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A JOINT RESOLUTION
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proposing a constitutional amendment regarding the time during |
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which the legislature may act on bills or resolutions during a |
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regular session. |
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BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 5, Article III, Texas Constitution, is |
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amended by amending Subsections (b) and (c) and adding Subsection |
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(b-1) to read as follows: |
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(b) When convened in regular Session, the first thirty days |
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thereof shall be devoted to the introduction of bills and |
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resolutions, acting upon emergency appropriations, passing upon |
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the confirmation of the recess appointees of the Governor and such |
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emergency matters as may be submitted by the Governor in special |
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messages to the Legislature. During the succeeding thirty days of |
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the regular session, [of] the Legislature may continue to introduce |
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bills and resolutions and may [the various committees of each House |
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shall] hold hearings to consider and otherwise act on all bills and |
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resolutions and other matters then pending[;] and such emergency |
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matters as may be submitted by the Governor. During the remainder |
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of the session the Legislature shall act upon such bills and |
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resolutions as may be then pending and upon such emergency matters |
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as may be submitted by the Governor in special messages to the |
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Legislature. |
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(b-1) Notwithstanding Subsection (b) of this section, the |
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Legislature may at any time during a regular session act on any bill |
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that extends the existence of an agency, commission, or advisory |
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committee following legislative review. |
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(c) Notwithstanding Subsections [Subsection] (b) and (b-1) |
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of this section, either House may determine its order of business by |
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an affirmative vote of four-fifths of its membership. |
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SECTION 2. This proposed constitutional amendment shall be |
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submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 7, 2023. |
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The ballot shall be printed to permit voting for or against the |
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proposition: "The constitutional amendment regarding the time |
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during which the legislature may act on bills or resolutions during |
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a regular session." |