By Goolsby H.R. No. 4
75R3586 SRC-D
R E S O L U T I O N
1-1 BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the State
1-2 of Texas, That the following is adopted as the housekeeping
1-3 resolution for the House of Representatives of the 75th
1-4 Legislature:
1-5 HOUSEKEEPING RESOLUTION FOR
1-6 THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
1-7 OF THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE
1-8 TABLE OF CONTENTS
1-9 ARTICLE 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS ................................. 4
1-10 SECTION 1.01. PURPOSE ....................................... 4
1-11 SECTION 1.02. PRECEDENCE .................................... 4
1-12 ARTICLE 2. SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE ............................... 4
1-13 SECTION 2.01. SPEAKER'S GENERAL POWERS AND DUTIES ........... 4
1-14 SECTION 2.02. SPEAKER'S APARTMENT AND OFFICES ............... 4
1-15 SECTION 2.03. INTERSTATE OR FEDERAL-STATE ASSOCIATIONS;
1-16 TRAINING SEMINARS ........................... 5
1-17 ARTICLE 3. GENERAL POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE COMMITTEE ON
1-18 HOUSE ADMINISTRATION ............................. 6
1-19 SECTION 3.01. CONTRACTS ..................................... 6
1-20 SECTION 3.02. HOUSE AND COMMITTEE OPERATING BUDGETS ......... 7
1-21 SECTION 3.03. OPERATING POLICIES ............................ 7
1-22 SECTION 3.04. HOUSE POLICY MANUAL ........................... 7
1-23 SECTION 3.05. HOUSE PROPERTY, SUPPLIES, ACCOUNTING .......... 7
2-1 SECTION 3.06. USE OF HOUSE CHAMBER AND FACILITIES; ASSIGNMENT
2-2 OF DESKS, OFFICES, AND PARKING SPACES ....... 8
2-3 SECTION 3.07. RECORDS OF THE HOUSE; PRINTING; JOURNALS;
2-4 COPIES OF LEGISLATIVE DOCUMENTS ............. 9
2-5 SECTION 3.08. HONORARY CERTIFICATES ........................ 10
2-6 SECTION 3.09. COMPOSITE PHOTOGRAPH ......................... 10
2-7 ARTICLE 4. EMPLOYEES AND EMPLOYMENT POLICIES ................. 11
2-8 SECTION 4.01. DEFINITION .................................. 11
2-9 SECTION 4.02. OFFICERS AND SUPERVISORY ADMINISTRATIVE
2-10 EMPLOYEES OF THE HOUSE .................... 11
2-11 SECTION 4.03. OTHER CENTRAL HOUSE PERSONNEL ............... 11
2-12 SECTION 4.04. EMPLOYEES OF INDIVIDUAL MEMBER .............. 12
2-13 SECTION 4.05. COMMITTEE STAFF; AUTHORITY TO REQUEST
2-14 ASSISTANCE ................................ 12
2-15 SECTION 4.06. WORK SCHEDULE; HOURS OF HOUSE OPERATIONS .... 12
2-16 SECTION 4.07. COMPENSATION ................................. 13
2-17 SECTION 4.08. DUTIES ....................................... 13
2-18 SECTION 4.09. APPEARANCE BEFORE COMMITTEES ................. 13
2-19 SECTION 4.10. CHAMBER ACCESS ............................... 13
2-20 SECTION 4.11. VOTING ....................................... 14
2-21 SECTION 4.12. VOTING RECORDS ............................... 14
2-22 SECTION 4.13. CAMPAIGN FOR SPEAKER ......................... 14
2-23 SECTION 4.14. POLITICAL INFLUENCE .......................... 14
2-24 SECTION 4.15. OUTSIDE EMPLOYMENT, EXTRA COMPENSATION, OR
2-25 GIFTS ...................................... 14
2-26 SECTION 4.16. DISCHARGE .................................... 14
2-27 SECTION 4.17. DURATION OF EMPLOYMENT ....................... 15
3-1 SECTION 4.18. EMPLOYMENT BY MORE THAN ONE MEMBER OR
3-2 COMMITTEE .................................. 15
3-3 SECTION 4.19. POSITION CLASSIFICATIONS ..................... 16
3-4 ARTICLE 5. ACCOUNTING ......................................... 16
3-5 SECTION 5.01. FUNDING OF OFFICE OPERATIONS ................. 16
3-6 SECTION 5.02. OPERATING ACCOUNTS ........................... 17
3-7 SECTION 5.03. CREDIT FOR NEWLY ELECTED MEMBERS ............. 17
3-8 SECTION 5.04. MONTHLY CREDIT ............................... 17
3-9 SECTION 5.05. ACCOUNT CLOSING AND AUDIT .................... 18
3-10 SECTION 5.06. EXPENDITURES CHARGED WHEN ENCUMBERED ......... 18
3-11 SECTION 5.07. TRAVEL TO AUSTIN DURING SESSION NOT CHARGED TO
3-12 OPERATING ACCOUNT .......................... 18
3-13 SECTION 5.08. APPROVAL OF EXPENDITURES ..................... 19
3-14 ARTICLE 6. CAUCUSES ........................................... 19
