1-1 Texas, That the following is adopted as the housekeeping resolution
1-2 for the House of Representatives of the 75th Legislature:
1-3 HOUSEKEEPING RESOLUTION FOR
1-4 THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
1-5 OF THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE
1-6 TABLE OF CONTENTS
1-7 ARTICLE 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS ................................. 4
1-8 SECTION 1.01. PURPOSE ....................................... 4
1-9 SECTION 1.02. PRECEDENCE .................................... 4
1-10 ARTICLE 2. SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE ............................... 4
1-11 SECTION 2.01. SPEAKER'S GENERAL POWERS AND DUTIES ........... 4
1-12 SECTION 2.02. SPEAKER'S APARTMENT AND OFFICES ............... 4
1-13 SECTION 2.03. INTERSTATE OR FEDERAL-STATE ASSOCIATIONS;
1-14 TRAINING SEMINARS ........................... 5
1-15 ARTICLE 3. GENERAL POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE COMMITTEE ON
1-16 HOUSE ADMINISTRATION ............................. 6
1-17 SECTION 3.01. CONTRACTS ..................................... 6
1-18 SECTION 3.02. HOUSE AND COMMITTEE OPERATING BUDGETS ......... 7
1-19 SECTION 3.03. OPERATING POLICIES ............................ 7
1-20 SECTION 3.04. HOUSE POLICY MANUAL ........................... 7
1-21 SECTION 3.05. HOUSE PROPERTY, SUPPLIES, ACCOUNTING .......... 7
1-22 SECTION 3.06. USE OF HOUSE CHAMBER AND FACILITIES; ASSIGNMENT
1-23 OF DESKS, OFFICES, AND PARKING SPACES ....... 8
1-24 SECTION 3.07. RECORDS OF THE HOUSE; PRINTING; JOURNALS;
1-25 COPIES OF LEGISLATIVE DOCUMENTS ............. 9
2-1 SECTION 3.08. HONORARY CERTIFICATES ........................ 10
2-2 SECTION 3.09. COMPOSITE PHOTOGRAPH ......................... 10
2-3 ARTICLE 4. EMPLOYEES AND EMPLOYMENT POLICIES ................. 11
2-4 SECTION 4.01. DEFINITION .................................. 11
2-5 SECTION 4.02. OFFICERS AND SUPERVISORY ADMINISTRATIVE
2-6 EMPLOYEES OF THE HOUSE .................... 11
2-7 SECTION 4.03. OTHER CENTRAL HOUSE PERSONNEL ............... 11
2-8 SECTION 4.04. EMPLOYEES OF INDIVIDUAL MEMBER .............. 12
2-9 SECTION 4.05. COMMITTEE STAFF; AUTHORITY TO REQUEST
2-10 ASSISTANCE ................................ 12
2-11 SECTION 4.06. WORK SCHEDULE; HOURS OF HOUSE OPERATIONS .... 12
2-12 SECTION 4.07. COMPENSATION ................................. 13
2-13 SECTION 4.08. DUTIES ....................................... 13
2-14 SECTION 4.09. APPEARANCE BEFORE COMMITTEES ................. 13
2-15 SECTION 4.10. CHAMBER ACCESS ............................... 13
2-16 SECTION 4.11. VOTING ....................................... 14
2-17 SECTION 4.12. VOTING RECORDS ............................... 14
2-18 SECTION 4.13. CAMPAIGN FOR SPEAKER ......................... 14
2-19 SECTION 4.14. POLITICAL INFLUENCE .......................... 14
2-20 SECTION 4.15. OUTSIDE EMPLOYMENT, EXTRA COMPENSATION, OR
2-21 GIFTS ...................................... 14
2-22 SECTION 4.16. DISCHARGE .................................... 14
2-23 SECTION 4.17. DURATION OF EMPLOYMENT ....................... 15
2-24 SECTION 4.18. EMPLOYMENT BY MORE THAN ONE MEMBER OR
2-25 COMMITTEE .................................. 15
2-26 SECTION 4.19. POSITION CLASSIFICATIONS ..................... 16
3-1 ARTICLE 5. ACCOUNTING ......................................... 16
3-2 SECTION 5.01. FUNDING OF OFFICE OPERATIONS ................. 16
3-3 SECTION 5.02. OPERATING ACCOUNTS ........................... 17
3-4 SECTION 5.03. CREDIT FOR NEWLY ELECTED MEMBERS ............. 17
3-5 SECTION 5.04. MONTHLY CREDIT ............................... 17
3-6 SECTION 5.05. ACCOUNT CLOSING AND AUDIT .................... 18
3-7 SECTION 5.06. EXPENDITURES CHARGED WHEN ENCUMBERED ......... 18
3-8 SECTION 5.07. TRAVEL TO AUSTIN DURING SESSION NOT CHARGED TO
3-9 OPERATING ACCOUNT .......................... 18
3-10 SECTION 5.08. APPROVAL OF EXPENDITURES ..................... 19
3-11 ARTICLE 6. CAUCUSES ........................................... 19
3-12 SECTION 6.01. DEFINITION ................................... 19
