89R1173 LRM-D
By: Tepper H.B. No. 312
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the eligibility of a person who is not a United States
citizen to be appointed to or serve in a public office or on an
advisory board or task force.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 601, Government Code, is amended by
adding Section 601.012 to read as follows:
Sec. 601.012. CITIZENSHIP REQUIRED FOR CERTAIN
APPOINTMENTS. (a) A person must be a United States citizen to be
appointed to or serve in a public office, including on the governing
body of a commission, board, or other agency, or on an advisory
board or task force:
(1) within the executive, legislative, or judicial
branch of state government; or
(2) of a political subdivision of this state.
(b) Subsection (a) does not apply to an office for which the
federal or state constitution prescribes exclusive qualification
requirements.
SECTION 2. Section 601.012, Government Code, as added by
this Act, applies to an appointment that occurs on or after
September 1, 2025.
SECTION 3. The term of office of a person who is not a United
States citizen who was appointed before September 1, 2025, to serve
in a position that is subject to Section 601.012, Government Code,
as added by this Act, ends September 1, 2025, unless the person
becomes a United States citizen on or before that date.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2025.