3-15 SECTION 6.01. DEFINITION ................................... 19
3-16 SECTION 6.02. USE OF HOUSE FUNDS, EMPLOYEES, EQUIPMENT, AND
3-17 FACILITIES ................................. 19
3-18 SECTION 6.03. CONTRIBUTIONS ................................ 21
3-19 SECTION 6.04. MEMBERSHIP AND OFFICER LISTS ................. 21
3-20 ARTICLE 7. HOUSE RESEARCH ORGANIZATION ........................ 21
3-21 SECTION 7.01. ESTABLISHMENT ................................ 21
3-22 SECTION 7.02. STEERING COMMITTEE ........................... 21
3-23 SECTION 7.03. BUDGET ....................................... 22
3-24 ARTICLE 8. SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR INTERIM ..................... 22
3-25 SECTION 8.01. INTERIM COMMITTEE ACTIVITIES ................. 22
3-26 SECTION 8.02. POWERS AND DUTIES OF COMMITTEE ON HOUSE
3-27 ADMINISTRATION DURING INTERIM .............. 23
4-1 ARTICLE 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS
4-2 SECTION 1.01. PURPOSE. This resolution is adopted by the
4-3 members of the House of Representatives of the 75th Legislature to
4-4 provide for the efficient and orderly operation of the house under
4-5 the supervision of the speaker and the Committee on House
4-6 Administration.
4-7 SECTION 1.02. PRECEDENCE. The provisions of this resolution
4-8 take precedence over the provisions of any resolution not passed
4-9 in full compliance with the rules of the house and, except as
4-10 otherwise noted herein, shall be in effect during the full term of
4-11 the 75th Legislature whether in session or adjournment.
4-12 ARTICLE 2. SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE
4-13 SECTION 2.01. SPEAKER'S GENERAL POWERS AND DUTIES. The
4-14 speaker may make any expenditures or transfers and perform any
4-15 function deemed necessary for the effective and efficient operation
4-16 of the house of representatives.
4-17 SECTION 2.02. SPEAKER'S APARTMENT AND OFFICES. (a) The
4-18 speaker's apartment and offices shall be set aside for the use of
4-19 the speaker, his family, and members, as the speaker may designate,
4-20 throughout the speaker's term of office.
4-21 (b) The Committee on House Administration may make the
4-22 necessary expenditures to operate and properly equip and service
4-23 the speaker's apartment and offices and may employ such help as may
4-24 be necessary to properly maintain and care for the apartment and
4-25 offices.
4-26 (c) The speaker and his family may occupy the speaker's
4-27 apartment during the speaker's term of office, utilizing the
5-1 services of employees of the house and others on a temporary basis,
5-2 if and as needed.
5-3 (d) The speaker may obtain through the Committee on House
5-4 Administration the necessary supplies and services to operate the
5-5 speaker's office and may also have paid through that committee
5-6 necessary local and long distance telephone charges.
5-7 SECTION 2.03. INTERSTATE OR FEDERAL-STATE ASSOCIATIONS;
5-8 TRAINING SEMINARS. (a) The speaker may attend any meetings of or
5-9 sponsored by the Council of State Governments and any meetings on
5-10 problems of federal-state relations and interstate relations and
5-11 cooperation, and any other governmental meeting in or outside the
5-12 state.
5-13 (b) The speaker may appoint members of the house, staff
5-14 members, and other employees of the house to accompany him or to
5-15 represent him at these meetings or to attend in-service training
5-16 courses sponsored by the Council of State Governments or the
5-17 National Conference of State Legislatures or similar training
5-18 courses, conferences, or seminars as the speaker may determine.
5-19 (c) Members of the house attending meetings under this
5-20 section while the legislature is in session may be reimbursed for
5-21 actual and necessary expenses. Members of the house attending
5-22 meetings under this section while the legislature is not in session
5-23 and staff members and other employees of the house attending
5-24 meetings at any time under this section may be reimbursed for
5-25 either actual and necessary expenses or receive a per diem not to
5-26 exceed that provided by law for state officials or state employees.
