BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center                                                                                                      S.B. 1140

79R5314 JSA-D                                                                                                               By: Carona

                                                                                                                                    Administration

                                                                                                                                            3/23/2005

                                                                                                                                              As Filed

 

 

AUTHOR'S/SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

Current Texas law does not require recorded votes on legislation.  Texas is one of fewer than 10 states that does not require recorded votes on all legislation.  Important substantive votes remain difficult or impossible for the public to obtain.  These include approval or disapproval in committee, a motion to table a bill, and motions to suspend the rules.

 

As proposed, S.B. 1140 requires the voting records of an approval or disapproval of a bill, including actions within committees, a measure proposing or ratifying a constitutional amendment, an amendment or substitute, and the appointment or election of a legislative officer or other public official, to be accessible to the public via the internet.

 

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 Subchapter B, Chapter 301, Government Code, by adding Section 301.035, as follows:

 

Sec. 301.035.  RECORD VOTE ON BILLS REQUIRED.  (a)  Requires a vote taken by a house or committee of the legislature to be recorded by record vote if the vote is taken on approval or disapproval of a bill, or an amendment or substitute to a bill; approval or disapproval of a joint resolution proposing or ratifying a constitutional amendment or an amendment or substitute to a joint resolution, appointment or election of a legislative officer or other public official, or the confirmation of an appointment or nomination to public office.

 

(b)  Requires how each member voted on a matter described by Subsection (a) to be recorded in the journal of the appropriate house or in the minutes of the appropriate committee.

 

(c)  Requires the secretary of the senate or chief clerk of the house of representatives, as applicable, to promptly publish each record vote required by this section,  including the vote of each individual member, on the public Internet site maintained by or for the appropriate house in a manner that is easily accessible and searchable by members of the public and maintain that information on the Internet site for at least two years after the date the vote is taken.

 

SECTION 2.  Effective date:  upon passage or September 1, 2005.