By Merritt                                            H.J.R. No. 85
         76R8960 JRD-D                           
                                 A JOINT RESOLUTION
 1-1     proposing a constitutional amendment to provide for the automatic
 1-2     resignation of a railroad commissioner who during the term for
 1-3     which the railroad commissioner is elected or appointed becomes a
 1-4     candidate for another public office.
 1-5           BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-6           SECTION 1.  Section 30(b), Article XVI, Texas Constitution,
 1-7     is amended to read as follows:
 1-8           (b)  When a Railroad Commission is created by law it shall be
 1-9     composed of three Commissioners who shall be elected by the people
1-10     at a general election for State officers, and their terms of office
1-11     shall be six years.  Railroad Commissioners first elected after
1-12     this amendment goes into effect shall hold office as follows:  One
1-13     shall serve two years, and one four years, and one six years;
1-14     their terms to be decided by lot immediately after they shall have
1-15     qualified.  And one Railroad Commissioner shall be elected every
1-16     two years thereafter.  In case of vacancy in said office the
1-17     Governor of the State shall fill said vacancy by appointment until
1-18     the next general election.  A Commissioner who, during the term for
1-19     which the Commissioner is elected or appointed, announces candidacy
1-20     or in fact becomes a candidate in any general, special, or primary
1-21     election for any other office of profit or trust under the laws of
1-22     this State or the United States is considered to have resigned the
1-23     office of Railroad Commissioner.  The vacancy created by the
1-24     automatic resignation shall be filled as provided by this section.
 2-1           SECTION 2.  This proposed constitutional amendment shall be
 2-2     submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 2, 1999.
 2-3     The ballot shall be printed to permit voting for or against the
 2-4     proposition:  "The constitutional amendment to provide for the
 2-5     automatic resignation of a railroad commissioner who during the
 2-6     term for which the railroad commissioner is elected or appointed
 2-7     becomes a candidate for another public office."