84R5382 JRJ-F
 
  By: Geren H.R. No. 3
 
 
 
R E S O L U T I O N
         BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the State of
  Texas, That the following is adopted as the housekeeping resolution
  for the House of Representatives of the 84th [83rd] Legislature:
  HOUSEKEEPING RESOLUTION FOR
  THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
  OF THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE
  TABLE OF CONTENTS
  ARTICLE 1.  GENERAL PROVISIONS 4
   SECTION 1.01.  PURPOSE 4
   SECTION 1.02.  PRECEDENCE 4
  ARTICLE 2.  SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE 4
   SECTION 2.01.  SPEAKER'S GENERAL POWERS AND DUTIES 4
   SECTION 2.02.  SPEAKER'S APARTMENT AND OFFICES 4
   SECTION 2.03.  INTERSTATE OR FEDERAL-STATE ASSOCIATIONS;
                    TRAINING SEMINARS 5
  ARTICLE 3.  GENERAL POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE COMMITTEE ON
               HOUSE ADMINISTRATION 7
   SECTION 3.01.  CONTRACTS 7
   SECTION 3.02.  HOUSE AND COMMITTEE OPERATING BUDGETS 7
   SECTION 3.03.  OPERATING POLICIES 7
   SECTION 3.04.  HOUSE POLICY MANUAL 7
   SECTION 3.05.  HOUSE PROPERTY, SUPPLIES, ACCOUNTING 7
   SECTION 3.06.  USE OF HOUSE CHAMBER AND FACILITIES; ASSIGNMENT
                    OF DESKS, OFFICES, AND PARKING SPACES 8
   SECTION 3.07.  RECORDS OF THE HOUSE; PRINTING; JOURNALS;
                    COPIES OF LEGISLATIVE DOCUMENTS 9
   SECTION 3.08.  HONORARY CERTIFICATES 10
   SECTION 3.09.  COMPOSITE PHOTOGRAPH 11
   SECTION 3.10.  POLICIES REGARDING TEMPORARY ACTING
                     MEMBERS 11
   SECTION 3.11.  DISPLAY OF "IN GOD WE TRUST" IN HOUSE 12
   SECTION 3.12.  HOUSE RECYCLING PROGRAM 12
  ARTICLE 4.  EMPLOYEES AND EMPLOYMENT POLICIES 12
   SECTION 4.01.  DEFINITION 12
   SECTION 4.02.  OFFICERS AND SUPERVISORY ADMINISTRATIVE
                    EMPLOYEES OF THE HOUSE 13
   SECTION 4.03.  OTHER CENTRAL HOUSE PERSONNEL 13
   SECTION 4.04.  EMPLOYEES OF INDIVIDUAL MEMBER 14
   SECTION 4.05.  COMMITTEE STAFF; AUTHORITY TO REQUEST
                    ASSISTANCE 14
   SECTION 4.06.  WORK SCHEDULE; HOURS OF HOUSE OPERATIONS 14
   SECTION 4.07.  COMPENSATION 14
   SECTION 4.08.  DUTIES 16
   SECTION 4.09.  APPEARANCE BEFORE COMMITTEES 16
   SECTION 4.10.  CHAMBER ACCESS 16
   SECTION 4.11.  VOTING 16
   SECTION 4.12.  VOTING RECORDS 16
   SECTION 4.13.  CAMPAIGN FOR SPEAKER 16
   SECTION 4.14.  POLITICAL INFLUENCE 17
   SECTION 4.15.  OUTSIDE EMPLOYMENT, EXTRA COMPENSATION, OR
                    GIFTS 17
   SECTION 4.16.  DISCHARGE 17
   SECTION 4.17.  DURATION OF EMPLOYMENT 18
   SECTION 4.18.  EMPLOYMENT BY MORE THAN ONE MEMBER OR
                    COMMITTEE 18
   SECTION 4.19.  POSITION TITLES AND CLASSIFICATIONS 18
  ARTICLE 5.  ACCOUNTING 19
   SECTION 5.01.  FUNDING OF OFFICE OPERATIONS 19
   SECTION 5.02.  OPERATING ACCOUNTS 20
   SECTION 5.03.  CREDIT FOR NEWLY ELECTED MEMBERS 20
   SECTION 5.04.  MONTHLY CREDIT 20
   SECTION 5.045. DETERMINATION OF OPERATING ACCOUNT BALANCE 21
   SECTION 5.05.  ACCOUNT CLOSING 22
   SECTION 5.06.  EXPENDITURES CHARGED WHEN ENCUMBERED 23
   SECTION 5.07.  TRAVEL TO AUSTIN DURING SESSION NOT CHARGED TO
                    OPERATING ACCOUNT 23
   SECTION 5.08.  TRAVEL OUTSIDE TEXAS 23
   SECTION 5.09.  APPROVAL OF EXPENDITURES 23
   SECTION 5.10.  USE OF FUNDS FOR INFORMAL SETTLEMENTS
                    PROHIBITED 24
  ARTICLE 6.  CAUCUSES 24
   SECTION 6.01.  DEFINITION 24
   SECTION 6.02.  USE OF HOUSE FUNDS, EMPLOYEES, EQUIPMENT, AND
                    FACILITIES 24
   SECTION 6.03.  CONTRIBUTIONS 26
   SECTION 6.04.  MEMBERSHIP AND OFFICER LISTS 26
   SECTION 6.05.  REPORT TO ETHICS COMMISSION 26
  ARTICLE 7.  HOUSE RESEARCH ORGANIZATION 26
   SECTION 7.01.  ESTABLISHMENT 26
   SECTION 7.02.  STEERING COMMITTEE 26
   SECTION 7.03.  BUDGET 27
  ARTICLE 8.  SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR INTERIM 27
   SECTION 8.01.  INTERIM COMMITTEE ACTIVITIES 27
   SECTION 8.02.  POWERS AND DUTIES OF COMMITTEE ON HOUSE
                    ADMINISTRATION DURING INTERIM 27
  ARTICLE 1.  GENERAL PROVISIONS
         SECTION 1.01.  PURPOSE.  This resolution is adopted by the
  members of the House of Representatives of the 84th [83rd]
  Legislature to provide for the efficient and orderly operation of
  the house under the supervision of the speaker and the Committee on
  House Administration.
