SRC-DPW S.B. 670 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research CenterS.B. 670 76R2999 JSA-DBy: Brown State Affairs 5/12/1999 Committee Report (Amended) DIGEST Currently, the length and complexity of the Texas Constitution has given rise to discussions about revising it. This bill would establish a Constitutional Revision Committee to review the Texas Constitution over a six-year period and make recommendations to the legislature concerning the review. PURPOSE As proposed, S.B. 670 establishes a commission to study and make recommendations for revision of the Texas Constitution. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Title 3C, Government Code, by adding Chapter 327, as follows: CHAPTER 327. COMMISSION ON CONSTITUTIONAL REVISION Sec. 327.001. MEMBERSHIP; ORGANIZATION. Provides that the Commission on Constitutional Revision (commission) is an agency of the legislative branch of state government. Provides that the 10-member commission consists of four members from the senate and four from the house of representatives appointed by the lieutenant governor or the speaker of the house, respectively; one public member appointed by the lieutenant governor; and one public member appointed by the speaker of the house. Provides that each member serves a term beginning on the day of appointment and ending with the convening of the next regular session. Provides that vacancies on the commission are filled by the officer who appointed the member who vacated the position. Requires the presiding officer and assistant presiding officer of the commission to be designated as provided by this subsection. Sets forth procedures for designating officers of the commission under this subsection. Provides that members are entitled to reimbursement for commission duties and are subject to the General Appropriations Act. Sec. 327.002. PERSONNEL; ASSISTANCE OF OTHER AGENCIES. Authorizes the commission to employ a staff. Requires the Texas Legislative Council to assist the commission on request. Sec. 327.003. DUTIES: CONSTITUTIONAL REVISION. Requires the commission to conduct a study of the Texas Constitution and to make recommendations regarding certain revisions. Requires the commission to consider matters covered by the articles of the current constitution according to a certain schedule. Provides that Subsection (b) does not prohibit the commission from devising an alternate schedule to direct the commission's work. Sec. 327.004. REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS. Requires the commission to report no later than December 1 of each even-numbered year to the governor, lieutenant governor, and the speaker of the house, on the commission's activities and recommendations. Authorizes the report to include specific revision proposals and to present alternative proposals on any matter. Authorizes the commission to make additional reports considered appropriate. Authorizes a report to include minority recommendations or dissenting statements. Sec. 327.005. EXPIRATION. Provides this chapter expires and the commission is abolished September 1, 2005. SECTION 2. Requires the lieutenant governor and the speaker of the house to make the initial appointments to the Constitutional Revision Commission no later than November 1, 1999. SECTION 3. Provides that this Act takes effect only if a specific appropriation for the implementation of this Act is provided in H.B. No. 1 (General Appropriations Act), Acts of the 76th Legislature, Regular Session, 1999 and that this Act takes no effect if the appropriation is not made. SECTION 4.Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.