BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.J.R. 6
79R1079 JSA-D By: Carona
Administration
AUTHOR'S/SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Currently, Texas is one of fewer than 10 states that do not require recorded votes on all legislation. As proposed, S.J.R. 6 requires that 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 be accessible to the public via the internet.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 12, Article III, Texas Constitution, as follows:
Sec. 12. (a) Creates this subsection from existing text and makes a nonsubstantive change.
(b) Requires a vote taken by either House or a committee of either House to be by record vote entered in the journal of the House or in the committee minutes, as appropriate, if the vote is on approval or disapproval of a bill, a measure proposing or ratifying a constitutional amendment, an amendment or substitute to such a bill or measure, the appointment or election of a legislative officer or other public official, or the confirmation of an appointment to public office. Requires the yeas and nays of the members of either House on any other question, rather than on any question, at the desire of any three members present, to be entered on the journals.
(c) Requires each House to establish procedures to make each record vote required by Subsection (b) of this section available to the public through the Internet or a successor electronic communications system accessible by the general public by reference to the name or number of the bill, resolution, or other measure or, if applicable, by reference to the name of the person whose appointment, election, or confirmation is being considered. Requires the procedures to require the record of the vote to be made accessible within a reasonable time after the vote is taken.
SECTION 2. Requires the proposed constitutional amendment to be submitted to the voters at an election to be held on November 8, 2005. Requires the ballot to be printed to permit voting for or against the specific proposition.