5-27 In addition, members, staff, and other employees attending meetings
6-1 under this section may be reimbursed for mileage or other
6-2 transportation expenses at the same rate as provided by law for
6-3 state officials or state employees together with registration fees
6-4 and tuition. To receive payment under this subsection, sworn
6-5 expense accounts must be filed with and approved by the chair of
6-6 the Committee on House Administration or an officer of the house
6-7 designated in writing by the Committee on House Administration.
6-8 Prior written approval of the chair of the Committee on House
6-9 Administration to attend any such meetings, conferences, seminars,
6-10 or training courses is a prerequisite for reimbursement for travel
6-11 and other related expenses.
6-12 (d) Reimbursement for expenses incurred by a member, staff
6-13 member, or employee of the house in an appointive capacity
6-14 resulting from an appointment made by anyone other than the speaker
6-15 shall be made only in the event that the appointment and expenses
6-16 to be incurred have been previously approved in writing by the
6-17 Committee on House Administration.
6-18 (e) The speaker may expend money for memberships in
6-19 interstate associations of legislators considered necessary to
6-20 discharge properly the duties and responsibilities of the office of
6-21 speaker.
6-22 ARTICLE 3. GENERAL POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE
6-23 COMMITTEE ON HOUSE ADMINISTRATION
6-24 SECTION 3.01. CONTRACTS. The Committee on House
6-25 Administration shall approve all contracts necessary for the
6-26 effective operation of the divisions of the house and its
6-27 committees.
7-1 SECTION 3.02. HOUSE AND COMMITTEE OPERATING BUDGETS. The
7-2 Committee on House Administration shall consider and adopt
7-3 operating budgets that cover both session and interim periods for
7-4 the divisions of the house and all committees appointed pursuant to
7-5 the resolution adopting the rules of the house or appointed by the
7-6 speaker pursuant to any other resolution.
7-7 SECTION 3.03. OPERATING POLICIES. The Committee on House
7-8 Administration shall effectuate policies and determine guidelines
7-9 for the operation of the divisions and committees of the house.
7-10 SECTION 3.04. HOUSE POLICY MANUAL. The Committee on House
7-11 Administration shall prepare and distribute to all members, within
7-12 60 days after the convening of the regular session, policy
7-13 statements to include, but not be limited to, policies pertaining
7-14 to members as a class.
7-15 SECTION 3.05. HOUSE PROPERTY, SUPPLIES, ACCOUNTING. The
7-16 Committee on House Administration shall:
7-17 (1) provide and maintain for the use of the speaker,
7-18 members, employees, divisions, and committees of the house such
7-19 stationery, stamps, office equipment, furniture, fixtures,
7-20 supplies, and telephone and other services as may be necessary;
7-21 (2) keep an itemized account of the quantity and cost
7-22 of every kind of material received, and the source from which it
7-23 was received;
7-24 (3) maintain an annual operating account for each
7-25 member, division, and committee authorized by the Committee on
7-26 House Administration to make expenditures and charge each operating
7-27 account with daily expenditures, withdrawals from inventory, and
8-1 interdepartmental services;
8-2 (4) furnish a monthly statement for the expenditures
8-3 of each member, division, and committee of the house; and
8-4 (5) adopt any rules, regulations, and policies
8-5 necessary to effectively provide and account for the
8-6 above-mentioned services.
8-7 SECTION 3.06. USE OF HOUSE CHAMBER AND FACILITIES;
8-8 ASSIGNMENT OF DESKS, OFFICES, AND PARKING SPACES. (a) The
8-9 Committee on House Administration shall:
8-10 (1) be in charge of and provide for the protection,
8-11 maintenance, and use of the hall of the house, all committee rooms,
8-12 offices of members and house departments, the speaker's office and
8-13 apartment, and other space under the jurisdiction of the house;
8-14 (2) make permanent assignments of desks and offices to
8-15 members of the house;
8-16 (3) adopt and enforce a plan for the parking of motor
8-17 vehicles on the portion of the Capitol grounds under house
8-18 jurisdiction;
8-19 (4) be in charge of and provide for the protection,
8-20 maintenance, and use of the furniture, fixtures, equipment, and
8-21 records of the house;
8-22 (5) purchase, remodel, repair, restore, or replace any
8-23 furniture, fixtures, equipment, and other furnishings to maintain
8-24 the dignity and appearance of space occupied by the house; and
8-25 (6) determine the hours the hall of the house shall
8-26 be open to visitors.