3-13 SECTION 6.02. USE OF HOUSE FUNDS, EMPLOYEES, EQUIPMENT, AND
3-14 FACILITIES ................................. 19
3-15 SECTION 6.03. CONTRIBUTIONS ................................ 21
3-16 SECTION 6.04. MEMBERSHIP AND OFFICER LISTS ................. 21
3-17 ARTICLE 7. HOUSE RESEARCH ORGANIZATION ........................ 21
3-18 SECTION 7.01. ESTABLISHMENT ................................ 21
3-19 SECTION 7.02. STEERING COMMITTEE ........................... 21
3-20 SECTION 7.03. BUDGET ....................................... 22
3-21 ARTICLE 8. SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR INTERIM ..................... 22
3-22 SECTION 8.01. INTERIM COMMITTEE ACTIVITIES ................. 22
3-23 SECTION 8.02. POWERS AND DUTIES OF COMMITTEE ON HOUSE
3-24 ADMINISTRATION DURING INTERIM .............. 23
3-25 ARTICLE 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS
3-26 SECTION 1.01. PURPOSE. This resolution is adopted by the
3-27 members of the House of Representatives of the 75th Legislature to
4-1 provide for the efficient and orderly operation of the house under
4-2 the supervision of the speaker and the Committee on House
4-3 Administration.
4-4 SECTION 1.02. PRECEDENCE. The provisions of this resolution
4-5 take precedence over the provisions of any resolution not passed
4-6 in full compliance with the rules of the house and, except as
4-7 otherwise noted herein, shall be in effect during the full term of
4-8 the 75th Legislature whether in session or adjournment.
4-9 ARTICLE 2. SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE
4-10 SECTION 2.01. SPEAKER'S GENERAL POWERS AND DUTIES. The
4-11 speaker may make any expenditures or transfers and perform any
4-12 function deemed necessary for the effective and efficient operation
4-13 of the house of representatives.
4-14 SECTION 2.02. SPEAKER'S APARTMENT AND OFFICES. (a) The
4-15 speaker's apartment and offices shall be set aside for the use of
4-16 the speaker, his family, and members, as the speaker may designate,
4-17 throughout the speaker's term of office.
4-18 (b) The Committee on House Administration may make the
4-19 necessary expenditures to operate and properly equip and service
4-20 the speaker's apartment and offices and may employ such help as may
4-21 be necessary to properly maintain and care for the apartment and
4-22 offices.
4-23 (c) The speaker and his family may occupy the speaker's
4-24 apartment during the speaker's term of office, utilizing the
4-25 services of employees of the house and others on a temporary basis,
4-26 if and as needed.
4-27 (d) The speaker may obtain through the Committee on House
5-1 Administration the necessary supplies and services to operate the
5-2 speaker's office and may also have paid through that committee
5-3 necessary local and long distance telephone charges.
5-4 SECTION 2.03. INTERSTATE OR FEDERAL-STATE ASSOCIATIONS;
5-5 TRAINING SEMINARS. (a) The speaker may attend any meetings of or
5-6 sponsored by the Council of State Governments and any meetings on
5-7 problems of federal-state relations and interstate relations and
5-8 cooperation, and any other governmental meeting in or outside the
5-9 state.
5-10 (b) The speaker may appoint members of the house, staff
5-11 members, and other employees of the house to accompany him or to
5-12 represent him at these meetings or to attend in-service training
5-13 courses sponsored by the Council of State Governments or the
5-14 National Conference of State Legislatures or similar training
5-15 courses, conferences, or seminars as the speaker may determine.
5-16 (c) Members of the house attending meetings under this
5-17 section while the legislature is in session may be reimbursed for
5-18 actual and necessary expenses. Members of the house attending
5-19 meetings under this section while the legislature is not in session
5-20 and staff members and other employees of the house attending
5-21 meetings at any time under this section may be reimbursed for
5-22 either actual and necessary expenses or receive a per diem not to
5-23 exceed that provided by law for state officials or state employees.
