Bill Text: TX HB2831 | 2013-2014 | 83rd Legislature | Introduced

Texas House Bill 2831 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Relating to procedures for the house of representatives to convene and conduct business when the legislature is not in session; providing a penalty.

Sponsorship: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2013-03-20 - Referred to State Affairs [HB2831 Detail]

Download: Texas-2013-HB2831-Introduced.html

	83R10280 JSA-D

	By: Howard	H.B. No. 2831



	A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
	AN ACT
	relating to procedures for the house of representatives to convene
	and conduct business when the legislature is not in session;
	providing a penalty.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
	SECTION 1. Chapter 301, Government Code, is amended by
	adding Subchapter F to read as follows:
	SUBCHAPTER F. PROCEEDINGS WHEN LEGISLATURE NOT IN SESSION
	Sec. 301.101. CONVENING HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TO CONDUCT
	HOUSE BUSINESS. (a) In this section, "house business" means any
	activity of the house of representatives that does not require the
	concurrence of or other action by the senate or the governor, and
	includes:
	(1) amending the rules of the house;
	(2) removing or considering removal of the speaker of
	the house; and
	(3) electing a speaker if the office of speaker
	becomes vacant.
	(b) When the legislature or house of representatives is not
	in session for other purposes, the house may be convened to transact
	house business by:
	(1) a proclamation of the speaker of the house or of
	the speaker pro tempore; or
	(2) a proclamation signed by a majority of the members
	of the house.
	(c) A proclamation must:
	(1) state in general terms the reason for convening
	the house;
	(2) state a time for the house to convene on a
	prescribed date that is not earlier than the 20th day or later than
	the 30th day after the date the proclamation is filed; and
	(3) be published in at least three daily newspapers of
	general circulation in this state on or before the 15th day after
	the date the proclamation is filed.
	(d) To be effective, a proclamation must be filed with the
	chief clerk of the house. The chief clerk shall promptly certify
	that the proclamation has been filed and whether the proclamation
	is signed by the number of house members required by Subsection
	(b)(2).
	(e) Not later than the 15th day after the date the
	proclamation is filed, each member of the house who is present in
	this state and accessible must be given a copy of the proclamation.
	The copy must be delivered in person or by registered mail by or
	under the direction of the officer or members who signed the
	proclamation.
	(f) If the reason stated in a proclamation to convene the
	house filed under this section is to remove or consider removal of
	the speaker, the names of the house members who sign the
	proclamation are confidential until a majority of the members of
	the house have signed the proclamation. A violation of this
	subsection is a Class B misdemeanor.
	(g) The house shall convene on the date specified in the
	proclamation. When convened pursuant to a proclamation under this
	section, the house may conduct any house business, including house
	business the house may conduct when convened in legislative
	session.
	SECTION 2. 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, 2013.