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.