         SECTION 1.02.  PRECEDENCE.  The provisions of this
  resolution take precedence over the provisions of any resolution
  not passed in full compliance with the rules of the house and,
  except as otherwise noted herein, shall be in effect during the full
  term of the 84th [83rd] Legislature whether in session or
  adjournment.
  ARTICLE 2.  SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE
         SECTION 2.01.  SPEAKER'S GENERAL POWERS AND DUTIES.  The
  speaker may make any expenditures or transfers and perform any
  function deemed necessary for the effective and efficient operation
  of the house of representatives.
         SECTION 2.02.  SPEAKER'S APARTMENT AND OFFICES.  (a) The
  speaker's apartment and offices shall be set aside for the use of
  the speaker, the speaker's family, and house members, as the
  speaker may designate, throughout the speaker's term of office.
         (b)  The Committee on House Administration may make the
  necessary expenditures to operate and properly equip and service
  the speaker's apartment and offices and may employ such help as may
  be necessary to properly maintain and care for the apartment and
  offices.
         (c)  The speaker and the speaker's family may occupy the
  speaker's apartment during the speaker's term of office, utilizing
  the services of employees of the house and others on a temporary
  basis, if and as needed.
         (d)  The speaker may obtain through the Committee on House
  Administration the necessary supplies and services to operate the
  speaker's office and may also have paid through that committee
  necessary [local and long distance] telephone charges.
         SECTION 2.03.  INTERSTATE OR FEDERAL-STATE ASSOCIATIONS;
  TRAINING SEMINARS. (a) The speaker may attend any meetings of or
  sponsored by the Council of State Governments and any meetings on
  problems of federal-state relations and interstate relations and
  cooperation, and any other governmental meeting in or outside the
  state.
         (b)  The speaker may appoint members of the house, staff
  members, and other employees of the house to accompany or represent
  the speaker at these meetings or to attend in-service training
  courses sponsored by the Council of State Governments or the
  National Conference of State Legislatures or similar training
  courses, conferences, or seminars as the speaker may determine.
         (c)  Members of the house attending meetings under this
  section while the legislature is in session may be reimbursed for
  actual and necessary expenses. Members of the house attending
  meetings under this section while the legislature is not in session
  and staff members and other employees of the house attending
  meetings at any time under this section may be reimbursed for either
  actual and necessary expenses or receive a per diem not to exceed
  that provided by law for state officials or state employees. In
  addition, members, staff, and other employees attending meetings
  under this section may be reimbursed for mileage or other
  transportation expenses at the same rate as provided by law for
  state officials or state employees together with registration fees
  and tuition. To receive payment under this subsection, sworn
  expense accounts must be filed with and approved by the chair of the
  Committee on House Administration or an officer of the house
  designated in writing by the Committee on House Administration.
  Prior written approval of the chair of the Committee on House
  Administration to attend any such meetings, conferences, seminars,
  or training courses is a prerequisite for reimbursement for travel
  and other related expenses.
         (d)  Reimbursement for expenses incurred by a member, staff
  member, or employee of the house in an appointive capacity
  resulting from an appointment made by anyone other than the speaker
  shall be made only in the event that the appointment and expenses to
  be incurred have been previously approved in writing by the
  Committee on House Administration.
         (e)  The speaker may expend money for memberships in
  interstate associations of legislators considered necessary to
  discharge properly the duties and responsibilities of the office of
  speaker.
