87S11183 MAW-F
 
  By: Raney H.J.R. No. 27
 
 
 
A JOINT RESOLUTION
  proposing a constitutional amendment regarding certain
  organizational and procedural matters related to the legislature.
         BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 3, Article III, Texas Constitution, is
  amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 3.  The Senators shall be chosen by the qualified voters
  for the term of four years; but a new Senate shall be chosen after
  every apportionment, and the Senators elected after each
  apportionment shall be divided by lot into two classes. The seats of
  the Senators of the first class shall be vacated at the expiration
  of the first two years, and those of the second class at the
  expiration of four years, so that one half of the Senators shall be
  chosen biennially thereafter. Senators shall take office following
  their election, on the day set [by law] for the convening of the
  [Regular Session of the] Legislature for an organizational session
  under Section 5a of this article, and shall serve thereafter for the
  full term of years to which elected.
         SECTION 2.  Section 4, Article III, Texas Constitution, is
  amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 4.  The Members of the House of Representatives shall be
  chosen by the qualified voters for the term of two years.
  Representatives shall take office following their election, on the
  day set [by law] for the convening of the [Regular Session of the]
  Legislature for an organizational session under Section 5a of this
  article, and shall serve thereafter for the full term of years to
  which elected.
         SECTION 3.  Sections 5(b) and (c), Article III, Texas
  Constitution, are amended to read as follows:
         (b)  When convened in regular session [Session], the
  legislature may [first thirty days thereof shall be devoted to the
  introduction of bills and resolutions, acting upon emergency
  appropriations, passing upon the confirmation of the recess
  appointees of the Governor and such emergency matters as may be
  submitted by the Governor in special messages to the Legislature.
  During the succeeding thirty days of the regular session of the
  Legislature the various committees of each House shall] hold
  hearings and act on [to consider all] bills and resolutions,
  including appropriations, [and other matters then pending; and such
  emergency matters as may be submitted by the Governor. During the
  remainder of the session the Legislature shall act upon such bills
  and resolutions as may be then pending and upon such] emergency
  matters as may be submitted by the Governor in special messages to
  the legislature, and any other matter not otherwise prohibited by
  this constitution or the applicable rules of procedure adopted by
  each house of the legislature [Legislature].
         (c)  The speaker of the house of representatives shall
  announce committee assignments not later than the second Tuesday in
  January following the convening of the legislature in regular
  session [Notwithstanding Subsection (b), either House may
  determine its order of business by an affirmative vote of
  four-fifths of its membership].
         SECTION 4.  Article III, Texas Constitution, is amended by
  adding Section 5a to read as follows:
         Sec. 5a.  (a) The legislature shall convene for an
  organizational session at noon on the second Tuesday in December of
  each even-numbered year. When convened for an organizational
  session the legislature may take only the following actions:
               (1)  swearing in of members;
               (2)  election of officers under Section 9 of this
  article; and
               (3)  adoption of rules of procedure under Section 11 of
  this article. 
         (b)  The number of days convened in an organizational session
  under this section does not count toward the maximum duration of a
  regular session under Section 24 of this article.
         SECTION 5.  This proposed constitutional amendment shall be
  submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 2, 2021.
  The ballot shall be printed to permit voting for or against the
  proposition: "The constitutional amendment regarding certain
  organizational and procedural matters related to the legislature."