5-24 In addition, members, staff, and other employees attending meetings
5-25 under this section may be reimbursed for mileage or other
5-26 transportation expenses at the same rate as provided by law for
5-27 state officials or state employees together with registration fees
6-1 and tuition. To receive payment under this subsection, sworn
6-2 expense accounts must be filed with and approved by the chair of
6-3 the Committee on House Administration or an officer of the house
6-4 designated in writing by the Committee on House Administration.
6-5 Prior written approval of the chair of the Committee on House
6-6 Administration to attend any such meetings, conferences, seminars,
6-7 or training courses is a prerequisite for reimbursement for travel
6-8 and other related expenses.
6-9 (d) Reimbursement for expenses incurred by a member, staff
6-10 member, or employee of the house in an appointive capacity
6-11 resulting from an appointment made by anyone other than the speaker
6-12 shall be made only in the event that the appointment and expenses
6-13 to be incurred have been previously approved in writing by the
6-14 Committee on House Administration.
6-15 (e) The speaker may expend money for memberships in
6-16 interstate associations of legislators considered necessary to
6-17 discharge properly the duties and responsibilities of the office of
6-18 speaker.
6-19 ARTICLE 3. GENERAL POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE
6-20 COMMITTEE ON HOUSE ADMINISTRATION
6-21 SECTION 3.01. CONTRACTS. The Committee on House
6-22 Administration shall approve all contracts necessary for the
6-23 effective operation of the divisions of the house and its
6-24 committees.
6-25 SECTION 3.02. HOUSE AND COMMITTEE OPERATING BUDGETS. The
6-26 Committee on House Administration shall consider and adopt
6-27 operating budgets that cover both session and interim periods for
7-1 the divisions of the house and all committees appointed pursuant to
7-2 the resolution adopting the rules of the house or appointed by the
7-3 speaker pursuant to any other resolution.
7-4 SECTION 3.03. OPERATING POLICIES. The Committee on House
7-5 Administration shall effectuate policies and determine guidelines
7-6 for the operation of the divisions and committees of the house.
7-7 SECTION 3.04. HOUSE POLICY MANUAL. The Committee on House
7-8 Administration shall prepare and distribute to all members, within
7-9 60 days after the convening of the regular session, policy
7-10 statements to include, but not be limited to, policies pertaining
7-11 to members as a class.
7-12 SECTION 3.05. HOUSE PROPERTY, SUPPLIES, ACCOUNTING. The
7-13 Committee on House Administration shall:
7-14 (1) provide and maintain for the use of the speaker,
7-15 members, employees, divisions, and committees of the house such
7-16 stationery, stamps, office equipment, furniture, fixtures,
7-17 supplies, and telephone and other services as may be necessary;
7-18 (2) keep an itemized account of the quantity and cost
7-19 of every kind of material received, and the source from which it
7-20 was received;
7-21 (3) maintain an annual operating account for each
7-22 member, division, and committee authorized by the Committee on
7-23 House Administration to make expenditures and charge each operating
7-24 account with daily expenditures, withdrawals from inventory, and
7-25 interdepartmental services;
7-26 (4) furnish a monthly statement for the expenditures
7-27 of each member, division, and committee of the house; and
8-1 (5) adopt any rules, regulations, and policies
8-2 necessary to effectively provide and account for the
8-3 above-mentioned services.
8-4 SECTION 3.06. USE OF HOUSE CHAMBER AND FACILITIES;
8-5 ASSIGNMENT OF DESKS, OFFICES, AND PARKING SPACES. (a) The
8-6 Committee on House Administration shall:
8-7 (1) be in charge of and provide for the protection,
8-8 maintenance, and use of the hall of the house, all committee rooms,
8-9 offices of members and house departments, the speaker's office and
8-10 apartment, and other space under the jurisdiction of the house;
8-11 (2) make permanent assignments of desks and offices to
8-12 members of the house;
8-13 (3) adopt and enforce a plan for the parking of motor
8-14 vehicles on the portion of the Capitol grounds under house
8-15 jurisdiction;
8-16 (4) be in charge of and provide for the protection,
8-17 maintenance, and use of the furniture, fixtures, equipment, and
8-18 records of the house;
8-19 (5) purchase, remodel, repair, restore, or replace any
8-20 furniture, fixtures, equipment, and other furnishings to maintain
8-21 the dignity and appearance of space occupied by the house; and
8-22 (6) determine the hours the hall of the house shall
8-23 be open to visitors.
8-24 (b) Any member who is not a member-elect of the 76th
8-25 Legislature shall vacate his or her office space before January 1,
8-26 1999. If the office is not vacated on that date, the Committee on
8-27 House Administration shall immediately remove the member's personal
9-1 effects and store them in an appropriate place in order that the
9-2 member-elect to whom the office space is assigned may move in.