  ARTICLE 3.  GENERAL POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE
  COMMITTEE ON HOUSE ADMINISTRATION
         SECTION 3.01.  CONTRACTS.  The Committee on House
  Administration shall approve all contracts necessary for the
  effective operation of the divisions of the house and its
  committees.
         SECTION 3.02.  HOUSE AND COMMITTEE OPERATING BUDGETS.  The
  Committee on House Administration shall consider and adopt
  operating budgets that cover both session and interim periods for
  the divisions of the house and all committees appointed pursuant to
  the resolution adopting the rules of the house or appointed by the
  speaker pursuant to any other resolution.  A budget adopted by the
  Committee on House Administration must be adopted in a public
  hearing.  Each requested operating budget and each operating budget
  proposed for adoption must be posted on the Internet website of the
  committee in advance of the hearing.
         SECTION 3.03.  OPERATING POLICIES.  The Committee on House
  Administration shall effectuate policies and determine guidelines
  for the operation of the divisions and committees of the house.
         SECTION 3.04.  HOUSE POLICY MANUAL.  The Committee on House
  Administration shall prepare and distribute to all members, within
  60 days after the convening of the regular session, policy
  statements to include, but not be limited to, policies pertaining
  to members as a class.
         SECTION 3.05.  HOUSE PROPERTY, SUPPLIES, ACCOUNTING. The
  Committee on House Administration shall:
               (1)  provide and maintain for the use of the speaker,
  members, employees, divisions, and committees of the house such
  stationery, stamps, office equipment, furniture, fixtures,
  supplies, and telephone and other services as may be necessary;
               (2)  keep an itemized account of the quantity and cost
  of every kind of material received, and the source from which it was
  received;
               (3)  maintain an annual operating account for each
  member, division, and committee authorized by the Committee on
  House Administration to make expenditures and charge each operating
  account with daily expenditures, withdrawals from inventory, and
  interdepartmental services;
               (4)  furnish a monthly statement for the expenditures
  of each member, division, and committee of the house; and
               (5)  adopt any rules, regulations, and policies
  necessary to effectively provide and account for the
  above-mentioned services.
         SECTION 3.06.  USE OF HOUSE CHAMBER AND FACILITIES;
  ASSIGNMENT OF DESKS, OFFICES, AND PARKING SPACES.  (a) The
  Committee on House Administration shall:
               (1)  be in charge of and provide for the protection,
  maintenance, and use of the hall of the house, all committee rooms,
  offices of members and house departments, the speaker's office and
  apartment, and other space under the jurisdiction of the house;
               (2)  make permanent assignments of desks and offices to
  members of the house;
               (3)  adopt and enforce a plan for the parking of motor
  vehicles on the portion of the Capitol grounds under house
  jurisdiction;
               (4)  be in charge of and provide for the protection,
  maintenance, and use of the furniture, fixtures, equipment, and
  records of the house;
               (5)  purchase, remodel, repair, restore, or replace any
  furniture, fixtures, equipment, and other furnishings to maintain
  the dignity and appearance of space occupied by the house; and
               (6)  determine the hours the hall of the house shall be
  open to visitors.
         (b)  Any member who is not a member-elect of the 85th [84th]
  Legislature shall vacate the member's office space before December
  1, 2016 [2014]. If the office is not vacated on that date, the
  Committee on House Administration shall immediately remove the
  member's personal effects and store them in an appropriate place in
  order that the member-elect to whom the office space is assigned may
  move in.  The Committee on House Administration shall ensure that
  each member-elect of the 85th [84th] Legislature who was not a
  member of the 84th [83rd] Legislature is permitted to move into and
  begin using the member-elect's office space at least 72 hours
  before the time the 85th [84th] Legislature is scheduled to
  convene.
         SECTION 3.07.  RECORDS OF THE HOUSE; PRINTING; JOURNALS;
  COPIES OF LEGISLATIVE DOCUMENTS.  (a) The Committee on House
  Administration shall:
               (1)  have completed and preserved the official records
  of the house;
               (2)  have charge of and approve the operation and
  maintenance of the printing and duplicating facilities of the
  house, provided, however, that the use of the house printing and
  duplicating facilities is restricted to agencies of the legislative
  branch and any other operation thereof is strictly prohibited
  unless previously authorized in writing by the Committee on House
  Administration or an officer of the house designated in writing by
  the speaker;
               (3)  determine the number of copies of the daily House
  Journal to be printed and have jurisdiction over the mailing and
  distribution of the daily journal; and
               (4)  determine the number of copies of the House
  Journal that will be furnished to each member for distribution by
  the member.
         (b)  The employee in charge of the printing facilities must
  keep at least one copy of all items printed or duplicated and a copy
  of the work order authorizing such printing.
         (c)  Copies of bills, resolutions, and attachments thereto
  shall be made available free of charge to members of the house who
  call at the bill distribution office and request them, and the cost
  of these copies shall be paid from funds appropriated for that
  purpose by the legislature. If the Committee on House
  Administration finds gross abuse of this privilege, it may
  establish a policy regarding such distribution.
