| |
| |
|
|
SENATE RESOLUTION
|
|
|
WHEREAS, Article III, Section 9 and Article IV, Section 16 |
|
|
of the Texas Constitution and Article XIII of the Senate Rules |
|
|
recognize the existence of the Committee of the Whole Senate; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, Pursuant to Senate Rule 7.06, the President |
|
|
referred Senate Bill 362, relating to voter identification |
|
|
requirements, directly to the Committee of the Whole Senate; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, Senate Rule 13.01 provides that it is in order for |
|
|
the Senate at any time after bills and resolutions have been |
|
|
called to resolve itself into a Committee of the Whole Senate; |
|
|
and |
|
|
WHEREAS, The Senate may adopt by resolution specific |
|
|
procedures to govern the operation of the Committee of the Whole |
|
|
Senate during its consideration of Senate Bill 362; now, |
|
|
therefore, be it |
|
|
RESOLVED, That the Senate resolve itself into a Committee |
|
|
of the Whole Senate on Tuesday, March 10, 2009, at the conclusion |
|
|
of the morning call, for the consideration of Senate Bill 362, |
|
|
and |
|
|
RESOLVED, That the Senate may meet as in Committee of the |
|
|
Whole Senate from day to day as necessary; and |
|
|
RESOLVED, That the following procedures shall apply when |
|
|
in Committee of the Whole Senate for the duration of its |
|
|
consideration of Senate Bill 362: |
|
|
1. The Committee shall afford reasonable opportunity to |
|
|
interested parties to appear and testify before the |
|
|
Committee. |
|
|
2. The Chair shall require all parties appearing at the |
|
|
meeting to swear or affirm that the testimony they |
|
|
give to the Committee is true and correct. |
|
|
3. The Chair may fix the order of appearance and time |
|
|
allotted for each witness unless a majority of the |
|
|
members present directs otherwise. |
|
|
4. Senate Rules addressing access to the Senate Floor |
|
|
shall be enforced by the Chair while the Committee is |
|
|
meeting, except as follows: |
|
|
(a) Witnesses appearing before the committee may |
|
|
be admitted to the floor of the Senate as |
|
|
their names are called by the Chair, and may |
|
|
remain only until their testimony is |
|
|
completed. |
|
|
(b) Each Senator may be assisted by one employee |
|
|
of the Senate within the brass rail at any |
|
|
given time. The Sergeant-at-Arms shall |
|
|
provide seating next to a requesting senator |
|
|
for such authorized employees. |
|
|
5. Senate Rule 3.04, relating to posters, placards, |
|
|
banners and signs, and Senate Rule 3.05 relating to |
|
|
applause, outbursts, and demonstrations shall be |
|
|
strictly enforced by the Chair. Subject to approval |
|
|
by the Chair, witnesses may use visual aids as |
|
|
necessary in the presentation of their testimony. |
|
|
6. Senate Rule 3.01, relating to attire, shall not apply |
|
|
to witnesses. |