
1829	1829	appropriation in the amount of $40 million or more.
1830	1830	Sec. 25. MOTION PREVENTING REPORTING OR PLACEMENT ON A
1831	1831	CALENDAR. No motion is in order in a committee considering a bill,
1832	1832	resolution, or other matter that would prevent the committee from
1833	1833	reporting it back to the house or placing it on a calendar in
1834	1834	accordance with the Rules of the House.
1835	1835	Sec. 26. FINAL ACTION IN FORM OF REPORT. No action by a
1836	1836	committee on bills or resolutions referred to it shall be
1837	1837	considered as final unless it is in the form of a favorable report,
1838	1838	an unfavorable report, or a report of inability to recommend a
1839	1839	course of action.
1840	1840	Sec. 27. VOTE ON MOTION TO REPORT. Motions made in
1841	1841	committee to report favorably or unfavorably must receive
1842	1842	affirmative majority votes, majority negative votes to either
1843	1843	motion being insufficient to report. If a committee is unable to
1844	1844	agree on a recommendation for action, as in the case of a tie vote,
1845	1845	it should submit a statement of this fact as its report, and the
1846	1846	house shall decide, by a majority vote, the disposition of the
1847	1847	matter by one of the following alternatives:
1848	1848	(1) leave the bill in the committee for further
1849	1849	consideration;
1850	1850	(2) refer the bill to some other committee; or
1851	1851	(3) order the bill printed, in which case the bill
1852	1852	shall go to the Committee on Calendars for placement on a calendar
1853	1853	and for proposal of an appropriate rule for house consideration.
1854	1854	Sec. 28. MINORITY REPORTS. The report of a minority of a
1855	1855	committee shall be made in the same general form as a majority
1856	1856	report. No minority report shall be recognized by the house unless
1857	1857	it has been signed by not less than 4 members of a committee
1858	1858	consisting of 21 or more members, 3 members of a committee
1859	1859	consisting of less than 21 members and more than 10 members, or 2
1860	1860	members of a committee consisting of 10 or less members. Only
1861	1861	members who were present when the vote was taken on the bill,
1862	1862	resolution, or other matter being reported, and who voted on the
1863	1863	losing side, may sign a minority report. Notice of intention to
1864	1864	file a minority report shall be given to the assembled committee
1865	1865	after the vote on the bill, resolution, or other matter, and before
1866	1866	the recess or adjournment of the committee, provided ample
1867	1867	opportunity is afforded for the giving of notice; otherwise, notice
1868	1868	may be given in writing to the chief clerk within 24 hours after the
1869	1869	recess or adjournment of the committee.
1870	1870	Sec. 29. ACTION ON BILLS REPORTED UNFAVORABLY. If the
1871	1871	majority report on a bill is unfavorable, and a favorable minority
1872	1872	report is not signed in accordance with Section 28 of this rule and
1873	1873	filed with the chief clerk within two calendar days, exclusive of
1874	1874	Sunday and the date of committee action, the chief clerk shall file
1875	1875	the bill away as dead; except during the last 15 calendar days of a
1876	1876	regular session, or the last 7 calendar days of a special session,
1877	1877	when the chief clerk shall hold a bill only one calendar day,
1878	1878	exclusive of Sunday and the date of committee action, awaiting the
1879	1879	filing of a minority report before the bill is filed away as dead.
1880	1880	If the favorable minority report is properly signed and filed, the
1881	1881	chief clerk shall hold the bill for five legislative days,
1882	1882	exclusive of the legislative day in which the minority report was
1883	1883	filed, awaiting adoption by the house of a motion to print the bill
1884	1884	on minority report. If the motion to print is carried, the bill
1885	1885	shall be printed as if it had been reported favorably, and shall
1886	1886	then be immediately forwarded to the Committee on Calendars for
1887	1887	placement on a calendar and for proposal of an appropriate rule for
1888	1888	house consideration. If a motion to print a bill on minority report
1889	1889	is not made within the five legislative days authorized above, the
1890	1890	chief clerk shall file the bill away as dead. It shall not be in
1891	1891	order to move to recommit a bill adversely reported with no minority
1892	1892	report, except as provided in Section 30 of this rule. A two-thirds
1893	1893	vote of the house shall be required to print on minority report a
1894	1894	joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of
1895	1895	Texas.
1896	1896	Sec. 30. MAKING ADVERSE REPORTS WITHOUT HEARING THE
1897	1897	AUTHOR. No adverse report shall be made on any bill or resolution
1898	1898	by any committee without first giving the author or sponsor of the
1899	1899	bill an opportunity to be heard. If it becomes evident to the house
1900	1900	that a bill has been reported adversely without the author or
1901	1901	sponsor having had an opportunity to be heard as provided in this
1902	1902	section, the house may, by a majority vote, order the bill
1903	1903	recommitted even though no minority report was filed in the manner
1904	1904	prescribed by the rules. This provision shall have precedence over
1905	1905	Rule 7, Section 20.
1906	1906	Sec. 31. ADVERSE REPORTS ON LOCAL BILLS. If a local bill is
1907	1907	reported adversely, it shall be subject to the same rules that
1908	1908	govern other bills reported adversely.
1909	1909	Sec. 32. FORM OF REPORTS. (a) Reports of standing
1910	1910	committees on bills and resolutions shall be made in duplicate,
1911	1911	with one copy to be filed with the journal clerk for printing in the
1912	1912	journal and the other to accompany the original bill.
1913	1913	(b) All committee reports must be in writing and shall:
1914	1914	(1) be signed by the chair, or the member acting as
1915	1915	chair, or a majority of the membership of the committee;
1916	1916	(2) be addressed to the speaker;
1917	1917	(3) contain a statement of the recommendations of the
1918	1918	committee with reference to the matter which is the subject of the
1919	1919	report;
1920	1920	(4) contain the date the committee made its
1921	1921	recommendation;
1922	1922	(5) indicate whether a copy of a bill or resolution was
1923	1923	forwarded to the Legislative Budget Board for preparation of a
1924	1924	fiscal note or other impact statement, if applicable;
1925	1925	(6) contain the record vote by which the report was
1926	1926	adopted, including the vote of each member of the committee;
1927	1927	(7) contain the recommendation that the bill or
1928	1928	resolution be sent to the Committee on Local and Consent Calendars
1929	1929	for placement on the local, consent, and resolutions calendar if
1930	1930	applicable;
1931	1931	(8) state the name of the primary house sponsor of all
1932	1932	senate bills and resolutions and indicate the names of all joint
1933	1933	sponsors or cosponsors;
1934	1934	(9) include a summary of the committee hearing on the
1935	1935	bill or resolution;
1936	1936	(10) include a list of the names of the persons, other
1937	1937	than members of the legislature, and persons or entities
1938	1938	represented by those persons, who submitted to the committee sworn
1939	1939	statements indicating that the persons were present in favor of, in
1940	1940	opposition to, or without taking a position on the bill or
1941	1941	resolution. The omission from the list of the name of a person who
1942	1942	submitted a sworn statement regarding a bill or resolution but who
1943	1943	was not recognized by the chair to address the committee is not
1944	1944	subject to a point of order;
1945	1945	(11) for a joint resolution proposing a constitutional
1946	1946	amendment, include the bill number of any enabling legislation for
1947	1947	the constitutional amendment designated as such by the author or
1948	1948	sponsor of the joint resolution;
1949	1949	(12) for a bill that is designated by the author or
1950	1950	sponsor of the bill as enabling legislation for a constitutional
1951	1951	amendment proposed by a joint resolution, include the number of the
1952	1952	joint resolution; and
1953	1953	(13) contain a copy of each form executed by a
1954	1954	translator for a witness as required by Section 20(h) of this rule.
1955	1955	(c) Except for the general appropriations bill, each
1956	1956	committee report on a bill or joint resolution, including a
1957	1957	complete committee substitute, and, to the extent considered
1958	1958	necessary by the committee, a committee report on any other
1959	1959	resolution, must include in summary or section-by-section form a
1960	1960	detailed analysis of the subject matter of the bill or resolution,
1961	1961	specifically including:
1962	1962	(1) background information on the proposal and
1963	1963	information on what the bill or resolution proposes to do;
1964	1964	(2) an analysis of the content of the bill or
1965	1965	resolution, including a separate statement that lists each statute
1966	1966	or constitutional provision that is expressly repealed by the bill
1967	1967	or resolution;
1968	1968	(3) a statement indicating whether or not any
1969	1969	rulemaking authority is expressly delegated to a state officer,
1970	1970	department, agency, or institution, and, if so, identifying the
1971	1971	sections of the measure in which that rulemaking authority is
1972	1972	delegated;
1973	1973	(4) a statement indicating whether or not the bill or
1974	1974	resolution expressly creates a criminal offense, expressly
1975	1975	increases the punishment for an existing criminal offense or
1976	1976	category of offenses, or expressly changes the eligibility of a
1977	1977	person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory
1978	1978	supervision;
1979	1979	(5) a statement of substantial differences between a
1980	1980	complete committee substitute and the original bill; and
1981	1981	(6) a brief explanation of each amendment adopted by
1982	1982	the committee.
1983	1983	(d) The committee to which the bill or resolution is
1984	1984	referred may request the Texas Legislative Council to prepare the
1985	1985	analysis required by Subsection (c) of this section.
1986	1986	(e) A committee chair shall provide to the author of a house
1987	1987	measure a copy of the analysis required by Subsection (c) of this
1988	1988	section as soon as the analysis is complete.
1989	1989	(f) The author of a bill or resolution may request that an
1990	1990	analysis prepared for purposes of this section include a statement
1991	1991	written by the author that includes any additional information that
1992	1992	the author considers appropriate.
1993	1993	(g) It shall be the duty of the committee chair, on all
1994	1994	matters reported by the committee, to see that all provisions of
1995	1995	Rule 12 are satisfied. The chair shall strictly construe this
1996	1996	provision to achieve the desired purposes.
1997	1997	Sec. 33. FISCAL NOTES. (a) If the chair of a standing
1998	1998	committee determines that a bill or joint resolution, other than
1999	1999	the general appropriations bill, authorizes or requires the
2000	2000	expenditure or diversion of state funds for any purpose, the chair
2001	2001	shall send a copy of the measure to the Legislative Budget Board for
2002	2002	the preparation of a fiscal note outlining the fiscal implications
2003	2003	and probable cost of the measure.
2004	2004	(b) If the chair of a standing committee determines that a
2005	2005	bill or joint resolution has statewide impact on units of local
2006	2006	government of the same type or class and authorizes or requires the
2007	2007	expenditure or diversion of local funds, or creates or impacts a
2008	2008	local tax, fee, license charge, or penalty, the chair shall send a
2009	2009	copy of the measure to the Legislative Budget Board for the
2010	2010	preparation of a fiscal note outlining the fiscal implications and
2011	2011	probable cost of the measure.
2012	2012	(c) In preparing a fiscal note, the director of the
2013	2013	Legislative Budget Board may utilize information or data supplied
2014	2014	by any person, agency, organization, or governmental unit that the
2015	2015	director deems reliable. If the director determines that the fiscal
2016	2016	implications of the measure cannot be ascertained, the director
2017	2017	shall so state in the fiscal note, shall when reasonably
2018	2018	ascertainable provide an estimated range of the fiscal
2019	2019	implications, and shall include in the note a statement of the
2020	2020	reasons the director is unable to ascertain the fiscal implications
2021	2021	of the measure, in which case the fiscal note shall be in full
2022	2022	compliance with the rules. If the director of the Legislative
2023	2023	Budget Board is unable to acquire or develop sufficient information
2024	2024	to prepare the fiscal note within 15 days of receiving the measure
2025	2025	from the chair of a committee, the director shall so state in the
2026	2026	fiscal note, shall when reasonably ascertainable provide an
2027	2027	estimated range of the fiscal implications, and shall include in
2028	2028	the note a statement of the reasons the director is unable to
2029	2029	acquire or develop sufficient information, in which case the note
2030	2030	shall be in full compliance with the rules.
2031	2031	(d) If the chair determines that a fiscal note is required,
2032	2032	copies of the fiscal note must be distributed to the members of the
2033	2033	committee not later than the first time the measure is laid out in a
2034	2034	committee meeting. The fiscal note shall be attached to the measure
2035	2035	on first printing. If the measure is amended by the committee so as
2036	2036	to alter its fiscal implications, the chair shall obtain an updated
2037	2037	fiscal note, which shall also be attached to the measure on first
2038	2038	printing.
2039	2039	(e) All fiscal notes shall remain with the measure
2040	2040	throughout the entire legislative process, including submission to
2041	2041	the governor.
2042	2042	(f) All fiscal notes must include in the summary box on the
2043	2043	first page of the fiscal note a statement that indicates whether the
2044	2044	bill or joint resolution will have fiscal implications or probable
2045	2045	costs in any year.
2046	2046	Sec. 34. OTHER IMPACT STATEMENTS. (a) It is the intent of
2047	2047	this section that all members of the house are timely informed as to
2048	2048	the impact of proposed legislation on the state or other unit of
2049	2049	government.
2050	2050	(a-1) The chair of the appropriations committee shall send a
2051	2051	copy of the general appropriations bill to the Legislative Budget
2052	2052	Board for the preparation of a dynamic economic impact statement,
2053	2053	specifically including the number of state employees to be affected
2054	2054	and the estimated impact on employment by the private sector and
2055	2055	local governments in Texas as a result of any change in state
2056	2056	expenditures made by the bill as compared to the biennium preceding
2057	2057	the biennium to which the bill applies.
2058	2058	(b) If the chair of a standing committee determines that a
2059	2059	bill or joint resolution:
2060	2060	(1) authorizes or requires a change in the sanctions
2061	2061	applicable to adults convicted of felony crimes, the chair shall
2062	2062	send a copy of the measure to the Legislative Budget Board for the
2063	2063	preparation of a criminal justice policy impact statement;
2064	2064	(2) authorizes or requires a change in the public
2065	2065	school finance system, the chair shall send a copy of the measure to
2066	2066	the Legislative Budget Board for the preparation of an equalized
2067	2067	education funding impact statement;
2068	2068	(3) proposes to change benefits or participation in
2069	2069	benefits of a public retirement system or change the financial
2070	2070	obligations of a public retirement system, the chair shall send a
2071	2071	copy of the measure to the Legislative Budget Board for the
2072	2072	preparation of an actuarial impact statement in cooperation with
2073	2073	the State Pension Review Board;
2074	2074	(4) proposes to create a water district under the
2075	2075	authority of Article XVI, Section 59, of the Texas Constitution,
2076	2076	the chair shall send a copy of the measure to the Legislative Budget
2077	2077	Board for the preparation of a water development policy impact
2078	2078	statement; or
2079	2079	(5) creates or impacts a state tax or fee, the chair
2080	2080	shall send a copy of the measure to the Legislative Budget Board for
2081	2081	the preparation of a tax equity note that estimates the general
2082	2082	effects of the proposal on the distribution of tax and fee burdens
2083	2083	among individuals and businesses.
2084	2084	(c) In preparing an impact statement, the director of the
2085	2085	Legislative Budget Board may utilize information or data supplied
2086	2086	by any person, agency, organization, or governmental unit that the
2087	2087	director deems reliable. If the director determines that the
2088	2088	particular implications of the measure cannot be ascertained, the
2089	2089	director shall so state in the impact statement, in which case the
2090	2090	impact statement shall be in full compliance with the rules.
2091	2091	(d) An impact statement is not required to be present before
2092	2092	a measure is laid out in a committee meeting. If timely received,
2093	2093	the impact statement shall be attached to the measure on first
2094	2094	printing. If the measure is amended by the committee so as to alter
2095	2095	its particular implications, the chair shall obtain an updated
2096	2096	impact statement. If timely received, the updated impact statement
2097	2097	shall also be attached to the measure on first printing.
2098	2098	(e) An impact statement that is received after the first
2099	2099	printing of a measure has been distributed to the members shall be
2100	2100	forwarded by the chair of the committee to the committee
2101	2101	coordinator. The committee coordinator shall have the impact
2102	2102	statement printed and distributed to the members.
2103	2103	(f) All impact statements received shall remain with the
2104	2104	measure throughout the entire legislative process, including
2105	2105	submission to the governor.
2106	2106	Sec. 35. REPORTS ON HOUSE AND CONCURRENT
2107	2107	RESOLUTIONS. Committee reports on house and concurrent
2108	2108	resolutions shall be made in the same manner and shall follow the
2109	2109	same procedure as provided for bills, subject to any differences
2110	2110	otherwise authorized or directed by the rules.
2111	2111	Sec. 36. ACTION BY HOUSE ON REPORTS NOT REQUIRED. No
2112	2112	action by the house is necessary on the report of a standing
2113	2113	committee. The bill, resolution, or proposition recommended or
2114	2114	reported by the committee shall automatically be before the house
2115	2115	for its consideration after the bill or resolution has been
2116	2116	referred to the appropriate calendars committee for placement on a
2117	2117	calendar and for proposal of an appropriate rule for house
2118	2118	consideration.
2119	2119	Sec. 37. REFERRAL OF REPORTS TO COMMITTEE COORDINATOR. All
2120	2120	committee reports on bills or resolutions shall be immediately
2121	2121	referred to the committee coordinator. The chair of the committee
2122	2122	shall be responsible for delivery of the report to the committee
2123	2123	coordinator.
2124	2124	Sec. 38. DELIVERY OF REPORTS TO CALENDARS
2125	2125	COMMITTEES. After printing, the chief clerk shall be responsible
2126	2126	for delivery of a certified copy of the committee report to the
2127	2127	appropriate calendars committee, which committee shall immediately
2128	2128	accept the bill or resolution for placement on a calendar and for
2129	2129	the proposal of an appropriate rule for house consideration.
2130	2130	Sec. 38A. NOTIFICATION OF SUNSET BILLS. The chief clerk
2131	2131	shall provide notice to each member at the member's designated
2132	2132	Capitol e-mail address when a committee report under Section 38 of
2133	2133	this rule on a bill extending an agency, commission, or advisory
2134	2134	committee under the Texas Sunset Act has been printed or posted and
2135	2135	is available to be distributed to the appropriate calendars
2136	2136	committee.
2137	2137	Sec. 39. COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS. No committee shall have the
2138	2138	power to amend, delete, or change in any way the nature, purpose, or
2139	2139	content of any bill or resolution referred to it, but may draft and
2140	2140	recommend amendments to it, which shall become effective only if
2141	2141	adopted by a majority vote of the house.
2142	2142	Sec. 40. SUBSTITUTES. The committee may adopt and report a
2143	2143	complete germane committee substitute containing the title,
2144	2144	enacting clause, and text of the bill in lieu of an original bill,
2145	2145	in which event the complete substitute bill on committee report
2146	2146	shall be laid before the house and shall be the matter then before
2147	2147	the house for its consideration, instead of the original bill. If
2148	2148	the substitute bill is defeated at any legislative stage, the bill
2149	2149	is considered not passed.
2150	2150	Sec. 41. GERMANENESS OF SUBSTITUTE. If a point of order is
2151	2151	raised that a complete committee substitute is not germane, in
2152	2152	whole or in part, and the point of order is sustained, the committee
2153	2153	substitute shall be returned to the Committee on Calendars, which
2154	2154	may have the original bill printed and distributed and placed on a
2155	2155	calendar in lieu of the substitute or may return the original bill
2156	2156	to the committee from which it was reported for further action.
2157	2157	Sec. 42. AUTHOR'S RIGHT TO OFFER AMENDMENTS TO
2158	2158	REPORT. Should the author or sponsor of the bill, resolution, or
2159	2159	other proposal not be satisfied with the final recommendation or
2160	2160	form of the committee report, the member shall have the privilege of
2161	2161	offering on the floor of the house such amendments or changes as he
2162	2162	or she considers necessary and desirable, and those amendments or
2163	2163	changes shall be given priority during the periods of time when
2164	2164	original amendments are in order under the provisions of Rule 11,
2165	2165	Section 7.
2166	2166	CHAPTER D. SUBCOMMITTEES
2167	2167	Sec. 43. JURISDICTION. Each committee is authorized to
2168	2168	conduct its activities and perform its work through the use of
2169	2169	subcommittees as shall be determined by the chair of the committee.
2170	2170	Subcommittees shall be created, organized, and operated in such a
2171	2171	way that the subject matter and work area of each subcommittee shall
2172	2172	be homogeneous and shall pertain to related governmental
2173	2173	activities. The size and jurisdiction of each subcommittee shall
2174	2174	be determined by the chair of the committee.
2175	2175	Sec. 44. MEMBERSHIP. The chair of each standing committee
2176	2176	shall appoint from the membership of the committee the members who
2177	2177	are to serve on each subcommittee. Any vacancy on a subcommittee
2178	2178	shall be filled by appointment of the chair of the standing
2179	2179	committee. The chair and vice-chair of each subcommittee shall be
2180	2180	named by the chair of the committee.
2181	2181	Sec. 45. RULES GOVERNING OPERATIONS. The Rules of
2182	2182	Procedure of the House of Representatives, to the extent
2183	2183	applicable, shall govern the hearings and operations of each
2184	2184	subcommittee. Subject to the foregoing, and to the extent
2185	2185	necessary for orderly transaction of business, each subcommittee
2186	2186	may promulgate and adopt additional rules and procedures by which
2187	2187	it will function.
2188	2188	Sec. 46. QUORUM. A majority of a subcommittee shall
2189	2189	constitute a quorum, and no action or recommendation of a
2190	2190	subcommittee shall be valid unless taken at a meeting with a quorum
2191	2191	actually present. All reports of a subcommittee must be approved by
2192	2192	record vote by a majority of the membership of the subcommittee.
2193	2193	Minutes of the subcommittee shall be maintained in a manner similar
2194	2194	to that required by the rules for standing committees. Proxies
2195	2195	cannot be used in subcommittees.
2196	2196	Sec. 47. POWER AND AUTHORITY. Each subcommittee, within
2197	2197	the area of its jurisdiction, shall have all of the power,
2198	2198	authority, and rights granted by the Rules of Procedure of the House
2199	2199	of Representatives to the standing committee, except subpoena
2200	2200	power, to the extent necessary to discharge the duties and
2201	2201	responsibilities of the subcommittee.
2202	2202	Sec. 48. REFERRAL OF PROPOSED LEGISLATION TO
2203	2203	SUBCOMMITTEE. All bills and resolutions referred to a standing
2204	2204	committee shall be reviewed by the chair to determine appropriate
2205	2205	disposition of the bills and resolutions. All bills and
2206	2206	resolutions shall be considered by the entire standing committee
2207	2207	unless the chair of that standing committee determines to refer the
2208	2208	bills and resolutions to subcommittee. If a bill or resolution is
2209	2209	referred by the chair of the standing committee to a subcommittee,
2210	2210	it shall be considered by the subcommittee in the same form in which
2211	2211	the measure was referred to the standing committee, and any action
2212	2212	taken by the standing committee on a proposed amendment or
2213	2213	committee substitute before a measure is referred to subcommittee
2214	2214	is therefore voided at the time the measure is referred to
2215	2215	subcommittee. The subcommittee shall be charged with the duty and
2216	2216	responsibility of conducting the hearing, doing research, and
2217	2217	performing such other functions as the subcommittee or its parent
2218	2218	standing committee may determine. All meetings of the subcommittee
2219	2219	shall be scheduled by the subcommittee chair, with appropriate
2220	2220	public notice and notification of each member of the subcommittee
2221	2221	under the same rules of procedure as govern the conduct of the
2222	2222	standing committee.
2223	2223	Sec. 49. REPORT BY SUBCOMMITTEE. At the conclusion of its
2224	2224	deliberations on a bill, resolution, or other matter referred to
2225	2225	it, the subcommittee may prepare a written report, comprehensive
2226	2226	in nature, for submission to the full committee. The report shall
2227	2227	include background material as well as recommended action and shall
2228	2228	be accompanied by a complete draft of the bill, resolution, or other
2229	2229	proposal in such form as the subcommittee shall determine.
2230	2230	Sec. 50. ACTION ON SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS. Subcommittee
2231	2231	reports shall be directed to the chair of the committee, who shall
2232	2232	schedule meetings of the standing committee from time to time as
2233	2233	necessary and appropriate for the reception of subcommittee reports
2234	2234	and for action on reports by the standing committee. No
2235	2235	subcommittee report shall be scheduled for action by the standing
2236	2236	committee until at least 24 hours after a copy of the subcommittee
2237	2237	report is provided to each member of the standing committee.
2238	2238	CHAPTER E. COMMITTEES OF THE WHOLE HOUSE
2239	2239	Sec. 51. RESOLUTION INTO A COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
2240	2240	HOUSE. The house may resolve itself into a committee of the whole
2241	2241	house to consider any matter referred to it by the house. In
2242	2242	forming a committee of the whole house, the speaker shall vacate the
2243	2243	chair and shall appoint a chair to preside in committee.
2244	2244	Sec. 52. RULES GOVERNING OPERATIONS. The rules governing
2245	2245	the proceedings of the house and those governing committees shall
2246	2246	be observed in committees of the whole, to the extent that they are
2247	2247	applicable.
2248	2248	Sec. 53. MOTION FOR A CALL OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE
2249	2249	WHOLE. (a) It shall be in order to move a call of the committee of
2250	2250	the whole at any time to secure and maintain a quorum for the
2251	2251	following purposes:
2252	2252	(1) for the consideration of a certain or specific
2253	2253	matter; or
2254	2254	(2) for a definite period of time; or
2255	2255	(3) for the consideration of any designated class of
2256	2256	bills.
2257	2257	(b) When a call of the committee of the whole is moved and
2258	2258	seconded by 10 members, of whom the chair may be one, and is ordered
2259	2259	by majority vote, the main entrance of the hall and all other doors
2260	2260	leading out of the hall shall be locked, and no member shall be
2261	2261	permitted to leave the hall without written permission. Other
2262	2262	proceedings under a call of the committee shall be the same as under
2263	2263	a call of the house.
2264	2264	Sec. 54. HANDLING OF A BILL. A bill committed to a
2265	2265	committee of the whole house shall be handled in the same manner as
2266	2266	in any other committee. The body of the bill shall not be defaced or
2267	2267	interlined, but all amendments shall be duly endorsed by the chief
2268	2268	clerk as they are adopted by the committee, and so reported to the
2269	2269	house. When a bill is reported by the committee of the whole house
2270	2270	it shall be referred immediately to the appropriate calendars
2271	2271	committee for placement on the appropriate calendar and shall
2272	2272	follow the same procedure as any other bill on committee report.
2273	2273	Sec. 55. FAILURE TO COMPLETE WORK AT ANY SITTING. In the
2274	2274	event that the committee of the whole, at any sitting, fails to
2275	2275	complete its work on any bill or resolution under consideration for
2276	2276	lack of time, or desires to take any action on that measure that is
2277	2277	permitted under the rules for other committees, it may, on a motion
2278	2278	made and adopted by majority vote, rise, report progress, and ask
2279	2279	leave of the house to sit again generally, or at a time certain.
2280	2280	CHAPTER F. SELECT AND INTERIM STUDY COMMITTEES
2281	2281	Sec. 56. REPORTS OF SELECT COMMITTEES. Reports of select
2282	2282	committees made during a session shall be filed with the chief clerk
2283	2283	and printed in the journal, unless otherwise determined by the
2284	2284	house.
2285	2285	Sec. 57. INTERIM STUDIES. Pursuant to Rule 1, Section 17,
2286	2286	the speaker may create interim study committees to conduct studies
2287	2287	by issuing a proclamation for each committee, which shall specify
2288	2288	the issue to be studied, committee membership, and any additional
2289	2289	authority and duties. A copy of each proclamation creating an
2290	2290	interim study committee shall be filed with the chief clerk. An
2291	2291	interim study committee expires on release of its final report or
2292	2292	when the next legislature convenes, whichever is earlier. An
2293	2293	interim study committee may not be created by resolution.
2294	2294	Sec. 58. APPOINTMENT AND MEMBERSHIP. The speaker shall
2295	2295	appoint all members of an interim study committee, which may
2296	2296	include public citizens and officials of state and local
2297	2297	governments. The speaker shall also designate the chair and
2298	2298	vice-chair and may authorize the chair to create subcommittees and
2299	2299	appoint citizen advisory committees.
2300	2300	Sec. 59. RULES GOVERNING OPERATIONS. The rules governing
2301	2301	the proceedings of the house and those governing standing
2302	2302	committees shall be observed by an interim study committee, to the
2303	2303	extent that they are applicable. An interim study committee shall
2304	2304	have the power to issue process and to request assistance of state
2305	2305	agencies as provided for a standing committee in Sections 21, 22,
2306	2306	and 23 of this rule.