         SECTION 3.08.  HONORARY CERTIFICATES.  The Committee on
  House Administration shall provide for the use of members
  appropriate certificates to commend, congratulate, and
  memorialize. Such certificates shall be printed with a signature
  line for the name of the presenting member and adequate space for
  insertion of the name of the individual or organization to be
  honored.
         SECTION 3.09.  COMPOSITE PHOTOGRAPH.  (a) The Committee on
  House Administration shall select a suitable photographer to take
  individual photographs of each member. The photographer shall
  prepare a composite photograph of the members of the house composed
  of the individual photographs of each member arranged on a panel, of
  the same size as used in previous sessions, in such manner as to
  approximate the location of each member's desk on the house floor.
  The member's name and the county of residence shall be printed under
  the member's photograph, and the composite shall be framed and hung
  in the hall of the house during the regular session.
         (b)  The photographs for the composite panel shall be
  provided without cost to the members, and the expense of the
  composite panel shall be paid from the expense fund of the house.
         (c)  The Committee on House Administration shall establish,
  with concurrence of the photographer, a price to charge members for
  any prints of photographs they wish to purchase.
         SECTION 3.10.  POLICIES REGARDING TEMPORARY ACTING MEMBERS.
  If a person is serving as a temporary acting member of the house
  under Section 72, Article XVI, Texas Constitution, in the place of a
  house member on active military duty, the Committee on House
  Administration, with the approval of the speaker and in
  consultation with the temporary acting member and, if available,
  the member on military duty, may adopt policies regarding a
  temporary acting member that the committee considers necessary for
  the efficient administration and performance of the duties of the
  house consistent with this resolution, the rules of the house, and
  the Texas Constitution.
         SECTION 3.11.  DISPLAY OF "IN GOD WE TRUST" IN HOUSE.  (a)  
  The Committee on House Administration shall display the motto "In
  God We Trust" on the electronic message screen at the front of the
  hall of the house.
         (b)  The motto shall be large enough to be read throughout
  the hall.
         (c)  The motto shall be displayed at all times that the
  electronic message screen is not being used to conduct legislative
  business during a session of the house and shall be at least as
  prominent as any other information displayed on the electronic
  message screen.
         (d)  The Committee on House Administration shall convey to
  the State Preservation Board the desire of the house of
  representatives to maintain the permanent display of the motto on
  the face of the portico located over the speaker's podium.
         SECTION 3.12.  HOUSE RECYCLING PROGRAM. The Committee on
  House Administration, in coordination with the State Preservation
  Board, shall implement a program for recycling paper, plastic, and
  other recyclable materials from house offices.
  ARTICLE 4.  EMPLOYEES AND EMPLOYMENT POLICIES
         SECTION 4.01.  DEFINITION.  Unless expressly provided
  otherwise, in this article "employee" means any person compensated
  from funds appropriated to the house. The term includes persons for
  whom the employing authority is the speaker, the Committee on House
  Administration, an individual member, or a committee.
         SECTION 4.02.  OFFICERS AND SUPERVISORY ADMINISTRATIVE
  EMPLOYEES OF THE HOUSE.  (a) The officers of the house and the
  employees of the house responsible for supervising the departments
  and divisions that support the operation of the house shall be
  appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the speaker.
         (b)  The speaker shall have the right to discharge any
  officer or supervisory administrative employee when the best
  interest of the house of representatives would be served by so
  doing.
         (c)  The authority to appoint and discharge officers and
  supervisory administrative employees may be delegated to the
  Committee on House Administration to the extent and for the length
  of time the speaker determines.
         (d)  In the event of the absence, resignation, or death of
  any officer or supervisory administrative employee the speaker may
  designate a person to take charge of and attend to all the duties of
  the office affected until the officer or employee returns or until a
  successor is chosen.
         SECTION 4.03.  OTHER CENTRAL HOUSE PERSONNEL.  (a) The
  Committee on House Administration shall employ all personnel
  necessary for the operation of the house other than:
               (1)  those appointed under Section 4.02; or
               (2)  employees of an individual member or committee.
         (b)  For purposes of this article, the Committee on House
  Administration is the employing authority for all house employees
  other than those for whom the employing authority is the speaker, an
  individual member, or a committee.
         SECTION 4.04.  EMPLOYEES OF INDIVIDUAL MEMBER.  A member may
  employ, with funds from the member's operating budget, such staff
  as the member deems necessary.
         SECTION 4.05.  COMMITTEE STAFF; AUTHORITY TO REQUEST
  ASSISTANCE.  (a) The Committee on House Administration shall
  provide funds for the adequate staffing of all standing committees
  of the house and all other committees appointed by the speaker.
