BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center H.J.R. 19
80R10249 JSA-D By: Branch et al. (Carona)
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
H.J.R. 19 proposes a constitutional amendment to require each house of the legislature to take a record vote on final passage of a bill other than certain local bills, of a resolution proposing or ratifying a constitutional amendment, or of any other nonceremonial resolution, and to publish the record vote on the Internet.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to either legislative house in SECTION 1 (Section 12, Article III, Texas Constitution) of this bill.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 12, Article III, Texas Constitution, as follows:
Sec. 12. (a) Requires each house of the legislature to keep a journal of its proceedings, and publish the same.
(b) Requires a vote taken by either house to be by record vote with the vote of each member entered in the journal of that house if the vote is on final passage of a bill, a resolution proposing or ratifying a constitutional amendment, or another resolution other than a resolution of a purely ceremonial or honorary nature. Authorizes either house by rule to provide for exceptions to this requirement for a bill that applies only to one district or political subdivision of this state. Provides that, for purposes of this subsection, a vote on final passage includes a vote on third reading in a house, or on second reading if the house suspends the requirement for three readings, on whether to concur in the other house's amendments, and on whether to adopt a conference committee report.
(c) Makes conforming changes.
(d) Requires each house to make each record vote required by Subsection (b) of this section that indicates the vote of each member on final passage available to the public, for a reasonable time as determined by that house, through the Internet or a successor electronic communications system accessible by the public by reference to the subject and number of the bill or resolution.
SECTION 2. Requires the proposed constitutional amendment to be submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 6, 2007. Sets forth the required language for the ballot.