2307	2307	Sec. 60. FUNDING AND STAFF. An interim study committee
2308	2308	shall use existing staff resources of its members, standing
2309	2309	committees, house offices, and legislative service agencies. The
2310	2310	chair of an interim study committee shall prepare a detailed budget
2311	2311	for approval by the speaker and the Committee on House
2312	2312	Administration. An interim study committee may accept gifts,
2313	2313	grants, and donations for the purpose of funding its activities as
2314	2314	provided by Sections 301.032(b) and (c), Government Code.
2315	2315	Sec. 61. STUDY REPORTS. (a) The final report or
2316	2316	recommendations of an interim study committee shall be approved by
2317	2317	a majority of the committee membership. Dissenting members may
2318	2318	attach statements to the final report.
2319	2319	(b) An interim study committee shall submit the committee's
2320	2320	final report to the committee coordinator in the manner prescribed
2321	2321	by the committee coordinator. The committee coordinator shall:
2322	2322	(1) distribute copies of the final report to the
2323	2323	speaker, the Legislative Reference Library, and other appropriate
2324	2324	agencies; and
2325	2325	(2) make a copy of the final report available on the
2326	2326	house's Internet website.
2327	2327	(c) This section shall also apply to interim study reports
2328	2328	of standing committees.
2329	2329	Sec. 62. JOINT HOUSE AND SENATE INTERIM
2330	2330	STUDIES. Procedures may be established by a concurrent resolution
2331	2331	adopted by both houses, by which the speaker may authorize and
2332	2332	appoint, jointly with the senate, committees to conduct interim
2333	2333	studies. A copy of the authorization for and the appointments to a
2334	2334	joint interim study committee shall be filed with the chief clerk.
2335	2335	Individual joint interim study committees may not be authorized or
2336	2336	created by resolution.
2337	2337	RULE 5. FLOOR PROCEDURE
2338	2338	CHAPTER A. QUORUM AND ATTENDANCE
2339	2339	Sec. 1. QUORUM. Two-thirds of the house shall constitute a
2340	2340	quorum to do business.
2341	2341	Sec. 2. ROLL CALLS. On every roll call or registration,
2342	2342	the names of the members shall be called or listed, as the case may
2343	2343	be, alphabetically by surname, except when two or more have the same
2344	2344	surname, in which case the initials of the members shall be added.
2345	2345	Sec. 3. LEAVE OF ABSENCE. (a) No member shall be absent
2346	2346	from the sessions of the house without leave, and no member shall be
2347	2347	excused on his or her own motion.
2348	2348	(b) A leave of absence may be granted by a majority vote of
2349	2349	the house and may be revoked at any time by a similar vote.
2350	2350	(c) Any member granted a leave of absence due to a meeting of
2351	2351	a committee or conference committee that has authority to meet
2352	2352	while the house is in session shall be so designated on each roll
2353	2353	call or registration for which that member is excused.
2354	2354	(d) If a member is absent without leave for the purpose of
2355	2355	impeding the action of the house, the member is subject to one or
2356	2356	more of the following:
2357	2357	(1) fines as provided by this section;
2358	2358	(2) payment of costs incurred by the sergeant-at-arms;
2359	2359	(3) reprimand;
2360	2360	(4) censure; or
2361	2361	(5) expulsion in the manner prescribed by Section 11,
2362	2362	Article III, Texas Constitution.
2363	2363	(e) Unless the house excuses the payment by a majority vote,
2364	2364	each member who is absent without leave is liable to the house for:
2365	2365	(1) a fine in the amount of $500 for each calendar day
2366	2366	of absence; and
2367	2367	(2) the member's pro rata share of the costs incurred
2368	2368	by the sergeant-at-arms to secure the attendance of absentees.
2369	2369	(f) The Committee on House Administration shall notify a
2370	2370	member of the total amount of fines and costs for which payment is
2371	2371	not excused. A member must pay the amount stated in the committee's
2372	2372	notice by making payment of that amount to the House Business
2373	2373	Office not later than the third business day of the first calendar
2374	2374	month after the date of the committee's notice. A member may not
2375	2375	make any payment from funds in the member's operating account or
2376	2376	from funds accepted as political contributions under Title 15,
2377	2377	Election Code. If a member does not make full payment as required
2378	2378	by this subsection, the committee shall direct the House Business
2379	2379	Office to reduce the amount of the monthly credit to the member's
2380	2380	operating account established under the housekeeping resolution by
2381	2381	30 percent in each month that any amount of a fine remains past due
2382	2382	and owing. When a member has made full payment as required by this
2383	2383	subsection, the committee shall direct the House Business Office
2384	2384	to restore the impounded funds to the member's operating account
2385	2385	subject to any limitations on the carrying forward of unexpended
2386	2386	funds established by the housekeeping resolution.
2387	2387	(g) Before a member is expelled under this section, the
2388	2388	matter shall be referred to the Committee on House Administration
2389	2389	for investigation and report. A report issued under this
2390	2390	subsection shall not be considered by the house until a printed copy
2391	2391	of the report has been provided to each member of the house at least
2392	2392	24 hours before consideration.
2393	2393	Sec. 4. FAILURE TO ANSWER ROLL CALL. Any member who is
2394	2394	present and fails or refuses to record on a roll call after being
2395	2395	requested to do so by the speaker shall be recorded as present by
2396	2396	the speaker and shall be counted for the purpose of making a quorum.
2397	2397	Sec. 5. POINT OF ORDER OF "NO QUORUM." (a) The point of
2398	2398	order of "No Quorum" shall not be accepted by the chair if the last
2399	2399	roll call showed the presence of a quorum, provided the last roll
2400	2400	call was taken within two hours of the time the point of order is
2401	2401	raised.
2402	2402	(b) If the last roll call was taken more than two hours
2403	2403	before the point of order is raised, it shall be in order for the
2404	2404	member who raised the point of order to request a roll call. Such a
2405	2405	request must be seconded by 25 members. If the request for a roll
2406	2406	call is properly seconded, the chair shall order a roll call.
2407	2407	(c) Once a point of order has been made that a quorum is not
2408	2408	present, it may not be withdrawn after the absence of a quorum has
2409	2409	been ascertained and announced.
2410	2410	Sec. 6. MOTIONS IN ORDER WHEN QUORUM NOT PRESENT. If a
2411	2411	registration or record vote reveals that a quorum is not present,
2412	2412	only a motion to adjourn or a motion for a call of the house and the
2413	2413	motions incidental thereto shall be in order.
2414	2414	Sec. 7. MOTION FOR CALL OF THE HOUSE. It shall be in order
2415	2415	to move a call of the house at any time to secure and maintain a
2416	2416	quorum for one of the following purposes:
2417	2417	(1) for the consideration of a specific bill,
2418	2418	resolution, motion, or other measure;
2419	2419	(2) for the consideration of any designated class of
2420	2420	bills; or
2421	2421	(3) for a definite period of time.
2422	2422	Motions for, and incidental to, a call of the house are not
2423	2423	debatable.
2424	2424	Sec. 8. SECURING A QUORUM. When a call of the house is moved
2425	2425	for one of the above purposes and seconded by 15 members (of whom
2426	2426	the speaker may be one) and ordered by a majority vote, the main
2427	2427	entrance to the hall and all other doors leading out of the hall
2428	2428	shall be locked and no member permitted to leave the house without
2429	2429	the written permission of the speaker. The names of members present
2430	2430	shall be recorded. All absentees for whom no sufficient excuse is
2431	2431	made may, by order of a majority of those present, be sent for and
2432	2432	arrested, wherever they may be found, by the sergeant-at-arms or an
2433	2433	officer appointed by the sergeant-at-arms for that purpose, and
2434	2434	their attendance shall be secured and retained. The house shall
2435	2435	determine on what conditions they shall be discharged. Members who
2436	2436	voluntarily appear shall, unless the house otherwise directs, be
2437	2437	immediately admitted to the hall of the house and shall report their
2438	2438	names to the clerk to be entered in the journal as present.
2439	2439	Until a quorum appears, should the roll call fail to show one
2440	2440	present, no business shall be transacted, except to compel the
2441	2441	attendance of absent members or to adjourn. It shall not be in
2442	2442	order to recess under a call of the house.
2443	2443	Sec. 9. FOLLOWING ACHIEVEMENT OF A QUORUM. When a quorum is
2444	2444	shown to be present, the house may proceed with the matters on which
2445	2445	the call was ordered, or may enforce the call and await the
2446	2446	attendance of as many of the absentees as it desires. When the
2447	2447	house proceeds to the business on which the call was ordered, it
2448	2448	may, by a majority vote, direct the sergeant-at-arms to cease
2449	2449	bringing in absent members.
2450	2450	Sec. 10. REPEATING A RECORD VOTE. When a record vote
2451	2451	reveals the lack of a quorum, and a call is ordered to secure one, a
2452	2452	record vote shall again be taken when the house resumes business
2453	2453	with a quorum present.
2454	2454	CHAPTER B. ADMITTANCE TO HOUSE CHAMBER
2455	2455	Sec. 11. PRIVILEGES OF THE HOUSE FLOOR. Only the following
2456	2456	persons shall be entitled to the privileges of the floor of the
2457	2457	house when the house is in session: members of the house; employees
2458	2458	of the house when performing their official duties as determined by
2459	2459	the Committee on House Administration; members of the senate;
2460	2460	employees of the senate when performing their official duties; the
2461	2461	Governor of Texas and the governor's chief of staff and director of
2462	2462	legislative affairs; the lieutenant governor; the secretary of
2463	2463	state; duly accredited media representatives as permitted by
2464	2464	Section 20 of this rule; contestants in election cases pending
2465	2465	before the house; and immediate families of the members of the
2466	2466	legislature on such special occasions as may be determined by the
2467	2467	Committee on House Administration.
2468	2468	Sec. 12. ADMITTANCE WITHIN THE RAILING. Only the following
2469	2469	persons shall be admitted to the area on the floor of the house
2470	2470	enclosed by the railing when the house is in session: members of the
2471	2471	house; members of the senate; the governor; the lieutenant
2472	2472	governor; officers and employees of the senate and house when those
2473	2473	officers and employees are actually engaged in performing their
2474	2474	official duties as determined by the Committee on House
2475	2475	Administration; spouses of members of the house on such occasions
2476	2476	as may be determined by the Committee on House Administration; and,
2477	2477	within the area specifically designated for media representatives,
2478	2478	duly accredited media representatives as permitted by Section 20 of
2479	2479	this rule.
2480	2480	Sec. 13. SOLICITORS AND COLLECTORS PROHIBITED. Solicitors
2481	2481	and collectors shall not be admitted to the floor of the house while
2482	2482	the house is in session.
2483	2483	Sec. 14. INVITATION TO ADDRESS THE HOUSE. A motion to
2484	2484	invite a person to address the house while it is in session shall be
2485	2485	in order only if the person invited is entitled to the privileges of
2486	2486	the floor as defined by Section 11 of this rule and if no business is
2487	2487	pending before the house.
2488	2488	Sec. 15. LOBBYING ON FLOOR. No one, except the governor or
2489	2489	a member of the legislature, who is lobbying or working for or
2490	2490	against any pending or prospective legislative measure shall be
2491	2491	permitted on the floor of the house or in the adjacent rooms while
2492	2492	the house is in session.
2493	2493	Sec. 16. SUSPENSION OF FLOOR PRIVILEGES. If any person
2494	2494	admitted to the floor of the house under the rules, except the
2495	2495	governor or a member of the legislature, lobbies or works for or
2496	2496	against any pending or prospective legislation or violates any of
2497	2497	the other rules of the house, the privileges extended to that person
2498	2498	under the rules shall be suspended by a majority vote of the
2499	2499	Committee on House Administration. The action of the committee
2500	2500	shall be reviewable by the house only if two members of the
2501	2501	committee request an appeal from the decision of the committee. The
2502	2502	request shall be in the form of a minority report and shall be
2503	2503	subject to the same rules that are applicable to minority reports on
2504	2504	bills. Suspension shall remain in force until the accused person
2505	2505	purges himself or herself and comes within the rules, or until the
2506	2506	house, by majority vote, reverses the action of the committee.
2507	2507	Sec. 17. MEMBERS' LOUNGE PRIVILEGES. Only the following
2508	2508	persons shall be admitted to the members' lounge at any
2509	2509	time: members of the house; members of the senate; and former
2510	2510	members of the house and senate who are not engaged in any form of
2511	2511	employment requiring them to lobby or work for or against any
2512	2512	pending or prospective legislative measures.
2513	2513	Sec. 18. FLOOR DUTIES OF HOUSE OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES. It
2514	2514	shall be the duty of the Committee on House Administration to
2515	2515	determine what duties are to be discharged by officers and
2516	2516	employees of the house on the floor of the house, specifically in
2517	2517	the area enclosed by the railing, when the house is in session. It
2518	2518	shall be the duty of the speaker to see that the officers and
2519	2519	employees do not violate the regulations promulgated by the
2520	2520	Committee on House Administration.
2521	2521	Sec. 19. PROPER DECORUM. No person shall be admitted to,
2522	2522	or allowed to remain in, the house chamber while the house is in
2523	2523	session unless properly attired, and all gentlemen shall wear a
2524	2524	coat and tie. Food or beverage shall not be permitted in the house
2525	2525	chamber at any time, and no person carrying food or beverage shall
2526	2526	be admitted to the chamber, whether the house is in session or in
2527	2527	recess. Reading newspapers shall not be permitted in the house
2528	2528	chamber while the house is in session. Smoking is not permitted in
2529	2529	the members' lounge or bathrooms. The Committee on House
2530	2530	Administration shall designate an area for smoking that is easily
2531	2531	accessible to the house chamber.
2532	2532	Sec. 20. MEDIA ACCESS TO HOUSE CHAMBER. (a) When the house
2533	2533	is in session, no media representative shall be admitted to the
2534	2534	floor of the house or allowed its privileges unless the person is:
2535	2535	(1) employed by a print, broadcast, or Internet news
2536	2536	organization, or by a wire service serving those organizations:
2537	2537	(A) whose principal business is the periodic
2538	2538	dissemination of original news and opinion of interest to a broad
2539	2539	segment of the public;
2540	2540	(B) which has published or operated continuously
2541	2541	for 18 months:
2542	2542	(i) as a for-profit organization that is
2543	2543	supported chiefly by advertising or subscription revenue; or
2544	2544	(ii) as a nonprofit organization that has
2545	2545	qualified as a public charity under Section 501(c)(3), Internal
2546	2546	Revenue Code of 1986; and
2547	2547	(C) whose publications or operations are
2548	2548	editorially independent of any institution, foundation, or
2549	2549	interest group that lobbies the government or that is not
2550	2550	principally a general news organization; and
2551	2551	(2) not engaged in any lobbying or paid advocacy,
2552	2552	advertising, publicity, or promotion work for any individual,
2553	2553	political party, corporation, organization, or government agency.
2554	2554	(b) Any media representative seeking admission to the floor
2555	2555	of the house under the provisions of this section must submit to the
2556	2556	Committee on House Administration:
2557	2557	(1) a notarized application in a form determined by
2558	2558	the committee; and
2559	2559	(2) a letter from the media representative's employer
2560	2560	certifying that:
2561	2561	(A) the media representative is engaged
2562	2562	primarily in reporting the sessions of the legislature; and
2563	2563	(B) no part of the media representative's salary
2564	2564	for legislative coverage is paid from a source other than the news
2565	2565	organization or wire service that employs the media representative.
2566	2566	(c) Regularly accredited media representatives who have
2567	2567	duly qualified under the provisions of this section may, when
2568	2568	requested to do so, make recommendations through their professional
2569	2569	committees to the Committee on House Administration as to the
2570	2570	sufficiency or insufficiency of the credentials of any person
2571	2571	seeking admission to the floor of the house under this section.
2572	2572	(d) If the Committee on House Administration determines
2573	2573	that a person's media credentials meet the requirements of this
2574	2574	section, the committee shall issue a pass card to the person. The
2575	2575	committee may impose a fee to cover the costs of issuing a pass
2576	2576	card. This pass card must be presented to the doorkeeper each time
2577	2577	the person seeks admission to the floor of the house while the house
2578	2578	is in session. Pass cards issued under this section shall not be
2579	2579	transferable. The failure of a media representative to maintain the
2580	2580	requirements of this section may result in the revocation of the
2581	2581	pass card. Persons admitted to the floor of the house pursuant to
2582	2582	the provisions of this section shall work in appropriate convenient
2583	2583	seats or work stations in the house, which shall be designated for
2584	2584	that purpose by the Committee on House Administration.
2585	2585	(e) Members of the house shall not engage in interviews and
2586	2586	press conferences on the house floor while the house is in session.
2587	2587	The Committee on House Administration is authorized to enforce this
2588	2588	provision and to prescribe such other regulations as may be
2589	2589	necessary and desirable to achieve these purposes.
2590	2590	(f) Permission to make recordings in or from the house
2591	2591	chamber while the house is in session may be granted only by the
2592	2592	Committee on House Administration. The committee shall promulgate
2593	2593	rules governing recordings. When recordings from the house chamber
2594	2594	are permitted by the Committee on House Administration, the
2595	2595	permission shall, if necessary, identify those persons in the
2596	2596	technical crews to whom pass cards to the floor of the house and
2597	2597	galleries are to be issued. Passes granted under this authority
2598	2598	shall be subject to revocation by the Committee on House
2599	2599	Administration. As used in this subsection, "recording" means an
2600	2600	audio, video, or photographic recording for immediate or delayed
2601	2601	transmission by television or radio or through the Internet.
2602	2602	(g) The following individuals may submit a written
2603	2603	complaint regarding a decision by the Committee on House
2604	2604	Administration under this section:
2605	2605	(1) an individual who is aggrieved by the committee's
2606	2606	failure or refusal to grant privileges under this section; or
2607	2607	(2) a member of the house who believes a media
2608	2608	representative granted privileges under this section either does
2609	2609	not meet the requirements of this section or has abused the
2610	2610	privileges granted under this section.
2611	2611	(h) The Committee on House Administration shall investigate
2612	2612	the complaint and may, if necessary, temporarily suspend the media
2613	2613	representative's privileges pending the investigation. The
2614	2614	committee shall notify the aggrieved individual or subject of the
2615	2615	complaint of the time and place of a hearing on the complaint.
2616	2616	Following the hearing, which must be conducted as provided by
2617	2617	committee rule, the committee shall determine whether the aggrieved
2618	2618	individual meets the requirements of this section and, as
2619	2619	applicable:
2620	2620	(1) issue a pass card if the committee determines that
2621	2621	the individual's media credentials meet the requirements of this
2622	2622	section; or
2623	2623	(2) revoke the media representative's privileges
2624	2624	granted under this section if the committee determines that the
2625	2625	allegations contained in the complaint are valid.
2626	2626	(i) The final determination by the Committee on House
2627	2627	Administration on a complaint:
2628	2628	(1) must be entered in the committee minutes and, if
2629	2629	the house is convened in a regular or special session, delivered to
2630	2630	the journal clerk and printed in the journal; and
2631	2631	(2) is not subject to further review except as
2632	2632	provided by this section.
2633	2633	Sec. 21. PUBLIC ADMISSION TO AND NONLEGISLATIVE USE OF THE
2634	2634	HOUSE CHAMBER. When the house is not in session, the floor of the
2635	2635	house shall remain open on days and hours determined by the
2636	2636	Committee on House Administration. By resolution, the house may
2637	2637	open the floor of the house during its sessions for the inauguration
2638	2638	of the governor and lieutenant governor and for such other public
2639	2639	ceremonies as may be deemed warranted.
2640	2640	CHAPTER C. SPEAKING AND DEBATE
2641	2641	Sec. 22. ADDRESSING THE HOUSE. When a member desires to
2642	2642	speak or deliver any matter to the house, the member shall rise and
2643	2643	respectfully address the speaker as "Mr. (or Madam) Speaker" and,
2644	2644	on being recognized, may address the house from the microphone at
2645	2645	the reading clerk's desk, and shall confine all remarks to the
2646	2646	question under debate, avoiding personalities.
2647	2647	Sec. 23. WHEN TWO MEMBERS RISE AT ONCE. When two or more
2648	2648	members rise at once, the speaker shall name the one who is to speak
2649	2649	first. This decision shall be final and not open to debate or
2650	2650	appeal.
2651	2651	Sec. 24. RECOGNITION. (a) Except as otherwise provided
2652	2652	by this section, there shall be no appeal from the speaker's
2653	2653	recognition, but the speaker shall be governed by rules and usage in
2654	2654	priority of entertaining motions from the floor. When a member
2655	2655	seeks recognition, the speaker may ask, "For what purpose does the
2656	2656	member rise?" or "For what purpose does the member seek
2657	2657	recognition?" and may then decide if recognition is to be granted,
2658	2658	except that the speaker shall recognize a member who seeks
2659	2659	recognition on a question of privilege.
2660	2660	(b) If the speaker denies recognition of a member who seeks
2661	2661	recognition on a question of privilege, other than a question of
2662	2662	privilege relating to the right of the house to remove the speaker
2663	2663	and elect a new speaker, the decision of recognition may be appealed
2664	2664	using the procedures provided in Rule 1, Section 9.
2665	2665	(c) If the speaker denies recognition of a member who seeks
2666	2666	recognition on a question of privilege relating to the right of the
2667	2667	house to remove the speaker and elect a new speaker, the member may
2668	2668	appeal the speaker's denial of recognition if the member submits to
2669	2669	the speaker a written request, signed by at least 76 members of the
2670	2670	house, to appeal the decision of recognition. Upon receiving a
2671	2671	request for appeal in accordance with this subsection, the speaker
2672	2672	shall announce the request to the house. The names of the members
2673	2673	who signed the request and the time that the announcement was made
2674	2674	shall be entered in the journal. The appeal of a decision of
2675	2675	recognition under this subsection is eligible for consideration 24
2676	2676	hours after the request for appeal has been announced in accordance
2677	2677	with this subsection. The appeal and consideration of the question
2678	2678	of privilege, if the appeal is successful, takes precedence over
2679	2679	all other questions except motions to adjourn.
2680	2680	Sec. 25. INTERRUPTION OF A MEMBER WHO HAS THE FLOOR. A
2681	2681	member who has the floor shall not be interrupted by another member
2682	2682	for any purpose, unless he or she consents to yield to the other
2683	2683	member. A member desiring to interrupt another in debate should
2684	2684	first address the speaker for the permission of the member
2685	2685	speaking. The speaker shall then ask the member who has the floor
2686	2686	if he or she wishes to yield, and then announce the decision of that
2687	2687	member. The member who has the floor may exercise personal
2688	2688	discretion as to whether or not to yield, and it is entirely within
2689	2689	the member's discretion to determine who shall interrupt and when.
2690	2690	Sec. 26. YIELDING THE FLOOR. A member who obtains the
2691	2691	floor on recognition of the speaker may not be taken off the floor
2692	2692	by a motion, even the highly privileged motion to adjourn, but if
2693	2693	the member yields to another to make a motion or to offer an
2694	2694	amendment, he or she thereby loses the floor.
2695	2695	Sec. 27. RIGHT TO OPEN AND CLOSE DEBATE. The mover of any
2696	2696	proposition, or the member reporting any measure from a committee,
2697	2697	or, in the absence of either of them, any other member designated by
2698	2698	such absentee, shall have the right to open and close the debate,
2699	2699	and for this purpose may speak each time not more than 20 minutes.
2700	2700	Sec. 28. TIME LIMITS ON SPEECHES. All speeches shall be
2701	2701	limited to 10 minutes in duration, except as provided in Section 27
2702	2702	of this rule, and the speaker shall call the members to order at the
2703	2703	expiration of their time. If the house by a majority vote extends
2704	2704	the time of any member, the extension shall be for 10 minutes only.
2705	2705	A second extension of time shall be granted only by unanimous
2706	2706	consent. During the last 10 calendar days of the regular session,
2707	2707	and the last 5 calendar days of a special session, Sundays excepted,
2708	2708	all speeches shall be limited to 10 minutes and shall not be
2709	2709	extended. The time limits established by this rule shall include
2710	2710	time consumed in yielding to questions from the floor.
2711	2711	Sec. 29. LIMIT ON NUMBER OF TIMES TO SPEAK. No member shall
2712	2712	speak more than twice on the same question without leave of the
2713	2713	house, nor more than once until every member choosing to speak has
2714	2714	spoken, nor shall any member be permitted to consume the time of
2715	2715	another member without leave of the house being given by a majority
2716	2716	vote.
2717	2717	Sec. 30. EFFECT OF ADJOURNMENT ON SPEAKING LIMIT. If a
2718	2718	pending question is not disposed of because of an adjournment of the
2719	2719	house, a member who has spoken twice on the subject shall not be
2720	2720	allowed to speak again without leave of the house.
2721	2721	Sec. 31. OBJECTION TO READING A PAPER. When the reading of
2722	2722	a paper is called for, and objection is made, the matter shall be
2723	2723	determined by a majority vote of the house, without debate.
2724	2724	Sec. 32. PASSING BETWEEN MICROPHONES DURING DEBATE. No
2725	2725	person shall pass between the front and back microphones during
2726	2726	debate or when a member has the floor and is addressing the house.
2727	2727	Sec. 33. TRANSGRESSION OF RULES WHILE SPEAKING. If any
2728	2728	member, in speaking or otherwise, transgresses the rules of the
2729	2729	house, the speaker shall, or any member may, call the member to
2730	2730	order, in which case the member so called to order shall immediately
2731	2731	be seated; however, that member may move for an appeal to the house,
2732	2732	and if appeal is duly seconded by 10 members, the matter shall be
2733	2733	submitted to the house for decision by majority vote. In such
2734	2734	cases, the speaker shall not be required to relinquish the chair, as
2735	2735	is required in cases of appeals from the speaker's decisions. The
2736	2736	house shall, if appealed to, decide the matter without debate. If
2737	2737	the decision is in favor of the member called to order, the member
2738	2738	shall be at liberty to proceed; but if the decision is against the
2739	2739	member, he or she shall not be allowed to proceed, and, if the case
2740	2740	requires it, shall be liable to the censure of the house, or such
2741	2741	other punishment as the house may consider proper.
2742	2742	Sec. 34. ELECTRONIC RECORDING OF ALL HOUSE PROCEEDINGS. (a)
2743	2743	All proceedings of the house of representatives shall be
2744	2744	electronically recorded under the direction of the Committee on
2745	2745	House Administration. Copies of the proceedings may be released
2746	2746	under guidelines promulgated by the Committee on House
2747	2747	Administration.
2748	2748	(b) Archived video broadcasts of proceedings in the house
2749	2749	chamber that are available through the house's Internet or intranet
2750	2750	website may, under the direction of the Committee on House
2751	2751	Administration, include a link to the point in time in the video
2752	2752	where each measure under consideration by the house is laid out.
2753	2753	Such a link shall be provided as soon as the committee determines is
2754	2754	practical.
2755	2755	CHAPTER D. QUESTIONS OF PRIVILEGE
2756	2756	Sec. 35. QUESTIONS OF PRIVILEGE DEFINED. Questions of
2757	2757	privilege shall be:
2758	2758	(1) those affecting the rights of the house
2759	2759	collectively, its safety and dignity, and the integrity of its
2760	2760	proceedings, including the right of the house to remove the speaker
2761	2761	and elect a new speaker; and
2762	2762	(2) those affecting the rights, reputation, and
2763	2763	conduct of members individually in their representative capacity
2764	2764	only.
2765	2765	Sec. 36. PRECEDENCE OF QUESTIONS OF PRIVILEGE. Questions
2766	2766	of privilege shall have precedence over all other questions except
2767	2767	motions to adjourn. When in order, a member may address the house
2768	2768	on a question of privilege, or may at any time print it in the
2769	2769	journal, provided it contains no reflection on any member of the
2770	2770	house.
2771	2771	Sec. 37. WHEN QUESTIONS OF PRIVILEGE NOT IN ORDER. (a) It
2772	2772	shall not be in order for a member to address the house on a question
2773	2773	of privilege:
2774	2774	(1) between the time an undebatable motion is offered
2775	2775	and the vote is taken on the motion;
2776	2776	(2) between the time the previous question is ordered
2777	2777	and the vote is taken on the last proposition included under the
2778	2778	previous question; or
2779	2779	(3) between the time a motion to table is offered and
2780	2780	the vote is taken on the motion.
2781	2781	(b) If a question of privilege relating to removal of the
2782	2782	speaker and election of a new speaker fails, a subsequent attempt to
2783	2783	remove the same speaker can be made only by reconsidering the vote
2784	2784	by which the original question of privilege failed. Such
2785	2785	reconsideration shall be subject to the rules of the house
2786	2786	governing reconsideration.
2787	2787	Sec. 38. CONFINING REMARKS TO QUESTION OF PRIVILEGE;
2788	2788	INTERRUPTIONS PROHIBITED. (a) When speaking on privilege,
2789	2789	members must confine their remarks within the limits of Section 35
2790	2790	of this rule, which will be strictly construed to achieve the
2791	2791	purposes hereof.