         (b)  Select committees, interim study committees, standing
  committees, or subcommittees appointed pursuant to the resolution
  adopting the rules of the house or appointed by the speaker pursuant
  to any other resolution may employ any person, firm, or
  corporation, subject to budget limitations. Those committees or
  subcommittees may ask for the assistance of any of the employees,
  agencies, departments, or branches of the state government.
         SECTION 4.06.  WORK SCHEDULE; HOURS OF HOUSE OPERATIONS.  
  (a) An employee shall be on duty on the days and hours determined by
  the employing authority.
         (b)  All offices of the departments and divisions that
  support the operations of the house shall be open on days and hours
  determined by the Committee on House Administration or the speaker
  and other hours that the house or its committees are in session.
         SECTION 4.07.  COMPENSATION. (a) Officers and supervisory
  administrative employees of the house shall receive the
  compensation that the speaker or Committee on House Administration
  determines.
         (b)  The Committee on House Administration shall fix the
  compensation of house personnel employed under Section 4.03. A
  person employed under that section who is absent without leave
  shall not receive compensation for the time missed.
         (c)  The salaries of employees of individual members,
  committees, and the house shall begin when they are instructed to
  start work by their respective employing authority.
         (d)  Except as provided by Subsections (e) and (f) of this
  section, an employee of an individual member, a committee
  employee, or any person, firm, or corporation employed by a
  committee or subcommittee may not be paid a salary in excess of
  $5,151 [$5,000] for any one month.
         (e)  A member may exempt one employee of the individual
  member and, if the member is a chair of a standing or select
  committee, one employee of the standing or select committee the
  member chairs from the salary cap imposed by Subsection (d) of this
  section. Each calendar year the member shall file with the
  Committee on House Administration a statement designating the
  exempt employee or employees, as appropriate. During a calendar
  year after an exempt employee has been designated, the member may
  exempt a different employee from the salary cap only if the employee
  previously designated as exempt for the calendar year is no longer
  employed by the member or committee, as appropriate.  The exempt
  employee may not receive compensation from the operating account of
  any other committee or member.
         (f)  The Committee on House Administration may increase the
  amount of the salary cap imposed by Subsection (d) of this section
  to account for any increase in salary provided to all state
  employees during the biennium that begins during the term of the
  legislature to which this resolution applies.
         SECTION 4.08.  DUTIES.  An employee shall perform all duties
  directed by the employing authority.
         SECTION 4.09.  APPEARANCE BEFORE COMMITTEES.  An employee
  may appear before a standing or select committee on a measure when
  granted permission by majority vote of the committee.
         SECTION 4.10.  CHAMBER ACCESS.  (a) An employee may not
  enter the house chamber when the house is in session except when
  performing official duties and specifically authorized by the
  Committee on House Administration.
         (b)  An employee may not enter the area on the floor of the
  house enclosed by the railing when the house is in session except
  when specifically authorized by the Committee on House
  Administration.
         SECTION 4.11.  VOTING.  An employee may not cast a vote for a
  member on the voting machine or otherwise.
         SECTION 4.12.  VOTING RECORDS.  An employee may not compile
  or release any information concerning the voting record of any
  member of the house for any session of the legislature except when a
  member requests information about that member's personal voting
  record or when the information is for the journal or other official
  records.
         SECTION 4.13.  CAMPAIGN FOR SPEAKER.  An employee may not
  campaign or assist in the campaign of any candidate for speaker.
         SECTION 4.14.  POLITICAL INFLUENCE.  An employee may not
  attempt to, or aid anyone in an attempt to, influence any member of
  the house in favor of or against any measure pending before the
  legislature, either directly or indirectly, except when answering
  questions or giving information at the request of a member of the
  house.
         SECTION 4.15.  OUTSIDE EMPLOYMENT, EXTRA COMPENSATION, OR
  GIFTS.  An employee may not receive, directly or indirectly, any
  compensation, by gift or otherwise, from any other source, unless
  specifically authorized by the employing authority.
         SECTION 4.16.  DISCHARGE.  (a) The employing authority of an
  employee shall have primary responsibility for overseeing and
  discharging the employee.  An employee is subject to immediate
  discharge by the employing authority for violation of any section
  of this article or any other applicable rule.
         (b)  An individual member or chair of a committee employing
  an employee who violates any applicable section of this article or
  any rule shall be advised of the violation by the chair of the 
  Committee on House Administration, and the employing authority
  shall take appropriate action with regard to the employee in
  question.
         (c)  In addition to being subject to immediate discharge by
  the employing authority under Subsection (a) of this section, an
  employee is subject to discharge by the chair of the Committee on
  House Administration, with the approval of the committee, if:
               (1)  the employee is not needed and, if the employee is
  employed in an individual member's office or by a committee, the
  member or committee chair has resigned, is deceased, or is
  incapacitated; or
               (2)  the employee is guilty of gross misconduct.
         (d)  The Committee on House Administration may authorize the
  chair of the Committee on House Administration to conduct an
  investigation into allegations of gross misconduct.  The chair may,
  with the approval of the committee, discharge or otherwise
  discipline an employee of an individual member or committee if the
  Committee on House Administration finds that the employee has
  engaged in gross misconduct.
