| |
| |
|
|
A JOINT RESOLUTION
|
|
|
proposing a constitutional amendment to provide that the governor's |
|
|
absence from the state, and the lieutenant governor's absence from |
|
|
the state when acting as governor, do not affect the person's |
|
|
ability to serve as governor if the person maintains effective |
|
|
communication links with this state. |
|
|
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
|
|
SECTION 1. Section 16(c), Article IV, Texas Constitution, |
|
|
is amended to read as follows: |
|
|
(c) In the case of the temporary inability or temporary |
|
|
disqualification of the Governor to serve or[,] the impeachment of |
|
|
the Governor, [or the absence of the Governor from the State,] the |
|
|
Lieutenant Governor shall exercise the powers and authority |
|
|
appertaining to the office of Governor until the Governor becomes |
|
|
able or qualified to resume serving or[,] is acquitted[, or returns
|
|
|
to the State]. The Governor's absence from the state does not affect |
|
|
the Governor's ability to serve if the Governor maintains effective |
|
|
communication links with this state during the absence. |
|
|
SECTION 2. Section 17(a), Article IV, Texas Constitution, |
|
|
is amended to read as follows: |
|
|
(a) If, while exercising the powers and authority |
|
|
appertaining to the office of Governor under Section 16(c) of this |
|
|
article, the Lieutenant Governor becomes temporarily unable or |
|
|
disqualified to serve or[,] is impeached, [or is absent from the
|
|
|
State,] the President pro tempore of the Senate, for the time being, |
|
|
shall exercise the powers and authority appertaining to the office |
|
|
of Governor until the Governor or Lieutenant Governor reassumes |
|
|
those powers and duties. The absence of the Governor or Lieutenant |
|
|
Governor from the state does not affect the person's ability to |
|
|
serve as Governor if the person maintains effective communication |
|
|
links with this state during the person's absence. |
|
|
SECTION 3. This proposed constitutional amendment shall be |
|
|
submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 3, 2009. |
|
|
The ballot shall be printed to permit voting for or against the |
|
|
proposition: "The constitutional amendment providing that the |
|
|
governor's absence from the state, and the lieutenant governor's |
|
|
absence from the state when acting as governor, do not affect the |
|
|
person's ability to serve as governor if the person maintains |
|
|
effective communication links with this state." |