2792	2792	(b) When a member is speaking on privilege, the member shall
2793	2793	not be interrupted by another member for any purpose. While the
2794	2794	member is speaking, another member may submit a question of order to
2795	2795	the speaker in writing or by approaching the podium in person. The
2796	2796	member submitting the question of order shall not interrupt the
2797	2797	member who is speaking. The speaker may interrupt the member who is
2798	2798	speaking if the speaker determines it is appropriate to address the
2799	2799	question of order at that time.
2800	2800	Sec. 39. DISCUSSION OF MERITS OF MOTION FORBIDDEN. Merits
2801	2801	of a main or subsidiary motion shall not be discussed or debated
2802	2802	under the guise of speaking to a question of privilege.
2803	2803	CHAPTER E. VOTING
2804	2804	Sec. 40. RECORDING ALL VOTES ON VOTING MACHINE. On all
2805	2805	votes, except viva voce votes, members shall record their votes on
2806	2806	the voting machine and shall not be recognized by the chair to cast
2807	2807	their votes from the floor. If a member attempts to vote from the
2808	2808	floor, the speaker shall sustain a point of order directed against
2809	2809	the member's so doing. This rule shall not be applicable to the
2810	2810	mover or the principal opponent of the proposition being voted on
2811	2811	nor to a member whose voting machine is out of order. If a member
2812	2812	demands strict enforcement of this section, Section 47 shall not
2813	2813	apply to the taking of a vote, and the house may discipline a member
2814	2814	in violation of this rule pursuant to its inherent authority.
2815	2815	Sec. 41. REGISTRATION EQUIVALENT TO ROLL CALL VOTE. A
2816	2816	registration or vote taken on the voting machine of the house shall
2817	2817	in all instances be considered the equivalent of a roll call or yea
2818	2818	and nay vote, which might be had for the same purpose.
2819	2819	Sec. 42. DISCLOSURE OF PERSONAL OR PRIVATE INTEREST. Any
2820	2820	member who has a personal or private interest in any measure or bill
2821	2821	proposed or pending before the house shall disclose the fact and not
2822	2822	vote thereon.
2823	2823	Sec. 43. DIVIDING THE QUESTION. By a majority vote of the
2824	2824	house, a quorum being present, the question shall be divided, if it
2825	2825	includes propositions so distinct in substance that, one being
2826	2826	taken away, a substantive proposition remains. A motion for a
2827	2827	division vote cannot be made after the previous question has been
2828	2828	ordered, after a motion to table has been offered, after the
2829	2829	question has been put, nor after the yeas and nays have been
2830	2830	ordered. Under this subsection, the speaker may divide the
2831	2831	question into groups of propositions that are closely related.
2832	2832	Sec. 44. FAILURE OR REFUSAL TO VOTE. Any member who is
2833	2833	present and fails or refuses to vote after being requested to do so
2834	2834	by the speaker shall be recorded as present but not voting, and
2835	2835	shall be counted for the purpose of making a quorum.
2836	2836	Sec. 45. PRESENCE IN HOUSE REQUIRED IN ORDER TO VOTE. A
2837	2837	member must be on the floor of the house or in an adjacent room or
2838	2838	hallway on the same level as the house floor, in order to vote.
2839	2839	Sec. 46. LOCKING VOTING MACHINES OF ABSENT MEMBERS. During
2840	2840	each calendar day in which the house is in session, it shall be the
2841	2841	duty of the journal clerk to lock the voting machine of each member
2842	2842	who is excused or who is otherwise known to be absent. Each such
2843	2843	machine shall remain locked until the member in person contacts the
2844	2844	journal clerk and personally requests the unlocking of the machine.
2845	2845	Unless otherwise directed by the speaker, the journal clerk shall
2846	2846	not unlock any machine except at the personal request of the member
2847	2847	to whom the machine is assigned. Any violation, or any attempt by a
2848	2848	member or employee to circumvent the letter or spirit of this
2849	2849	section, shall be reported immediately to the speaker for such
2850	2850	disciplinary action by the speaker, or by the house, as may be
2851	2851	warranted under the circumstances.
2852	2852	Sec. 47. VOTING FOR ANOTHER MEMBER. Any member found
2853	2853	guilty by the house of knowingly voting for another member on the
2854	2854	voting machine without that other member's permission shall be
2855	2855	subject to discipline deemed appropriate by the house.
2856	2856	Sec. 48. INTERRUPTION OF A ROLL CALL. Once a roll call has
2857	2857	begun, it may not be interrupted for any reason. While a yea and nay
2858	2858	vote is being taken, or the vote is being counted, no member shall
2859	2859	visit the reading clerk's desk or the voting clerk's desk.
2860	2860	Sec. 49. EXPLANATION OF VOTE. (a) No member shall be
2861	2861	allowed to interrupt the vote or to make any explanation of a vote
2862	2862	that the member is about to give after the voting machine has been
2863	2863	opened, but may record in the journal the reasons for giving such a
2864	2864	vote.
2865	2865	(b) A "Reason for Vote" must be in writing and filed with the
2866	2866	journal clerk. If timely received, the "Reason for Vote" shall be
2867	2867	printed immediately following the results of the vote in the
2868	2868	journal. Otherwise, "Reasons for Vote" shall be printed in a
2869	2869	separate section at the end of the journal for the day on which the
2870	2870	reasons were recorded with the journal clerk. Such "Reason for
2871	2871	Vote" shall not deal in personalities or contain any personal
2872	2872	reflection on any member of the legislature, the speaker, the
2873	2873	lieutenant governor, or the governor, and shall not in any other
2874	2874	manner transgress the rules of the house relating to decorum and
2875	2875	debate.
2876	2876	(c) A member absent when a vote was taken may file with the
2877	2877	journal clerk while the house is in session a statement of how the
2878	2878	member would have voted if present. If timely received, the
2879	2879	statement shall be printed immediately following the results of the
2880	2880	vote in the journal. Otherwise, statements shall be printed in a
2881	2881	separate section at the end of the journal for the day on which the
2882	2882	statements were recorded with the journal clerk.
2883	2883	Sec. 50. PAIRS. (a) All pairs must be announced before the
2884	2884	vote is declared by the speaker, and a written statement sent to the
2885	2885	journal clerk. The statement must be signed by the absent member to
2886	2886	the pair, or the member's signature must have been authorized in
2887	2887	writing or by telephone, and satisfactory evidence presented to the
2888	2888	speaker if deemed necessary. If authorized in writing, the writing
2889	2889	shall be delivered to the chief clerk by personal delivery or by
2890	2890	commercially acceptable means of delivery, including electronic
2891	2891	transmission by PDF or similar secure format that is capable of
2892	2892	transmitting an accurate image of the member's signature. If
2893	2893	authorized by telephone, the call must be to and confirmed by the
2894	2894	chief clerk in advance of the vote to which it applies. Pairs shall
2895	2895	be entered in the journal, and the member present shall be counted
2896	2896	to make a quorum.
2897	2897	(b) The speaker may not refuse to recognize a pair that
2898	2898	complies with the requirements of Subsection (a), if both members
2899	2899	consent to the pair.
2900	2900	Sec. 51. ENTRY OF YEA AND NAY VOTE IN JOURNAL. (a) At the
2901	2901	desire of any member present, the yeas and nays of the members of
2902	2902	the house on any question shall be taken and entered in the journal.
2903	2903	No member or members shall be allowed to call for a yea and nay vote
2904	2904	after a vote has been declared by the speaker.
2905	2905	(b) A motion to expunge a yea and nay vote from the journal
2906	2906	shall not be in order.
2907	2907	(c) The yeas and nays of the members of the house on final
2908	2908	passage of any bill, any joint resolution proposing or ratifying a
2909	2909	constitutional amendment, and any other resolution, other than a
2910	2910	resolution of a purely ceremonial or honorary nature, shall be
2911	2911	taken and entered in the journal. For purposes of this subsection, a
2912	2912	vote on final passage includes a vote on:
2913	2913	(1) third reading;
2914	2914	(2) second reading if the house suspends or otherwise
2915	2915	dispenses with the requirement for three readings;
2916	2916	(3) whether to concur in the senate's amendments; or
2917	2917	(4) whether to adopt a conference committee report.
2918	2918	Sec. 51A. REAL-TIME ACCESS BY PUBLIC TO YEAS AND NAYS. The
2919	2919	Committee on House Administration shall ensure that:
2920	2920	(1) the recorded yeas and nays are available to the
2921	2921	public on the Internet and on any televised broadcast of the house
2922	2922	proceedings produced by or under the direction of the house; and
2923	2923	(2) members of the public may view the yeas and nays in
2924	2924	real time to the extent possible on the Internet and on any
2925	2925	televised broadcast of the house proceedings produced by or under
2926	2926	the direction of the house.
2927	2927	Sec. 52. JOURNAL RECORDING OF VOTES ON ANY QUESTION. On
2928	2928	any question where a record of the yeas and nays has not been
2929	2929	ordered, members may have their votes recorded in the journal as
2930	2930	"yea" or "nay" by filing such information with the journal clerk
2931	2931	before adjournment or recess to another calendar day.
2932	2932	Sec. 53. CHANGING A VOTE. Before the result of a vote has
2933	2933	been finally and conclusively pronounced by the chair, but not
2934	2934	thereafter, a member may change his or her vote; however, if a
2935	2935	member's vote is erroneous, the member shall be allowed to change
2936	2936	that vote at a later time provided:
2937	2937	(1) the result of the record vote is not changed
2938	2938	thereby;
2939	2939	(2) the request is made known to the house by the chair
2940	2940	and permission for the change is granted by unanimous consent; and
2941	2941	(3) a notation is made in the journal that the member's
2942	2942	vote was changed.
2943	2943	Sec. 54. TIE VOTE. All matters on which a vote may be taken
2944	2944	by the house shall require for adoption a favorable affirmative
2945	2945	vote as required by these rules, and in the case of a tie vote, the
2946	2946	matter shall be considered lost.
2947	2947	Sec. 55. VERIFICATION OF A YEA AND NAY VOTE. When the
2948	2948	result of a yea and nay vote is close, the speaker may on the request
2949	2949	of any member order a verification vote, or the speaker may order a
2950	2950	verification on his or her own initiative. During verification, no
2951	2951	member shall change a vote unless it was erroneously recorded, nor
2952	2952	may any member not having voted cast a vote; however, when the clerk
2953	2953	errs in reporting the yeas and nays, and correction thereof leaves
2954	2954	decisive effect to the speaker's vote, the speaker may exercise the
2955	2955	right to vote, even though the result has been announced. A
2956	2956	verification shall be called for immediately after the vote is
2957	2957	announced. The speaker shall not entertain a request for
2958	2958	verification after the house has proceeded to the next question, or
2959	2959	after a recess or an adjournment. A vote to recess or adjourn, like
2960	2960	any other proposition, may be verified. Only one vote verification
2961	2961	can be pending at a time. A verification may be dispensed with by a
2962	2962	two-thirds vote.
2963	2963	Sec. 56. VERIFICATION OF A REGISTRATION. The speaker may
2964	2964	allow the verification of a registration (as differentiated from a
2965	2965	record vote) if in the speaker's opinion there is serious doubt as
2966	2966	to the presence of a quorum.
2967	2967	Sec. 57. MOTION FOR A CALL OF THE HOUSE PENDING
2968	2968	VERIFICATION. A motion for a call of the house, and all incidental
2969	2969	motions relating to it, shall be in order pending the verification
2970	2970	of a vote. These motions must be made before the roll call on
2971	2971	verification begins, and it shall not be in order to break into the
2972	2972	roll call to make them.
2973	2973	Sec. 58. ERRONEOUS ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE RESULT OF A
2974	2974	VOTE. If, by an error of the voting clerk or reading clerk in
2975	2975	reporting the yeas and nays from a registration or verification,
2976	2976	the speaker announces a result different from that shown by the
2977	2977	registration or verification, the status of the question shall be
2978	2978	determined by the vote as actually recorded. If the vote is
2979	2979	erroneously announced in such a way as to change the true result,
2980	2980	all subsequent proceedings in connection therewith shall fail, and
2981	2981	the journal shall be amended accordingly.
2982	2982	RULE 6. ORDER OF BUSINESS AND CALENDARS
2983	2983	Sec. 1. DAILY ORDER OF BUSINESS. (a) When the house
2984	2984	convenes on a new legislative day, the daily order of business shall
2985	2985	be as follows:
2986	2986	(1) Call to order by speaker.
2987	2987	(2) Registration of members.
2988	2988	(3) Prayer by chaplain, unless the invocation has been
2989	2989	given previously on the particular calendar day.
2990	2990	(4) Pledge of allegiance to the United States flag.
2991	2991	(5) Pledge of allegiance to the Texas flag.
2992	2992	(6) Excuses for absence of members and officers.
2993	2993	(7) First reading and reference to committee of bills
2994	2994	filed with the chief clerk; and motions to introduce bills, when
2995	2995	such motions are required.
2996	2996	(8) Requests to print bills and other papers; requests
2997	2997	of committees for further time to consider papers referred to them;
2998	2998	and all other routine motions and business not otherwise provided
2999	2999	for, all of which shall be undebatable except that the mover and one
3000	3000	opponent of the motion shall be allowed three minutes each.
3001	3001	The mover of a routine motion shall be allowed his or her
3002	3002	choice of making the opening or the closing speech under this rule.
3003	3003	If the house, under a suspension of the rules, extends the time of a
3004	3004	member under this rule, such extensions shall be for three minutes.
3005	3005	Subsidiary motions that are applicable to routine motions shall be
3006	3006	in order, but the makers of such subsidiary motions shall not be
3007	3007	entitled to speak thereon in the routine motion period, nor shall
3008	3008	the authors of the original routine motions be allowed any
3009	3009	additional time because of subsidiary motions.
3010	3010	(9) Unfinished business.
3011	3011	(10) Third reading calendars of the house in their
3012	3012	order of priority in accordance with Section 7 of this rule, unless
3013	3013	a different order is determined under other provisions of these
3014	3014	rules.
3015	3015	(11) Postponed matters to be laid before the house in
3016	3016	accordance with Rule 7, Section 15.
3017	3017	(12) Second reading calendars of the house in their
3018	3018	order of priority in accordance with Section 7 of this rule, unless
3019	3019	a different order is determined under other provisions of these
3020	3020	rules.
3021	3021	(b) When the house reconvenes for the first time on a new
3022	3022	calendar day following a recess, the daily order of business shall
3023	3023	be:
3024	3024	(1) Call to order by the speaker.
3025	3025	(2) Registration of members.
3026	3026	(3) Prayer by the chaplain.
3027	3027	(4) Pledge of allegiance to the United States flag.
3028	3028	(5) Pledge of allegiance to the Texas flag.
3029	3029	(6) Excuses for absence of members and officers.
3030	3030	(7) Pending business.
3031	3031	(8) Calendars of the house in their order of priority
3032	3032	in accordance with Section 7 of this rule, unless a different order
3033	3033	is determined under other provisions of these rules.
3034	3034	Sec. 2. SPECIAL ORDERS. (a) Any bill, resolution, or
3035	3035	other measure may on any day be made a special order for the same day
3036	3036	or for a future day of the session by an affirmative vote of
3037	3037	two-thirds of the members present. A motion to set a special order
3038	3038	shall be subject to the three-minute pro and con debate rule. When
3039	3039	once established as a special order, a bill, resolution, or other
3040	3040	measure shall be considered from day to day until disposed of; and
3041	3041	until it has been disposed of, no further special orders shall be
3042	3042	made.
3043	3043	A three-fourths vote of the members present shall be required
3044	3044	to suspend the portion of this rule which specifies that only one
3045	3045	special order may be made and pending at a time.
3046	3046	(b) After the first eight items under the daily order of
3047	3047	business for a legislative day have been passed, a special order
3048	3048	shall have precedence when the hour for its consideration has
3049	3049	arrived, except as provided in Section 9 of this rule.
3050	3050	(c) After the 115th day of a regular session, if a joint
3051	3051	resolution has appeared on a daily house calendar and is adopted,
3052	3052	and a bill that is enabling legislation for the joint resolution is
3053	3053	either on or eligible to be placed on a calendar, the author or
3054	3054	sponsor of the bill or another member may immediately be recognized
3055	3055	for a motion to set the bill that is the enabling legislation as a
3056	3056	special order pursuant to this section. For purposes of this
3057	3057	subsection, the bill must have been designated as the enabling
3058	3058	legislation for the joint resolution in writing filed with the
3059	3059	chief clerk not later than the date the committee report for the
3060	3060	enabling legislation is printed and distributed.
3061	3061	Sec. 3. POSTPONEMENT OF A SPECIAL ORDER. A special order
3062	3062	may be postponed to a day certain by a two-thirds vote of those
3063	3063	present, and when so postponed, shall be considered as disposed of
3064	3064	so far as its place as a special order is concerned.
3065	3065	Sec. 4. TABLED MEASURES AS SPECIAL ORDERS. A bill or
3066	3066	resolution laid on the table subject to call may be made a special
3067	3067	order.
3068	3068	Sec. 5. SUBSTITUTION IN MOTION FOR A SPECIAL ORDER. When a
3069	3069	motion is pending to set a particular bill or resolution as a
3070	3070	special order, it shall not be in order to move as a substitute to
3071	3071	set another bill or resolution as a special order. It shall be in
3072	3072	order, however, to substitute, by majority vote, a different time
3073	3073	for the special order consideration than that given in the original
3074	3074	motion.
3075	3075	Sec. 6. MEMBER'S SUSPENSION AND SPECIAL ORDER PRIVILEGES.
3076	3076	If a member moves to set a bill or joint resolution as a special
3077	3077	order, or moves to suspend the rules to take up a bill or joint
3078	3078	resolution out of its regular order, and the motion prevails, the
3079	3079	member shall not have the right to make either of these motions
3080	3080	again until every other member has had an opportunity, via either of
3081	3081	these motions, to have some bill or joint resolution considered out
3082	3082	of its regular order during that session of the legislature. A
3083	3083	member shall not lose the suspension privilege if the motion to
3084	3084	suspend or set for special order does not prevail.
3085	3085	Sec. 7. SYSTEM OF CALENDARS. (a) Legislative business of
3086	3086	the house shall be controlled by a system of calendars, consisting
3087	3087	of the following:
3088	3088	(1) EMERGENCY CALENDAR, on which shall appear bills
3089	3089	considered to be of such pressing and imperative import as to demand
3090	3090	immediate action, bills to raise revenue and levy taxes, and the
3091	3091	general appropriations bill. A bill submitted as an emergency
3092	3092	matter by the governor may also be placed on this calendar.
3093	3093	(2) MAJOR STATE CALENDAR, on which shall appear bills
3094	3094	of statewide effect, not emergency in nature, which establish or
3095	3095	change state policy in a major field of governmental activity and
3096	3096	which will have a major impact in application throughout the state
3097	3097	without regard to class, area, or other limiting factors.
3098	3098	(3) CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS CALENDAR, on which
3099	3099	shall appear joint resolutions proposing amendments to the Texas
3100	3100	Constitution, joint resolutions proposing the ratification of
3101	3101	amendments to the Constitution of the United States, and joint
3102	3102	resolutions applying to Congress for a convention to amend the
3103	3103	Constitution of the United States.
3104	3104	(4) GENERAL STATE CALENDAR, on which shall appear
3105	3105	bills of statewide effect, not emergency in nature, which establish
3106	3106	or change state law and which have application to all areas but are
3107	3107	limited in legal effect by classification or other factors which
3108	3108	minimize the impact to something less than major state policy, and
3109	3109	bills, not emergency in nature, which are not on the local, consent,
3110	3110	and resolutions calendar.
3111	3111	(5) LOCAL, CONSENT, AND RESOLUTIONS CALENDAR, on which
3112	3112	shall appear bills, house resolutions, and concurrent resolutions,
3113	3113	not emergency in nature, regardless of extent and scope, on which
3114	3114	there is such general agreement as to render improbable any
3115	3115	opposition to the consideration and passage thereof, and which have
3116	3116	been recommended by the appropriate standing committee for
3117	3117	placement on the local, consent, and resolutions calendar by the
3118	3118	Committee on Local and Consent Calendars.
3119	3119	(6) RESOLUTIONS CALENDAR, on which shall appear house
3120	3120	resolutions and concurrent resolutions, not emergency in nature and
3121	3121	not privileged.
3122	3122	(7) CONGRATULATORY AND MEMORIAL RESOLUTIONS CALENDAR,
3123	3123	on which shall appear congratulatory and memorial resolutions whose
3124	3124	sole intent is to congratulate, memorialize, or otherwise express
3125	3125	concern or commendation. The Committee on Resolutions Calendars
3126	3126	may provide separate categories for congratulatory and memorial
3127	3127	resolutions.
3128	3128	(b) A calendars committee shall strictly construe and the
3129	3129	speaker shall strictly enforce this system of calendars.
3130	3130	Sec. 8. SENATE BILL CALENDARS. (a) Senate bills and
3131	3131	resolutions pending in the house shall follow the same procedure
3132	3132	with regard to calendars as house bills and resolutions, but
3133	3133	separate calendars shall be maintained for senate bills and
3134	3134	resolutions, and consideration of them on senate bill days shall
3135	3135	have priority in the manner and order specified in this rule.
3136	3136	(b) No other business shall be considered on days devoted to
3137	3137	the consideration of senate bills when there remain any bills on any
3138	3138	of the senate calendars, except with the consent of the senate. When
3139	3139	all senate calendars are clear, the house may proceed to
3140	3140	consideration of house calendars on senate bill days.
3141	3141	Sec. 9. SENATE BILL DAYS. (a) On calendar Wednesday and
3142	3142	on calendar Thursday of each week, only senate bills and senate
3143	3143	resolutions shall be taken up and considered, until disposed of.
3144	3144	Senate bills and senate resolutions shall be considered in the
3145	3145	order prescribed in Section 7 of this rule on separate senate
3146	3146	calendars prepared by the Committee on Calendars. In case a senate
3147	3147	bill or senate resolution is pending at adjournment on calendar
3148	3148	Thursday, it shall go over to the succeeding calendar Wednesday as
3149	3149	unfinished business.
3150	3150	(b) Precedence given in Rule 8 to certain classes of bills
3151	3151	during the first 60 calendar days of a regular session shall also
3152	3152	apply to senate bills on senate bill days.
3153	3153	Sec. 10. CONSIDERATION OF SENATE BILL ON SAME
3154	3154	SUBJECT. When any house bill is reached on the calendar or is
3155	3155	before the house for consideration, it shall be the duty of the
3156	3156	speaker to give the place on the calendar of the house bill to any
3157	3157	senate bill containing the same subject that has been referred to
3158	3158	and reported from a committee of the house and to lay the senate
3159	3159	bill before the house, to be considered in lieu of the house bill.
3160	3160	Sec. 11. PERIODS FOR CONSIDERATION OF CONGRATULATORY AND
3161	3161	MEMORIAL CALENDARS. As the volume of legislation shall warrant,
3162	3162	the chair of the Committee on Resolutions Calendars shall move to
3163	3163	designate periods for the consideration of congratulatory and
3164	3164	memorial calendars. Each such motion shall require a two-thirds
3165	3165	vote for its adoption. In each instance, the Committee on
3166	3166	Resolutions Calendars shall prepare and post on the electronic
3167	3167	legislative information system a calendar at least 24 hours in
3168	3168	advance of the hour set for consideration. No memorial or
3169	3169	congratulatory resolution will be heard by the full house without
3170	3170	having first been approved, at least 24 hours in advance, by a
3171	3171	majority of the membership of the Committee on Resolutions
3172	3172	Calendars, in accordance with Rule 4, Section 16. It shall not be
3173	3173	necessary for the Committee on Resolutions Calendars to report a
3174	3174	memorial or congratulatory resolution from committee in order to
3175	3175	place the resolution on a congratulatory and memorial calendar. If
3176	3176	the Committee on Resolutions Calendars determines that a resolution
3177	3177	is not eligible for placement on the congratulatory and memorial
3178	3178	calendar the measure shall be sent to the Committee on Calendars for
3179	3179	further action. A congratulatory and memorial calendar will
3180	3180	contain the resolution number, the author's name, and a brief
3181	3181	description of the intent of the resolution. On the congratulatory
3182	3182	and memorial calendar, congratulatory resolutions may be listed
3183	3183	separately from memorial resolutions. Once a calendar is posted,
3184	3184	no additional resolutions will be added to it, and the requirements
3185	3185	of this section shall not be subject to suspension.
3186	3186	Sec. 12. PROCEDURE FOR CONSIDERATION OF CONGRATULATORY AND
3187	3187	MEMORIAL CALENDARS. During the consideration of a congratulatory
3188	3188	and memorial calendar, resolutions shall not be read in full unless
3189	3189	they pertain to members or former members of the legislature, or
3190	3190	unless the intended recipient of the resolution is present on the
3191	3191	house floor or in the gallery. All other such resolutions shall be
3192	3192	read only by number, type of resolution, and name of the person or
3193	3193	persons designated in the resolutions. Members shall notify the
3194	3194	chair, in advance of consideration of the calendar, of any
3195	3195	resolutions that will be required to be read in full. In addition,
3196	3196	the following procedures shall be observed:
3197	3197	(1) The chair shall recognize the reading clerk to
3198	3198	read the resolutions within each category on the calendar only by
3199	3199	number, type of resolution, author or sponsor, and name of the
3200	3200	person or persons designated in the resolutions, except for those
3201	3201	resolutions that have been withdrawn or that are required to be read
3202	3202	in full. The resolutions read by the clerk shall then be adopted in
3203	3203	one motion for each category.
3204	3204	(2) Subsequent to the adoption of the resolutions read
3205	3205	by the clerk, the chair shall proceed to lay before the house the
3206	3206	resolutions on the calendar that are required to be read in full.
3207	3207	Each such resolution shall be read and adopted individually.
3208	3208	(3) If it develops that any resolution on the
3209	3209	congratulatory and memorial calendar does not belong on that
3210	3210	calendar, the chair shall withdraw the resolution from further
3211	3211	consideration, remove it from the calendar, and refer it to the
3212	3212	appropriate calendars committee for placement on the proper
3213	3213	calendar.
3214	3214	Sec. 13. PERIODS FOR CONSIDERATION OF LOCAL, CONSENT, AND
3215	3215	RESOLUTIONS CALENDARS. (a) As the volume of legislation shall
3216	3216	warrant, the chair of the Committee on Local and Consent Calendars
3217	3217	shall move to designate periods for the consideration of local,
3218	3218	consent, and resolutions calendars. Each such motion shall require
3219	3219	a two-thirds vote for its adoption. In each instance, the Committee
3220	3220	on Local and Consent Calendars shall prepare and post on the
3221	3221	electronic legislative information system a calendar at least 48
3222	3222	hours in advance of the hour set for consideration. Once a calendar
3223	3223	is posted, no additional bills or resolutions will be added to it.
3224	3224	This requirement can be suspended only by unanimous consent. No
3225	3225	local, consent, and resolutions calendar may be considered by the
3226	3226	house if it is determined that the rules of the house were not
3227	3227	complied with by the Committee on Local and Consent Calendars in
3228	3228	preparing that calendar.
3229	3229	(b) The period designated for the consideration of a local,
3230	3230	consent, and resolutions calendar under this section or under a
3231	3231	special order under Section 2 of this rule may not exceed one
3232	3232	calendar day.
3233	3233	Sec. 14. PROCEDURE FOR CONSIDERATION OF LOCAL, CONSENT, AND
3234	3234	RESOLUTIONS CALENDARS. During the consideration of a local,
3235	3235	consent, and resolutions calendar set by the Committee on Local and
3236	3236	Consent Calendars the following procedures shall be observed:
3237	3237	(1) The chair shall allow the sponsor of each bill or
3238	3238	resolution three minutes to explain the measure, and the time shall
3239	3239	not be extended except by unanimous consent of the house. This rule
3240	3240	shall have precedence over all other rules limiting time for
3241	3241	debate.
3242	3242	(2) If it develops that any bill or resolution on a
3243	3243	local, consent, and resolutions calendar is to be contested on the
3244	3244	floor of the house under Subdivision (3) or (4) of this section, the
3245	3245	chair shall withdraw the bill or resolution from further
3246	3246	consideration and remove it from the calendar.
3247	3247	(3) Any bill or resolution on a local, consent, and
3248	3248	resolutions calendar shall be considered contested if notice is
3249	3249	given by five or more members present in the house under Rule 5,
3250	3250	Section 45, that they intend to oppose the bill or resolution,
3251	3251	either by a raising of hands or the delivery of written notice to
3252	3252	the chair.