         SECTION 4.17.  DURATION OF EMPLOYMENT.  The period of
  employment of all employees shall be determined by the employing
  authority, except that employees of all committees and of
  individual members who are not members-elect of the next
  legislature shall be terminated not later than noon on the day of
  the convening of the next regular session.
         SECTION 4.18.  EMPLOYMENT BY MORE THAN ONE MEMBER OR
  COMMITTEE.  (a) Members may join in the employment of a research
  assistant or assistants to be paid jointly from their operating
  budgets. Unless expressly authorized by the provisions of this
  resolution, the members who join together to sponsor such research
  shall not constitute a committee, task force, or group to operate in
  any official or quasi-official manner not specifically authorized
  under the Rules of the House of Representatives.
         (b)  No person, firm, or corporation may be employed by more
  than two committees or subcommittees.
         SECTION 4.19.  POSITION TITLES AND CLASSIFICATIONS. The job
  title for each position shall be determined by the employing
  authority. The employing authority and the house business office
  shall classify each job title for accounting purposes according to
  the following position classifications, unless otherwise
  determined by the Committee on House Administration:
               (a)  Member Employees
                     1.  Chief of Staff
                     2.  General Counsel
                     3.  Legislative Director
                     4.  Legislative Assistant
                     5.  Administrative Assistant
                     6.  Special Project Coordinator
                     7.  Intern
               (b)  Committee Employees
                     1.  Committee General Counsel
                     2.  Chief Committee Clerk
                     3.  Committee Clerk
               (c)  Research Employees
                     1.  Research Director
                     2.  Research Assistant
                     3.  Policy Analyst
  ARTICLE 5.  ACCOUNTING
         SECTION 5.01.  FUNDING OF OFFICE OPERATIONS.  (a) Each
  member of the house shall be allocated funds for staff, office
  supplies, office equipment, postage, printing, telephone, travel,
  and such other reasonable and necessary office expenses as may be
  determined by the Committee on House Administration.
         (b)  The manner in which funds are allocated, and the amounts
  thereof, are as provided by this article.
         SECTION 5.02.  OPERATING ACCOUNTS. (a) Each member who
  served in the 83rd [82nd] Legislature shall have the following
  operating accounts for the 84th [83rd] Legislature:
               (1)  a Fiscal Year 15 [13] Operating Account (September
  1, 2014 [2012], through August 31, 2015 [2013]);
               (2)  a Fiscal Year 16 [14] Operating Account (September
  1, 2015 [2013], through August 31, 2016 [2014]); and
               (3)  a Fiscal Year 17 [15] Operating Account (September
  1, 2016 [2014], through January 10, 2017 [13, 2015]).
         (b)  Each member who did not serve in the 83rd [82nd]
  Legislature shall have the same operating accounts for the 84th 
  [83rd] Legislature as a returning member under Subsection (a) of
  this section except that the duration of the Fiscal Year 15 [13]
  Operating Account is from January 13, 2015 [8, 2013], through
  August 31, 2015 [2013].
         (c)  For each member who served in the 83rd [82nd]
  Legislature, it shall not be necessary to close the member's Fiscal
  Year 15 [13] Operating Account when the 84th [83rd] Legislature
  convenes.
         SECTION 5.03.  CREDIT FOR NEWLY ELECTED MEMBERS. Each
  member who did not serve in the 83rd [82nd] Legislature may have
  credited to the member's Fiscal Year 15 [13] Operating Account the
  amount of $2,000.
         SECTION 5.04.  MONTHLY CREDIT.  (a) Each member's operating
  account shall be credited with $13,250 for each month that falls
  wholly or partly during the regular legislative session or a
  special legislative session. In any other month, each member's
  operating account shall be credited with $12,500 [$11,925].
         (b)  The Committee on House Administration may provide to the
  dean and the speaker pro tempore of the house additional funds as
  may be determined to be necessary for the duties of those offices to
  be fulfilled.
         (c)  The Committee on House Administration may increase the
  amount credited each month to each member's operating account in an
  amount to allow for an increase in:
               (1)  the salary cap as provided by Section 4.07(f); or
               (2)  longevity pay as authorized by legislation.
         SECTION 5.045.  DETERMINATION OF OPERATING ACCOUNT BALANCE.
  (a)  On the third business day of each calendar month, the House
  Business Office shall determine the available, unobligated balance
  at the end of the preceding calendar month for each member's
  operating account and each committee operating account.  If the
  House Business Office determines that a member's operating account
  has a negative balance at the end of the preceding calendar month,
  the office shall provide notice to the member and the member shall
  deposit funds in the account equal to the negative balance not later
  than the 10th business day after the date the member receives notice
  of the deficit from the House Business Office; provided, however,
  that if a member deposits funds in the member's operating account to
  cover a negative balance under this subsection and the member later
  has a positive balance in the member's operating account at the end
  of a calendar month in the same fiscal year in which the member
  deposited the funds to cover the negative balance, the member may
  use the excess money in the member's operating account at that time
  to reimburse the member in an amount not to exceed the amount the
  member earlier deposited to cover the negative balance.
