Suspending the constitutional order of business.
By proposing an alternative order of business that departs from the established constitutional guidelines, HR12 seeks to facilitate legislative activities that may be deemed urgent or necessary by the House. This resolution requires a significant threshold for approval, necessitating a four-fifths majority vote from the membership, which indicates the seriousness of changing established procedures. The implications of this bill may affect how quickly and efficiently the House can respond to specific legislative needs or crises during the session.
HR12 is a resolution presented to the Texas House of Representatives during the 89th Legislature. The core purpose of this bill is to suspend the standard constitutional order of business as set forth in Article III, Section 5(b) of the Texas Constitution. This section outlines the initial days of a regular legislative session, specifying that the first thirty days should primarily focus on introducing bills, addressing emergency appropriations, and confirming gubernatorial appointees.
While HR12 aims to streamline legislative processes, the suspension of constitutional norms can be contentious. Supporters argue that this flexibility allows the legislature to operate more effectively in times of need, addressing pressing issues promptly. However, opponents may view this as a potential undermine of established checks and balances provided by the Texas Constitution, fearing that altering procedural norms could lead to hasty decision-making without adequate debate and scrutiny.