3253	3253	(4) Any bill or resolution on a local, consent, and
3254	3254	resolutions calendar shall be considered contested if debate
3255	3255	exceeds 10 minutes, after the chair lays out the bill or resolution
3256	3256	following the sponsor's explanation under Subdivision (1) of this
3257	3257	section. The chair shall strictly enforce this time limit and
3258	3258	automatically withdraw the bill from further consideration if the
3259	3259	time limit herein imposed is exceeded.
3260	3260	(5) Any bill or resolution on a local, consent, and
3261	3261	resolutions calendar that is not reached for floor consideration
3262	3262	because of the expiration of the calendar day period for
3263	3263	consideration established by Section 13 of this rule shall carry
3264	3264	over onto the next local, consent, and resolutions calendar. Bills
3265	3265	or resolutions that carry over must appear in the same relative
3266	3266	order as on the calendar on which the bills or resolutions initially
3267	3267	appeared, and bills or resolutions originally from older calendars
3268	3268	must appear before those originally from more recent calendars.
3269	3269	(6) A motion to postpone a bill or resolution on a
3270	3270	local, consent, and resolutions calendar to a subsequent
3271	3271	legislative or calendar day requires an affirmative vote of
3272	3272	two-thirds of the members present.
3273	3273	Sec. 15. ORDER OF CONSIDERATION OF CALENDARS. Except for
3274	3274	local, consent, and resolutions calendars and congratulatory and
3275	3275	memorial calendars, consideration of calendars shall be in the
3276	3276	order named in Section 7 of this rule, subject to any exceptions
3277	3277	ordered by the Committee on Calendars. Bills and resolutions on
3278	3278	third reading shall have precedence over bills and resolutions on
3279	3279	second reading.
3280	3280	Sec. 16. DAILY CALENDARS, SUPPLEMENTAL CALENDARS, AND LISTS
3281	3281	OF ITEMS ELIGIBLE FOR CONSIDERATION. (a) Calendars shall be
3282	3282	prepared daily when the house is in session. A calendar must be
3283	3283	posted on the electronic legislative information system at least 36
3284	3284	hours if convened in regular session and 24 hours if convened in
3285	3285	special session before the calendar may be considered by the house,
3286	3286	except as otherwise provided by these rules for the calendar on
3287	3287	which the general appropriations bill is first eligible for
3288	3288	consideration on second reading when convened in regular session.
3289	3289	A calendar that contains a bill extending an agency, commission, or
3290	3290	advisory committee under the Texas Sunset Act must be posted at
3291	3291	least 48 hours if convened in regular or special session before the
3292	3292	calendar may be considered by the house. Deviations from the
3293	3293	calendars as posted shall not be permitted except that the
3294	3294	Committee on Calendars shall be authorized to prepare and post, not
3295	3295	later than two hours before the house convenes, a supplemental
3296	3296	daily house calendar, on which shall appear:
3297	3297	(1) bills or resolutions which were passed to third
3298	3298	reading on the previous legislative day, except as provided by
3299	3299	Section 24(b) of this rule;
3300	3300	(2) bills or resolutions which appeared on the Daily
3301	3301	House Calendar for a previous calendar day which were not reached
3302	3302	for floor consideration;
3303	3303	(3) postponed business from a previous calendar day;
3304	3304	and
3305	3305	(4) notice to take from the table a bill or resolution
3306	3306	which was laid on the table subject to call on a previous
3307	3307	legislative day.
3308	3308	In addition to the items listed above, the bills and
3309	3309	resolutions from a daily house calendar that will be eligible for
3310	3310	consideration may be incorporated, in their proper order as
3311	3311	determined by these rules, into the supplemental daily house
3312	3312	calendar.
3313	3313	(a-1) If the house is convened in regular session, the
3314	3314	calendar on which the general appropriations bill is first eligible
3315	3315	for consideration on second reading must be posted on the
3316	3316	electronic legislative information system at least 144 hours before
3317	3317	the calendar may be considered by the house. The posted calendar
3318	3318	must indicate the date and time at which the calendar is scheduled
3319	3319	for consideration by the house, which date and time must be in
3320	3320	accordance with Rule 8, Section 14.
3321	3321	(b) In addition, when the volume of legislation shall
3322	3322	warrant, and upon request of the speaker, the chief clerk shall have
3323	3323	prepared a list of Items Eligible for Consideration, on which shall
3324	3324	appear only:
3325	3325	(1) house bills with senate amendments that are
3326	3326	eligible for consideration under Rule 13, Section 5, including the
3327	3327	number of senate amendments and the total number of pages of senate
3328	3328	amendments;
3329	3329	(2) senate bills for which the senate has requested
3330	3330	appointment of a conference committee; and
3331	3331	(3) conference committee reports that are eligible for
3332	3332	consideration under Rule 13, Section 10.
3333	3333	(c) The list of Items Eligible for Consideration must be
3334	3334	posted on the electronic legislative information system at least
3335	3335	six hours before the list may be considered by the house.
3336	3336	(d) The time at which a calendar or list is posted on the
3337	3337	electronic legislative information system shall be time-stamped on
3338	3338	the originals of the calendar or list.
3339	3339	(e) No house calendar shall be eligible for consideration if
3340	3340	it is determined that the rules of the house were not complied with
3341	3341	by the Committee on Calendars in preparing that calendar.
3342	3342	(f) If the Committee on Calendars has proposed a rule for
3343	3343	floor consideration of a bill or resolution that is eligible to be
3344	3344	placed on a calendar of the daily house calendar, the rule must be
3345	3345	printed and a copy distributed to each member. If the bill or
3346	3346	resolution to which the rule will apply has already been placed on a
3347	3347	calendar of the daily house calendar, a copy of the rule must also
3348	3348	be posted with the calendar on which the bill or resolution appears.
3349	3349	The speaker shall lay a proposed rule before the house prior to the
3350	3350	consideration of the bill or resolution to which the rule will
3351	3351	apply. The rule shall be laid before the house not earlier than six
3352	3352	hours after a copy of the rule has been distributed to each member
3353	3353	in accordance with this subsection. The rule shall not be subject
3354	3354	to amendment, but to be effective, the rule must be approved by the
3355	3355	house by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of those members present
3356	3356	and voting, except that the rule must be approved by an affirmative
3357	3357	vote of a majority of those members present and voting if the rule
3358	3358	applies to a tax bill, an appropriations bill, or a redistricting
3359	3359	bill. If approved by the house in accordance with this subsection,
3360	3360	the rule will be effective for the consideration of the bill or
3361	3361	resolution on both second and third readings.
3362	3362	Sec. 17. POSITION ON A CALENDAR. (a) Unless removed from
3363	3363	the calendar under Subsection (b) of this section, once a bill or
3364	3364	resolution is placed on its appropriate calendar under these rules,
3365	3365	and has appeared on a house calendar, as posted on the electronic
3366	3366	legislative information system, the bill shall retain its relative
3367	3367	position on the calendar until reached for floor consideration, and
3368	3368	the calendars committee with jurisdiction over the bill or
3369	3369	resolution shall have no authority to place other bills on the
3370	3370	calendar ahead of that bill, but all additions to the calendar shall
3371	3371	appear subsequent to the bill.
3372	3372	(b) If a bill or resolution that has been placed on a house
3373	3373	calendar, as posted on the electronic legislative information
3374	3374	system, is recommitted or withdrawn from further consideration, the
3375	3375	bill or resolution relinquishes its position on the calendar, and
3376	3376	the bill or resolution shall be removed from the calendar.
3377	3377	Sec. 18. REQUIREMENTS FOR PLACEMENT ON A CALENDAR. Except
3378	3378	as provided in Section 11 of this rule as it relates to
3379	3379	congratulatory and memorial resolutions, no bill or resolution
3380	3380	shall be placed on a calendar until:
3381	3381	(1) it has been referred to and reported from its
3382	3382	appropriate standing committee by favorable committee action; or
3383	3383	(2) it is ordered printed on minority report or after a
3384	3384	committee has reported its inability to recommend a course of
3385	3385	action.
3386	3386	Sec. 19. REFERRAL TO CALENDARS COMMITTEES. All bills and
3387	3387	resolutions, on being reported from committee, shall be referred
3388	3388	immediately to the committee coordinator for printing and then to
3389	3389	the appropriate calendars committee for placement on the
3390	3390	appropriate calendar.
3391	3391	Sec. 20. TIME LIMIT FOR VOTE TO PLACE ON A CALENDAR. Within
3392	3392	30 calendar days after a bill or resolution has been referred to the
3393	3393	appropriate calendars committee, the committee must vote on whether
3394	3394	to place the bill or resolution on one of the calendars of the daily
3395	3395	house calendar or the local, consent, and resolutions calendar, as
3396	3396	applicable. A vote against placement of the bill or resolution on a
3397	3397	calendar does not preclude a calendars committee from later voting
3398	3398	in favor of placement of the bill or resolution on a calendar.
3399	3399	Sec. 21. MOTION TO PLACE ON A CALENDAR. (a) When a bill or
3400	3400	resolution has been in the appropriate calendars committee for 30
3401	3401	calendar days, exclusive of the calendar day on which it was
3402	3402	referred, awaiting placement on one of the calendars of the daily
3403	3403	house calendar or on the local, consent, and resolutions calendar,
3404	3404	it shall be in order for a member to move that the bill or resolution
3405	3405	be placed on a specific calendar of the daily house calendar or on
3406	3406	the local, consent, and resolutions calendar without action by the
3407	3407	committee. This motion must be seconded by five members and shall
3408	3408	require a majority vote for adoption.
3409	3409	(b) A motion to place a bill or resolution on a specific
3410	3410	calendar of the daily house calendar or on the local, consent, and
3411	3411	resolutions calendar is not a privileged motion and must be made
3412	3412	during the routine motion period unless made under a suspension of
3413	3413	the rules.
3414	3414	Sec. 22. REQUEST FOR PLACEMENT ON LOCAL, CONSENT, AND
3415	3415	RESOLUTIONS CALENDAR. No bill or resolution shall be considered
3416	3416	for placement on the local, consent, and resolutions calendar by
3417	3417	the Committee on Local and Consent Calendars unless a request for
3418	3418	that placement has been made to the chair of the standing committee
3419	3419	from which the bill or resolution was reported and unless the
3420	3420	committee report of the standing committee recommends that the bill
3421	3421	or resolution be sent to the Committee on Local and Consent
3422	3422	Calendars for placement on the local, consent, and resolutions
3423	3423	calendar. The recommendation of the standing committee shall be
3424	3424	advisory only, and the Committee on Local and Consent Calendars
3425	3425	shall have final authority to determine whether or not a bill or
3426	3426	resolution shall be placed on the local, consent, and resolutions
3427	3427	calendar. If the Committee on Local and Consent Calendars
3428	3428	determines that the bill or resolution is not eligible for
3429	3429	placement on the local, consent, and resolutions calendar, the
3430	3430	measure shall be sent to the Committee on Calendars for further
3431	3431	action.
3432	3432	Sec. 23. QUALIFICATIONS FOR PLACEMENT ON THE LOCAL,
3433	3433	CONSENT, AND RESOLUTIONS CALENDAR. (a) No bill defined as a local
3434	3434	bill by Rule 8, Section 10(c), shall be placed on the local,
3435	3435	consent, and resolutions calendar unless:
3436	3436	(1) evidence of publication of notice in compliance
3437	3437	with the Texas Constitution and these rules is filed with the
3438	3438	Committee on Local and Consent Calendars; and
3439	3439	(2) it has been recommended unanimously by the present
3440	3440	and voting members of the committee from which it was reported that
3441	3441	the bill be sent to the Committee on Local and Consent Calendars for
3442	3442	placement on the local, consent, and resolutions calendar.
3443	3443	(b) No other bill or resolution shall be placed on the
3444	3444	local, consent, and resolutions calendar unless it has been
3445	3445	recommended unanimously by the present and voting members of the
3446	3446	committee from which it was reported that the bill be sent to the
3447	3447	Committee on Local and Consent Calendars for placement on the
3448	3448	local, consent, and resolutions calendar.
3449	3449	(c) No bill or resolution shall be placed on the local,
3450	3450	consent, and resolutions calendar that:
3451	3451	(1) directly or indirectly prevents from being
3452	3452	available for purposes of funding state government generally any
3453	3453	money that under existing law would otherwise be available for that
3454	3454	purpose, including a bill that transfers or diverts money in the
3455	3455	state treasury from the general revenue fund to another fund; or
3456	3456	(2) authorizes or requires the expenditure or
3457	3457	diversion of state funds for any purpose, as determined by a fiscal
3458	3458	note attached to the bill.
3459	3459	Sec. 24. REPLACEMENT OF CONTESTED BILLS AND
3460	3460	RESOLUTIONS. (a) A bill on second reading or a resolution once
3461	3461	removed from the local, consent, and resolutions calendar by being
3462	3462	contested on the floor of the house under Section 14(3) or (4) of
3463	3463	this rule shall be returned to the Committee on Local and Consent
3464	3464	Calendars for further action. The Committee on Local and Consent
3465	3465	Calendars, if it feels such action is warranted, may again place the
3466	3466	bill or resolution on the local, consent, and resolutions calendar,
3467	3467	provided, however, that if the bill or resolution is not placed on
3468	3468	the next local, consent, and resolutions calendar set by the
3469	3469	Committee on Local and Consent Calendars, the bill or resolution
3470	3470	shall immediately be referred to the Committee on Calendars for
3471	3471	further action. If a bill on second reading or a resolution is then
3472	3472	removed from the calendar a second time by being contested on the
3473	3473	floor of the house under Section 14(3) or (4) of this rule, the bill
3474	3474	or resolution shall not again be placed on the local, consent, and
3475	3475	resolutions calendar by the Committee on Local and Consent
3476	3476	Calendars during that session of the legislature but shall be
3477	3477	returned to the Committee on Calendars for further action.
3478	3478	(b) A bill on third reading removed from the local, consent,
3479	3479	and resolutions calendar under Section 14(3) or (4) of this rule
3480	3480	shall appear on the supplemental daily house calendar for the next
3481	3481	legislative day for which a supplemental daily house calendar has
3482	3482	not already been distributed, pursuant to Section 16(a)(1) of this
3483	3483	rule.
3484	3484	(c) This section does not apply to a bill or resolution on
3485	3485	the local, consent, and resolutions calendar that is withdrawn from
3486	3486	the calendar at the request of the author or sponsor without being
3487	3487	contested under Section 14(3) or (4) of this rule. A bill or
3488	3488	resolution withdrawn under this subsection shall be returned to the
3489	3489	Committee on Local and Consent Calendars for further action. The
3490	3490	Committee on Local and Consent Calendars, if it feels such action is
3491	3491	warranted, may again place the bill or resolution on the local,
3492	3492	consent, and resolutions calendar or refer the bill or resolution
3493	3493	to the Committee on Calendars for further action.
3494	3494	Sec. 25. DISCRETION IN PLACEMENT ON CALENDARS. Subject to
3495	3495	the limitations contained in this rule, the Committee on Calendars
3496	3496	shall have full authority to make placements on calendars in
3497	3497	whatever order is necessary and desirable under the circumstances
3498	3498	then existing, except that bills on third reading shall have
3499	3499	precedence over bills on second reading. It is the intent of the
3500	3500	calendar system to give the Committee on Calendars wide discretion
3501	3501	to insure adequate consideration by the house of important
3502	3502	legislation.
3503	3503	RULE 7. MOTIONS
3504	3504	CHAPTER A. GENERAL MOTIONS
3505	3505	Sec. 1. MOTIONS DECIDED WITHOUT DEBATE. The following
3506	3506	motions, in addition to any elsewhere provided herein, shall be
3507	3507	decided without debate, except as otherwise provided in these
3508	3508	rules:
3509	3509	(1) to adjourn;
3510	3510	(2) to lay on the table;
3511	3511	(3) to lay on the table subject to call;
3512	3512	(4) to suspend the rule as to the time for introduction
3513	3513	of bills;
3514	3514	(5) to order a call of the house, and all motions
3515	3515	incidental thereto;
3516	3516	(6) an appeal by a member called to order;
3517	3517	(7) on questions relating to priority of business;
3518	3518	(8) to amend the caption of a bill or resolution;
3519	3519	(9) to extend the time of a member speaking under the
3520	3520	previous question or to allow a member who has the right to speak
3521	3521	after the previous question is ordered to yield the time, or a part
3522	3522	of it, to another;
3523	3523	(10) to reconsider and table.
3524	3524	Sec. 2. MOTIONS SUBJECT TO DEBATE. The speaker shall permit
3525	3525	the mover and one opponent of the motion three minutes each during
3526	3526	which to debate the following motions without debating the merits
3527	3527	of the bill, resolution, or other matter, and the mover of the
3528	3528	motion may elect to either open the debate or close the debate, but
3529	3529	the mover's time may not be divided:
3530	3530	(1) to suspend the regular order of business and take
3531	3531	up some measure out of its regular order;
3532	3532	(2) to instruct a committee to report a certain bill or
3533	3533	resolution;
3534	3534	(3) to rerefer a bill or resolution from one committee
3535	3535	to another;
3536	3536	(4) to place a bill or resolution on a specific
3537	3537	calendar without action by the appropriate calendars committee;
3538	3538	(5) to take up a bill or resolution laid on the table
3539	3539	subject to call;
3540	3540	(6) to set a special order;
3541	3541	(7) to suspend the rules;
3542	3542	(8) to suspend the constitutional rule requiring bills
3543	3543	to be read on three several days;
3544	3544	(9) to pass a resolution suspending the joint rules;
3545	3545	(10) to order the previous question;
3546	3546	(11) to order the limiting of amendments to a bill or
3547	3547	resolution;
3548	3548	(12) to print documents, reports, or other material in
3549	3549	the journal;
3550	3550	(13) to take any other action required or permitted
3551	3551	during the routine motion period by Rule 6, Section 1;
3552	3552	(14) to divide the question.
3553	3553	Sec. 3. MOTIONS ALLOWED DURING DEBATE. When a question is
3554	3554	under debate, the following motions, and none other, shall be in
3555	3555	order, and such motions shall have precedence in the following
3556	3556	order:
3557	3557	(1) to adjourn;
3558	3558	(2) to take recess;
3559	3559	(3) to lay on the table;
3560	3560	(4) to lay on the table subject to call;
3561	3561	(5) for the previous question;
3562	3562	(6) to postpone to a day certain;
3563	3563	(7) to commit, recommit, refer, or rerefer;
3564	3564	(8) to amend by striking out the enacting or resolving
3565	3565	clause, which, if carried, shall have the effect of defeating the
3566	3566	bill or resolution;
3567	3567	(9) to amend;
3568	3568	(10) to postpone indefinitely.
3569	3569	Sec. 4. STATEMENT OR READING OF A MOTION. When a motion has
3570	3570	been made, the speaker shall state it, or if it is in writing, order
3571	3571	it read by the clerk; and it shall then be in possession of the
3572	3572	house.
3573	3573	Sec. 5. ENTRY OF MOTIONS IN JOURNAL. Every motion made to
3574	3574	the house and entertained by the speaker shall be reduced to writing
3575	3575	on the demand of any member, and shall be entered on the journal
3576	3576	with the name of the member making it.
3577	3577	Sec. 6. WITHDRAWAL OF A MOTION. A motion may be withdrawn
3578	3578	by the mover at any time before a decision on the motion, even
3579	3579	though an amendment may have been offered and is pending. It cannot
3580	3580	be withdrawn, however, if the motion has been amended. After the
3581	3581	previous question has been ordered, a motion can be withdrawn only
3582	3582	by unanimous consent.
3583	3583	Sec. 7. MOTIONS TO ADJOURN OR RECESS. A motion to adjourn
3584	3584	or recess shall always be in order, except:
3585	3585	(1) when the house is voting on another motion;
3586	3586	(2) when the previous question has been ordered and
3587	3587	before the final vote on the main question, unless a roll call shows
3588	3588	the absence of a quorum;
3589	3589	(3) when a member entitled to the floor has not yielded
3590	3590	for that purpose; or
3591	3591	(4) when no business has been transacted since a
3592	3592	motion to adjourn or recess has been defeated.
3593	3593	Sec. 8. CONSIDERATION OF SEVERAL MOTIONS TO ADJOURN OR
3594	3594	RECESS. When several motions to recess or adjourn are made at the
3595	3595	same period, the motion to adjourn carrying the shortest time shall
3596	3596	be put first, then the next shortest time, and in that order until a
3597	3597	motion to adjourn has been adopted or until all have been voted on
3598	3598	and lost; and then the same procedure shall be followed for motions
3599	3599	to recess.
3600	3600	Sec. 9. WITHDRAWAL OR ADDITION OF A MOTION TO ADJOURN OR
3601	3601	RECESS. A motion to adjourn or recess may not be withdrawn when it
3602	3602	is one of a series upon which voting has commenced, nor may an
3603	3603	additional motion to adjourn or recess be made when voting has
3604	3604	commenced on a series of such motions.
3605	3605	Sec. 10. RECONSIDERATION OF VOTE TO ADJOURN OR RECESS. The
3606	3606	vote by which a motion to adjourn or recess is carried or lost shall
3607	3607	not be subject to a motion to reconsider.
3608	3608	Sec. 11. ADJOURNING WITH LESS THAN A QUORUM. A smaller
3609	3609	number of members than a quorum may adjourn from day to day, and may
3610	3610	compel the attendance of absent members.
3611	3611	Sec. 12. MOTION TO TABLE. A motion to lay on the table, if
3612	3612	carried, shall have the effect of killing the bill, resolution,
3613	3613	amendment, or other immediate proposition to which it was applied.
3614	3614	Such a motion shall not be debatable, but the mover of the
3615	3615	proposition to be tabled, or the member reporting it from
3616	3616	committee, shall be allowed to close the debate after the motion to
3617	3617	table is made and before it is put to a vote. When a motion to table
3618	3618	is made to a debatable main motion, the main motion mover shall be
3619	3619	allowed 20 minutes to close the debate, whereas the movers of other
3620	3620	debatable motions sought to be tabled shall be allowed only 10
3621	3621	minutes to close. The vote by which a motion to table is carried or
3622	3622	lost cannot be reconsidered. After the previous question has been
3623	3623	ordered, a motion to table is not in order. The provisions of this
3624	3624	section do not apply to motions to "lay on the table subject to
3625	3625	call"; however, a motion to lay on the table subject to call cannot
3626	3626	be made after the previous question has been ordered.
3627	3627	Sec. 13. MATTERS TABLED SUBJECT TO CALL. When a bill,
3628	3628	resolution, or other matter is pending before the house, it may be
3629	3629	laid on the table subject to call, and one legislative day's notice,
3630	3630	as provided on the Supplemental House Calendar, must be given
3631	3631	before the proposition can be taken from the table, unless it is on
3632	3632	the same legislative day, in which case it can be taken from the
3633	3633	table at any time except when there is another matter pending before
3634	3634	the house. A bill, resolution, or other matter can be taken from
3635	3635	the table only by a majority vote of the house. When a special order
3636	3636	is pending, a motion to take a proposition from the table cannot be
3637	3637	made unless the proposition is a privileged matter.
3638	3638	Sec. 14. MOTION TO POSTPONE. (a) A motion to postpone to a
3639	3639	day certain may be amended and is debatable within narrow limits,
3640	3640	but the merits of the proposition sought to be postponed cannot be
3641	3641	debated. A motion to postpone indefinitely opens to debate the
3642	3642	entire proposition to which it applies.
3643	3643	(b) A motion to postpone a bill or resolution on a local,
3644	3644	consent, and resolutions calendar to a subsequent legislative or
3645	3645	calendar day requires an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the
3646	3646	members present.
3647	3647	Sec. 15. POSTPONED MATTERS. A bill or proposition
3648	3648	postponed to a day certain shall be laid before the house at the
3649	3649	time on the calendar day to which it was postponed, provided it is
3650	3650	otherwise eligible under the rules and no other business is then
3651	3651	pending. If business is pending, the postponed matter shall be
3652	3652	deferred until the pending business is disposed of without
3653	3653	prejudice otherwise to its right of priority. When a privileged
3654	3654	matter is postponed to a particular time, and that time arrives, the
3655	3655	matter, still retaining its privileged nature, shall be taken up
3656	3656	even though another matter is pending.
3657	3657	Sec. 16. ORDER OF CONSIDERATION OF POSTPONED MATTERS. If
3658	3658	two or more bills, resolutions, or other propositions are postponed
3659	3659	to the same time, and are otherwise eligible for consideration at
3660	3660	that time, they shall be considered in the chronological order of
3661	3661	their setting.
3662	3662	Sec. 17. MOTION TO REFER. When motions are made to refer a
3663	3663	subject to a select or standing committee, the question on the
3664	3664	subject's referral to a standing committee shall be put first.
3665	3665	Sec. 18. MOTION TO RECOMMIT. A motion to recommit a bill,
3666	3666	after being defeated at the routine motion period, may again be made
3667	3667	when the bill itself is under consideration; however, a motion to
3668	3668	recommit a bill shall not be in order at the routine motion period
3669	3669	if the bill is then before the house as either pending business or
3670	3670	unfinished business.
3671	3671	A motion to recommit a bill or resolution can be made and
3672	3672	voted on even though the author, sponsor, or principal proponent is
3673	3673	not present.
3674	3674	Sec. 19. TERMS OF DEBATE ON MOTIONS TO REFER, REREFER,
3675	3675	COMMIT, OR RECOMMIT. A motion to refer, rerefer, commit, or
3676	3676	recommit is debatable within narrow limits, but the merits of the
3677	3677	proposition may not be brought into the debate. A motion to refer,
3678	3678	rerefer, commit, or recommit with instructions is fully debatable.
3679	3679	Sec. 20. RECOMMITTING TO COMMITTEE FOR A SECOND TIME.
3680	3680	Except as provided in Rule 4, Section 30, when a bill has been
3681	3681	recommitted once at any reading and has been reported adversely by
3682	3682	the committee to which it was referred, it shall be in order to
3683	3683	again recommit the bill only if a minority report has been filed in
3684	3684	the time required by the rules of the house. A two-thirds vote of
3685	3685	those present shall be required to recommit a second time.
3686	3686	CHAPTER B. MOTION FOR THE PREVIOUS QUESTION
3687	3687	Sec. 21. MOTION FOR THE PREVIOUS QUESTION. There shall be a
3688	3688	motion for the previous question, which shall be admitted only when
3689	3689	seconded by 25 members. It shall be put by the chair in this manner:
3690	3690	"The motion has been seconded. Three minutes pro and con debate
3691	3691	will be allowed on the motion for ordering the previous question."
3692	3692	As soon as the debate has ended, the chair shall continue: "As many
3693	3693	as are in favor of ordering the previous question on (here state on
3694	3694	which question or questions) will say 'Aye,'" and then, "As many as
3695	3695	are opposed say 'Nay.'" As in all other propositions, a motion for
3696	3696	the previous question may be taken by a record vote if demanded by
3697	3697	any member. If ordered by a majority of the members voting, a
3698	3698	quorum being present, it shall have the effect of cutting off all
3699	3699	debate, except as provided in Section 23 of this rule, and bringing
3700	3700	the house to a direct vote on the immediate question or questions on
3701	3701	which it has been asked and ordered.
3702	3702	Sec. 22. DEBATE ON MOTION FOR PREVIOUS QUESTION. On the
3703	3703	motion for the previous question, there shall be no debate except as
3704	3704	provided in Sections 2 and 21 of this rule. All incidental
3705	3705	questions of order made pending decision on such motion shall be
3706	3706	decided, whether on appeal or otherwise, without debate.
3707	3707	Sec. 23. LIMITATION OF DEBATE AFTER PREVIOUS QUESTION
3708	3708	ORDERED. After the previous question has been ordered, there shall
3709	3709	be no debate upon the questions on which it has been ordered, or
3710	3710	upon the incidental questions, except that the mover of the
3711	3711	proposition or any of the pending amendments or any other motions,
3712	3712	or the member making the report from the committee, or, in the case
3713	3713	of the absence of either of them, any other member designated by
3714	3714	such absentee, shall have the right to close the debate on the
3715	3715	particular proposition or amendment. Then a vote shall be taken
3716	3716	immediately on the amendments or other motions, if any, and then on
3717	3717	the main question.
3718	3718	Sec. 24. SPEAKING AND VOTING AFTER THE PREVIOUS QUESTION
3719	3719	ORDERED. All members having the right to speak after the previous
3720	3720	question has been ordered shall speak before the question is put on
3721	3721	the first proposition covered by the previous question. All votes
3722	3722	shall then be taken in the correct order, and no vote or votes shall
3723	3723	be deferred to allow any member to close on any one of the
3724	3724	propositions separately after the voting has commenced.