         (b)  A committee operating account may not operate at a
  deficit.
         (c)  If a member is not a member-elect of the 85th [84th]
  Legislature, the member's operating account may not operate at a
  deficit after November 30, 2016 [2014].
         SECTION 5.05.  ACCOUNT CLOSING. (a) Each member's Fiscal
  Year 15 [13] Operating Account shall be closed as of August 31, 2015 
  [2013].
         (b)  Each member may carry forward and have credited to the
  member's Fiscal Year 16 [14] Operating Account the unexpended
  balance of the member's Fiscal Year 15 [13] Operating Account, not
  to exceed $20,000. If the member is the chair of a committee, the
  member may transfer and have credited to that committee's operating
  account all or part of that unexpended balance, not to exceed 
  $20,000, and may have the remainder of that amount credited to the
  member's Fiscal Year 16 [14] Operating Account.
         (c)  Each member's Fiscal Year 16 [14] Operating Account
  shall be closed as of August 31, 2016 [2014].
         (d)  Each member may carry forward and have credited to the
  member's Fiscal Year 17 [15] Operating Account the unexpended
  balance of the member's Fiscal Year 16 [14] Operating Account, not
  to exceed $20,000. If the member is the chair of a committee, the
  member may transfer and have credited to that committee's operating
  account all or part of that unexpended balance, not to exceed 
  $20,000, and may have the remainder of that amount credited to the
  member's Fiscal Year 17 [15] Operating Account.
         (e)  A member who is the chair of a committee may not transfer
  and have credited to that member's operating account any portion of
  the unexpended balance of the committee's operating account.
         SECTION 5.06.  EXPENDITURES CHARGED WHEN ENCUMBERED.  All
  expenditures shall be charged to the period in which they are
  encumbered.
         SECTION 5.07.  TRAVEL TO AUSTIN DURING SESSION NOT CHARGED
  TO OPERATING ACCOUNT.  While the legislature is in session, the
  travel expenses of members for one trip each week between Austin and
  their districts and return shall not be charged against the
  members' operating accounts but shall be paid from funds
  appropriated for that purpose by the legislature.
         SECTION 5.08.  TRAVEL OUTSIDE TEXAS.  A member is entitled to
  be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses incurred while
  traveling outside Texas in the performance of legislative duties
  and responsibilities.  If the reimbursement is for travel inside
  the conterminous United States, reimbursement is limited to twice
  the amount that would be reimbursed to state employees for the same
  travel under the comptroller's guidelines and rates governing
  travel by state employees.
         SECTION 5.09.  APPROVAL OF EXPENDITURES.  (a) No allowance
  included in this resolution shall be expended except for actual
  salaries or actual expenses of the house, its members, departments,
  committees, and employees and for such other expenses as are
  authorized by the Committee on House Administration.
         (b)  The Committee on House Administration may not authorize
  any expenditures of funds for personal or political campaign
  reasons.
         (c)  All expenditures authorized by this resolution shall be
  paid from funds appropriated for the use of the house of
  representatives by vouchers or other forms approved by the speaker
  of the house and the Committee on House Administration.
         SECTION 5.10.  USE OF FUNDS FOR INFORMAL SETTLEMENTS
  PROHIBITED. No public funds appropriated to the house or expended
  by any house member, committee, or office may be spent or promised
  to settle in whole or part a legal claim brought or threatened to be
  brought against the house or a member, committee, office, or
  employee of the house unless the settlement is made with the
  participation and approval of the attorney general and notice of
  any settlement is promptly given to the public.
  ARTICLE 6.  CAUCUSES
         SECTION 6.01.  DEFINITION.  In this article, "caucus" means
  an organization that is composed exclusively of members of the
  legislature, that elects or appoints officers and recognizes
  identified legislators as members of the organization, and that
  exists for research and other support of policy development and
  interests that the membership holds in common.  An organization
  whose only nonlegislator members are the lieutenant governor or the
  governor remains a "caucus" for purposes of this section.
         SECTION 6.02.  USE OF HOUSE FUNDS, EMPLOYEES, EQUIPMENT, AND
  FACILITIES. (a) Except as expressly authorized by this section,
  funds appropriated to the house may not be expended in support of a
  caucus, employees compensated from funds appropriated to the house
  may not perform caucus activities, and state-owned equipment may
  not be used in the performance of caucus activities.
         (b)  An individual member of the house may authorize the use
  of state equipment assigned to the member's office and the
  performance of caucus activities by an employee of the member only
  if:
               (1)  the member determines that the activities support
  the member's official duties;
               (2)  the caucus does not endorse or support a candidate
  for public office; and
               (3)  the caucus does not accept contributions from
  nonmembers that are in violation of Section 253.0341, Election
  Code.
