By Alexander H.J.R. No. 78
76R2396 JSA-D
A JOINT RESOLUTION
1-1 proposing a constitutional amendment relating to the length of the
1-2 term of office of a member of the Texas Legislature.
1-3 BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-4 SECTION 1. Sections 3 and 4, Article III, Texas
1-5 Constitution, are amended to read as follows:
1-6 Sec. 3. (a) The Senators shall be chosen by the qualified
1-7 electors for the term of six [four] years; but a new Senate shall
1-8 be chosen after every apportionment, and the Senators elected after
1-9 each apportionment shall be divided by lot into three [two]
1-10 classes. The seats of the Senators of the first class shall be
1-11 vacated at the expiration of the first two years, [and] those of
1-12 the second class at the expiration of four years, and those of the
1-13 third class at the expiration of six years, so that one-third [one
1-14 half] of the Senators, or as near to one-third as may be, shall be
1-15 chosen biennially thereafter.
1-16 (b) Senators shall take office following their election, on
1-17 the day set by law for the convening of the Regular Session of the
1-18 Legislature, and shall serve thereafter for the full term of years
1-19 to which elected and until their successors shall have been elected
1-20 and qualified.
1-21 (c) Members of the Senate shall be elected to staggered
1-22 six-year terms as provided by this section as amended in 1999
1-23 beginning with the first election of Senators after the
1-24 apportionment of the Senate that occurs pursuant to the 2000
2-1 federal decennial census. Until that election, Senators shall be
2-2 elected to terms as provided by this section as it existed on
2-3 January 1, 1999. This subsection expires January 1, 2005.
2-4 Sec. 4. (a) The Members of the House of Representatives
2-5 shall be chosen by the qualified electors for the term of four
2-6 years; but a new House of Representatives shall be chosen after
2-7 every apportionment, and the Members elected after each
2-8 apportionment shall be divided by lot into two classes. The
2-9 Members of the first class shall vacate their seats two years after
2-10 the date on which their term of office begins, and the Members of
2-11 the second class shall vacate their seats four years after the date
2-12 on which their term of office begins, so that one-half of the
2-13 Members will be elected biennially [two years].
2-14 (b) Representatives shall take office following their
2-15 election, on the day set by law for the convening of the Regular
2-16 Session of the Legislature, and shall serve thereafter for the full
2-17 term of years to which elected and until their successors shall
2-18 have been elected and qualified.
2-19 (c) Members of the House of Representatives shall be elected
2-20 to terms as provided by Subsection (a) of this section beginning
2-21 with the first election of Members of the House of Representatives
2-22 after the apportionment of the House that occurs pursuant to the
2-23 2000 federal decennial census. Until that election, Members of the
2-24 House of Representatives serve two-year terms as provided by this
2-25 section as it existed on January 1, 1999. This subsection expires
2-26 January 1, 2005.
2-27 SECTION 2. This proposed constitutional amendment shall be
3-1 submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 2, 1999.
3-2 The ballot shall be printed to permit voting for or against the
3-3 following proposition: "The constitutional amendment to provide
3-4 for six-year terms for members of the Texas Senate and four-year
3-5 terms for members of the Texas House of Representatives."