A JOINT RESOLUTION

 1-1     proposing a constitutional amendment relating to a deadline for

 1-2     supreme court action on a motion for rehearing.

 1-3           BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

 1-4           SECTION 1.  Section 31, Article V, Texas Constitution, is

 1-5     amended by adding Subsection (d) to read as follows:

 1-6           (d)  Notwithstanding Section 1, Article II, of this

 1-7     constitution and any other provision of this constitution, if the

 1-8     supreme court does not act on  a motion for rehearing before the

 1-9     180th day after the date on which the motion is filed, the motion

1-10     is denied.

1-11           SECTION 2.  This proposed constitutional amendment shall be

1-12     submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 4, 1997.

1-13     The ballot shall be printed to provide for voting for or against

1-14     the proposition: "The constitutional amendment to establish a

1-15     deadline for supreme court action on a motion for rehearing."

         _______________________________     _______________________________

             President of the Senate              Speaker of the House

               I certify that H.J.R. No. 55 was passed by the House on April

         16, 1997, by the following vote:  Yeas 145, Nays 0, 1 present, not

         voting.

                                             _______________________________

                                                 Chief Clerk of the House

               I certify that H.J.R. No. 55 was passed by the Senate on May

         21, 1997, by the following vote:  Yeas 30, Nays 0.

                                             _______________________________

                                                 Secretary of the Senate

         RECEIVED:  _____________________

                            Date

                    _____________________

                      Secretary of State