3725	3725	Sec. 25. SPEAKING ON AN AMENDMENT AS SUBSTITUTED. When an
3726	3726	amendment has been substituted and the previous question is then
3727	3727	moved on the adoption of the amendment as substituted, the author of
3728	3728	the amendment as substituted shall have the right to close the
3729	3729	debate on that amendment in lieu of the author of the original
3730	3730	amendment.
3731	3731	Sec. 26. SPEAKING ON A MOTION TO POSTPONE OR AMEND. When
3732	3732	the previous question is ordered on a motion to postpone
3733	3733	indefinitely or to amend by striking out the enacting clause of a
3734	3734	bill, the member moving to postpone or amend shall have the right to
3735	3735	close the debate on that motion or amendment, after which the mover
3736	3736	of the proposition or bill proposed to be so postponed or amended,
3737	3737	or the member reporting it from the committee, or, in the absence of
3738	3738	either of them, any other member designated by the absentee, shall
3739	3739	be allowed to close the debate on the original proposition.
3740	3740	Sec. 27. APPLICATION OF THE PREVIOUS QUESTION. The
3741	3741	previous question may be asked and ordered on any debatable single
3742	3742	motion or series of motions, or any amendment or amendments
3743	3743	pending, or it may be made to embrace all authorized debatable
3744	3744	motions or amendments pending and include the bill, resolution, or
3745	3745	proposition that is on second or third reading. The previous
3746	3746	question cannot be ordered, however, on the main proposition
3747	3747	without including other pending motions of lower rank as given in
3748	3748	Section 3 of this rule.
3749	3749	Sec. 28. LIMIT OF APPLICATION. The previous question shall
3750	3750	not extend beyond the final vote on a motion or sequence of motions
3751	3751	to which the previous question has been ordered.
3752	3752	Sec. 29. AMENDMENTS NOT YET LAID BEFORE THE HOUSE.
3753	3753	Amendments on the speaker's desk for consideration which have not
3754	3754	actually been laid before the house and read cannot be included
3755	3755	under a motion for the previous question.
3756	3756	Sec. 30. MOVING THE PREVIOUS QUESTION AFTER A MOTION TO
3757	3757	TABLE. If a motion to table is made directly to a main motion, the
3758	3758	motion for the previous question is not in order. In a case where an
3759	3759	amendment to a main motion is pending, and a motion to table the
3760	3760	amendment is made, it is in order to move the previous question on
3761	3761	the main motion, the pending amendment, and the motion to table the
3762	3762	amendment.
3763	3763	Sec. 31. NO SUBSTITUTE FOR MOTION FOR THE PREVIOUS
3764	3764	QUESTION. There is no acceptable substitute for a motion for the
3765	3765	previous question, nor can other motions be applied to it.
3766	3766	Sec. 32. MOTION FOR THE PREVIOUS QUESTION NOT SUBJECT TO
3767	3767	TABLING. The motion for the previous question is not subject to a
3768	3768	motion to table.
3769	3769	Sec. 33. MOTION TO ADJOURN AFTER MOTION FOR PREVIOUS
3770	3770	QUESTION ACCEPTED. The motion to adjourn is not in order after a
3771	3771	motion for the previous question is accepted by the chair, or after
3772	3772	the seconding of such motion and before a vote is taken.
3773	3773	Sec. 34. MOTIONS IN ORDER AFTER PREVIOUS QUESTION ORDERED.
3774	3774	After the previous question has been ordered, no motion shall be in
3775	3775	order until the question or questions on which it was ordered have
3776	3776	been voted on, without debate, except:
3777	3777	(1) a motion for a call of the house, and motions
3778	3778	incidental thereto;
3779	3779	(2) a motion to extend the time of a member closing on
3780	3780	a proposition;
3781	3781	(3) a motion to permit a member who has the right to
3782	3782	speak to yield the time or a part thereof to another member;
3783	3783	(4) a request for and a verification of a vote;
3784	3784	(5) a motion to reconsider the vote by which the
3785	3785	previous question was ordered. A motion to reconsider may be made
3786	3786	only once and that must be before any vote under the previous
3787	3787	question has been taken;
3788	3788	(6) a motion to table a motion to reconsider the vote
3789	3789	by which the previous question has been ordered;
3790	3790	(7) a double motion to reconsider and table the vote by
3791	3791	which the previous question was ordered.
3792	3792	Sec. 35. MOTION TO ADJOURN OR RECESS AFTER PREVIOUS
3793	3793	QUESTION ORDERED. No motion for an adjournment or a recess shall be
3794	3794	in order after the previous question is ordered until the final vote
3795	3795	under the previous question has been taken, unless the roll call
3796	3796	shows the absence of a quorum.
3797	3797	Sec. 36. ADJOURNING WITHOUT A QUORUM. When the house
3798	3798	adjourns without a quorum under the previous question, the previous
3799	3799	question shall remain in force and effect when the bill,
3800	3800	resolution, or other proposition is again laid before the house.
3801	3801	CHAPTER C. RECONSIDERATION
3802	3802	Sec. 37. MOTION TO RECONSIDER A VOTE. (a) When a question
3803	3803	has been decided by the house and the yeas and nays have been called
3804	3804	for and recorded, any member voting with the prevailing side may, on
3805	3805	the same legislative day, or on the next legislative day, move a
3806	3806	reconsideration; however, if a reconsideration is moved on the next
3807	3807	legislative day, it must be done before the order of the day, as
3808	3808	designated in the 10th item of Rule 6, Section 1(a), is taken up.
3809	3809	If the house refuses to reconsider, or on reconsideration, affirms
3810	3810	its decision, no further action to reconsider shall be in order.
3811	3811	(b) Where the yeas and nays have not been called for and
3812	3812	recorded, any member, regardless of whether he or she voted on the
3813	3813	prevailing side or not, may make the motion to reconsider; however,
3814	3814	even when the yeas and nays have not been recorded, the following
3815	3815	shall not be eligible to make a motion to reconsider:
3816	3816	(1) a member who was absent;
3817	3817	(2) a member who was paired and, therefore, did not
3818	3818	vote; and
3819	3819	(3) a member who was recorded in the journal as having
3820	3820	voted on the losing side.
3821	3821	(c) Except as otherwise provided by this subsection, a
3822	3822	motion to reconsider the vote by which a bill, joint resolution, or
3823	3823	concurrent resolution was defeated is not in order unless a member
3824	3824	has previously provided at least one hour's notice of intent to make
3825	3825	the motion by addressing the house when the house is in session and
3826	3826	stating that a member intends to make a motion to reconsider the
3827	3827	vote by which the bill or resolution was defeated. It is not
3828	3828	necessary for the member providing the notice to be eligible to make
3829	3829	or to be the member who subsequently makes the motion to reconsider.
3830	3830	If notice of intent to make a motion to reconsider is given within
3831	3831	the period that the motion to reconsider may be made under
3832	3832	Subsection (a) of this section and that period expires during the
3833	3833	one-hour period required by this subsection, then the period within
3834	3834	which the motion may be made under Subsection (a) is extended by the
3835	3835	amount of time, not to exceed one hour during which the house is in
3836	3836	session, necessary to satisfy the one-hour notice required by this
3837	3837	subsection. This subsection does not apply to a motion to
3838	3838	reconsider and table or to a motion to reconsider and spread on the
3839	3839	journal, if no business has been transacted after the defeat of the
3840	3840	measure.
3841	3841	Sec. 38. DEBATE ON MOTION TO RECONSIDER. A motion to
3842	3842	reconsider shall be debatable only when the question to be
3843	3843	reconsidered is debatable. Even though the previous question was
3844	3844	in force before the vote on a debatable question was taken, debate
3845	3845	is permissible on the reconsideration of such debatable question.
3846	3846	Sec. 39. MAJORITY VOTE REQUIRED. Every motion to
3847	3847	reconsider shall be decided by a majority vote, even though the vote
3848	3848	on the original question requires a two-thirds vote for affirmative
3849	3849	action. If the motion to reconsider prevails, the question then
3850	3850	immediately recurs on the question reconsidered.
3851	3851	Sec. 40. WITHDRAWAL OF MOTION TO RECONSIDER. A motion to
3852	3852	reconsider cannot be withdrawn unless permission is given by a
3853	3853	majority vote of the house, and the motion may be called up by any
3854	3854	member.
3855	3855	Sec. 41. TABLING MOTION TO RECONSIDER. A motion to
3856	3856	reconsider shall be subject to a motion to table, which, if carried,
3857	3857	shall be a final disposition of the motion to reconsider.
3858	3858	Sec. 42. DOUBLE MOTION TO RECONSIDER AND TABLE. The double
3859	3859	motion to reconsider and table shall be in order. It shall be
3860	3860	undebatable. When carried, the motion to reconsider shall be
3861	3861	tabled. When it fails, the question shall then be on the motion to
3862	3862	reconsider, and the motion to reconsider shall, without further
3863	3863	action, be spread on the journal, but it may be called up by any
3864	3864	member, in accordance with the provisions of Section 43 of this
3865	3865	rule.
3866	3866	Sec. 43. DELAYED DISPOSITION OF MOTION TO RECONSIDER. (a)
3867	3867	If a motion to reconsider is not disposed of when made, it shall be
3868	3868	entered in the journal, and cannot, after that legislative day, be
3869	3869	called up and disposed of unless one legislative day's notice has
3870	3870	been given.
3871	3871	(b) Unless called up and disposed of prior to 72 hours
3872	3872	before final adjournment of the session, all motions to reconsider
3873	3873	shall be regarded as determined and lost.
3874	3874	(c) All motions to reconsider made during the last 72 hours
3875	3875	of the session shall be disposed of when made; otherwise, the motion
3876	3876	shall be considered as lost.
3877	3877	Sec. 44. MOTION TO RECONSIDER AND SPREAD ON JOURNAL. (a) A
3878	3878	member voting on the prevailing side may make a motion to reconsider
3879	3879	and spread on the journal, which does not require a vote, and on the
3880	3880	motion being made, it shall be entered on the journal. Any member,
3881	3881	regardless of whether he or she voted on the prevailing side or not,
3882	3882	who desires immediate action on a motion to reconsider which has
3883	3883	been spread on the journal, can call it up as soon as it is made, and
3884	3884	demand a vote on it, or can call it up and move to table it.
3885	3885	(b) If the motion to table the motion to reconsider is
3886	3886	defeated, the motion to reconsider remains spread on the journal
3887	3887	for future action; however, any member, regardless of whether he or
3888	3888	she voted on the prevailing side or not, can call the motion from
3889	3889	the journal for action by the house, and, once disposed of, no other
3890	3890	motion to reconsider can be made.
3891	3891	Sec. 45. MOTION TO REQUIRE COMMITTEE TO REPORT. (a) During
3892	3892	the first 76 calendar days of a regular session, when any bill,
3893	3893	resolution, or other paper has been in committee for 6 calendar
3894	3894	days, exclusive of the calendar day on which it was referred, it
3895	3895	shall be in order for a member to move that the committee be
3896	3896	required to report the same within 7 calendar days. This motion
3897	3897	shall require a two-thirds vote for passage.
3898	3898	(b) After the first 76 calendar days of a regular session,
3899	3899	when any bill, resolution, or other paper has been in committee for
3900	3900	6 calendar days, exclusive of the calendar day on which it was
3901	3901	referred, it shall be in order for a member to move that the
3902	3902	committee be required to report the same within 7 calendar days.
3903	3903	This motion shall require a majority vote for passage.
3904	3904	(c) A motion to instruct a committee to report is not a
3905	3905	privileged motion and must be made during the routine motion period
3906	3906	unless made under a suspension of the rules.
3907	3907	(d) The house shall have no authority to instruct a
3908	3908	subcommittee directly; however, instructions recognized under the
3909	3909	rules may be given to a committee and shall be binding on all
3910	3910	subcommittees.
3911	3911	Sec. 46. MOTION TO REREFER TO ANOTHER COMMITTEE. (a)
3912	3912	During the first 76 calendar days of a regular session, when any
3913	3913	bill, resolution, or other paper has been in committee for 7
3914	3914	calendar days after the committee was instructed by the house to
3915	3915	report that measure by a motion made under Section 45 of this rule,
3916	3916	it shall be in order for a member to move to rerefer the bill,
3917	3917	resolution, or other paper to a different committee. This motion
3918	3918	shall require a two-thirds vote for passage.
3919	3919	(b) After the first 76 calendar days of a regular session,
3920	3920	when any bill, resolution, or other paper has been in committee for
3921	3921	7 calendar days after the committee has been instructed to report
3922	3922	that measure by a motion made under Section 45 of this rule, it
3923	3923	shall be in order for a member to move to rerefer the bill,
3924	3924	resolution, or other paper to a different committee. This motion
3925	3925	shall require a majority vote for passage.
3926	3926	(c) A motion to rerefer a bill, resolution, or other paper
3927	3927	from one committee to another committee is not a privileged motion
3928	3928	and must be made during the routine motion period unless made under
3929	3929	a suspension of the rules.
3930	3930	RULE 8. BILLS
3931	3931	Sec. 1. CONTENTS OF BILLS. (a) Proposed laws or changes in
3932	3932	laws must be incorporated in bills, which shall consist of:
3933	3933	(1) a title or caption, beginning with the words "A
3934	3934	Bill to be Entitled An Act" and a brief statement that gives the
3935	3935	legislature and the public reasonable notice of the subject of the
3936	3936	proposed measure;
3937	3937	(2) an enacting clause, "Be It Enacted by the
3938	3938	Legislature of the State of Texas"; and
3939	3939	(3) the bill proper.
3940	3940	(b) A house bill that would impose, authorize, increase, or
3941	3941	change the rate or amount of a tax, assessment, surcharge, or fee
3942	3942	must include a short statement at the end of its title or caption
3943	3943	indicating the general effect of the bill on the tax, assessment,
3944	3944	surcharge, or fee, such as "imposing a tax (or assessment),"
3945	3945	"authorizing a surcharge (or fee)," or "increasing the rate (or
3946	3946	amount) of a tax."
3947	3947	(c) A house bill that would create a criminal offense,
3948	3948	increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or
3949	3949	category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for
3950	3950	community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision must
3951	3951	include a short statement at the end of its title or caption
3952	3952	indicating the general effect of the bill on the offense,
3953	3953	punishment, or eligibility, such as "creating a criminal offense,"
3954	3954	"increasing a criminal penalty," or "changing the eligibility for
3955	3955	community supervision (or parole or mandatory supervision)."
3956	3956	(d) A house bill that would create a requirement that an
3957	3957	individual or entity obtain a license, certificate, registration,
3958	3958	permit, or other authorization before engaging in a particular
3959	3959	occupation or profession or that would expand an existing
3960	3960	requirement to additional individuals or entities must include a
3961	3961	short statement at the end of its title or caption indicating the
3962	3962	general effect of the bill on the occupation or profession, such as
3963	3963	"requiring an occupational license" or "expanding the
3964	3964	applicability of an occupational license (or permit or
3965	3965	certificate)."
3966	3966	Sec. 2. PUBLISHING ACTS IN THEIR ENTIRETY. No law shall be
3967	3967	revived or amended by reference to its title. The act revived, or
3968	3968	the section or sections amended, shall be reenacted and published
3969	3969	at length. This rule does not apply to revisions adopted under
3970	3970	Article III, Section 43, of the Texas Constitution.
3971	3971	Sec. 3. LIMITING A BILL TO A SINGLE SUBJECT. Each bill
3972	3972	(except a general appropriations bill, which may embrace the
3973	3973	various subjects and accounts for which money is appropriated or a
3974	3974	revision adopted under Article III, Section 43, of the Texas
3975	3975	Constitution) shall contain only one subject.
3976	3976	Sec. 4. CHANGING GENERAL LAW THROUGH AN APPROPRIATIONS
3977	3977	BILL. A general law may not be changed by the provisions in an
3978	3978	appropriations bill.
3979	3979	Sec. 5. COAUTHORSHIP, JOINT AUTHORSHIP, SPONSORSHIP,
3980	3980	COSPONSORSHIP, AND JOINT SPONSORSHIP. (a) A house bill or
3981	3981	resolution may have only one primary author. The signature of the
3982	3982	primary author shall be the only signature that appears on the
3983	3983	measure filed with the chief clerk. The signatures of all coauthors
3984	3984	or joint authors shall appear on the appropriate forms in the chief
3985	3985	clerk's office.
3986	3986	(b) Any member may become the coauthor of a bill or
3987	3987	resolution by securing permission from the author. If permission
3988	3988	is secured from the author prior to the time the measure is filed
3989	3989	with the chief clerk, the primary author and the coauthor shall sign
3990	3990	the appropriate form, which shall be included with the measure when
3991	3991	it is filed with the chief clerk. If a member wishes to become the
3992	3992	coauthor of a measure after it has been filed, no action shall be
3993	3993	required by the house, but it shall be the duty of the member
3994	3994	seeking to be a coauthor to obtain written authorization on the
3995	3995	appropriate form from the author. This authorization shall be
3996	3996	filed with the chief clerk before the coauthor signs the form for
3997	3997	the bill or resolution. The chief clerk shall report daily to the
3998	3998	journal clerk the names of members filed as coauthors of bills or
3999	3999	resolutions. If a coauthor of a bill or resolution desires to
4000	4000	withdraw from such status, the member shall notify the chief clerk,
4001	4001	who in turn shall notify the journal clerk.
4002	4002	(c) The primary author of a measure may designate up to four
4003	4003	joint authors by providing written authorization on the appropriate
4004	4004	form to the chief clerk. If a member designated as a joint author
4005	4005	has not already signed on the measure as a coauthor, that member
4006	4006	must also sign the form before the records will reflect the joint
4007	4007	author status of that member. The names of all joint authors shall
4008	4008	be shown immediately following the primary author's name on all
4009	4009	official printings of the measure, on all house calendars, in the
4010	4010	house journal, and in the electronic legislative information
4011	4011	system.
4012	4012	(d) The determination of the house sponsor of a senate
4013	4013	measure is made at the time the measure is reported from committee.
4014	4014	In the case of multiple requests for house sponsorship, the house
4015	4015	sponsor of a senate measure shall be determined by the chair of the
4016	4016	committee, in consultation with the senate author of the measure.
4017	4017	The chair of the committee must designate a primary sponsor and may
4018	4018	designate up to four joint sponsors or an unlimited number of
4019	4019	cosponsors. The names of all joint sponsors shall be shown
4020	4020	immediately following the primary sponsor's name on all official
4021	4021	printings of the measure, on all house calendars, in the house
4022	4022	journal, and in the electronic legislative information system.
4023	4023	Sec. 6. FILING, FIRST READING, AND REFERRAL TO COMMITTEE.
4024	4024	Each bill shall be filed with the chief clerk when introduced and
4025	4025	shall be numbered in its regular order. Each bill shall be read
4026	4026	first time by caption and referred by the speaker to the appropriate
4027	4027	committee with jurisdiction.
4028	4028	Sec. 7. PREFILING. Beginning the first Monday after the
4029	4029	general election preceding the next regular legislative session, or
4030	4030	within 30 days prior to any special session, it shall be in order to
4031	4031	file with the chief clerk bills and resolutions for introduction in
4032	4032	that session. On receipt of the bills or resolutions, the chief
4033	4033	clerk shall number them and make them a matter of public record,
4034	4034	available for distribution. Once a bill or resolution has been so
4035	4035	filed, it may not be recalled. This shall apply only to
4036	4036	members-elect of the succeeding legislative session.
4037	4037	Sec. 8. DEADLINE FOR INTRODUCTION. (a) Bills and joint
4038	4038	resolutions introduced during the first 60 calendar days of the
4039	4039	regular session may be considered by the committees and in the house
4040	4040	and disposed of at any time during the session, in accordance with
4041	4041	the rules of the house. After the first 60 calendar days of a
4042	4042	regular session, any bill or joint resolution, except local bills,
4043	4043	emergency appropriations, and all emergency matters submitted by
4044	4044	the governor in special messages to the legislature, shall require
4045	4045	an affirmative vote of four-fifths of those members present and
4046	4046	voting to be introduced.
4047	4047	(b) In addition to a bill defined as a "local bill" under
4048	4048	Section 10(c) of this rule, a bill is considered local for purposes
4049	4049	of this section if it relates to a specified district created under
4050	4050	Article XVI, Section 59, of the Texas Constitution (water
4051	4051	districts, etc.), a specified hospital district, or another
4052	4052	specified special purpose district, even if neither these rules nor
4053	4053	the Texas Constitution require publication of notice for that bill.
4054	4054	Sec. 9. FILING. (a) A bill must be filed with the chief
4055	4055	clerk in the manner and in an electronic or other format specified
4056	4056	by the chief clerk at the time that the bill is introduced.
4057	4057	(b) A bill relating to conservation and reclamation
4058	4058	districts and governed by the provisions of Article XVI, Section
4059	4059	59, of the Texas Constitution must be filed with copies of the
4060	4060	notice to introduce the bill attached if the bill is intended to:
4061	4061	(1) create a particular conservation and reclamation
4062	4062	district; or
4063	4063	(2) amend the act of a particular conservation and
4064	4064	reclamation district to:
4065	4065	(A) add additional land to the district;
4066	4066	(B) alter the taxing authority of the district;
4067	4067	(C) alter the authority of the district with
4068	4068	respect to issuing bonds; or
4069	4069	(D) alter the qualifications or terms of office
4070	4070	of the members of the governing body of the district.
4071	4071	Sec. 10. LOCAL BILLS. (a) The house may not consider a
4072	4072	local bill unless notice of intention to apply for the passage of
4073	4073	the bill was published as provided by law and evidence of the
4074	4074	publication is attached to the bill. If not attached to the bill on
4075	4075	filing with the chief clerk or receipt of the bill from the senate,
4076	4076	copies of the evidence of timely publication shall be filed with the
4077	4077	chief clerk and must be distributed to the members of the committee
4078	4078	not later than the first time the bill is laid out in a committee
4079	4079	meeting. The evidence shall be attached to the bill on first
4080	4080	printing and shall remain with the measure throughout the entire
4081	4081	legislative process, including submission to the governor.
4082	4082	(b) Neither the house nor a committee of the house may
4083	4083	consider a bill whose application is limited to one or more
4084	4084	political subdivisions by means of population brackets or other
4085	4085	artificial devices in lieu of identifying the political subdivision
4086	4086	or subdivisions by name. However, this subsection does not prevent
4087	4087	consideration of a bill that classifies political subdivisions
4088	4088	according to a minimum or maximum population or other criterion
4089	4089	that bears a reasonable relation to the purpose of the proposed
4090	4090	legislation or a bill that updates laws based on population
4091	4091	classifications to conform to a federal decennial census.
4092	4092	(c) Except as provided by Subsection (d) of this section,
4093	4093	"local bill" for purposes of this section means:
4094	4094	(1) a bill for which publication of notice is required
4095	4095	under Article XVI, Section 59, of the Texas Constitution (water
4096	4096	districts, etc.);
4097	4097	(2) a bill for which publication of notice is required
4098	4098	under Article IX, Section 9, of the Texas Constitution (hospital
4099	4099	districts);
4100	4100	(3) a bill relating to hunting, fishing, or
4101	4101	conservation of wildlife resources of a specified locality;
4102	4102	(4) a bill creating or affecting a county court or
4103	4103	statutory court or courts of one or more specified counties or
4104	4104	municipalities;
4105	4105	(5) a bill creating or affecting the juvenile board or
4106	4106	boards of a specified county or counties; or
4107	4107	(6) a bill creating or affecting a road utility
4108	4108	district under the authority of Article III, Section 52, of the
4109	4109	Texas Constitution.
4110	4110	(d) A bill is not considered to be a local bill under
4111	4111	Subsection (c)(3), (4), or (5) if it affects a sufficient number of
4112	4112	localities, counties, or municipalities so as to be of general
4113	4113	application or of statewide importance.
4114	4114	Sec. 11. CONSIDERATION IN COMMITTEE. (a) No bill shall be
4115	4115	considered unless it first has been referred to a committee and
4116	4116	reported from it.
4117	4117	(b) After a bill has been recommitted, it shall be
4118	4118	considered by the committee as a new subject.
4119	4119	Sec. 12. ORDER OF CONSIDERATION. All bills and resolutions
4120	4120	before the house shall be taken up and acted on in the order in which
4121	4121	they appear on their respective calendars, and each calendar shall
4122	4122	have the priority accorded to it by the provisions of Rule 6,
4123	4123	Sections 7 and 8.
4124	4124	Sec. 13. DEADLINES FOR CONSIDERATION. (a) No house bill
4125	4125	that is local as defined by Section 10(c) of this rule and that
4126	4126	appears on a local, consent, and resolutions calendar shall be
4127	4127	considered for any purpose after the 130th day of a regular session,
4128	4128	except to:
4129	4129	(1) act on senate amendments;
4130	4130	(2) adopt a conference committee report;
4131	4131	(3) reconsider the bill to make corrections; or
4132	4132	(4) pass the bill notwithstanding the objections of
4133	4133	the governor.
4134	4134	(b) No other house bill or joint resolution shall be
4135	4135	considered on its second reading after the 122nd day of a regular
4136	4136	session if it appears on a daily or supplemental daily house
4137	4137	calendar, or for any purpose after the 123rd day of a regular
4138	4138	session, except to:
4139	4139	(1) act on senate amendments;
4140	4140	(2) adopt a conference committee report;
4141	4141	(3) reconsider the bill or resolution to make
4142	4142	corrections; or
4143	4143	(4) pass the bill notwithstanding the objections of
4144	4144	the governor.
4145	4145	(c) No senate bill or joint resolution shall be considered
4146	4146	on its second reading after the 134th day of a regular session if it
4147	4147	appears on a daily or supplemental daily house calendar, or for any
4148	4148	purpose after the 135th day of a regular session, except to:
4149	4149	(1) adopt a conference committee report;
4150	4150	(2) reconsider the bill or resolution to remove house
4151	4151	amendments;
4152	4152	(3) reconsider the bill or resolution to make
4153	4153	corrections; or
4154	4154	(4) pass the bill notwithstanding the objections of
4155	4155	the governor.
4156	4156	(d) The speaker shall not lay any bill or joint resolution
4157	4157	before the house or permit a vote to be taken on its passage on the
4158	4158	136th and 137th days of a regular session, except to:
4159	4159	(1) act on senate amendments;
4160	4160	(2) adopt a conference committee report;
4161	4161	(3) reconsider the bill or resolution to remove house
4162	4162	amendments;
4163	4163	(4) reconsider the bill or resolution to make
4164	4164	corrections; or
4165	4165	(5) pass the bill notwithstanding the objections of
4166	4166	the governor.
4167	4167	(e) The speaker shall not lay any bill or joint resolution
4168	4168	before the house or permit a vote to be taken on its passage on the
4169	4169	138th and 139th days of a regular session, except to:
4170	4170	(1) adopt a conference committee report;
4171	4171	(2) reconsider the bill or resolution to remove house
4172	4172	amendments;
4173	4173	(3) discharge house conferees and concur in senate
4174	4174	amendments;
4175	4175	(4) reconsider the bill or resolution to make
4176	4176	corrections; or
4177	4177	(5) pass the bill notwithstanding the objections of
4178	4178	the governor.
4179	4179	(f) No vote shall be taken upon the passage of any bill or
4180	4180	resolution within 24 hours of the final adjournment of a regular
4181	4181	session unless it be to reconsider the bill or resolution to make
4182	4182	corrections, or to adopt a corrective resolution.
4183	4183	(g) The clock of record for the house, as determined under
4184	4184	Rule 2, Section 2, shall be used to determine compliance with
4185	4185	deadlines and other time requirements of the Texas Constitution and
4186	4186	these rules. A motion to suspend this rule must be decided by a
4187	4187	record vote.
4188	4188	Sec. 14. DELIVERY PRIOR TO CONSIDERATION. (a) Each bill or
4189	4189	resolution, except the general appropriations bill, shall be
4190	4190	delivered to each member by making a copy of the bill or resolution
4191	4191	available in an electronic format for viewing by the member and,
4192	4192	when the electronic format copy of the appropriate printing becomes
4193	4193	available, by sending notice of that fact to a Capitol e-mail
4194	4194	address designated by the member, at least 36 hours if convened in
4195	4195	regular session and 24 hours if convened in special session before
4196	4196	the bill can be considered by the house on second reading. If a
4197	4197	member informs the chief clerk in writing that the member desires to
4198	4198	receive paper copies of bills and resolutions under this section in
4199	4199	addition to delivery in an electronic format, the chief clerk shall
4200	4200	place a paper copy of the bill or resolution in the newspaper box of
4201	4201	the member as soon as practicable after the electronic copies of the
4202	4202	bill or resolution are made available for viewing.
4203	4203	(a-1) A printed copy of the general appropriations bill
4204	4204	shall be placed in the newspaper mailbox of each member at least 168
4205	4205	hours during a regular session and at least 72 hours during a
4206	4206	special session before the bill can be considered by the house on
4207	4207	second reading.
