By Bailey H.J.R. No. 96 77R7412 JRD-D A JOINT RESOLUTION 1-1 proposing a constitutional amendment allowing the governor to 1-2 remove from office officers in the executive branch of state 1-3 government who were appointed by a governor. 1-4 BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-5 SECTION 1. Article IV, Texas Constitution, is amended by 1-6 adding Section 12A to read as follows: 1-7 Sec. 12A. (a) The governor may remove from office an officer 1-8 in the executive branch of state government if the office is filled 1-9 by gubernatorial appointment without regard to whether the officer 1-10 was appointed by the governor who removes the officer or by a 1-11 previous governor. The governor may remove the officer: 1-12 (1) with or without cause; and 1-13 (2) without a trial or other proceeding. 1-14 (b) The governor may remove from office an officer in the 1-15 executive branch of state government who is serving in an elective 1-16 office if the officer was appointed by a governor to fill a vacancy 1-17 in the current term of the office, without regard to whether the 1-18 officer was appointed by the governor who removes the officer or by 1-19 a previous governor. This subsection does not apply to an officer 1-20 who was elected to the officer's current term. 1-21 SECTION 2. Section 9, Article XV, Texas Constitution, is 1-22 repealed. 1-23 SECTION 3. This proposed constitutional amendment shall be 1-24 submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 6, 2001. 2-1 The ballot shall be printed to permit voting for or against the 2-2 proposition: "The constitutional amendment authorizing the governor 2-3 to remove from office appointed state officers in the executive 2-4 branch with or without cause."