9-3 SECTION 3.07. RECORDS OF THE HOUSE; PRINTING; JOURNALS;
9-4 COPIES OF LEGISLATIVE DOCUMENTS. (a) The Committee on House
9-5 Administration shall:
9-6 (1) have completed and preserved the official records
9-7 of the house;
9-8 (2) have charge of and approve the operation and
9-9 maintenance of the printing and duplicating facilities of the
9-10 house, provided, however, that the use of the house printing and
9-11 duplicating facilities is restricted to agencies of the legislative
9-12 branch and any other operation thereof is strictly prohibited
9-13 unless previously authorized in writing by the Committee on House
9-14 Administration or an officer of the house designated in writing by
9-15 the speaker;
9-16 (3) determine the number of copies of the daily House
9-17 Journal to be printed and have jurisdiction over the mailing and
9-18 distribution of the daily journal; and
9-19 (4) determine the number of copies of the House
9-20 Journal that will be furnished to each member for distribution by
9-21 the member.
9-22 (b) The employee in charge of the printing facilities must
9-23 keep at least one copy of all items printed or duplicated and a
9-24 copy of the work order authorizing such printing.
9-25 (c) Copies of bills, resolutions, and attachments thereto
9-26 shall be made available free of charge to members of the house who
9-27 call at the bill distribution office and request them, and the cost
10-1 of these copies shall be paid from funds appropriated for that
10-2 purpose by the legislature. If the Committee on House
10-3 Administration finds gross abuse of this privilege, it may
10-4 establish a policy regarding such distribution.
10-5 SECTION 3.08. HONORARY CERTIFICATES. The Committee on House
10-6 Administration shall provide for the use of members appropriate
10-7 certificates to commend, congratulate, and memorialize. Such
10-8 certificates shall be printed with a signature line for the name of
10-9 the presenting member and adequate space for insertion of the name
10-10 of the individual or organization to be honored.
10-11 SECTION 3.09. COMPOSITE PHOTOGRAPH. (a) The Committee on
10-12 House Administration shall select a suitable photographer to take
10-13 individual photographs of each member. The photographer shall
10-14 prepare a composite photograph of the members of the house composed
10-15 of the individual photographs of each member arranged on a panel,
10-16 of the same size as used in previous sessions, in such manner as to
10-17 approximate the location of each member's desk on the house floor.
10-18 The member's name and the county of residence shall be printed
10-19 under the member's photograph, and the composite shall be framed
10-20 and hung in the hall of the house during the regular session.
10-21 (b) The photographs for the composite panel shall be
10-22 provided without cost to the members, and the expense of the
10-23 composite panel shall be paid from the expense fund of the house.
10-24 (c) The Committee on House Administration shall establish,
10-25 with concurrence of the photographer, a price to charge members for
10-26 any prints of photographs they wish to purchase.
10-27 ARTICLE 4. EMPLOYEES AND EMPLOYMENT POLICIES
11-1 SECTION 4.01. DEFINITION. Unless expressly provided
11-2 otherwise, in this article "employee" means any person compensated
11-3 from funds appropriated to the house. The term includes persons
11-4 for whom the employing authority is the speaker, the Committee on
11-5 House Administration, an individual member, or a committee.
11-6 SECTION 4.02. OFFICERS AND SUPERVISORY ADMINISTRATIVE
11-7 EMPLOYEES OF THE HOUSE. (a) The officers of the house and the
11-8 employees of the house responsible for supervising the departments
11-9 and divisions that support the operation of the house shall be
11-10 appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the speaker.
11-11 (b) The speaker shall have the right to discharge any
11-12 officer or supervisory administrative employee when the best
11-13 interest of the house of representatives would be served by so
11-14 doing.
11-15 (c) The authority to appoint and discharge officers and
11-16 supervisory administrative employees may be delegated to the
11-17 Committee on House Administration to the extent and for the length
11-18 of time the speaker determines.
11-19 (d) In the event of the absence, resignation, or death of
11-20 any officer or supervisory administrative employee the speaker may
11-21 designate a person to take charge of and attend to all the duties
11-22 of the office affected until the officer returns or until a
11-23 successor is chosen.
11-24 SECTION 4.03. OTHER CENTRAL HOUSE PERSONNEL. (a) The
11-25 Committee on House Administration shall employ all personnel
11-26 necessary for the operation of the house other than:
11-27 (1) those appointed under Section 4.02; or
12-1 (2) employees of an individual member or committee.