8-27 (b) Any member who is not a member-elect of the 76th
9-1 Legislature shall vacate his or her office space before January 1,
9-2 1999. If the office is not vacated on that date, the Committee on
9-3 House Administration shall immediately remove the member's personal
9-4 effects and store them in an appropriate place in order that the
9-5 member-elect to whom the office space is assigned may move in.
9-6 SECTION 3.07. RECORDS OF THE HOUSE; PRINTING; JOURNALS;
9-7 COPIES OF LEGISLATIVE DOCUMENTS. (a) The Committee on House
9-8 Administration shall:
9-9 (1) have completed and preserved the official records
9-10 of the house;
9-11 (2) have charge of and approve the operation and
9-12 maintenance of the printing and duplicating facilities of the
9-13 house, provided, however, that the use of the house printing and
9-14 duplicating facilities is restricted to agencies of the legislative
9-15 branch and any other operation thereof is strictly prohibited
9-16 unless previously authorized in writing by the Committee on House
9-17 Administration or an officer of the house designated in writing by
9-18 the speaker;
9-19 (3) determine the number of copies of the daily House
9-20 Journal to be printed and have jurisdiction over the mailing and
9-21 distribution of the daily journal; and
9-22 (4) determine the number of copies of the House
9-23 Journal that will be furnished to each member for distribution by
9-24 the member.
9-25 (b) The employee in charge of the printing facilities must
9-26 keep at least one copy of all items printed or duplicated and a
9-27 copy of the work order authorizing such printing.
10-1 (c) Copies of bills, resolutions, and attachments thereto
10-2 shall be made available free of charge to members of the house who
10-3 call at the bill distribution office and request them, and the cost
10-4 of these copies shall be paid from funds appropriated for that
10-5 purpose by the legislature. If the Committee on House
10-6 Administration finds gross abuse of this privilege, it may
10-7 establish a policy regarding such distribution.
10-8 SECTION 3.08. HONORARY CERTIFICATES. The Committee on House
10-9 Administration shall provide for the use of members appropriate
10-10 certificates to commend, congratulate, and memorialize. Such
10-11 certificates shall be printed with a signature line for the name of
10-12 the presenting member and adequate space for insertion of the name
10-13 of the individual or organization to be honored.
10-14 SECTION 3.09. COMPOSITE PHOTOGRAPH. (a) The Committee on
10-15 House Administration shall select a suitable photographer to take
10-16 individual photographs of each member. The photographer shall
10-17 prepare a composite photograph of the members of the house composed
10-18 of the individual photographs of each member arranged on a panel,
10-19 of the same size as used in previous sessions, in such manner as to
10-20 approximate the location of each member's desk on the house floor.
10-21 The member's name and the county of residence shall be printed
10-22 under the member's photograph, and the composite shall be framed
10-23 and hung in the hall of the house during the regular session.
10-24 (b) The photographs for the composite panel shall be
10-25 provided without cost to the members, and the expense of the
10-26 composite panel shall be paid from the expense fund of the house.
10-27 (c) The Committee on House Administration shall establish,
11-1 with concurrence of the photographer, a price to charge members for
11-2 any prints of photographs they wish to purchase.
11-3 ARTICLE 4. EMPLOYEES AND EMPLOYMENT POLICIES
11-4 SECTION 4.01. DEFINITION. Unless expressly provided
11-5 otherwise, in this article "employee" means any person compensated
11-6 from funds appropriated to the house. The term includes persons
11-7 for whom the employing authority is the speaker, the Committee on
11-8 House Administration, an individual member, or a committee. (New.)
11-9 SECTION 4.02. OFFICERS AND SUPERVISORY ADMINISTRATIVE
11-10 EMPLOYEES OF THE HOUSE. (a) The officers of the house and the
11-11 employees of the house responsible for supervising the departments
11-12 and divisions that support the operation of the house shall be
11-13 appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the speaker.
11-14 (b) The speaker shall have the right to discharge any
11-15 officer or supervisory administrative employee when the best
11-16 interest of the house of representatives would be served by so
11-17 doing.
11-18 (c) The authority to appoint and discharge officers and
11-19 supervisory administrative employees may be delegated to the
11-20 Committee on House Administration to the extent and for the length
11-21 of time the speaker determines.
11-22 (d) In the event of the absence, resignation, or death of
11-23 any officer or supervisory administrative employee the speaker may
11-24 designate a person to take charge of and attend to all the duties
11-25 of the office affected until the officer returns or until a
11-26 successor is chosen.
