SRC-LBB S.J.R. 58 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.J.R. 58
By: Wentworth
State Affairs
4/5/2003
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Article III, Section 5(b) of the Texas Constitution prohibits the
consideration of bills, resolutions, and other matters on the floor of
either house of the legislature until the first 60 days of a regular
session have passed.  The Senate and House routinely vote to suspend this
constitutional provision in order to take up bills and resolutions and get
the legislative process moving as soon as possible.  As proposed, S.J.R.
58 allows the legislature to act on bills, resolutions, and other pending
business after the first thirty days of a regular session. 

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 Article III, Section 5(b), Texas Constitution, to
replace the phrase "succeeding thirty days" with the word  "remainder." 

SECTION 2.  Requires this proposed constitutional amendment to be submited
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 following
proposition: "The constitutional amendment to allow the Texas Legislature
to consider and act on bills, resolutions, and emergency matters after the
first thirty days of a regular session of the Legislature."