By: Merritt H.B. No. 3651
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the ineligibility of a railroad commissioner to become
  a candidate for another public office.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Article 6447, Revised Statutes, is amended to
  read as follows:
         Art. 6447.  THE COMMISSION. Election.--The Railroad
  Commission of Texas shall be composed of three members, one of whom
  shall be elected biennially at each general election for a term of
  six years.
         Qualifications.--The members shall be resident citizens of
  this State, and qualified voters under the Constitution and laws,
  and not less than twenty-five years of age. The members are subject
  to the provisions of Chapter 572, Government Code, that apply to
  elected officers, including the requirements governing personal
  financial statements, standards of conduct, and conflicts of
  interest.
         No candidacy for other office during term.--A commissioner is
  ineligible during the term for which the commissioner is elected or
  appointed to become a candidate in any general, special, or primary
  election for any other office of profit or trust under the laws of
  this State or the United States. The provision in this paragraph
  regarding ineligibility for other elective office does not apply to
  an office for which the federal or state constitution prescribes
  exclusive eligibility requirements.
         A person must resign from the Commission before becoming a
  candidate for any other office of profit or trust under the laws of
  this State or the United States.
         Oath, etc.--Before entering upon the duties of his office,
  each commissioner shall take and subscribe to the official oath and
  shall in addition thereto swear that he will to the best of his
  ability faithfully and justly execute and enforce the provisions of
  this title and all laws of this State concerning railroads, which
  oath shall be filed with the Secretary of State.
         Organization.--The commissioners shall elect one of their
  number chairman. They may make all rules necessary for their
  government and proceedings. They shall be known collectively as
  the "Railroad Commission of Texas," and shall have a seal, a star of
  five points with the words "Railroad Commission of Texas" engraved
  thereon. They shall be furnished necessary furniture, stationery,
  supplies and all necessary expenses, to be paid for on the order of
  the Governor.
         Expenses.--The Commissioners shall receive from the State
  their necessary traveling expenses while traveling on the business
  of the Commission, which shall include the cost only of
  transportation while traveling on business for the Commission, upon
  an itemized statement thereof, sworn to by the party who incurred
  the expense, and approved by the Commission. Employees of the
  Commission are entitled to reimbursement for expenses incurred in
  traveling on the business of the Commission as provided by the
  General Appropriations Act.
         Sessions.--The Commission may hold its sessions at any place
  in this State when deemed necessary.
         SECTION 2.  EFFECTIVE DATE.  This Act takes effect
  immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members
  elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas
  Constitution.  If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for
  immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2009.