11-27 SECTION 4.03. OTHER CENTRAL HOUSE PERSONNEL. (a) The
12-1 Committee on House Administration shall employ all personnel
12-2 necessary for the operation of the house other than:
12-3 (1) those appointed under Section 4.02; or
12-4 (2) employees of an individual member or committee.
12-5 (b) For purposes of this article, the Committee on House
12-6 Administration is the employing authority for all house employees
12-7 other than those for whom the employing authority is the speaker,
12-8 an individual member, or a committee.
12-9 SECTION 4.04. EMPLOYEES OF INDIVIDUAL MEMBER. A member may
12-10 employ, with funds from the member's operating budget, such staff
12-11 as the member deems necessary.
12-12 SECTION 4.05. COMMITTEE STAFF; AUTHORITY TO REQUEST
12-13 ASSISTANCE. (a) The Committee on House Administration shall
12-14 provide funds for the adequate staffing of all committees appointed
12-15 by the speaker.
12-16 (b) Select committees, interim study committees, standing
12-17 committees, or subcommittees appointed pursuant to the resolution
12-18 adopting the rules of the house or appointed by the speaker
12-19 pursuant to any other resolution may employ any person, firm, or
12-20 corporation, subject to budget limitations. Those committees or
12-21 subcommittees may ask the assistance of any of the employees,
12-22 agencies, departments, or branches of the state government.
12-23 SECTION 4.06. WORK SCHEDULE; HOURS OF HOUSE OPERATIONS. (a)
12-24 An employee shall be on duty on the days and hours determined by
12-25 the employing authority.
12-26 (b) All offices of the departments and divisions that
12-27 support the operations of the house shall be open on days and hours
13-1 determined by the Committee on House Administration or the speaker
13-2 and other hours that the house or its committees are in session.
13-3 SECTION 4.07. COMPENSATION. (a) Officers and supervisory
13-4 administrative employees of the house shall receive the
13-5 compensation that the speaker or Committee on House Administration
13-6 determines.
13-7 (b) The Committee on House Administration shall fix the
13-8 compensation of house personnel employed under Section 4.03.
13-9 A person employed under that section who is absent
13-10 without leave shall not receive compensation for the time missed.
13-11 (c) The salaries of employees of individual members,
13-12 committees, and the house shall begin when they are instructed to
13-13 start work by their respective employing authority.
13-14 (d) An employee of an individual member, a committee
13-15 employee, or any person, firm, or corporation employed by a
13-16 committee or subcommittee may not be paid a salary in excess of
13-17 $3,000 for any one month.
13-18 SECTION 4.08. DUTIES. An employee shall perform all duties
13-19 directed by the employing authority.
13-20 SECTION 4.09. APPEARANCE BEFORE COMMITTEES. An employee may
13-21 appear before a standing or select committee on a measure when
13-22 granted permission by majority vote of the committee.
13-23 SECTION 4.10. CHAMBER ACCESS. (a) An employee may not
13-24 enter the house chamber when the house is in session except when
13-25 performing official duties and specifically authorized by the
13-26 Committee on House Administration.
13-27 (b) An employee may not enter the area on the floor of the
14-1 house enclosed by the railing when the house is in session except
14-2 when specifically authorized by the Committee on House
14-3 Administration.
14-4 SECTION 4.11. VOTING. An employee may not cast a vote for a
14-5 member on the voting machine or otherwise.
14-6 SECTION 4.12. VOTING RECORDS. An employee may not compile
14-7 or release any information concerning the voting record of any
14-8 member of the house for any session of the legislature except when
14-9 a member requests information about that member's personal voting
14-10 record or when the information is for the journal or other official
14-11 records.
14-12 SECTION 4.13. CAMPAIGN FOR SPEAKER. An employee may not
14-13 campaign or assist in the campaign of any candidate for speaker.
14-14 SECTION 4.14. POLITICAL INFLUENCE. An employee may not
14-15 attempt to, or aid anyone in an attempt to, influence any member
14-16 of the house in favor of or against any measure pending before the
14-17 legislature, either directly or indirectly, except when answering
14-18 questions or giving information at the request of a member of the
14-19 house.
14-20 SECTION 4.15. OUTSIDE EMPLOYMENT, EXTRA COMPENSATION, OR
14-21 GIFTS. An employee may not receive, directly or indirectly, any
14-22 compensation, by gift or otherwise, from any other source, unless
14-23 specifically authorized by the employing authority.
14-24 SECTION 4.16. DISCHARGE. (a) An employee is subject to
14-25 immediate discharge by the employing authority for violation of any
14-26 section of this article or any other applicable rule.
14-27 (b) The Committee on House Administration shall dispense
15-1 with the services of any person employed under Section 4.03 who is
15-2 not needed or who is guilty of misconduct.