4208	4208	(b) By majority vote, the house may order both the original
4209	4209	bill or resolution and the complete committee substitute to be
4210	4210	printed. It shall not be necessary for the house to order complete
4211	4211	committee substitutes printed in lieu of original bills.
4212	4212	(c) A two-thirds vote of the house is necessary to order
4213	4213	that bills, other than local bills, be not printed. It shall not be
4214	4214	necessary for the house to order that local bills be not printed.
4215	4215	Sec. 15. REQUIREMENT FOR THREE READINGS. A bill shall not
4216	4216	have the force of law until it has been read on three several
4217	4217	legislative days in each house and free discussion allowed, unless
4218	4218	this provision is suspended by a vote of four-fifths of the members
4219	4219	present and voting, a quorum being present. The yeas and nays shall
4220	4220	be taken on the question of suspension and entered in the journal.
4221	4221	Sec. 16. CONSIDERATION SECTION BY SECTION. (a) During the
4222	4222	consideration of any bill or resolution, the house may, by a
4223	4223	majority vote, order the bill or resolution to be considered
4224	4224	section by section, or department by department, until each section
4225	4225	or department has been given separate consideration. If such a
4226	4226	procedure is ordered, only amendments to the section or department
4227	4227	under consideration at that time shall be in order. However, after
4228	4228	each section or department has been considered separately, the
4229	4229	entire bill or resolution shall be open for amendment, subject to
4230	4230	the provisions of Rule 11, Section 8(b). Once the consideration of
4231	4231	a bill section by section or department by department has been
4232	4232	ordered, it shall not be in order to move the previous question on
4233	4233	the entire bill, to recommit it, to lay it on the table, or to
4234	4234	postpone it, until each section or department has been given
4235	4235	separate consideration or until the vote by which section by
4236	4236	section consideration was ordered is reconsidered.
4237	4237	(b) A motion to consider a bill section by section is
4238	4238	debatable within narrow limits; that is, the pros and cons of the
4239	4239	proposed consideration can be debated but not the merits of the
4240	4240	bill.
4241	4241	Sec. 17. PASSAGE TO ENGROSSMENT OR THIRD READING. After a
4242	4242	bill or complete committee substitute for a bill has been taken up
4243	4243	and read, amendments shall be in order. If no amendment is made, or
4244	4244	if those proposed are disposed of, then the final question on its
4245	4245	second reading shall be, in the case of a house bill, whether it
4246	4246	shall be passed to engrossment, or, in the case of a senate bill,
4247	4247	whether it shall pass to its third reading. All bills ordered
4248	4248	passed to engrossment or passed to a third reading shall remain on
4249	4249	the calendar on which placed, but with future priority over bills
4250	4250	that have not passed second reading.
4251	4251	Sec. 18. CERTIFICATION OF FINAL PASSAGE. The chief clerk
4252	4252	shall certify the final passage of each bill, noting on the bill the
4253	4253	date of its passage, and the vote by which it passed, if by a yea and
4254	4254	nay vote.
4255	4255	Sec. 19. EFFECTIVE DATE. Every law passed by the
4256	4256	legislature, except the General Appropriations Act, shall take
4257	4257	effect or go into force on the 91st day after the adjournment of the
4258	4258	session at which it was enacted, unless the legislature provides
4259	4259	for an earlier effective date by a vote of two-thirds of all the
4260	4260	members elected to each house. The vote shall be taken by yeas and
4261	4261	nays and entered in the journals.
4262	4262	Sec. 20. BILLS CONTAINING SAME SUBSTANCE AS DEFEATED BILL.
4263	4263	After a bill or resolution has been considered and defeated by
4264	4264	either house of the legislature, no bill or resolution containing
4265	4265	the same substance shall be passed into law during the same session.
4266	4266	Sec. 21. CONSIDERATION OF BILLS INVOLVING STATE FUNDS. (a)
4267	4267	In order to assure the continuation of financial support of
4268	4268	existing state services through the passage of the general
4269	4269	appropriations bill, it shall not be in order during the first 118
4270	4270	days of the regular session for the speaker to lay before the house,
4271	4271	prior to the consideration, passage, and certification by the
4272	4272	comptroller of the general appropriations bill, any bill that
4273	4273	directly or indirectly prevents from being available for purposes
4274	4274	of funding state government generally any money that under existing
4275	4275	law would otherwise be available for that purpose, including a bill
4276	4276	that transfers or diverts money in the state treasury from the
4277	4277	general revenue fund to another fund.
4278	4278	(b) In order to assure compliance with the limitation on
4279	4279	appropriations of state tax revenue not dedicated by the
4280	4280	constitution as provided by Article VIII, Section 22, of the Texas
4281	4281	Constitution, it is not in order for the speaker to lay before the
4282	4282	house, prior to the time that the general appropriations bill has
4283	4283	been finally passed and sent to the comptroller, any bill that
4284	4284	appropriates funds from the state treasury that are not dedicated
4285	4285	by the constitution.
4286	4286	(c) When bills subject to the provisions of Subsection (a)
4287	4287	of this section become eligible for consideration, they shall be
4288	4288	considered for passage under the rules of the house and the joint
4289	4289	rules as any other bill but shall not be signed by the speaker as
4290	4290	required by the Constitution of Texas and the rules of the house
4291	4291	until the general appropriations bill has been signed by the
4292	4292	presiding officers of both houses of the legislature and
4293	4293	transmitted to the comptroller of public accounts for certification
4294	4294	as required by Article III, Section 49a, of the Constitution of
4295	4295	Texas.
4296	4296	(d) All bills subject to the provisions of Subsection (a) of
4297	4297	this section that have finally passed both houses shall be enrolled
4298	4298	as required by the rules and transmitted to the speaker. The
4299	4299	speaker shall note on each bill the date and hour of final
4300	4300	legislative action and shall withhold his or her signature and any
4301	4301	further action on all such bills until the general appropriations
4302	4302	bill has been signed by the presiding officers of both houses and
4303	4303	transmitted to the comptroller of public accounts for
4304	4304	certification. Immediately thereafter, the speaker shall sign in
4305	4305	the presence of the house all bills on which further action was
4306	4306	being withheld because the bills were subject to the provisions of
4307	4307	this section. After being signed by the speaker, the bills shall
4308	4308	then be transmitted to the comptroller of public accounts for
4309	4309	certification or to the governor, as the case may be, in the order
4310	4310	in which final legislative action was taken. "Final legislative
4311	4311	action," as that term is used in this subsection, shall mean the
4312	4312	last act of either house meeting in general session necessary to
4313	4313	place the bill in its final form preparatory to enrollment.
4314	4314	(e) Subsections (a)-(d) of this section shall not apply to
4315	4315	any bills providing for:
4316	4316	(1) the payment of expenses of the legislature;
4317	4317	(2) the payment of judgments against the state;
4318	4318	(3) any emergency matter when requested by the
4319	4319	governor in a formal message to the legislature; or
4320	4320	(4) the reduction of taxes.
4321	4321	(e-1) Subsection (a) of this section does not apply to a
4322	4322	bill that prevents the deposit into the general revenue fund of
4323	4323	money received from the federal government or earnings on that
4324	4324	money if the bill does not prevent that money from being available
4325	4325	for the purpose of funding state government generally to the same
4326	4326	extent as under existing law.
4327	4327	(f) Unless within the authority of a resolution or
4328	4328	resolutions adopted pursuant to Article VIII, Section 22(b), of the
4329	4329	Texas Constitution, it is not in order for the house to consider for
4330	4330	final passage on third reading, on motion to concur in senate
4331	4331	amendments, or on motion to adopt a conference committee report, a
4332	4332	bill appropriating funds from the state treasury in an amount that,
4333	4333	when added to amounts previously appropriated by bills finally
4334	4334	passed and sent or due to be sent to the comptroller, would exceed
4335	4335	the limit on appropriations established under Chapter 316,
4336	4336	Government Code.
4337	4337	(g) The general appropriations bill shall be reported to the
4338	4338	house by the Committee on Appropriations not later than the 90th
4339	4339	calendar day of the regular session. Should the Committee on
4340	4340	Appropriations fail to report by the deadline, Subsections (a)-(d)
4341	4341	of this section shall be suspended for the balance of that regular
4342	4342	session.
4343	4343	RULE 9. JOINT RESOLUTIONS
4344	4344	Sec. 1. AMENDMENTS TO THE TEXAS CONSTITUTION. (a) A
4345	4345	proposed amendment to the Texas Constitution shall take the form of
4346	4346	a joint resolution, which shall be subject to the rules that govern
4347	4347	the proceedings on bills, except as provided by this section.
4348	4348	(b) A joint resolution is not subject to the provisions of
4349	4349	Rule 8, Section 3, or Rule 11, Section 3.
4350	4350	(c) A joint resolution shall be adopted on any reading after
4351	4351	the first if it receives a two-thirds vote of the elected membership
4352	4352	of the house. If such a joint resolution receives only a majority
4353	4353	vote on second reading, it shall be passed to engrossment, and
4354	4354	subsequent proceedings shall be the same as those governing the
4355	4355	final passage of bills which have been passed to engrossment. If
4356	4356	such a joint resolution does not receive a two-thirds vote of the
4357	4357	elected membership of the house on third reading and final passage,
4358	4358	it shall fail of adoption.
4359	4359	Sec. 2. RATIFYING OR PROPOSING AMENDMENTS TO THE
4360	4360	CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES. Ratification by Texas of a
4361	4361	proposed amendment to or application to Congress for a convention
4362	4362	to amend the Constitution of the United States shall take the form
4363	4363	of a joint resolution, which shall be subject to the rules that
4364	4364	govern the proceedings on bills, except that it shall be adopted on
4365	4365	second reading if it receives a majority vote of the members present
4366	4366	and voting, a quorum being present. If such a joint resolution
4367	4367	fails to receive a majority vote, it shall fail of adoption and
4368	4368	shall not be considered again unless revived by a motion to
4369	4369	reconsider as otherwise provided in the rules.
4370	4370	Sec. 3. PLACEMENT OF JOINT RESOLUTIONS ON A CALENDAR. Joint
4371	4371	resolutions on committee report shall be referred to the Committee
4372	4372	on Calendars for placement on an appropriate calendar. The
4373	4373	Committee on Calendars shall maintain a separate calendar for house
4374	4374	joint resolutions and a separate calendar for senate joint
4375	4375	resolutions. Senate joint resolutions shall be considered on
4376	4376	calendar Wednesdays and calendar Thursdays along with senate bills.
4377	4377	RULE 10. HOUSE RESOLUTIONS AND CONCURRENT RESOLUTIONS
4378	4378	Sec. 1. FILING. Resolutions shall be introduced by filing a
4379	4379	resolution with the chief clerk in the manner and in an electronic
4380	4380	or other format specified by the chief clerk, who shall number and
4381	4381	record house resolutions in one series and concurrent resolutions
4382	4382	in a separate series.
4383	4383	Sec. 2. REFERRAL TO COMMITTEE. (a) After numbering and
4384	4384	recording, all resolutions shall be sent to the speaker for
4385	4385	referral to the proper committee.
4386	4386	(b) Resolutions proposing the expenditure of money out of
4387	4387	the contingent expense fund of the legislature shall be referred to
4388	4388	the Committee on House Administration.
4389	4389	(c) All other resolutions shall be referred to the
4390	4390	appropriate committee with jurisdiction.
4391	4391	Sec. 3. REFERRAL TO CALENDARS COMMITTEES. All resolutions
4392	4392	on committee report, other than privileged resolutions, shall be
4393	4393	referred immediately to the appropriate calendars committee for
4394	4394	placement on the appropriate calendar.
4395	4395	Sec. 4. ORDER OF CONSIDERATION. Unless privileged,
4396	4396	resolutions shall be considered by the house only at the time
4397	4397	assigned for their consideration on the calendar, in accordance
4398	4398	with the provisions of Rule 6, Section 7.
4399	4399	Sec. 4A. RECORD VOTE REQUIRED BY TEXAS CONSTITUTION. A vote
4400	4400	on final passage of a resolution other than a resolution of a purely
4401	4401	ceremonial or honorary nature must be by record vote with the vote
4402	4402	of each member entered in the journal as required by Section 12(b),
4403	4403	Article III, Texas Constitution.
4404	4404	Sec. 5. SIGNING BY GOVERNOR. Concurrent resolutions shall
4405	4405	take the same course as house resolutions, except that they shall be
4406	4406	sent to the governor for signing when finally passed by both houses.
4407	4407	Sec. 6. MASCOT RESOLUTIONS. (a) All candidates for the
4408	4408	office of mascot shall be named in and elected by a single house
4409	4409	resolution.
4410	4410	(b) Only children of house members who are under the age of
4411	4411	12 years shall be eligible for election to the honorary office of
4412	4412	mascot. A child once named a mascot shall not be eligible for the
4413	4413	honor a second time.
4414	4414	(c) No separate classification or special title shall be
4415	4415	given to any mascot, but all shall receive the same title of
4416	4416	honorary mascot of the house of representatives.
4417	4417	(d) The speaker shall issue a certificate showing the
4418	4418	election of each mascot and deliver it to the parent member of the
4419	4419	child.
4420	4420	Pictures of mascots shall appear on the panel picture of the
4421	4421	house.
4422	4422	Sec. 7. CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTIONS DURING CALLED
4423	4423	SESSIONS. The subject matter of house resolutions and concurrent
4424	4424	resolutions does not have to be submitted by the governor in a
4425	4425	called session before they can be considered.
4426	4426	Sec. 8. RESOLUTIONS AUTHORIZING TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS.
4427	4427	Resolutions authorizing the enrolling clerk of the house or senate
4428	4428	to make technical corrections to a measure that has been finally
4429	4429	acted upon by both houses of the legislature shall be privileged in
4430	4430	nature and need not be referred to committee. Such resolutions
4431	4431	shall be eligible for consideration by the house upon introduction
4432	4432	in the house or receipt from the senate.
4433	4433	Sec. 9. AUTHOR'S SIGNATURE ON CONGRATULATORY OR MEMORIAL
4434	4434	RESOLUTION. The enrolled printing of a house congratulatory or
4435	4435	memorial resolution shall include a place for the signature of the
4436	4436	primary author of the resolution. The chief clerk shall provide the
4437	4437	primary author with the opportunity to sign the resolution after
4438	4438	the resolution is enrolled. The absence of the primary author's
4439	4439	signature does not affect the validity of the resolution as adopted
4440	4440	by the house.
4441	4441	RULE 11. AMENDMENTS
4442	4442	Sec. 1. ACCEPTABLE MOTIONS TO AMEND. When a bill,
4443	4443	resolution, motion, or proposition is under consideration, a motion
4444	4444	to amend and a motion to amend that amendment shall be in order. It
4445	4445	shall also be in order to offer a further amendment by way of a
4446	4446	substitute. Such a substitute may not be amended. If the
4447	4447	substitute is adopted, the question shall then be on the amendment
4448	4448	as substituted, and under this condition an amendment is not in
4449	4449	order.
4450	4450	Sec. 2. MOTIONS ON A DIFFERENT SUBJECT OFFERED AS
4451	4451	AMENDMENTS. No motion or proposition on a subject different from
4452	4452	the subject under consideration shall be admitted as an amendment
4453	4453	or as a substitute for the motion or proposition under debate.
4454	4454	"Proposition" as used in this section shall include a bill,
4455	4455	resolution, joint resolution, or any other motion which is
4456	4456	amendable.
4457	4457	Amendments pertaining to the organization, powers,
4458	4458	regulation, and management of the agency, commission, or advisory
4459	4459	committee under consideration are germane to bills extending state
4460	4460	agencies, commissions, or advisory committees under the provisions
4461	4461	of the Texas Sunset Act (Chapter 325, Government Code).
4462	4462	An amendment to a committee substitute laid before the house
4463	4463	in lieu of an original bill is germane if each subject of the
4464	4464	amendment is a subject that is included in the committee substitute
4465	4465	or was included in the original bill.
4466	4466	Sec. 3. AMENDING A BILL TO CHANGE ITS ORIGINAL PURPOSE. No
4467	4467	bill shall be amended in its passage through either house so as to
4468	4468	change its original purpose.
4469	4469	Sec. 4. AMENDMENTS TO BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS ON LOCAL,
4470	4470	CONSENT, AND RESOLUTIONS CALENDARS. Amendments to a bill or
4471	4471	resolution shall not be in order during its consideration on a
4472	4472	local, consent, and resolutions calendar set by the Committee on
4473	4473	Local and Consent Calendars, unless the amendments have first been
4474	4474	submitted to and approved by the Committee on Local and Consent
4475	4475	Calendars, which shall be noted thereon by the chair of the
4476	4476	Committee on Local and Consent Calendars prior to the offering of
4477	4477	the amendments.
4478	4478	Sec. 5. AMENDMENTS ON THIRD READING. When a bill has been
4479	4479	taken up on its third reading, amendments shall be in order, but
4480	4480	shall require a two-thirds vote of the members present for their
4481	4481	adoption. A bill on third reading may be recommitted to a committee
4482	4482	and later reported to the house with amendments, in which case the
4483	4483	bill shall again take the course of a bill at its second reading.
4484	4484	Sec. 6. FILING AN AMENDMENT. (a) The chief clerk shall
4485	4485	ensure that for an amendment other than a committee amendment,
4486	4486	copies of each amendment are filed with the speaker as follows:
4487	4487	(1) six copies of each amendment; and
4488	4488	(2) four additional copies of each amendment that
4489	4489	exceeds one page in length.
4490	4490	(b) The chief clerk may require the member offering the
4491	4491	amendment to provide the number of copies required under Subsection
4492	4492	(a) of this section. The chief clerk shall ensure that, as soon as
4493	4493	practicable after being filed by the offering member, each
4494	4494	amendment is made available on the floor amendment system, or the
4495	4495	system's successor in function, through which members of the house
4496	4496	may view an electronic image of submitted amendments. When the
4497	4497	amendment is read, two copies shall go to the chief clerk, one copy
4498	4498	to the journal clerk, one copy to the reading clerk, and one copy to
4499	4499	the speaker.
4500	4500	(c) The chief clerk shall retain one copy of each amendment
4501	4501	filed with the speaker under this section whether or not the
4502	4502	amendment was laid out by the speaker for consideration.
4503	4503	(d) If an amendment is required to be prefiled with the
4504	4504	chief clerk pursuant to a rule for floor consideration proposed by
4505	4505	the Committee on Calendars and adopted under Rule 6, Section 16(f),
4506	4506	the amendment must be provided to the chief clerk, in a manner
4507	4507	determined by the chief clerk under the direction of the Committee
4508	4508	on House Administration, and available in the chief clerk's office
4509	4509	in accordance with the Calendar Committee rule for floor
4510	4510	consideration.
4511	4511	(e) The speaker shall not recognize a member to offer an
4512	4512	original amendment that exceeds one page in length and that is in
4513	4513	the form of a complete substitute for the bill or resolution laid
4514	4514	before the house, or in the opinion of the speaker is a substantial
4515	4515	substitute, unless the amendment has been provided to the chief
4516	4516	clerk, in a manner determined by the chief clerk under the direction
4517	4517	of the Committee on House Administration, and was available in the
4518	4518	chief clerk's office at least 12 hours prior to the time the
4519	4519	calendar on which the bill or resolution to be amended is eligible
4520	4520	for consideration.
4521	4521	(f) An amendment may be typed, hand-printed, or
4522	4522	handwritten, but must be legible in order to be offered.
4523	4523	(g) The speaker shall not recognize a member to offer an
4524	4524	original amendment to a bill on second reading if the bill extends
4525	4525	an agency, commission, or advisory committee under the Texas Sunset
4526	4526	Act unless the amendment has been provided to the chief clerk, in a
4527	4527	manner determined by the chief clerk under the direction of the
4528	4528	Committee on House Administration, and was available in the chief
4529	4529	clerk's office at least 24 hours prior to the time the calendar on
4530	4530	which the bill appears for second reading is first eligible for
4531	4531	consideration.
4532	4532	(h) If the house is convened in regular session, the speaker
4533	4533	shall not recognize a member to offer an original amendment to the
4534	4534	general appropriations bill on second reading unless the amendment
4535	4535	has been provided to the chief clerk, in a manner determined by the
4536	4536	chief clerk under the direction of the Committee on House
4537	4537	Administration, and was available in the chief clerk's office at
4538	4538	least 72 hours prior to the time the calendar on which the general
4539	4539	appropriations bill appears for second reading is first eligible
4540	4540	for consideration.
4541	4541	(i) The Committee on House Administration shall ensure
4542	4542	that:
4543	4543	(1) the floor amendment system through which members
4544	4544	of the house may view an electronic image of current or past
4545	4545	amendments, or the system's successor in function, is available to
4546	4546	the public on the Internet;
4547	4547	(2) members of the public using the system available
4548	4548	on the Internet may view the same information that members may view
4549	4549	at the same time that members may view the information; and
4550	4550	(3) members of the public using the system available
4551	4551	on the Internet may view any amendment required to be provided to
4552	4552	the chief clerk under Subsections (e), (g), and (h) of this section
4553	4553	at least 10 hours prior to the time the calendar on which the bill or
4554	4554	resolution to be amended is eligible for consideration.
4555	4555	(j) To the extent practicable, an amendment must include the
4556	4556	page and line numbers of the text of the bill, resolution, or
4557	4557	amendment being amended. Failure to comply with the requirements of
4558	4558	this subsection is not subject to a point of order.
4559	4559	Sec. 7. ORDER OF OFFERING MOTIONS TO AMEND. Classes of
4560	4560	motions to amend shall be offered in the following order:
4561	4561	(1) motions to amend by striking out the enacting
4562	4562	clause of a bill (or the resolving clause of a resolution), which
4563	4563	amendment cannot be amended or substituted;
4564	4564	(2) motions to amend an original bill, resolution,
4565	4565	motion, or proposition (other than substitute bills as provided for
4566	4566	in Subdivision (3) below), which shall have precedence as follows:
4567	4567	(A) original amendment;
4568	4568	(B) amendment to the amendment;
4569	4569	(C) substitute for the amendment to the
4570	4570	amendment.
4571	4571	Recognition for the offering of original amendments shall be
4572	4572	as follows: first, the main author; second, the member or members
4573	4573	offering the committee amendment; and third, members offering other
4574	4574	amendments from the floor;
4575	4575	(3) motions to amend an original bill by striking out
4576	4576	all after the enacting clause (substitute bills), which substitute
4577	4577	bills shall be subject to amendment as follows:
4578	4578	(A) amendment to the substitute bill;
4579	4579	(B) substitute for the amendment to the
4580	4580	substitute bill.
4581	4581	Recognition for offering such substitute bills shall be as
4582	4582	follows: first, the main author of the original bill, if the
4583	4583	member has not sought to perfect the bill by amendments as provided
4584	4584	for in Subdivision (2) above; second, the member or members
4585	4585	offering the committee amendment; and, third, members offering
4586	4586	amendments from the floor.
4587	4587	It shall be in order under the procedure described in this
4588	4588	subdivision to have as many as four complete measures pending
4589	4589	before the house at one time; that is, an original bill, an
4590	4590	amendment striking out all after the enacting clause of the bill and
4591	4591	inserting a new bill body, an amendment to the amendment striking
4592	4592	out all after the enacting clause of the bill and inserting a new
4593	4593	bill body, and a substitute for this amendment to the amendment to
4594	4594	the original bill which is also a new bill body. These "substitute
4595	4595	bills" shall be voted on in the reverse order of their offering;
4596	4596	(4) motions to amend the caption of a bill or joint
4597	4597	resolution, which may also be offered in accordance with Section
4598	4598	9(a) of this rule.
4599	4599	Sec. 8. STRIKE OUTS AND INSERTIONS. (a) A motion to strike
4600	4600	out and to insert new matter in lieu of that to be stricken out shall
4601	4601	be regarded as a substitute and shall be indivisible.
4602	4602	(b) Matter inserted or stricken out of an original bill by
4603	4603	way of amendment may not be taken out or reinserted at a later time
4604	4604	on the same reading except under the following conditions:
4605	4605	(1) reconsideration of the inserting or deleting
4606	4606	amendment;
4607	4607	(2) adoption of a "substitute bill" amendment;
4608	4608	(3) adoption of an amendment for a whole paragraph,
4609	4609	section or subdivision of a bill which so materially changes the
4610	4610	original text that the portion inserted or deleted is in fact of
4611	4611	minor importance.
4612	4612	Sec. 9. AMENDING CAPTIONS. (a) An amendment to the caption
4613	4613	of a bill or resolution shall not be in order until all other
4614	4614	proposed amendments have been acted on and the house is ready to
4615	4615	vote on the passage of the measure, and it shall then be decided
4616	4616	without debate.
4617	4617	(b) If the previous question has been ordered on a bill or
4618	4618	joint resolution at any reading, an amendment to the caption of that
4619	4619	bill or joint resolution may be offered and voted on immediately
4620	4620	preceding the final vote on the bill or joint resolution.
4621	4621	Sec. 10. MOTION TO LIMIT AMENDMENTS. (a) A motion to limit
4622	4622	amendments shall be admitted only when seconded by 25 members. The
4623	4623	motion may take either of two forms:
4624	4624	(1) to limit amendments to those pending before the
4625	4625	house; or
4626	4626	(2) to limit amendments to those pending on the
4627	4627	speaker's desk.
4628	4628	(b) The motion shall be put by the chair in this manner: "The
4629	4629	motion has been seconded. Three minutes pro and con debate will be
4630	4630	allowed on the motion to limit amendments." As soon as the debate
4631	4631	has ended, the chair shall continue: "As many as are in favor of
4632	4632	limiting amendments on (here state on which question or questions)
4633	4633	will say 'Aye,'" and then "As many as are opposed say 'Nay.'" As in
4634	4634	all other propositions, a motion to limit amendments shall be
4635	4635	decided by a record vote if demanded by any member. If ordered by a
4636	4636	majority of the members voting, a quorum being present, the motion
4637	4637	shall have the effect of confining further debate and consideration
4638	4638	to those amendments included within the motion, and thereafter the
4639	4639	chair will accept no more amendments to the proposition to which the
4640	4640	motion is applied.
4641	4641	(c) The motion to limit amendments, if adopted, shall not in
4642	4642	any way cut off or limit debate or other parliamentary maneuvers on
4643	4643	the pending proposition or propositions or amendment or amendments
4644	4644	included within the motion. The sole function of the motion is to
4645	4645	prevent the chair from accepting further amendments to the
4646	4646	proposition to which the motion is applied.
4647	4647	(d) Except as otherwise provided, the motion to limit
4648	4648	amendments shall have no effect on the parliamentary situation to
4649	4649	which the motion is applied, and the matter to which the motion is
4650	4650	applied shall continue to be considered by the house in all other
4651	4651	respects as though the motion had not been made.
4652	4652	(e) The amendments that are included within the motion to
4653	4653	limit amendments shall each be subject to amendment, if otherwise
4654	4654	permitted under the rules.
4655	4655	Sec. 11. MOTION TO TABLE A MOTION TO LIMIT AMENDMENTS. The
4656	4656	motion to limit amendments is not subject to a motion to table.
4657	4657	Sec. 12. ORDER OF VOTING ON AMENDMENTS. When an amendment
4658	4658	is offered, followed by an amendment to that amendment, and then a
4659	4659	substitute for the amendment to the amendment, these questions
4660	4660	shall be voted on in the reverse order of their offering.
4661	4661	Sec. 13. CERTIFICATION OF ADOPTION OF AMENDMENTS. When an
4662	4662	amendment is adopted, such action shall be certified by the chief
4663	4663	clerk on the amendment, and the official copy of the amendment shall
4664	4664	then be securely attached to the bill or resolution which it amends.
4665	4665	RULE 12. PRINTING
4666	4666	Sec. 1. PRINTINGS OF BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS. (a)
4667	4667	Except as otherwise provided in this rule, all bills and joint
4668	4668	resolutions shall be printed and a copy provided to each member at
4669	4669	each of the following stages in the parliamentary progress of the
4670	4670	bill or joint resolution:
4671	4671	(1) at the time of the committee report on the bill or
4672	4672	joint resolution, which shall be known as "First Printing" and
4673	4673	which shall consist of:
4674	4674	(A) a complete text of the bill or joint
4675	4675	resolution as reported from committee;
4676	4676	(B) a complete copy of the bill analysis, a
4677	4677	complete copy of the summary of committee action, and a complete
4678	4678	copy of the witness list;
4679	4679	(C) the text of the committee report;
4680	4680	(D) the record vote by which the measure was
4681	4681	reported from committee, including the vote of individual members;
4682	4682	(E) a copy of the latest fiscal note; and
4683	4683	(F) a copy of each impact statement received by
4684	4684	the committee;
4685	4685	(2) at the time the bill or joint resolution, if
4686	4686	amended, finally passes the senate, senate amendments and house
4687	4687	engrossment text will be printed, which shall be known as "Second
4688	4688	Printing"; and
4689	4689	(3) at the time the conference committee, if any,
4690	4690	makes its report on the bill or joint resolution, which shall be
4691	4691	known as "Third Printing."