         (c)  A caucus may use the meeting rooms of the Capitol and
  Capitol extension to conduct meetings of the caucus membership, to
  host public forums on matters of interest to the caucus, or to
  facilitate the work of the caucus or a caucus employee.
         (d)  An individual member may house, in the state office
  space assigned to the member, caucus employees or equipment owned
  by a caucus. A member may retain in the member's office a
  telephone, facsimile machine, or computer owned by the caucus for
  purposes of the member's communication with the caucus or caucus
  employees.
         (e)  From space under the jurisdiction of the house, the
  Committee on House Administration may assign:
               (1)  one office space and one parking space for use by
  the Texas Republican Legislative Caucus; and
               (2)  one office space and one parking space for use by
  the House Democratic Caucus.
         SECTION 6.03.  CONTRIBUTIONS.  (a) A person acting on behalf
  of a caucus may not knowingly accept a contribution in violation of
  Section 253.0341, Election Code.
         (b)  A person acting on behalf of a caucus may not knowingly
  accept a contribution, and shall refuse a contribution that is
  received, in the Capitol.
         SECTION 6.04.  MEMBERSHIP AND OFFICER LISTS. Each caucus
  shall provide to the chief clerk, on a regular basis, a list of its
  current membership and officers.
         SECTION 6.05.  REPORT TO ETHICS COMMISSION.  Each caucus
  shall file a report of contributions and expenditures with the
  Texas Ethics Commission as required by Section 254.0311, Election
  Code.
  ARTICLE 7.  HOUSE RESEARCH ORGANIZATION
         SECTION 7.01.  ESTABLISHMENT.  The Committee on House
  Administration shall provide operating funds for a house research
  organization that will be an administrative department of the house
  and may for that purpose adopt policies and procedures relating to
  the administrative operation of that organization.
         SECTION 7.02.  STEERING COMMITTEE.  The functions and duties
  performed by the house research organization shall be governed by a
  15-member steering committee composed of house members serving
  staggered four-year terms, who are subject to approval of the house
  membership.
         SECTION 7.03.  BUDGET.  The house research organization
  shall have an operating account and in compliance with the terms of
  its establishment shall operate under a budget approved by the
  steering committee and the Committee on House Administration.
  ARTICLE 8.  SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR INTERIM
         SECTION 8.01.  INTERIM COMMITTEE ACTIVITIES.  (a) Pursuant
  to the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1961 (Subchapter B,
  Chapter 301, Government Code), standing committees of the house
  established by the rules of the house may hold meetings while the
  legislature is not in session.
         (b)  The speaker may grant authority to select committees,
  interim study committees, subcommittees, or standing committees of
  the house to hold meetings while the legislature is not in session
  as the speaker considers necessary and desirable to conduct the
  business of the house and to assist the speaker in conducting the
  business of the house, under a pattern of operation and
  restrictions determined by the rules of the house.
         (c)  The committee members and employees may either be
  reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses or receive a per diem
  not to exceed that provided by law for state officials or state
  employees, along with mileage or other transportation expenses at
  the same rate as provided by law for state officials or state
  employees when conducting such business and attending those
  meetings when approved by the Committee on House Administration.
         SECTION 8.02.  POWERS AND DUTIES OF COMMITTEE ON HOUSE
  ADMINISTRATION DURING INTERIM.  (a) When the legislature is not in
  session, the Committee on House Administration may act as provided
  by this section.
         (b)  The committee may call meetings for the transaction of
  necessary business, and the committee members shall be reimbursed
  for expenses incurred by them when attending such meetings or when
  in performance of their duties as members of the Committee on House
  Administration, the reimbursement to be either actual and necessary
  expenses or a per diem not to exceed that provided by law for state
  officials or state employees, along with mileage or other
  transportation expenses at the same rate as provided by law for
  state officials or state employees.
         (c)  The committee may reimburse authorized members and
  employees for expenses incurred by them when traveling in the
  performance of their legislative duties and responsibilities
  within their respective districts or within any county in which any
  part of their districts lie or from their districts to the State
  Capitol, the reimbursement to be either actual and necessary
  expenses or a per diem not to exceed that provided by law for state
  officials or state employees, along with mileage or other
  transportation expenses at the same rate as provided by law for
  state officials or state employees.
         (d)  The committee may pay for all other reasonable and
  necessary expenses, including operation of each member's district
  office, incurred by the members of the house of representatives.
  The expenses shall be paid from funds appropriated for that
  purpose, or any other funds appropriated for the use of the house of
  representatives, on vouchers or other forms approved by the chair
  of the Committee on House Administration, in accordance with
  regulations governing such expenditures.
         (e)  The committee may assign or reassign parking places in
  the best interest of the house under such terms and conditions as
  the committee deems necessary.