15-3 (c) An individual member or chair of a committee employing
15-4 an employee who violates any applicable section of this article or
15-5 any rule shall be advised of the violation by the Committee on
15-6 House Administration, and the employing authority shall take
15-7 appropriate action with regard to the employee in question.
15-8 (d) The Committee on House Administration may conduct an
15-9 investigation into allegations of gross misconduct and may
15-10 discharge or otherwise discipline an employee of an individual
15-11 member or committee if the committee finds that the employee has
15-12 engaged in gross misconduct.
15-13 SECTION 4.17. DURATION OF EMPLOYMENT. The period of
15-14 employment of all employees shall be determined by the employing
15-15 authority, except that employees of all committees and of
15-16 individual members who are not members-elect of the next
15-17 legislature shall be terminated not later than noon on the day of
15-18 the convening of the next regular session.
15-19 SECTION 4.18. EMPLOYMENT BY MORE THAN ONE MEMBER OR
15-20 COMMITTEE. (a) Subject to approval of the Committee on House
15-21 Administration, members may join in the employment of a research
15-22 assistant or assistants to be paid jointly from their operating
15-23 budgets. Unless expressly authorized by the provisions of this
15-24 resolution, the members who join together to sponsor such research
15-25 shall not constitute a committee, task force, or group to operate
15-26 in any official or quasi-official manner not specifically
15-27 authorized under the Rules of the House of Representatives.
16-1 (b) No person, firm, or corporation may be employed by more
16-2 than two committees or subcommittees.
16-3 SECTION 4.19. POSITION CLASSIFICATIONS. Position
16-4 classifications for all member employees, committee employees, and
16-5 research employees shall be as follows, unless otherwise determined
16-6 by the Committee on House Administration:
16-7 (a) Member Employees
16-8 1. Administrative Assistant
16-9 2. Legislative Aide
16-10 3. Administrative Secretary
16-11 4. Secretary
16-12 5. Clerk
16-13 (b) Committee Employees
16-14 1. Committee Counsel
16-15 2. Chief Committee Clerk
16-16 3. Committee Clerk
16-17 4. Committee Secretary
16-18 (c) Research Employees
16-19 1. Research Director
16-20 2. Research Assistant
16-21 3. Research Secretary
16-22 ARTICLE 5. ACCOUNTING
16-23 SECTION 5.01. FUNDING OF OFFICE OPERATIONS. (a) Each
16-24 member of the house shall be allocated funds for staff, office
16-25 supplies, office equipment, postage, printing, telephone, travel,
16-26 and such other reasonable and necessary office expenses as may be
16-27 determined by the Committee on House Administration.
17-1 (b) The manner in which funds are allocated, and the amounts
17-2 thereof, are as provided by this article.
17-3 SECTION 5.02. OPERATING ACCOUNTS. (a) Each member who
17-4 served in the 74th Legislature shall have the following operating
17-5 accounts for the 75th Legislature:
17-6 (1) a Fiscal Year Seven Operating Account (September
17-7 1, 1996, through August 31, 1997);
17-8 (2) a Fiscal Year Eight Operating Account (September
17-9 1, 1997, through August 31, 1998); and
17-10 (3) a Fiscal Year Nine Operating Account (September 1,
17-11 1998, through January 12, 1999).
17-12 (b) Each member who did not serve in the 74th Legislature
17-13 shall have the following operating accounts for the 75th
17-14 Legislature:
17-15 (1) a Fiscal Year Seven Operating Account (January 14,
17-16 1997, through August 31, 1997);
17-17 (2) a Fiscal Year Eight Operating Account (September
17-18 1, 1997, through August 31, 1998); and
17-19 (3) a Fiscal Year Nine Operating Account (September 1,
17-20 1998, through January 12, 1999).
17-21 (c) For each member who served in the 74th Legislature, it
17-22 shall not be necessary to close the member's Fiscal Year Seven
17-23 Operating Account when the 75th Legislature convenes.
17-24 SECTION 5.03. CREDIT FOR NEWLY ELECTED MEMBERS. Each member
17-25 who did not serve in the 74th Legislature may have credited to the
17-26 member's Fiscal Year Seven Operating Account the amount of $2,000.
17-27 SECTION 5.04. MONTHLY CREDIT. (a) Each member's operating
18-1 account shall be credited with $8,500 for each month.
18-2 (b) The Committee on House Administration may provide to the
18-3 dean and the speaker pro tempore of the house additional funds as
18-4 may be determined to be necessary for the duties of those offices
18-5 to be fulfilled.