12-2 (b) For purposes of this article, the Committee on House
12-3 Administration is the employing authority for all house employees
12-4 other than those for whom the employing authority is the speaker,
12-5 an individual member, or a committee.
12-6 SECTION 4.04. EMPLOYEES OF INDIVIDUAL MEMBER. A member may
12-7 employ, with funds from the member's operating budget, such staff
12-8 as the member deems necessary.
12-9 SECTION 4.05. COMMITTEE STAFF; AUTHORITY TO REQUEST
12-10 ASSISTANCE. (a) The Committee on House Administration shall
12-11 provide funds for the adequate staffing of all committees appointed
12-12 by the speaker.
12-13 (b) Select committees, interim study committees, standing
12-14 committees, or subcommittees appointed pursuant to the resolution
12-15 adopting the rules of the house or appointed by the speaker
12-16 pursuant to any other resolution may employ any person, firm, or
12-17 corporation, subject to budget limitations. Those committees or
12-18 subcommittees may ask the assistance of any of the employees,
12-19 agencies, departments, or branches of the state government.
12-20 SECTION 4.06. WORK SCHEDULE; HOURS OF HOUSE OPERATIONS. (a)
12-21 An employee shall be on duty on the days and hours determined by
12-22 the employing authority.
12-23 (b) All offices of the departments and divisions that
12-24 support the operations of the house shall be open on days and hours
12-25 determined by the Committee on House Administration or the speaker
12-26 and other hours that the house or its committees are in session.
12-27 SECTION 4.07. COMPENSATION. (a) Officers and supervisory
13-1 administrative employees of the house shall receive the
13-2 compensation that the speaker or Committee on House Administration
13-3 determines.
13-4 (b) The Committee on House Administration shall fix the
13-5 compensation of house personnel employed under Section 4.03.
13-6 A person employed under that section who is absent
13-7 without leave shall not receive compensation for the time missed.
13-8 (c) The salaries of employees of individual members,
13-9 committees, and the house shall begin when they are instructed to
13-10 start work by their respective employing authority.
13-11 (d) An employee of an individual member, a committee
13-12 employee, or any person, firm, or corporation employed by a
13-13 committee or subcommittee may not be paid a salary in excess of
13-14 $3,000 for any one month.
13-15 SECTION 4.08. DUTIES. An employee shall perform all duties
13-16 directed by the employing authority.
13-17 SECTION 4.09. APPEARANCE BEFORE COMMITTEES. An employee may
13-18 appear before a standing or select committee on a measure when
13-19 granted permission by majority vote of the committee.
13-20 SECTION 4.10. CHAMBER ACCESS. (a) An employee may not
13-21 enter the house chamber when the house is in session except when
13-22 performing official duties and specifically authorized by the
13-23 Committee on House Administration.
13-24 (b) An employee may not enter the area on the floor of the
13-25 house enclosed by the railing when the house is in session except
13-26 when specifically authorized by the Committee on House
13-27 Administration.
14-1 SECTION 4.11. VOTING. An employee may not cast a vote for a
14-2 member on the voting machine or otherwise.
14-3 SECTION 4.12. VOTING RECORDS. An employee may not compile
14-4 or release any information concerning the voting record of any
14-5 member of the house for any session of the legislature except when
14-6 a member requests information about that member's personal voting
14-7 record or when the information is for the journal or other official
14-8 records.
14-9 SECTION 4.13. CAMPAIGN FOR SPEAKER. An employee may not
14-10 campaign or assist in the campaign of any candidate for speaker.
14-11 SECTION 4.14. POLITICAL INFLUENCE. An employee may not
14-12 attempt to, or aid anyone in an attempt to, influence any member
14-13 of the house in favor of or against any measure pending before the
14-14 legislature, either directly or indirectly, except when answering
14-15 questions or giving information at the request of a member of the
14-16 house.
14-17 SECTION 4.15. OUTSIDE EMPLOYMENT, EXTRA COMPENSATION, OR
14-18 GIFTS. An employee may not receive, directly or indirectly, any
14-19 compensation, by gift or otherwise, from any other source, unless
14-20 specifically authorized by the employing authority.
14-21 SECTION 4.16. DISCHARGE. (a) An employee is subject to
14-22 immediate discharge by the employing authority for violation of any
14-23 section of this article or any other applicable rule.
14-24 (b) The Committee on House Administration shall dispense
14-25 with the services of any person employed under Section 4.03 who is
14-26 not needed or who is guilty of misconduct.
