BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center C.S.H.J.R. 19
80R17759 JSA-D By: Branch et al. (Carona)
Committee Report (Substituted)
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
C.S.H.J.R. 19 proposes a constitutional amendment to require each house of the legislature to take a record vote on the approval or disapproval of a bill, a measure proposing or ratifying a constitutional amendment, an amendment or substitute to such a bill or measure, or the confirmation of an appointment or nomination to public office, 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 the yeas and nays entered in the journal of that house if the vote is on approval or disapproval of a bill, approval or disapproval of a measure proposing or ratifying a constitutional amendment, approval or disapproval of an amendment or substitute to such a bill or measure if any member objects to the adoption of the amendment, or the confirmation of an appointment or nomination to public office. Authorizes either house by rule to provide for exceptions to the preceding requirements for a bill, or an amendment or substitute to a bill, that applies only to one district or political subdivision of this state. Requires that, in addition, the yeas and nays of the members of either house on any other question before that house be entered on the journals at the desire of any three members present.
(c) Requires each house to make each record vote required under Subsection (b) of this section, including the vote of each individual member as recorded in the journal of that house, available to the public for a reasonable period of not less than two years through the Internet or a successor electronic communications system accessibly by the public. Requires the record vote to be accessible to the public by reference to the designated number of the bill or measure and by reference to its subject for a record vote on a bill or measure proposing or ratifying a constitutional amendment.
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.