18-6 SECTION 5.05. ACCOUNT CLOSING AND AUDIT. (a) Each member's
18-7 Fiscal Year Seven Operating Account shall be closed as of August
18-8 31, 1997, and a final audit shall be conducted as soon thereafter
18-9 as possible.
18-10 (b) Each member may carry forward and have credited to the
18-11 member's Fiscal Year Eight Operating Account the unexpended
18-12 balance of the member's Fiscal Year Seven Operating Account, not to
18-13 exceed $10,000.
18-14 (c) Each member's Fiscal Year Eight Operating Account shall
18-15 be closed as of August 31, 1998, and a final audit shall be
18-16 conducted as soon thereafter as possible.
18-17 (d) Each member may carry forward and have credited to the
18-18 member's Fiscal Year Nine Operating Account the unexpended balance
18-19 of the member's Fiscal Year Eight Operating Account, not to exceed
18-20 $10,000.
18-21 SECTION 5.06. EXPENDITURES CHARGED WHEN ENCUMBERED. All
18-22 expenditures shall be charged to the period in which they are
18-23 encumbered.
18-24 SECTION 5.07. TRAVEL TO AUSTIN DURING SESSION NOT CHARGED TO
18-25 OPERATING ACCOUNT. While the legislature is in session, the travel
18-26 expenses of members for one trip each week between Austin and their
18-27 districts and return shall not be charged against the members'
19-1 operating accounts but shall be paid from funds appropriated for
19-2 that purpose by the legislature.
19-3 SECTION 5.08. APPROVAL OF EXPENDITURES. (a) No allowance
19-4 included in this resolution shall be expended except for actual
19-5 salaries or actual expenses of the house, its members, departments,
19-6 committees, and employees and for such other expenses as are
19-7 authorized by the Committee on House Administration.
19-8 (b) The Committee on House Administration may not authorize
19-9 any expenditures of funds for personal or political campaign
19-10 reasons.
19-11 (c) All expenditures authorized by this resolution shall be
19-12 paid from funds appropriated for the use of the house of
19-13 representatives by vouchers or other forms approved by the speaker
19-14 of the house and the Committee on House Administration.
19-15 ARTICLE 6. CAUCUSES
19-16 SECTION 6.01. DEFINITION. In this article, "caucus" means
19-17 an organization that is composed exclusively of members of the
19-18 legislature, that elects or appoints officers or recognizes
19-19 identified legislators as members of the organization, and that
19-20 exists for research and other support of policy development and
19-21 interests that the membership holds in common. An organization
19-22 whose only nonlegislator members are the lieutenant governor or
19-23 the governor remains a "caucus" for purposes of this section.
19-24 SECTION 6.02. USE OF HOUSE FUNDS, EMPLOYEES, EQUIPMENT, AND
19-25 FACILITIES. (a) Except as expressly authorized by this section,
19-26 funds appropriated to the house may not be expended in support of a
19-27 caucus, employees compensated from funds appropriated to the house
20-1 may not perform caucus activities, and state-owned equipment and
20-2 facilities may not be used in the performance of caucus activities.
20-3 (b) An individual member may house, in the state office
20-4 space assigned to the member, caucus employees or equipment owned
20-5 by a caucus if:
20-6 (1) the member determines that the activities support
20-7 the member's official duties; and
20-8 (2) the caucus does not endorse or support a candidate
20-9 for public office.
20-10 (c) A person who is a caucus employee may not also be an
20-11 employee of an individual member or a committee and may not be
20-12 compensated for any purpose from funds appropriated to the house of
20-13 representatives.
20-14 (d) An individual member of the house may authorize the use
20-15 of state equipment assigned to the member's office and the
20-16 performance of caucus activities by an employee of the member only
20-17 if:
20-18 (1) the member determines that the activities support
20-19 the member's official duties;
20-20 (2) the caucus does not endorse or support a candidate
20-21 for public office;
20-22 (3) the caucus complies with the open meetings law
20-23 (Chapter 551, Government Code) and open records law (Chapter 552,
20-24 Government Code) as a governmental body; and
20-25 (4) the caucus does not accept contributions from
20-26 nonmembers that are required by law to be reported to the Texas
20-27 Ethics Commission.
21-1 (e) A caucus may use the meeting rooms of the Capitol and
21-2 Capitol extension to conduct meetings of the caucus membership or
21-3 to host public forums on matters of interest to the caucus.