14-27 (c) An individual member or chair of a committee employing
15-1 an employee who violates any applicable section of this article or
15-2 any rule shall be advised of the violation by the Committee on
15-3 House Administration, and the employing authority shall take
15-4 appropriate action with regard to the employee in question.
15-5 (d) The Committee on House Administration may conduct an
15-6 investigation into allegations of gross misconduct and may
15-7 discharge or otherwise discipline an employee of an individual
15-8 member or committee if the committee finds that the employee has
15-9 engaged in gross misconduct.
15-10 SECTION 4.17. DURATION OF EMPLOYMENT. The period of
15-11 employment of all employees shall be determined by the employing
15-12 authority, except that employees of all committees and of
15-13 individual members who are not members-elect of the next
15-14 legislature shall be terminated not later than noon on the day of
15-15 the convening of the next regular session.
15-16 SECTION 4.18. EMPLOYMENT BY MORE THAN ONE MEMBER OR
15-17 COMMITTEE. (a) Subject to approval of the Committee on House
15-18 Administration, members may join in the employment of a research
15-19 assistant or assistants to be paid jointly from their operating
15-20 budgets. Unless expressly authorized by the provisions of this
15-21 resolution, the members who join together to sponsor such research
15-22 shall not constitute a committee, task force, or group to operate
15-23 in any official or quasi-official manner not specifically
15-24 authorized under the Rules of the House of Representatives.
15-25 (b) No person, firm, or corporation may be employed by more
15-26 than two committees or subcommittees.
15-27 SECTION 4.19. POSITION CLASSIFICATIONS. Position
16-1 classifications for all member employees, committee employees, and
16-2 research employees shall be as follows, unless otherwise determined
16-3 by the Committee on House Administration:
16-4 (a) Member Employees
16-5 1. Administrative Assistant
16-6 2. Legislative Aide
16-7 3. Administrative Secretary
16-8 4. Secretary
16-9 5. Clerk
16-10 (b) Committee Employees
16-11 1. Committee Counsel
16-12 2. Chief Committee Clerk
16-13 3. Committee Clerk
16-14 4. Committee Secretary
16-15 (c) Research Employees
16-16 1. Research Director
16-17 2. Research Assistant
16-18 3. Research Secretary
16-19 ARTICLE 5. ACCOUNTING
16-20 SECTION 5.01. FUNDING OF OFFICE OPERATIONS. (a) Each
16-21 member of the house shall be allocated funds for staff, office
16-22 supplies, office equipment, postage, printing, telephone, travel,
16-23 and such other reasonable and necessary office expenses as may be
16-24 determined by the Committee on House Administration.
16-25 (b) The manner in which funds are allocated, and the amounts
16-26 thereof, are as provided by this article.
16-27 SECTION 5.02. OPERATING ACCOUNTS. (a) Each member who
17-1 served in the 74th Legislature shall have the following operating
17-2 accounts for the 75th Legislature:
17-3 (1) a Fiscal Year Seven Operating Account (September
17-4 1, 1996, through August 31, 1997);
17-5 (2) a Fiscal Year Eight Operating Account (September
17-6 1, 1997, through August 31, 1998); and
17-7 (3) a Fiscal Year Nine Operating Account (September 1,
17-8 1998, through January 12, 1999).
17-9 (b) Each member who did not serve in the 74th Legislature
17-10 shall have the following operating accounts for the 75th
17-11 Legislature:
17-12 (1) a Fiscal Year Seven Operating Account (January 14,
17-13 1997, through August 31, 1997);
17-14 (2) a Fiscal Year Eight Operating Account (September
17-15 1, 1997, through August 31, 1998); and
17-16 (3) a Fiscal Year Nine Operating Account (September 1,
17-17 1998, through January 12, 1999).
17-18 (c) For each member who served in the 74th Legislature, it
17-19 shall not be necessary to close the member's Fiscal Year Seven
17-20 Operating Account when the 75th Legislature convenes.
17-21 SECTION 5.03. CREDIT FOR NEWLY ELECTED MEMBERS. Each member
17-22 who did not serve in the 74th Legislature may have credited to the
17-23 member's Fiscal Year Seven Operating Account the amount of $2,000.
17-24 SECTION 5.04. MONTHLY CREDIT. (a) Each member's operating
17-25 account shall be credited with $8,500 for each month.
17-26 (b) The Committee on House Administration may provide to the
17-27 dean and the speaker pro tempore of the house additional funds as
18-1 may be determined to be necessary for the duties of those offices
18-2 to be fulfilled.
