85R558 JRJ-D
 
  By: Schofield H.J.R. No. 72
 
 
 
A JOINT RESOLUTION
  proposing a constitutional amendment to provide for the governor's
  and lieutenant governor's terms of office to begin at 10 a.m. on the
  day preceding the day the regular legislative session convenes.
         BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 4, Article IV, Texas Constitution, is
  amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 4.  The Governor elected at the general election in 2018
  [1974], and thereafter, shall be installed at 10 a.m. on the day
  preceding the day set by law for the convening of the regular
  session of the legislature [first Tuesday after the organization of
  the Legislature, or as soon thereafter as practicable,] and shall
  hold [his] office for the term of four years, or until a [his]
  successor shall be duly installed. The Governor [He] shall be at
  least thirty years of age, a citizen of the United States, and shall
  have resided in this State at least five years immediately
  preceding the [his] election.
         SECTION 2.  Section 16(a), Article IV, Texas Constitution,
  is amended to read as follows:
         (a)  There shall also be a Lieutenant Governor, who shall be
  chosen at every election for Governor by the same voters, in the
  same manner, [continue in office for the same time,] and possess the
  same qualifications. The voters shall distinguish for whom they
  vote as Governor and for whom as Lieutenant Governor. The
  Lieutenant Governor shall hold office for a term of four years.  The
  Lieutenant Governor shall take office following the election, at 10
  a.m. on the day preceding the day set by law for the convening of the
  regular session of the legislature, and shall serve thereafter for
  the full term of years to which elected.
         SECTION 3.  The following temporary provision is added to
  the Texas Constitution:
         TEMPORARY PROVISION.  (a) This temporary provision applies
  to the constitutional amendment proposed by the 85th Legislature,
  Regular Session, 2017, providing for the governor's and lieutenant
  governor's terms of office to begin the day preceding the day the
  regular legislative session convenes.
         (b)  The amendments to Sections 4 and 16(a), Article IV, of
  this constitution apply to a person elected to the office of
  governor or lieutenant governor for a term beginning on or after
  January 1, 2019.
         (c)  This temporary provision expires January 1, 2020.
         SECTION 4.  (a) This proposed constitutional amendment
  shall be submitted to the voters at an election to be held November
  7, 2017, only if the secretary of state certifies that an enactment
  of the 85th Legislature, Regular Session:
               (1)  provides for the canvass of election returns for
  the offices of governor and lieutenant governor by the attorney
  general; and
               (2)  was not vetoed by the governor and becomes law
  contingent on adoption of this constitutional amendment by the
  voters.
         (b)  If the secretary of state does not make a certification
  under Subsection (a) of this section, this resolution has no
  effect.
         (c)  If the election on this amendment is held, the ballot
  shall be printed to permit voting for or against the proposition:
  "The constitutional amendment to provide for the governor's and
  lieutenant governor's terms of office to begin at 10 a.m. on the day
  preceding the day the regular legislative session convenes."