4692	4692	(b) In any section of the first printing of a bill or joint
4693	4693	resolution that proposes to amend an existing statute or
4694	4694	constitutional provision, language sought to be deleted must be
4695	4695	bracketed and stricken through, and language sought to be added
4696	4696	must be underlined. This requirement does not apply to:
4697	4697	(1) an appropriations bill;
4698	4698	(2) a local bill;
4699	4699	(3) a game bill;
4700	4700	(4) a recodification bill;
4701	4701	(5) a redistricting bill;
4702	4702	(6) a section of a bill or joint resolution not
4703	4703	purporting to amend an existing statute or constitutional
4704	4704	provision;
4705	4705	(7) a section of a bill or joint resolution that
4706	4706	revises the entire text of an existing statute or constitutional
4707	4707	provision, to the extent that it would confuse rather than clarify
4708	4708	to show deletions and additions; and
4709	4709	(8) a section of a bill or joint resolution providing
4710	4710	for severability, nonseverability, emergency, or repeal of an
4711	4711	existing statute or constitutional provision.
4712	4712	(c) The speaker may overrule a point of order raised as to a
4713	4713	violation of Subsection (b) of this section if the violation is
4714	4714	typographical or minor and does not tend to deceive or mislead.
4715	4715	(d) The requirement to provide a copy of a printing to each
4716	4716	member may be accomplished by making a copy of the printing
4717	4717	available in an electronic format for viewing by the member and,
4718	4718	when the electronic format copy of the appropriate printing becomes
4719	4719	available, sending notice of that fact to a Capitol e-mail address
4720	4720	designated by the member. If a member informs the chief clerk that
4721	4721	the member also desires to receive a paper copy of printings at
4722	4722	first, second, or third printing, the chief clerk shall place paper
4723	4723	copies of those printings designated by the member in the newspaper
4724	4724	box of the member as soon as practicable after the electronic copies
4725	4725	of the printings are made available for viewing.
4726	4726	(e) The provisions of Subsection (d) of this section
4727	4727	authorizing delivery of a printing by electronic means also apply
4728	4728	to any fiscal note, impact statement, analysis, or other item
4729	4729	required by these rules to be delivered or made available to each
4730	4730	member as an attachment to or in connection with the applicable
4731	4731	printing.
4732	4732	Sec. 2. LOCAL BILLS. Local bills shall not be reprinted
4733	4733	after the first printing except when ordered printed by a majority
4734	4734	vote of the house.
4735	4735	Sec. 3. CONCURRENT RESOLUTIONS. A concurrent resolution
4736	4736	shall be printed only if the resolution:
4737	4737	(1) grants permission to sue the state;
4738	4738	(2) memorializes Congress to take or to refrain from
4739	4739	taking certain action;
4740	4740	(3) sets legislative policy or declares legislative
4741	4741	intent;
4742	4742	(4) makes corrective changes in any bill, joint
4743	4743	resolution, or conference committee report;
4744	4744	(5) establishes or interprets policy for a state
4745	4745	agency, department, or political subdivision;
4746	4746	(6) establishes, modifies, or changes internal
4747	4747	procedures or administration of the legislature or any component
4748	4748	part thereof;
4749	4749	(7) proposes an amendment to the Joint Rules of the
4750	4750	Senate and the House of Representatives; or
4751	4751	(8) is ordered printed by a majority vote of the house.
4752	4752	Sec. 4. HOUSE RESOLUTIONS. A house resolution shall be
4753	4753	printed only if the resolution:
4754	4754	(1) proposes an amendment to the rules of the house;
4755	4755	(2) establishes, modifies, or changes the internal
4756	4756	procedures and administration of the house;
4757	4757	(3) establishes legislative policy or interprets
4758	4758	legislative intent; or
4759	4759	(4) is ordered printed by a majority of the house.
4760	4760	Sec. 5. ACCEPTABLE STANDARDS OF COMPLIANCE WITH PRINTING
4761	4761	REQUIREMENTS. Except for matter to be printed in the journal, all
4762	4762	requirements contained in the rules with respect to the printing of
4763	4763	bills, resolutions, reports, and other matters shall be considered
4764	4764	complied with if the material is adequately and properly reproduced
4765	4765	by any acceptable means of reproduction.
4766	4766	RULE 13. INTERACTIONS WITH THE GOVERNOR AND SENATE
4767	4767	CHAPTER A. MESSAGES
4768	4768	Sec. 1. MESSAGES FROM THE GOVERNOR. Messages and
4769	4769	communications from the governor shall be received when announced,
4770	4770	and shall be read on the calendar day received.
4771	4771	Sec. 2. MESSAGES FROM THE SENATE. (a) All messages from
4772	4772	the senate shall be received when announced. Senate bills
4773	4773	announced as passed shall be read for the first time and referred to
4774	4774	the appropriate committee as soon as practicable.
4775	4775	(b) Messages from the senate announcing amendments to house
4776	4776	bills and resolutions, nonconcurrence in house amendments to senate
4777	4777	bills and resolutions, requests for conference committees, reports
4778	4778	of conference committees, and all other matters of disagreement,
4779	4779	amendments, and requests between the two houses, shall go to the
4780	4780	speaker's desk in their regular order, but may be called up for
4781	4781	action by the house at any time as a privileged matter, yielding
4782	4782	only to a motion to adjourn.
4783	4783	CHAPTER B. SENATE AMENDMENTS
4784	4784	Sec. 3. HOUSE ACTION ON SENATE AMENDMENTS. When a bill,
4785	4785	resolution, or other matter is returned to the house with senate
4786	4786	amendments, the house may:
4787	4787	(1) agree to the amendments; or
4788	4788	(2) disagree to all of the amendments and ask for a
4789	4789	conference committee; or
4790	4790	(3) agree to one or more of the amendments and disagree
4791	4791	as to the remainder and request a conference committee to consider
4792	4792	those in disagreement; or
4793	4793	(4) agree to one or more and disagree as to the
4794	4794	remainder; or
4795	4795	(5) disagree to all amendments.
4796	4796	Sec. 4. ADOPTION OF SENATE AMENDMENTS FOR BILLS WITH
4797	4797	IMMEDIATE EFFECT. If a bill is to go into immediate effect, senate
4798	4798	amendments thereto must be adopted by a vote of two-thirds of the
4799	4799	elected membership of the house.
4800	4800	Sec. 5. PRINTING SENATE AMENDMENTS. (a) Senate amendments
4801	4801	to house bills and resolutions must be printed and copies provided
4802	4802	to the members at least 24 hours before any action can be taken
4803	4803	thereon by the house during a regular or special session.
4804	4804	(b) When a house bill or joint resolution, other than the
4805	4805	general appropriations bill, with senate amendments is returned to
4806	4806	the house, the chief clerk shall request the Legislative Budget
4807	4807	Board to prepare a fiscal note outlining the fiscal implications
4808	4808	and probable cost of the measure as impacted by the senate
4809	4809	amendments. A copy of the fiscal note shall be distributed with the
4810	4810	senate amendments on their printing before any action can be taken
4811	4811	on the senate amendments by the house.
4812	4812	(c) When a house bill or joint resolution, other than the
4813	4813	general appropriations bill, with senate amendments is returned to
4814	4814	the house, the chief clerk shall request the Texas Legislative
4815	4815	Council to prepare an analysis that describes the substantive
4816	4816	changes made to the house version of the bill by the senate
4817	4817	amendments. A copy of the council's analysis of senate amendments
4818	4818	shall be provided to the members electronically or as a printed copy
4819	4819	at least 12 hours before action is taken on the senate amendments by
4820	4820	the house. The Texas Legislative Council shall make all reasonable
4821	4821	efforts to timely provide the analysis in as accurate a form as time
4822	4822	allows. However, an unavoidable inability to provide the analysis
4823	4823	or an inadvertent error in the analysis is not subject to a point of
4824	4824	order.
4825	4825	(d) When a house bill or joint resolution for which a tax
4826	4826	equity note was required under Rule 4, Section 34(b)(5), is
4827	4827	returned to the house with senate amendments, the chief clerk shall
4828	4828	request the Legislative Budget Board to prepare a tax equity note
4829	4829	estimating the general effects of the senate amendments on the
4830	4830	distribution of tax and fee burdens among individuals and
4831	4831	businesses. A copy of the updated tax equity note shall be made
4832	4832	available to each member, in some format, before any vote on the
4833	4833	floor can be taken on the senate amendments by the house.
4834	4834	CHAPTER C. CONFERENCE COMMITTEES
4835	4835	Sec. 6. MEMBERSHIP AND OPERATION. (a) In all conferences
4836	4836	between the senate and the house by committee, the number of
4837	4837	committee members from each house shall be five. All votes on
4838	4838	matters of difference shall be taken by each committee separately.
4839	4839	A majority of each committee shall be required to determine the
4840	4840	matter in dispute. Reports by conference committees must be signed
4841	4841	by a majority of each committee of the conference.
4842	4842	(b) A copy of the report signed by a majority of each
4843	4843	committee of the conference must be furnished to each member of the
4844	4844	committee in person or if unable to deliver in person by placing a
4845	4845	copy in the member's newspaper mailbox at least one hour before the
4846	4846	report is furnished to each member of the house under Section 10(a)
4847	4847	of this rule. The paper copies of the report submitted to the chief
4848	4848	clerk under Section 10(b) of this rule must contain a certificate
4849	4849	that the requirement of this subsection has been satisfied, and
4850	4850	that certificate must be attached to the copy of the report
4851	4851	furnished to each member under Section 10(d) of this rule. Failure
4852	4852	to comply with this subsection is not subject to a point of order.
4853	4853	Sec. 7. MEETINGS. (a) House conferees when meeting with
4854	4854	senate conferees to adjust differences shall meet in public and
4855	4855	shall give a reasonable amount of notice of the meeting in the place
4856	4856	designated for giving notice of meetings of house standing
4857	4857	committees. Any such meeting shall be open to the news media. Any
4858	4858	conference committee report adopted in private shall not be
4859	4859	considered by the house.
4860	4860	(b) At a meeting of the conferees to adjust differences on
4861	4861	the general appropriations bill, the chair of the house conferees
4862	4862	may request the assistance of any house member who serves on the
4863	4863	appropriations committee.
4864	4864	Sec. 8. INSTRUCTIONS. Instructions to a conference
4865	4865	committee shall be made after the conference is ordered and before
4866	4866	the conferees are appointed by the speaker, and not thereafter.
4867	4867	Sec. 9. LIMITATIONS ON JURISDICTION. (a) Conference
4868	4868	committees shall limit their discussions and their actions solely
4869	4869	to the matters in disagreement between the two houses. A conference
4870	4870	committee shall have no authority with respect to any bill or
4871	4871	resolution:
4872	4872	(1) to change, alter, or amend text which is not in
4873	4873	disagreement;
4874	4874	(2) to omit text which is not in disagreement;
4875	4875	(3) to add text on any matter which is not in
4876	4876	disagreement;
4877	4877	(4) to add text on any matter which is not included in
4878	4878	either the house or senate version of the bill or resolution.
4879	4879	This rule shall be strictly construed by the presiding
4880	4880	officer in each house to achieve these purposes.
4881	4881	(b) Conference committees on appropriations bills, like
4882	4882	other conference committees, shall limit their discussions and
4883	4883	their actions solely to the matters in disagreement between the two
4884	4884	houses. In addition to the limitations contained elsewhere in the
4885	4885	rules, a conference committee on appropriations bills shall be
4886	4886	strictly limited in its authority as follows:
4887	4887	(1) If an item of appropriation appears in both house
4888	4888	and senate versions of the bill, the item must be included in the
4889	4889	conference committee report.
4890	4890	(2) If an item of appropriation appears in both house
4891	4891	and senate versions of the bill, and in identical amounts, no change
4892	4892	can be made in the item or the amount.
4893	4893	(3) If an item of appropriation appears in both house
4894	4894	and senate versions of the bill but in different amounts, no change
4895	4895	can be made in the item, but the amount shall be at the discretion of
4896	4896	the conference committee, provided that the amount shall not exceed
4897	4897	the larger version and shall not be less than the smaller version.
4898	4898	(4) If an item of appropriation appears in one version
4899	4899	of the bill and not in the other, the item can be included or omitted
4900	4900	at the discretion of the conference committee. If the item is
4901	4901	included, the amount shall not exceed the sum specified in the
4902	4902	version containing the item.
4903	4903	(5) If an item of appropriation appears in neither the
4904	4904	house nor the senate version of the bill, the item must not be
4905	4905	included in the conference committee report. However, the
4906	4906	conference committee report may include appropriations for
4907	4907	purposes or programs authorized by bills that have been passed and
4908	4908	sent to the governor and may include contingent appropriations for
4909	4909	purposes or programs authorized by bills that have been passed by at
4910	4910	least one house.
4911	4911	This rule shall be strictly construed by the presiding
4912	4912	officer in each house to achieve these purposes.
4913	4913	(c) Conference committees on tax bills, like other
4914	4914	conference committees, shall limit their discussions and their
4915	4915	actions solely to the matters in disagreement between the two
4916	4916	houses. In addition to the limitations contained elsewhere in the
4917	4917	rules, a conference committee on a tax bill shall be strictly
4918	4918	limited in its authority as follows:
4919	4919	(1) If a tax item appears in both house and senate
4920	4920	versions of the bill, the item must be included in the conference
4921	4921	committee report.
4922	4922	(2) If a tax item appears in both house and senate
4923	4923	versions of the bill, and in identical form and with identical
4924	4924	rates, no change can be made in the item or the rate provided.
4925	4925	(3) If a tax item appears in both house and senate
4926	4926	versions of the bill but at differing rates, no change can be made
4927	4927	in the item, but the rate shall be at the discretion of the
4928	4928	conference committee, provided that the rate shall not exceed the
4929	4929	higher version and shall not be less than the lower version.
4930	4930	(4) If a tax item appears in one version of the bill
4931	4931	and not in the other, the item can be included or omitted at the
4932	4932	discretion of the conference committee. If the item is included,
4933	4933	the rate shall not exceed the rate specified in the version
4934	4934	containing the item.
4935	4935	(5) If a tax item appears in neither the house nor the
4936	4936	senate version of the bill, the item must not be included in the
4937	4937	conference committee report.
4938	4938	This rule shall be strictly construed by the presiding
4939	4939	officer in each house to achieve these purposes.
4940	4940	(d) Conference committees on reapportionment bills, to the
4941	4941	extent possible, shall limit their discussions and their actions to
4942	4942	the matters in disagreement between the two houses. Since the
4943	4943	adjustment of one district in a reapportionment bill will
4944	4944	inevitably affect other districts, the strict rule of construction
4945	4945	imposed on other conference committees must be relaxed somewhat
4946	4946	when reapportionment bills are involved. Accordingly, the
4947	4947	following authority and limitations shall apply only to conference
4948	4948	committees on reapportionment bills:
4949	4949	(1) If the matters in disagreement affect only certain
4950	4950	districts, and other districts are identical in both house and
4951	4951	senate versions of the bill, the conference committee shall make
4952	4952	adjustments only in those districts whose rearrangement is
4953	4953	essential to the effective resolving of the matters in
4954	4954	disagreement. All other districts shall remain unchanged.
4955	4955	(2) If the matters in disagreement permeate the entire
4956	4956	bill and affect most, if not all, of the districts, the conference
4957	4957	committee shall have wide discretion in rearranging the districts
4958	4958	to the extent necessary to resolve all differences between the two
4959	4959	houses.
4960	4960	(3) Insofar as the actual structure of the districts
4961	4961	is concerned, and only to that extent, the provisions of Subsection
4962	4962	(a) of this section shall not apply to conference committees on
4963	4963	reapportionment bills.
4964	4964	(e) Conference committees on recodification bills, like
4965	4965	other conference committees, shall limit their discussions and
4966	4966	their actions solely to the matters in disagreement between the two
4967	4967	houses. The comprehensive and complicated nature of recodification
4968	4968	bills makes necessary the relaxing of the strict rule of
4969	4969	construction imposed on other conference committees only to the
4970	4970	following extent:
4971	4971	(1) If it develops in conference committee that
4972	4972	material has been inadvertently included in both house and senate
4973	4973	versions which properly has no place in the recodification, that
4974	4974	material may be omitted from the conference committee report, if by
4975	4975	that omission the existing statute is not repealed, altered, or
4976	4976	amended.
4977	4977	(2) If it develops in conference committee that
4978	4978	material has been inadvertently omitted from both the house and
4979	4979	senate versions which properly should be included if the
4980	4980	recodification is to achieve its purpose of being all-inclusive of
4981	4981	the statutes being recodified, that material may be added to the
4982	4982	conference committee report, if by the addition the existing
4983	4983	statute is merely restated without substantive change in existing
4984	4984	law.
4985	4985	(f) Limitations imposed on certain conference committees by
4986	4986	the provisions of this section may be suspended in part by
4987	4987	permission of the house to allow consideration of and action on a
4988	4988	specific matter or matters which otherwise would be prohibited.
4989	4989	Permission shall be granted only by resolution passed by majority
4990	4990	vote of the house. All such resolutions shall be privileged in
4991	4991	nature and need not be referred to a committee. The introduction of
4992	4992	such a resolution shall be announced from the house floor and the
4993	4993	resolution shall be eligible for consideration by the house:
4994	4994	(1) three hours after a copy of the resolution has been
4995	4995	distributed to each member; or
4996	4996	(2) for a resolution suspending limitations on a
4997	4997	conference committee considering the general appropriations bill,
4998	4998	48 hours in a regular session and 24 hours in a special session
4999	4999	after a copy of the resolution has been distributed to each member.
5000	5000	(g) The time at which the copies of such a resolution are
5001	5001	distributed to the members shall be time-stamped on the originals
5002	5002	of the resolution. The resolution shall specify in detail:
5003	5003	(1) the exact language of the matter or matters
5004	5004	proposed to be considered;
5005	5005	(2) the specific limitation or limitations to be
5006	5006	suspended;
5007	5007	(3) the specific action contemplated by the conference
5008	5008	committee;
5009	5009	(4) except for a resolution suspending the limitations
5010	5010	on the conferees for the general appropriations bill, the reasons
5011	5011	that suspension of the limitations is being requested; and
5012	5012	(5) a fiscal note distributed with the resolution
5013	5013	outlining the fiscal implications and probable cost of the items to
5014	5014	be included in the conference committee report that would otherwise
5015	5015	be prohibited but for the passage of the resolution.
5016	5016	(h) In the application of Subsection (g) of this section to
5017	5017	appropriations bills, the resolution:
5018	5018	(1) need not include changes in amounts resulting from
5019	5019	a proposed salary plan or changes in format that do not affect the
5020	5020	amount of an appropriation or the method of finance of an
5021	5021	appropriation, but shall include a general statement describing the
5022	5022	salary plan or format change;
5023	5023	(2) need not include differences in language which do
5024	5024	not affect the substance of the bill;
5025	5025	(3) if suspending a limitation imposed by Subsection
5026	5026	(b)(2), (3), (4), or (5) of this section, must specify the amount by
5027	5027	which the appropriation in the conference committee report is less
5028	5028	than or greater than the amount permitted for that item of
5029	5029	appropriation under Subsection (b) of this section; and
5030	5030	(4) shall be available in its entirety on the
5031	5031	electronic legislative information system that is accessible by the
5032	5032	general public.
5033	5033	(i) Permission granted by a resolution under Subsection (f)
5034	5034	of this section shall suspend the limitations only for the matter or
5035	5035	matters clearly specified in the resolution, and the action of the
5036	5036	conference committee shall be in conformity with the resolution.
5037	5037	Sec. 10. PRINTING AND DISTRIBUTION OF REPORTS. (a) A
5038	5038	conference committee report on the general appropriations bill must
5039	5039	be printed and a copy furnished to each member as provided by Rule
5040	5040	12, Section 1, at least 48 hours before action can be taken on the
5041	5041	report by the house during a regular session or at least 24 hours
5042	5042	before action can be taken by the house during a special session.
5043	5043	All other conference committee reports must be printed and a copy
5044	5044	furnished to each member as provided by Rule 12, Section 1, at least
5045	5045	24 hours before action can be taken on the report by the house
5046	5046	during a regular or special session.
5047	5047	(b) Three original copies of a conference committee report
5048	5048	shall be submitted to the chief clerk for printing. Each original
5049	5049	conference committee report shall contain the following:
5050	5050	(1) the signatures of the house conferees and senate
5051	5051	conferees who voted to adopt the conference committee report;
5052	5052	(2) the text of the bill or resolution as adopted by
5053	5053	the conference committee; and
5054	5054	(3) an analysis of the conference committee report as
5055	5055	required by Section 11 of this rule.
5056	5056	(c) Before action can be taken by the house on a conference
5057	5057	committee report on a bill or joint resolution, other than the
5058	5058	general appropriations bill, a fiscal note outlining the fiscal
5059	5059	implications and probable cost of the conference committee report
5060	5060	shall be submitted to the chief clerk, and a copy of the fiscal note
5061	5061	shall be distributed with the conference committee report on its
5062	5062	printing.
5063	5063	(d) Before a vote on the floor can be taken by the house on a
5064	5064	conference committee report on a bill or joint resolution for which
5065	5065	a tax equity note was required under Rule 4, Section 34(b)(5), a tax
5066	5066	equity note estimating the general effects of the conference
5067	5067	committee report on the distribution of tax and fee burdens among
5068	5068	individuals and businesses shall be submitted to the chief clerk,
5069	5069	and a copy of the tax equity note shall be made available to each
5070	5070	member.
5071	5071	Sec. 11. ANALYSIS OF REPORTS. (a) All reports of conference
5072	5072	committees shall include an analysis showing wherein the report
5073	5073	differs from the house and senate versions of the bill, resolution,
5074	5074	or other matter in disagreement. The analysis of appropriations
5075	5075	bills shall show in dollar amounts the differences between the
5076	5076	conference committee report and the house and senate versions. No
5077	5077	conference committee report shall be considered by the house unless
5078	5078	such an analysis has been prepared and distributed to each member.
5079	5079	(b) The analysis shall to the extent practical indicate any
5080	5080	instance wherein the conference committee in its report appears to
5081	5081	have exceeded the limitations imposed on its jurisdiction by
5082	5082	Section 9 of this rule. An analysis and the conference committee
5083	5083	report in which the analysis is included are not subject to a point
5084	5084	of order due to a failure to comply with this subsection or due to a
5085	5085	mistake made in complying with this subsection.
5086	5086	Sec. 12. CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS. A conference committee
5087	5087	report is not subject to amendment, but must be accepted or rejected
5088	5088	in its entirety. While a conference committee report is pending, a
5089	5089	motion to deal with individual amendments in disagreement is not in
5090	5090	order.
5091	5091	Sec. 13. WHEN REPORTS NOT ACCEPTABLE. When a conference
5092	5092	committee report is not acceptable to the house for any reason, it
5093	5093	may be recommitted to the same committee with the request for
5094	5094	further consideration, and the house may or may not give any
5095	5095	specific instructions on the report to the conference committee; or
5096	5096	the house may request the appointment by the senate of a new
5097	5097	conference committee and then proceed to empower the speaker to
5098	5098	name new conferees for the house.
5099	5099	RULE 14. GENERAL PROVISIONS
5100	5100	Sec. 1. WHEN RULES ARE SILENT. If the rules are silent or
5101	5101	inexplicit on any question of order or parliamentary practice, the
5102	5102	Rules of the House of Representatives of the United States
5103	5103	Congress, and its practice as reflected in published precedents,
5104	5104	and Mason's Manual of Legislative Procedure shall be considered as
5105	5105	authority.
5106	5106	Sec. 2. AMENDMENTS TO THE RULES. (a) Amendments to the
5107	5107	rules of the house shall be proposed by house resolutions which
5108	5108	shall be referred at once, without debate, to the Committee on House
5109	5109	Administration for study and recommendation.
5110	5110	(b) A resolution proposing an amendment to the rules shall
5111	5111	not be considered by the house until a printed copy of the
5112	5112	resolution has been provided to each member of the house at least 48
5113	5113	hours before consideration.
5114	5114	(c) Amendments to the rules shall require a majority vote of
5115	5115	the house for adoption.
5116	5116	Sec. 3. MOTION TO SUSPEND THE RULES. A motion to suspend
5117	5117	the rules shall be in order at any time, except when motions to
5118	5118	adjourn or recess are pending, even when the house is operating
5119	5119	under the previous question. A motion to "suspend all rules" shall
5120	5120	be sufficient to suspend every rule under which the house is
5121	5121	operating for a particular purpose except the provisions of the
5122	5122	constitution and the joint rules of the two houses. If the rules
5123	5123	have been suspended on a main motion for a given purpose, no other
5124	5124	motion to suspend the rules on a main motion shall be in order until
5125	5125	the original purpose has been accomplished.
5126	5126	Sec. 4. NOTICE OF PENDING MOTION TO SUSPEND THE RULES. It
5127	5127	shall not be in order to move to suspend the rules or the regular
5128	5128	order of business to take up a measure out of its regular order, and
5129	5129	the speaker shall not recognize anyone for either purpose, unless
5130	5130	the speaker has announced to the house in session that the speaker
5131	5131	would recognize a member for that purpose at least one hour before
5132	5132	the member is so recognized to make the motion. In making the
5133	5133	announcement to the house, the speaker shall advise the house of the
5134	5134	member's name and the bill number, and this information, together
5135	5135	with the time that the announcement was made, shall be entered in
5136	5136	the journal. This rule may be suspended only by unanimous consent.
5137	5137	Sec. 5. VOTE REQUIREMENTS FOR SUSPENSION. A standing rule
5138	5138	of the house may be suspended by an affirmative vote of two-thirds
5139	5139	of the members present. However, if a rule contains a specific
5140	5140	provision showing the vote by which that rule may be suspended, that
5141	5141	vote shall be required for the suspension of the rule. The specific
5142	5142	provision may not be suspended under the provisions of this
5143	5143	section.
5144	5144	Sec. 6. DISPOSAL OF MEASURES TAKEN UP UNDER SUSPENSION. Any
5145	5145	measure taken up under suspension and not disposed of on the same
5146	5146	day shall go over as pending or unfinished business to the next day
5147	5147	that the house is in session, and shall be considered thereafter
5148	5148	from day to day (except the days used for the consideration of
5149	5149	senate bills) until disposed of.
5150	5150	RULE 15. APPROPRIATE WORKPLACE CONDUCT
5151	5151	Sec. 1. STATEMENT OF POLICY. (a) The house finds that:
5152	5152	(1) a safe and professional environment in which each
5153	5153	individual is treated with respect is essential for conducting the
5154	5154	legislative business of Texas;
5155	5155	(2) harassment based on an individual's
5156	5156	characteristics and activity protected by law is inconsistent with
5157	5157	the necessary safe and professional environment; and
5158	5158	(3) there is a need for policies designed to prevent
5159	5159	harassment and to appropriately address it if it occurs.
5160	5160	(b) The house declares that all forms of harassment
5161	5161	prohibited by law (including harassment by the making of a
5162	5162	complaint of harassment or discrimination or by participating in
5163	5163	the investigation of a complaint) are against the policy of the
5164	5164	house.
5165	5165	(c) Members, officers, and employees of the house are
5166	5166	expected to promote public confidence in the integrity of the house
5167	5167	by:
5168	5168	(1) conducting themselves in a manner that is free of
5169	5169	harassment in each setting related to the service of the member,
5170	5170	officer, or employee; and
5171	5171	(2) reporting any harassment in the workplace of which
5172	5172	they have direct, personal knowledge.
5173	5173	(d) This rule is the policy on which the house relies for
5174	5174	guidance in promoting appropriate workplace conduct. This rule is
5175	5175	not intended to, and does not, create an independent cause of
5176	5176	action, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity,
5177	5177	by any party against:
5178	5178	(1) the house or its officers, employees, or agents;
5179	5179	(2) the State of Texas or its departments, agencies,
5180	5180	entities, officers, employees, or agents; or
5181	5181	(3) any other person.
5182	5182	RULE 16. SPECIAL RULE
5183	5183	CHAPTER A. GENERAL PROVISIONS
5184	5184	Sec. 1. PURPOSE; SCOPE; APPLICATION. (a) This rule is
5185	5185	adopted to ensure that the house is able to carry out its
5186	5186	legislative responsibilities under the Texas Constitution in the
5187	5187	event of disruptions caused by actual or imminent threat of an
5188	5188	emergency, including an epidemic or a pandemic.
