AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
The Constitution of 1876 was the first constitution that required a statewide elected official to reside in the capital of Texas. Since the passage of the Constitution of 1876 this provision has not been changed.
Many advances have occurred in transportation and technology that directly affect the need for this provision. The need for a statewide elected official to reside in the capital is no longer a necessity. The change to this provision will allow greater flexibility for statewide elected officials and reduce the burden placed on them and their families.
S.J.R. 52 proposes a constitutional amendment repealing the requirement that state officers elected by voters statewide reside in the state capital.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 23, Article IV, Texas Constitution, to delete existing text requiring the comptroller of public accounts, the commissioner of the general land office, the attorney general, and any statutory state officer who is elected by the electorate of Texas at large, unless a term of office is otherwise specifically provided in this Constitution, to reside at the Capital of the State during his continuance in office, and to make a nonsubstantive change.
SECTION 2. Requires that the proposed constitutional amendment be submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 3, 2015. Sets forth the required language of the ballot.