21-4 (f) Notwithstanding Subsection (b) of this section, after
21-5 September 1, 1997, an individual member may not house, in the state
21-6 office space assigned to the member, caucus employees or equipment
21-7 owned by a caucus. A member may retain in the member's office a
21-8 telephone, facsimile machine, or computer owned by the caucus for
21-9 purposes of the member's communication with the caucus or caucus
21-10 employees.
21-11 SECTION 6.03. CONTRIBUTIONS. (a) A person acting on behalf
21-12 of a caucus may not knowingly accept a contribution in violation of
21-13 Section 253.0341, Election Code.
21-14 (b) A person acting on behalf of a caucus may not knowingly
21-15 accept, and shall refuse a contribution that is received, in the
21-16 Capitol.
21-17 SECTION 6.04. MEMBERSHIP AND OFFICER LISTS. Each caucus
21-18 shall provide to the chief clerk, on a regular basis, a list of its
21-19 current membership and officers.
21-20 ARTICLE 7. HOUSE RESEARCH ORGANIZATION
21-21 SECTION 7.01. ESTABLISHMENT. The Committee on House
21-22 Administration shall provide operating funds for a house research
21-23 organization that will be an administrative department of the house
21-24 and may for that purpose adopt policies and procedures relating to
21-25 the administrative operation of that organization.
21-26 SECTION 7.02. STEERING COMMITTEE. The functions and duties
21-27 performed by the house research organization shall be governed by a
22-1 15-member steering committee composed of house members serving
22-2 staggered four-year terms, who are subject to approval of the house
22-3 membership.
22-4 SECTION 7.03. BUDGET. The house research organization shall
22-5 have an operating account and in compliance with the terms of its
22-6 establishment shall operate under a budget approved by the steering
22-7 committee and the Committee on House Administration.
22-8 ARTICLE 8. SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR INTERIM
22-9 SECTION 8.01. INTERIM COMMITTEE ACTIVITIES. (a) Pursuant
22-10 to the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1961 (Subchapter B,
22-11 Chapter 301, Government Code), standing committees of the house
22-12 established by the rules of the house may hold meetings while the
22-13 legislature is not in session.
22-14 (b) The speaker may grant authority to select committees,
22-15 interim study committees, subcommittees, or standing committees
22-16 of the house to hold meetings while the legislature is not in
22-17 session as the speaker considers necessary and desirable to conduct
22-18 the business of the house and to assist the speaker in conducting
22-19 the business of the house, under a pattern of operation and
22-20 restrictions determined by the rules of the house.
22-21 (c) The committee members and employees may either be
22-22 reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses or receive a per diem
22-23 not to exceed that provided by law for state officials or state
22-24 employees, along with mileage or other transportation expenses at
22-25 the same rate as provided by law for state officials or state
22-26 employees when conducting such business and attending those
22-27 meetings when approved by the Committee on House Administration.
23-1 SECTION 8.02. POWERS AND DUTIES OF COMMITTEE ON HOUSE
23-2 ADMINISTRATION DURING INTERIM. (a) When the legislature is not in
23-3 session, the Committee on House Administration may act as provided
23-4 by this section.
23-5 (b) The committee may call meetings for the transaction of
23-6 necessary business, and the committee members shall be reimbursed
23-7 for expenses incurred by them when attending such meetings or when
23-8 in performance of their duties as members of the Committee on House
23-9 Administration, the reimbursement to be either actual and necessary
23-10 expenses or a per diem not to exceed that provided by law for state
23-11 officials or state employees, along with mileage or other
23-12 transportation expenses at the same rate as provided by law for
23-13 state officials or state employees.
23-14 (c) The committee may reimburse authorized members and
23-15 employees for expenses incurred by them when traveling in the
23-16 performance of their legislative duties and responsibilities within
23-17 their respective districts or within any county in which any part
23-18 of their districts lie or from their districts to the State
23-19 Capitol, the reimbursement to be either actual and necessary
23-20 expenses or a per diem not to exceed that provided by law for state
23-21 officials or state employees, along with mileage or other
23-22 transportation expenses at the same rate as provided by law for
23-23 state officials or state employees.
23-24 (d) The committee may pay for all other reasonable and
23-25 necessary expenses, including operation of each member's district
23-26 office, incurred by the members of the house of representatives.
23-27 The expenses shall be paid from funds appropriated for that purpose
24-1 by the 75th Legislature, or any other funds appropriated for the
24-2 use of the house of representatives, on vouchers or other forms
24-3 approved by the chair of the Committee on House Administration, in
24-4 accordance with regulations governing such expenditures.
24-5 (e) The committee may assign or reassign parking places in
24-6 the best interest of the house under such terms and conditions as
24-7 the committee deems necessary.