By Turner of Coleman                                   H.B. No. 181
         77R103 JSA-D                           
                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to the organizing of the house of representatives if the
 1-3     terms of house members are increased to four years.
 1-4           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-5           SECTION 1. Section 301.002, Government Code, is amended to
 1-6     read as follows:
 1-7           Sec. 301.002.  WHO MAY ORGANIZE.  The following persons only
 1-8     may organize the senate and house of representatives:
 1-9                 (1)  senators and members of the house of
1-10     representatives who have not completed their terms of office; and
1-11                 (2)  individuals who have received certification of
1-12     election to the house of representatives or senate.
1-13           SECTION 2. This Act takes effect January 1, 2002, but only if
1-14     the constitutional amendment proposed by the 77th Legislature,
1-15     Regular Session, 2001, providing for four-year terms for members of
1-16     the house of representatives, is approved by the voters.  If that
1-17     proposed amendment is not approved by the voters, this Act has no
1-18     effect.