5189	5189	(b) A section of this rule governs the procedure of the
5190	5190	house and its committees only when the section is activated as
5191	5191	provided by this rule.
5192	5192	(c) During the time a section of this rule is activated, the
5193	5193	provisions of that section prevail over a provision of Rules 1
5194	5194	through 15 to the extent of any conflict between the provisions.
5195	5195	(d) This chapter is not subject to deactivation under
5196	5196	Section 4 of this rule.
5197	5197	Sec. 2. [INITIAL] ACTIVATION AND [. This rule is initially
5198	5198	activated in its entirety upon adoption of the permanent rules of
5199	5199	procedure of the House of Representatives for the 87th Legislature.
5200	5200	[Sec. 3.] REACTIVATION. (a) A section of this rule may be
5201	5201	activated only as provided by this section. A section of this rule
5202	5202	that has been deactivated under this chapter may be reactivated
5203	5203	only as provided by this section.
5204	5204	(b) Activation or reactivation [Reactivation] of a section
5205	5205	of this rule may occur only if:
5206	5206	(1) a disaster has been declared and is currently in
5207	5207	effect in this state as the result of a declaration by:
5208	5208	(A) the president of the United States under the
5209	5209	Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42
5210	5210	U.S.C. Section 5121 et seq.), as amended, or other law;
5211	5211	(B) the governor under Chapter 418, Government
5212	5212	Code, or other law, including the Texas Constitution; or
5213	5213	(C) the governing body of a political subdivision
5214	5214	under Chapter 418, Government Code, or other law, including the
5215	5215	Texas Constitution; or
5216	5216	(2) a determination of a public health disaster has
5217	5217	been made and is currently in effect under Chapter 81, Health and
5218	5218	Safety Code, or other law by:
5219	5219	(A) the commissioner of state health services; or
5220	5220	(B) a local health authority.
5221	5221	(c) If the house is convened in regular or special session
5222	5222	and at least one condition listed in Subsection (b) of this section
5223	5223	has been met, the house may activate or reactivate one or more
5224	5224	sections of this rule by resolution. A resolution proposed under
5225	5225	this subsection is subject to the provisions of Rule 14, Section 2,
5226	5226	and must:
5227	5227	(1) identify the section or sections proposed to be
5228	5228	activated or reactivated; and
5229	5229	(2) cite the authorities relied on to determine that
5230	5230	at least one condition listed in Subsection (b) of this section has
5231	5231	been met.
5232	5232	(d) If the house is not convened in a regular or special
5233	5233	session and at least one condition listed in Subsection (b) of this
5234	5234	section has been met, the Committee on House Administration may
5235	5235	activate or reactivate one or more sections of this rule only by a
5236	5236	vote of a majority of the membership of the committee in a meeting
5237	5237	of the committee conducted in accordance with the rules. The notice
5238	5238	of the committee meeting must identify the section or sections of
5239	5239	this rule that are proposed to be activated or reactivated and cite
5240	5240	the authorities relied on to determine that at least one condition
5241	5241	listed in Subsection (b) of this section has been met. The minutes
5242	5242	of the committee meeting must identify the section or sections of
5243	5243	this rule that were activated or reactivated by the committee and
5244	5244	cite the authorities relied on to determine that at least one
5245	5245	condition listed in Subsection (b) of this section has been met.
5246	5246	Sec. 3 [4]. DEACTIVATION. (a) If the house is convened in a
5247	5247	regular or special session, a section of this rule may be
5248	5248	deactivated only by resolution. A resolution proposed under this
5249	5249	subsection is subject to the provisions of Rule 14, Section 2, and
5250	5250	must identify the section or sections of this rule to be
5251	5251	deactivated.
5252	5252	(b) If the house is not convened in a regular or special
5253	5253	session, the Committee on House Administration may deactivate one
5254	5254	or more sections of this rule. A section of this rule may be
5255	5255	deactivated only by a vote of a majority of the membership of the
5256	5256	committee in a meeting of the committee conducted in accordance
5257	5257	with the rules. The notice of the committee meeting must identify
5258	5258	the section or sections of this rule that are proposed to be
5259	5259	deactivated. The minutes of the committee meeting must identify
5260	5260	the section or sections of this rule that were deactivated by the
5261	5261	committee.
5262	5262	CHAPTER B. DUTIES AND RIGHTS OF THE SPEAKER
5263	5263	Sec. 4 [5]. A new Rule 1, Section 10A, relating to the
5264	5264	designation of a temporary chair, shall read as follows:
5265	5265	Rule 1, Sec. 10A. DESIGNATION OF ALTERNATE
5266	5266	TEMPORARY CHAIR. (a) If the speaker and permanent
5267	5267	speaker pro tempore are both unavailable for any
5268	5268	reason, the chair of the Committee on State Affairs is
5269	5269	authorized to convene the house and preside over its
5270	5270	deliberations.
5271	5271	(b) At any time, the speaker may provide a
5272	5272	written order to the chief clerk, with a copy to the
5273	5273	journal clerk, naming those members, in priority
5274	5274	order, authorized to call the house to order and
5275	5275	preside if the speaker, permanent speaker pro tempore,
5276	5276	and chair of the Committee on State Affairs are all
5277	5277	absent or unable to preside. If the speaker, permanent
5278	5278	speaker pro tempore, and chair of the Committee on
5279	5279	State Affairs are all unavailable for any reason, and
5280	5280	it becomes necessary for the house to convene pursuant
5281	5281	to an adjournment, recess, or other provision of the
5282	5282	constitution or other law, the chief clerk shall
5283	5283	contact the members, in the order listed on the
5284	5284	speaker's written order, until the chief clerk locates
5285	5285	a member who is available to convene and preside over
5286	5286	the deliberations of the house.
5287	5287	Sec. 5 [6]. Rule 1, Section 11, relating to emergency
5288	5288	adjournment, shall read as follows:
5289	5289	Rule 1, Sec. 11. EMERGENCY ADJOURNMENT. In the
5290	5290	event of an emergency of such compelling nature that
5291	5291	the speaker must adjourn the house without fixing a
5292	5292	date and hour of reconvening, the speaker shall have
5293	5293	authority, subject to the provisions of Section 17,
5294	5294	Article III, Texas Constitution, to determine the date
5295	5295	and hour of reconvening and to notify the members of
5296	5296	the house by any means the speaker considers adequate.
5297	5297	Should the speaker be disabled or otherwise unable to
5298	5298	exercise these emergency powers, the permanent speaker
5299	5299	pro tempore, if one has been named, shall have
5300	5300	authority to act. If there is no permanent speaker pro
5301	5301	tempore, or if that officer is unable to act, authority
5302	5302	shall be exercised by one of the following members, in
5303	5303	the order listed below, who shall preside until the
5304	5304	house can proceed to the selection of a temporary
5305	5305	presiding officer to function until the speaker or the
5306	5306	speaker pro tempore is again able to exercise the
5307	5307	duties and responsibilities of the office:
5308	5308	(1) the chair of the Committee on State
5309	5309	Affairs; or
5310	5310	(2) the first available member on the
5311	5311	speaker's written order filed with the chief clerk
5312	5312	under Section 10A of this rule.
5313	5313	Sec. 6 [7]. Rule 1, Section 12, relating to postponement of
5314	5314	reconvening, shall read as follows:
5315	5315	Rule 1, Sec. 12. POSTPONEMENT OF RECONVENING.
5316	5316	When the house is not in session, if the speaker
5317	5317	determines that it would be a hazard to the safety of
5318	5318	the members, officers, employees, and others attending
5319	5319	the legislature to reconvene at the time determined by
5320	5320	the house at its last sitting, the speaker may clear
5321	5321	the area of the capitol under the control of the house
5322	5322	and, subject to the provisions of Section 17, Article
5323	5323	III, Texas Constitution, postpone the reconvening of
5324	5324	the house for a period of not more than three calendar
5325	5325	days, not including Sundays. On making that
5326	5326	determination, the speaker shall order the
5327	5327	sergeant-at-arms to post an assistant at each first
5328	5328	floor entrance to the capitol and other places and
5329	5329	advise all persons entering of the determination and
5330	5330	the time set for the house to reconvene. The speaker
5331	5331	shall also notify the journal clerk and the news media
5332	5332	of the action, and the action shall be entered in the
5333	5333	house journal. If the speaker is unavailable or unable
5334	5334	to act, the authority to postpone reconvening under
5335	5335	this section may be exercised by one of the following
5336	5336	members, in the order listed below:
5337	5337	(1) the permanent speaker pro tempore;
5338	5338	(2) the chair of the Committee on State
5339	5339	Affairs; or
5340	5340	(3) the first available member on the
5341	5341	speaker's written order filed with the chief clerk
5342	5342	under Section 10A of this rule.
5343	5343	CHAPTER C. OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES
5344	5344	[RESERVED FOR EXPANSION]
5345	5345	CHAPTER D. ORGANIZATION, POWERS, AND DUTIES OF COMMITTEES
5346	5346	Sec. 7 [8]. A new Rule 4, Section 8A, relating to required
5347	5347	face masks during committee meetings, shall read as follows:
5348	5348	Rule 4, Sec. 8A. FACE MASKS REQUIRED FOR
5349	5349	COMMITTEE MEETINGS. Each person admitted to a meeting
5350	5350	room for the purpose of participating in or attending a
5351	5351	committee or subcommittee meeting is required to wear
5352	5352	at all times a face mask that complies with the
5353	5353	recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and
5354	5354	Prevention. A member of the house or a witness may
5355	5355	temporarily remove the person's face mask only while
5356	5356	speaking from a microphone on the dais or the witness
5357	5357	podium. An officer or employee of the house may
5358	5358	temporarily remove the person's face mask only while
5359	5359	speaking from a microphone or as directed by the chair.
5360	5360	If the Committee on House Administration has installed
5361	5361	clear barriers that comply with epidemiological best
5362	5362	practices on the dais in a meeting room, a member,
5363	5363	officer, or employee may remove the person's face mask
5364	5364	when the person is protected by the barriers if other
5365	5365	persons who are not protected by the barriers are at
5366	5366	least six feet away from the member, officer, or
5367	5367	employee.
5368	5368	Sec. 8 [9]. Rule 4, Section 11, and new Rule 4, Section 11A,
5369	5369	relating to posting notice of committee meetings, shall read as
5370	5370	follows:
5371	5371	Rule 4, Sec. 11. POSTING NOTICE. (a) No
5372	5372	committee or subcommittee, including a calendars
5373	5373	committee, shall assemble for the purpose of a public
5374	5374	hearing during a regular session unless notice of the
5375	5375	hearing has been posted in accordance with the rules at
5376	5376	least five calendar days in advance of the hearing. No
5377	5377	committee or subcommittee, including a calendars
5378	5378	committee, shall assemble for the purpose of a public
5379	5379	hearing during a special session unless notice of the
5380	5380	hearing has been posted in accordance with the rules at
5381	5381	least 24 hours in advance of the hearing. The committee
5382	5382	minutes shall reflect the date of each posting of
5383	5383	notice. Notice shall not be required for a public
5384	5384	hearing or a formal meeting on a senate bill which is
5385	5385	substantially the same as a house bill that has
5386	5386	previously been the subject of a duly posted public
5387	5387	hearing by the committee.
5388	5388	(b) No committee or subcommittee, including a
5389	5389	calendars committee, shall assemble for the purpose of
5390	5390	a formal meeting or work session during a regular or
5391	5391	special session unless written notice has been posted
5392	5392	and transmitted to each member of the committee two
5393	5393	hours in advance of the meeting or an announcement has
5394	5394	been filed with the journal clerk and read by the
5395	5395	reading clerk while the house is in session at least 30
5396	5396	minutes in advance of the meeting.
5397	5397	(c) All committees meeting during the interim
5398	5398	for the purpose of a formal meeting, work session, or
5399	5399	public hearing shall post notice in accordance with
5400	5400	the rules and notify members of the committee at least
5401	5401	five calendar days in advance of the meeting.
5402	5402	Rule 4, Sec. 11A. CONTENTS OF NOTICE. In
5403	5403	addition to other information required by the rules,
5404	5404	the notice of a committee meeting must include:
5405	5405	(1) instructions, or a link to
5406	5406	instructions on the house's Internet website, related
5407	5407	to public access to the meeting location and health and
5408	5408	safety protocols for attending the meeting;
5409	5409	(2) for a meeting that will be video
5410	5410	broadcast under Section 12A of this rule, the link to
5411	5411	that broadcast on the house's Internet website; and
5412	5412	(3) for a public hearing, instructions, or
5413	5413	a link to instructions on the house's Internet website,
5414	5414	for individuals who wish to:
5415	5415	(A) testify in person at the hearing;
5416	5416	or
5417	5417	(B) electronically submit public
5418	5418	comments without testifying.
5419	5419	Sec. 9 [10]. A new Rule 4, Section 12A, relating to public
5420	5420	access to committee meetings, shall read as follows:
5421	5421	Rule 4, Sec. 12A. PUBLIC ACCESS TO COMMITTEE
5422	5422	MEETINGS. The requirement for all meetings of a
5423	5423	committee or subcommittee to be open to other members,
5424	5424	the press, and the public may be satisfied by video
5425	5425	broadcasting the meeting in real time through the
5426	5426	Internet. The video broadcast must be accessible from
5427	5427	a link on the house's Internet website.
5428	5428	Sec. 10 [11]. A new Rule 4, Section 16A, relating to quorum
5429	5429	requirements for taking testimony, shall read as follows:
5430	5430	Rule 4, Sec. 16A. QUORUM REQUIREMENTS FOR
5431	5431	TAKING TESTIMONY. Two members of a committee shall
5432	5432	constitute a quorum for the sole purpose of taking
5433	5433	testimony during a public hearing. Any other
5434	5434	committee member may participate in the public hearing
5435	5435	through an Internet or other videoconferencing system
5436	5436	if two-way communication has been enabled to allow all
5437	5437	committee members to be clearly visible and audible to
5438	5438	each other and clearly audible to the testifying
5439	5439	witness.
5440	5440	Sec. 11 [12]. A new Rule 4, Section 20A, relating to invited
5441	5441	testimony, and a new Rule 4, Section 20B, relating to public
5442	5442	comments, shall read as follows:
5443	5443	Rule 4, Sec. 20A. INVITED TESTIMONY. When
5444	5444	inviting witnesses to testify at a public hearing in
5445	5445	the manner described by Section 20(g) of this rule, the
5446	5446	chair of a committee or subcommittee shall make a
5447	5447	reasonable effort to invite witnesses representing
5448	5448	different viewpoints on the measures and other matters
5449	5449	scheduled for a public hearing.
5450	5450	Rule 4, Sec. 20B. PUBLIC COMMENTS. For each
5451	5451	public hearing scheduled, the chair of the committee
5452	5452	must allow persons domiciled in this state to
5453	5453	electronically submit comments to the committee that
5454	5454	relate to the measures or matters included on the
5455	5455	notice for the public hearing. The Committee on House
5456	5456	Administration shall establish a standard process for
5457	5457	the electronic submission and posting of public
5458	5458	comments submitted to house committees.
5459	5459	CHAPTER E. FLOOR PROCEDURE
5460	5460	Sec. 12 [13]. Rule 5, Sections 11 and 12, and new Rule 5,
5461	5461	Section 20A, relating to admission privileges of accredited media,
5462	5462	shall read as follows:
5463	5463	Rule 5, Sec. 11. PRIVILEGES OF THE HOUSE FLOOR.
5464	5464	Only the following persons shall be entitled to the
5465	5465	privileges of the floor of the house when the house is
5466	5466	in session: members of the house; employees of the
5467	5467	house when performing their official duties as
5468	5468	determined by the Committee on House Administration;
5469	5469	members of the senate; employees of the senate when
5470	5470	performing their official duties; the Governor of
5471	5471	Texas and the governor's chief of staff and director of
5472	5472	legislative affairs; the lieutenant governor; the
5473	5473	secretary of state; duly accredited media
5474	5474	representatives only as permitted by Section 20(f) of
5475	5475	this rule; contestants in election cases pending
5476	5476	before the house; and immediate families of the
5477	5477	members of the legislature on such special occasions
5478	5478	as may be determined by the Committee on House
5479	5479	Administration.
5480	5480	Rule 5, Sec. 12. ADMITTANCE WITHIN THE RAILING.
5481	5481	Only the following persons shall be admitted to the
5482	5482	area on the floor of the house enclosed by the railing
5483	5483	when the house is in session: members of the house;
5484	5484	members of the senate; the governor; the lieutenant
5485	5485	governor; officers and employees of the senate and
5486	5486	house when those officers and employees are actually
5487	5487	engaged in performing their official duties as
5488	5488	determined by the Committee on House Administration;
5489	5489	and spouses of members of the house on such occasions
5490	5490	as may be determined by the Committee on House
5491	5491	Administration.
5492	5492	Rule 5, Sec. 20A. MEDIA ACCESS TO HOUSE CHAMBER
5493	5493	UNDER RULE 16. (a) When the house is in session, an
5494	5494	accredited media representative:
5495	5495	(1) is entitled to admission to that
5496	5496	portion of the gallery specifically designated for
5497	5497	media representatives, subject to available seating;
5498	5498	and
5499	5499	(2) is not entitled to admission to the
5500	5500	floor of the house or allowed its privileges, except as
5501	5501	permitted by Section 20(f) of this rule.
5502	5502	(b) A pass card issued under Section 20 of this
5503	5503	rule must be presented to the sergeant-at-arms each
5504	5504	time the media representative seeks admission to that
5505	5505	portion of the gallery specifically designated for
5506	5506	media representatives. Media representatives
5507	5507	admitted to that portion of the gallery specifically
5508	5508	designated for media representatives pursuant to the
5509	5509	provisions of this section shall work in seats
5510	5510	designated by the Committee on House Administration
5511	5511	for use by accredited media representatives.
5512	5512	Sec. 13 [14]. A new Rule 5, Section 19A, relating to face
5513	5513	masks during floor sessions, shall read as follows:
5514	5514	Rule 5, Sec. 19A. FACE MASKS REQUIRED DURING
5515	5515	FLOOR SESSIONS. Each person admitted to the house
5516	5516	floor or gallery for the purpose of participating in,
5517	5517	attending, providing support for, or observing house
5518	5518	proceedings is required to wear at all times a face
5519	5519	mask that complies with the recommendations of the
5520	5520	Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A member
5521	5521	of the house may temporarily remove the member's face
5522	5522	mask only while speaking from the front or back
5523	5523	microphone. An officer or employee of the house or
5524	5524	senate may temporarily remove the person's face mask
5525	5525	only while speaking from the front or back microphone
5526	5526	or as directed by the presiding officer. The speaker,
5527	5527	or a member presiding under Rule 1, may temporarily
5528	5528	remove the person's face mask only while speaking from
5529	5529	the microphone at the speaker's desk.
5530	5530	Sec. 14 [15]. Rule 5, Section 40, relating to recording
5531	5531	votes on the voting machine, shall read as follows:
5532	5532	Rule 5, Sec. 40. RECORDING ALL VOTES ON VOTING
5533	5533	MACHINE. On all votes, except viva voce votes,
5534	5534	members shall record their votes on the voting machine
5535	5535	and shall not be recognized by the chair to cast their
5536	5536	votes from the floor or gallery. If a member attempts
5537	5537	to vote from the floor or gallery, the speaker shall
5538	5538	sustain a point of order directed against the member's
5539	5539	so doing. This rule shall not be applicable to the
5540	5540	mover or the principal opponent of the proposition
5541	5541	being voted on nor to a member whose voting machine is
5542	5542	out of order. If a member demands strict enforcement of
5543	5543	this section, Section 47 of this rule shall not apply
5544	5544	to the taking of a vote, and the house may discipline a
5545	5545	member in violation of this rule pursuant to its
5546	5546	inherent authority. As used in these rules, the term
5547	5547	"voting machine" includes a device issued to a member
5548	5548	by the Texas Legislative Council and configured to
5549	5549	provide access to a secure website through which the
5550	5550	member, when present in the house under Section 45 of
5551	5551	this rule, may:
5552	5552	(1) register presence during a
5553	5553	registration; or
5554	5554	(2) cast a vote during a division or record
5555	5555	vote.
5556	5556	Sec. 15 [16]. Rule 5, Section 45, relating to areas from
5557	5557	which voting is allowed, shall read as follows:
5558	5558	Rule 5, Sec. 45. PRESENCE IN HOUSE REQUIRED IN
5559	5559	ORDER TO VOTE. A member must be on the floor of the
5560	5560	house, in the house gallery, or in an adjacent room or
5561	5561	hallway on the same level as the house floor or
5562	5562	gallery, in order to vote.
5563	5563	CHAPTER F. ORDER OF BUSINESS AND CALENDARS
5564	5564	Sec. 16 [17]. Rule 6, Section 1, relating to the daily order
5565	5565	of business, shall read as follows:
5566	5566	Rule 6, Sec. 1. DAILY ORDER OF BUSINESS. (a)
5567	5567	When the house convenes on a new legislative day, the
5568	5568	daily order of business shall be as follows:
5569	5569	(1) Call to order by speaker.
5570	5570	(2) Registration of members.
5571	5571	(3) Prayer, unless the invocation has been
5572	5572	given previously on the particular calendar day.
5573	5573	(4) Pledge of allegiance to the United
5574	5574	States flag.
5575	5575	(5) Pledge of allegiance to the Texas
5576	5576	flag.
5577	5577	(6) Excuses for absence of members and
5578	5578	officers.
5579	5579	(7) First reading and reference to
5580	5580	committee of bills filed with the chief clerk; and
5581	5581	motions to introduce bills, when such motions are
5582	5582	required.
5583	5583	(8) Requests to print bills and other
5584	5584	papers; requests of committees for further time to
5585	5585	consider papers referred to them; and all other
5586	5586	routine motions and business not otherwise provided
5587	5587	for, all of which shall be undebatable except that the
5588	5588	mover and one opponent of the motion shall be allowed
5589	5589	three minutes each.
5590	5590	The mover of a routine motion shall be allowed his
5591	5591	or her choice of making the opening or the closing
5592	5592	speech under this rule. If the house, under a
5593	5593	suspension of the rules, extends the time of a member
5594	5594	under this rule, such extensions shall be for three
5595	5595	minutes. Subsidiary motions that are applicable to
5596	5596	routine motions shall be in order, but the makers of
5597	5597	such subsidiary motions shall not be entitled to speak
5598	5598	thereon in the routine motion period, nor shall the
5599	5599	authors of the original routine motions be allowed any
5600	5600	additional time because of subsidiary motions.
5601	5601	(9) Unfinished business.
5602	5602	(10) Third reading calendars of the house
5603	5603	in their order of priority in accordance with Section 7
5604	5604	of this rule, unless a different order is determined
5605	5605	under other provisions of these rules.
5606	5606	(11) Postponed matters to be laid before
5607	5607	the house in accordance with Rule 7, Section 15.
5608	5608	(12) Second reading calendars of the
5609	5609	house in their order of priority in accordance with
5610	5610	Section 7 of this rule, unless a different order is
5611	5611	determined under other provisions of these rules.
5612	5612	(13) First reading and reference to
5613	5613	committee of bills filed with the chief clerk; and
5614	5614	motions to introduce bills, when such motions are
5615	5615	required.
5616	5616	(b) When the house reconvenes for the first time
5617	5617	on a new calendar day following a recess, the daily
5618	5618	order of business shall be:
5619	5619	(1) Call to order by the speaker.
5620	5620	(2) Prayer.
5621	5621	(3) Pledge of allegiance to the United
5622	5622	States flag.
5623	5623	(4) Pledge of allegiance to the Texas
5624	5624	flag.
5625	5625	(5) Excuses for absence of members and
5626	5626	officers.
5627	5627	(6) Requests to print bills and other
5628	5628	papers; requests of committees for further time to
5629	5629	consider papers referred to them; and all other
5630	5630	routine motions and business not otherwise provided
5631	5631	for, all of which shall be undebatable except that the
5632	5632	mover and one opponent of the motion shall be allowed
5633	5633	three minutes each.
5634	5634	The mover of a routine motion shall be allowed his
5635	5635	or her choice of making the opening or the closing
5636	5636	speech under this rule. If the house, under a
5637	5637	suspension of the rules, extends the time of a member
5638	5638	under this rule, such extensions shall be for three
5639	5639	minutes. Subsidiary motions that are applicable to
5640	5640	routine motions shall be in order, but the makers of
5641	5641	such subsidiary motions shall not be entitled to speak
5642	5642	thereon in the routine motion period, nor shall the
5643	5643	authors of the original routine motions be allowed any
5644	5644	additional time because of subsidiary motions.
5645	5645	(7) Pending business.
5646	5646	(8) Calendars of the house in their order
5647	5647	of priority in accordance with Section 7 of this rule,
5648	5648	unless a different order is determined under other
5649	5649	provisions of these rules.
5650	5650	(9) First reading and reference to
5651	5651	committee of bills filed with the chief clerk; and
5652	5652	motions to introduce bills, when such motions are
5653	5653	required.
5654	5654	CHAPTER G. MOTIONS
5655	5655	[RESERVED FOR EXPANSION]
5656	5656	CHAPTER H. BILLS
5657	5657	Sec. 17 [18]. Rule 8, Section 14, relating to distribution
5658	5658	of committee reports, shall read as follows:
5659	5659	Rule 8, Sec. 14. DELIVERY PRIOR TO
5660	5660	CONSIDERATION. (a) Each bill or resolution, except
5661	5661	the general appropriations bill, shall be delivered to
5662	5662	each member by making a copy of the bill or resolution
5663	5663	available in an electronic format for viewing by the
5664	5664	member and, when the electronic format copy of the
5665	5665	appropriate printing becomes available, by sending
5666	5666	notice of that fact to a Capitol e-mail address
5667	5667	designated by the member, at least 36 hours if convened
5668	5668	in regular session and 24 hours if convened in special
5669	5669	session before the bill can be considered by the house
5670	5670	on second reading. If a member informs the chief clerk
5671	5671	in writing that the member desires to receive paper
5672	5672	copies of bills and resolutions under this section in
5673	5673	addition to delivery in an electronic format, the
5674	5674	chief clerk shall place a paper copy of the bill or
5675	5675	resolution in the newspaper box of the member as soon
5676	5676	as practicable after the electronic copies of the bill
5677	5677	or resolution are made available for viewing.
5678	5678	(a-1) At least 168 hours during a regular
5679	5679	session and at least 72 hours during a special session
5680	5680	before the general appropriations bill can be
5681	5681	considered by the house on second reading:
5682	5682	(1) a copy of the bill must be made
5683	5683	available to each member in an electronic format; and
5684	5684	(2) notice of availability of the
5685	5685	electronic format of the bill must be sent to the
5686	5686	Capitol e-mail address designated by each member under
5687	5687	Subsection (a) of this section.
5688	5688	(a-2) A printed copy of the general
5689	5689	appropriations bill shall be placed in the newspaper
5690	5690	mailbox of each member as soon as practicable after the
5691	5691	requirements of Subsection (a-1) of this section have
5692	5692	been met.
5693	5693	(b) By majority vote, the house may order both
5694	5694	the original bill or resolution and the complete
5695	5695	committee substitute to be printed. It shall not be
5696	5696	necessary for the house to order complete committee
5697	5697	substitutes printed in lieu of original bills.
5698	5698	(c) A two-thirds vote of the house is necessary
5699	5699	to order that bills, other than local bills, be not
5700	5700	printed. It shall not be necessary for the house to
5701	5701	order that local bills be not printed.
5702	5702	CHAPTER I. JOINT RESOLUTIONS
5703	5703	[RESERVED FOR EXPANSION]
5704	5704	CHAPTER J. HOUSE RESOLUTIONS AND CONCURRENT RESOLUTIONS
5705	5705	[RESERVED FOR EXPANSION]
5706	5706	CHAPTER K. AMENDMENTS
5707	5707	[RESERVED FOR EXPANSION]
5708	5708	CHAPTER L. PRINTING
5709	5709	[RESERVED FOR EXPANSION]
5710	5710	CHAPTER M. INTERACTIONS WITH THE GOVERNOR AND SENATE
5711	5711	[RESERVED FOR EXPANSION]
5712	5712	CHAPTER N. GENERAL PROVISIONS
5713	5713	[RESERVED FOR EXPANSION]
5714	5714	Hunter
5715	5715	Klick
5716	5716	Landgraf
5717	5717	______________________________
5718	5718	Speaker of the House
5719	5719	I certify that H.R. No. 4 was adopted by the House on January
5720	5720	11, 2023, by the following vote: Yeas 123, Nays 19, 2 present, not
5721	5721	voting.
5722	5722	______________________________
5723	5723	Chief Clerk of the House