Texas House Bill HJR46

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

• Filed: 11/12/24

Caption

Proposing a constitutional amendment changing the vote requirement in the legislature to approve a proposed constitutional amendment for submission to the voters of this state to two-thirds of the members present in each chamber of the legislature.

Impact

If HJR46 is passed and subsequently approved by voters, it could significantly impact the legislative process within Texas. The amendment aims to facilitate the passage of constitutional amendments by reducing the required vote count to only those members in attendance, potentially allowing for greater flexibility in legislative sessions. This shift might encourage more frequent proposals and submissions of amendments, reflecting the current opinions and needs of legislators who may otherwise be unable to reach the required threshold when all members are not present.

Summary

HJR46 proposes a constitutional amendment that changes the vote requirement necessary for the Texas Legislature to approve a proposed constitutional amendment. Specifically, it lowers the threshold for legislative approval from a two-thirds majority of all elected members to a two-thirds majority of those present in each chamber during the vote. This change is intended to streamline the process of submitting proposed amendments to the voters of Texas, making it possible to enact constitutional changes more efficiently.

Contention

There may be notable points of contention surrounding HJR46. Critics could argue that lowering the vote requirement may lead to hastily approved amendments without adequate consideration or debate. Some may feel that it undermines the robustness of the legislative process, allowing significant changes to the Texas Constitution to be passed with a simpler voting mechanism. Supporters, on the other hand, are likely to argue that the current two-thirds requirement often creates deadlocks and hinders necessary amendments to adapt to modern challenges.

Election_details

The proposed amendment will be submitted to voters during the elections scheduled for November 4, 2025. The ballot will give voters the option to vote 'for' or 'against' the proposition, which seeks to amend Section 1(a) of Article XVII of the Texas Constitution, thus making it a significant point of civic engagement as the electorate considers changes to their state governance.