18-3 SECTION 5.05. ACCOUNT CLOSING AND AUDIT. (a) Each member's
18-4 Fiscal Year Seven Operating Account shall be closed as of August
18-5 31, 1997, and a final audit shall be conducted as soon thereafter
18-6 as possible.
18-7 (b) Each member may carry forward and have credited to the
18-8 member's Fiscal Year Eight Operating Account the unexpended
18-9 balance of the member's Fiscal Year Seven Operating Account, not to
18-10 exceed $10,000.
18-11 (c) Each member's Fiscal Year Eight Operating Account shall
18-12 be closed as of August 31, 1998, and a final audit shall be
18-13 conducted as soon thereafter as possible.
18-14 (d) Each member may carry forward and have credited to the
18-15 member's Fiscal Year Nine Operating Account the unexpended balance
18-16 of the member's Fiscal Year Eight Operating Account, not to exceed
18-17 $10,000.
18-18 SECTION 5.06. EXPENDITURES CHARGED WHEN ENCUMBERED. All
18-19 expenditures shall be charged to the period in which they are
18-20 encumbered.
18-21 SECTION 5.07. TRAVEL TO AUSTIN DURING SESSION NOT CHARGED TO
18-22 OPERATING ACCOUNT. While the legislature is in session, the travel
18-23 expenses of members for one trip each week between Austin and their
18-24 districts and return shall not be charged against the members'
18-25 operating accounts but shall be paid from funds appropriated for
18-26 that purpose by the legislature.
18-27 SECTION 5.08. APPROVAL OF EXPENDITURES. (a) No allowance
19-1 included in this resolution shall be expended except for actual
19-2 salaries or actual expenses of the house, its members, departments,
19-3 committees, and employees and for such other expenses as are
19-4 authorized by the Committee on House Administration.
19-5 (b) The Committee on House Administration may not authorize
19-6 any expenditures of funds for personal or political campaign
19-7 reasons.
19-8 (c) All expenditures authorized by this resolution shall be
19-9 paid from funds appropriated for the use of the house of
19-10 representatives by vouchers or other forms approved by the speaker
19-11 of the house and the Committee on House Administration.
19-12 ARTICLE 6. CAUCUSES
19-13 SECTION 6.01. DEFINITION. In this article, "caucus" means
19-14 an organization that is composed exclusively of members of the
19-15 legislature, that elects or appoints officers and recognizes
19-16 identified legislators as members of the organization, and that
19-17 exists for research and other support of policy development and
19-18 interests that the membership holds in common. An organization
19-19 whose only nonlegislator members are the lieutenant governor or
19-20 the governor remains a "caucus" for purposes of this section.
19-21 SECTION 6.02. USE OF HOUSE FUNDS, EMPLOYEES, EQUIPMENT, AND
19-22 FACILITIES. (a) Except as expressly authorized by this section,
19-23 funds appropriated to the house may not be expended in support of a
19-24 caucus, employees compensated from funds appropriated to the house
19-25 may not perform caucus activities, and state-owned equipment and
19-26 facilities may not be used in the performance of caucus activities.
19-27 (b) An individual member may house, in the state office
20-1 space assigned to the member, caucus employees or equipment owned
20-2 by a caucus if:
20-3 (1) the member determines that the activities support
20-4 the member's official duties; and
20-5 (2) the caucus does not endorse or support a candidate
20-6 for public office.
20-7 (c) A person who is a caucus employee may not also be an
20-8 employee of an individual member or a committee and may not be
20-9 compensated for any purpose from funds appropriated to the house of
20-10 representatives.
20-11 (d) An individual member of the house may authorize the use
20-12 of state equipment assigned to the member's office and the
20-13 performance of caucus activities by an employee of the member only
20-14 if:
20-15 (1) the member determines that the activities support
20-16 the member's official duties;
20-17 (2) the caucus does not endorse or support a candidate
20-18 for public office;
20-19 (3) the caucus complies with the open meetings law
20-20 (Chapter 551, Government Code) and open records law (Chapter 552,
20-21 Government Code) as a governmental body; and
20-22 (4) the caucus does not accept contributions from
20-23 nonmembers that are required by law to be reported to the Texas
20-24 Ethics Commission.
20-25 (e) A caucus may use the meeting rooms of the Capitol and
20-26 Capitol extension to conduct meetings of the caucus membership or
20-27 to host public forums on matters of interest to the caucus.
21-1 (f) Notwithstanding Subsection (b) of this section, after
21-2 September 1, 1997, an individual member may not house, in the state
21-3 office space assigned to the member, caucus employees or equipment
21-4 owned by a caucus. A member may retain in the member's office a
21-5 telephone, facsimile machine, or computer owned by the caucus for
21-6 purposes of the member's communication with the caucus or caucus
21-7 employees.
