SRC-LBB S.J.R. 39 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.J.R. 39
78R7005 JSA-DBy: Ellis, Rodney
Infrastructure Development and Security
4/2/2003
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

As proposed, S.J.R. 39 amends the Texas Constitution to include "an attack
by a person other than a foreign government" under the provisions of an
enemy attack.  The amendment also authorizes the legislature to meet via
telecommunications in an emergency situation. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to
a state officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Sections 62(a) and (c), Article III, Texas
Constitution, as follows: 

(a)  Adds "including an attack by a person or group other than a foreign
government" in relation to an emergency circumstance in which the governor
and legislature are authorized to take certain actions to ensure the
continuity of state and local government. 

(c)  Authorizes the governor to allow the legislature to hold its sessions
by telecommunications so that the members are not required to assemble in
one place to conduct business and to notify the legislature that they are
authorized  to meet by telecommunications. 

SECTION 2.  Requires this proposed constitutional amendment to be
submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 4, 2003.
Requires the ballot to be printed to permit voting for or against the
proposition:  "The constitutional amendment to clarify the circumstances
in which the governor and legislature may take certain actions to ensure
the continuity of state and local government in the event of an enemy
attack or threat of enemy attack and authorizing the legislature to meet
by telecommunications in that event."