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A JOINT RESOLUTION
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proposing a constitutional amendment requiring the secretary of |
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state to be elected by the qualified voters at a general election |
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instead of appointed by the governor. |
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BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Sections 2, 21, and 23, Article IV, Texas |
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Constitution, are amended to read as follows: |
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Sec. 2. All the above officers of the Executive Department |
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[(except Secretary of State)] shall be elected by the qualified |
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voters of the State at the time and places of election for members |
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of the Legislature. |
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Sec. 21. The [There shall be a] Secretary of State[, who |
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shall be appointed by the Governor, by and with the advice and |
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consent of the Senate, and who shall continue in office during the |
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term of service of the Governor. He] shall authenticate the |
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publication of the laws, and keep a fair register of all official |
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acts and proceedings of the Governor, and shall, when required, lay |
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the same and all papers, minutes and vouchers relative thereto, |
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before the Legislature, or either House thereof, and shall perform |
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such other duties as may be required [of him] by law. [He shall |
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receive for his services an annual salary in an amount to be fixed |
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by the Legislature.] |
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Sec. 23. The Comptroller of Public Accounts, the Secretary |
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of State, the Commissioner of the General Land Office, the Attorney |
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General, and any statutory State officer who is elected by the |
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electorate of Texas at large, unless a term of office is otherwise |
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specifically provided in this Constitution, shall each hold office |
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for the term of four years. Each shall receive an annual salary in |
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an amount to be fixed by the Legislature and perform such duties as |
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are or may be required by law. They [and the Secretary of State] |
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shall not receive to their own use any fees, costs or perquisites of |
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office. All fees that may be payable by law for any service |
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performed by any officer specified in this section or in the |
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officer's office, shall be paid, when received, into the State |
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Treasury. |
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SECTION 2. Section 2, Article XV, Texas Constitution, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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Sec. 2. Impeachment of the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, |
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Attorney General, Commissioner of the General Land Office, |
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Secretary of State, Comptroller and the Judges of the Supreme |
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Court, Court of Appeals and District Court shall be tried by the |
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Senate. |
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SECTION 3. The following temporary provision is added to |
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the Texas Constitution: |
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TEMPORARY PROVISION. (a) This temporary provision applies |
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to the constitutional amendment proposed by the 88th Legislature, |
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Regular Session, 2023, requiring the secretary of state to be |
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elected by the qualified voters at a general election instead of |
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appointed by the governor. |
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(b) Unless otherwise removed as provided by law, the |
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secretary of state serving on the date that the adoption of the |
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amendment by the voters is shown by the official canvass of returns |
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shall continue in office under the former law and that former law is |
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continued in effect for that purpose. |
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(c) This temporary provision expires January 1, 2028. |
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SECTION 4. 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 provide for voting for or against the |
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proposition: "The constitutional amendment requiring the |
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secretary of state to be elected by the qualified voters at a |
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general election instead of appointed by the governor." |