21-8 SECTION 6.03. CONTRIBUTIONS. (a) A person acting on behalf
21-9 of a caucus may not knowingly accept a contribution in violation of
21-10 Section 253.0341, Election Code.
21-11 (b) A person acting on behalf of a caucus may not knowingly
21-12 accept, and shall refuse a contribution that is received, in the
21-13 Capitol.
21-14 SECTION 6.04. MEMBERSHIP AND OFFICER LISTS. Each caucus
21-15 shall provide to the chief clerk, on a regular basis, a list of its
21-16 current membership and officers.
21-17 ARTICLE 7. HOUSE RESEARCH ORGANIZATION
21-18 SECTION 7.01. ESTABLISHMENT. The Committee on House
21-19 Administration shall provide operating funds for a house research
21-20 organization that will be an administrative department of the house
21-21 and may for that purpose adopt policies and procedures relating to
21-22 the administrative operation of that organization.
21-23 SECTION 7.02. STEERING COMMITTEE. The functions and duties
21-24 performed by the house research organization shall be governed by a
21-25 15-member steering committee composed of house members serving
21-26 staggered four-year terms, who are subject to approval of the house
21-27 membership.
22-1 SECTION 7.03. BUDGET. The house research organization shall
22-2 have an operating account and in compliance with the terms of its
22-3 establishment shall operate under a budget approved by the steering
22-4 committee and the Committee on House Administration.
22-5 ARTICLE 8. SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR INTERIM
22-6 SECTION 8.01. INTERIM COMMITTEE ACTIVITIES. (a) Pursuant
22-7 to the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1961 (Subchapter B,
22-8 Chapter 301, Government Code), standing committees of the house
22-9 established by the rules of the house may hold meetings while the
22-10 legislature is not in session.
22-11 (b) The speaker may grant authority to select committees,
22-12 interim study committees, subcommittees, or standing committees
22-13 of the house to hold meetings while the legislature is not in
22-14 session as the speaker considers necessary and desirable to conduct
22-15 the business of the house and to assist the speaker in conducting
22-16 the business of the house, under a pattern of operation and
22-17 restrictions determined by the rules of the house.
22-18 (c) The committee members and employees may either be
22-19 reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses or receive a per diem
22-20 not to exceed that provided by law for state officials or state
22-21 employees, along with mileage or other transportation expenses at
22-22 the same rate as provided by law for state officials or state
22-23 employees when conducting such business and attending those
22-24 meetings when approved by the Committee on House Administration.
22-25 SECTION 8.02. POWERS AND DUTIES OF COMMITTEE ON HOUSE
22-26 ADMINISTRATION DURING INTERIM. (a) When the legislature is not in
22-27 session, the Committee on House Administration may act as provided
23-1 by this section.
23-2 (b) The committee may call meetings for the transaction of
23-3 necessary business, and the committee members shall be reimbursed
23-4 for expenses incurred by them when attending such meetings or when
23-5 in performance of their duties as members of the Committee on House
23-6 Administration, the reimbursement to be either actual and necessary
23-7 expenses or a per diem not to exceed that provided by law for state
23-8 officials or state employees, along with mileage or other
23-9 transportation expenses at the same rate as provided by law for
23-10 state officials or state employees.
23-11 (c) The committee may reimburse authorized members and
23-12 employees for expenses incurred by them when traveling in the
23-13 performance of their legislative duties and responsibilities within
23-14 their respective districts or within any county in which any part
23-15 of their districts lie or from their districts to the State
23-16 Capitol, the reimbursement to be either actual and necessary
23-17 expenses or a per diem not to exceed that provided by law for state
23-18 officials or state employees, along with mileage or other
23-19 transportation expenses at the same rate as provided by law for
23-20 state officials or state employees.
23-21 (d) The committee may pay for all other reasonable and
23-22 necessary expenses, including operation of each member's district
23-23 office, incurred by the members of the house of representatives.
23-24 The expenses shall be paid from funds appropriated for that purpose
23-25 by the 75th Legislature, or any other funds appropriated for the
23-26 use of the house of representatives, on vouchers or other forms
23-27 approved by the chair of the Committee on House Administration, in
24-1 accordance with regulations governing such expenditures.
24-2 (e) The committee may assign or reassign parking places in
24-3 the best interest of the house under such terms and conditions as
24-4 the committee deems necessary.
Goolsby
Gallego
Berlanga
Greenberg
_______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 4 was adopted by the House on January
15, 1997, by a non-record vote.
_______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House