88R7702 ESC/HLB/TS
 
  By: Metcalf 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 88th [87th] 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 5
  ARTICLE 2.  SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE 5
   SECTION 2.01.  SPEAKER'S GENERAL POWERS AND DUTIES 5
   SECTION 2.02.  SPEAKER'S APARTMENT AND OFFICES 5
   SECTION 2.03.  INTERSTATE OR FEDERAL-STATE ASSOCIATIONS;
                    TRAINING SEMINARS 6
   SECTION 2.04.  DEANS 7
  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 8
   SECTION 3.04.  HOUSE POLICY MANUAL 8
   SECTION 3.05.  HOUSE PROPERTY, SUPPLIES, ACCOUNTING 8
   SECTION 3.06.  USE OF HOUSE CHAMBER AND FACILITIES; ASSIGNMENT
                    OF DESKS, OFFICES, AND PARKING SPACES 9
   SECTION 3.07.  RECORDS OF THE HOUSE; PRINTING; JOURNALS;
                    COPIES OF LEGISLATIVE DOCUMENTS10
   SECTION 3.08.  HONORARY CERTIFICATES11
   SECTION 3.09.  COMPOSITE PHOTOGRAPH12
   SECTION 3.10.  POLICIES REGARDING TEMPORARY ACTING
                     MEMBERS12
   SECTION 3.11.  DISPLAY OF "IN GOD WE TRUST" IN HOUSE13
   SECTION 3.12.  HOUSE RECYCLING PROGRAM13
   SECTION 3.13.  JOINT COMMITTEE HEARING NOTICES ON WEBSITE13
   SECTION 3.14.  ACCESS TO HOUSE OFFICES13
   SECTION 3.15.  DPS PANIC BUTTONS13
   SECTION 3.16.  USE OF HOUSE AUDIO OR VIDEO RESOURCES14
  ARTICLE 4.  EMPLOYEES AND EMPLOYMENT POLICIES14
   SECTION 4.01.  DEFINITION14
   SECTION 4.02.  OFFICERS AND SUPERVISORY ADMINISTRATIVE
                    EMPLOYEES OF THE HOUSE14
   SECTION 4.03.  OTHER CENTRAL HOUSE PERSONNEL16
   SECTION 4.04.  EMPLOYEES OF INDIVIDUAL MEMBER16
   SECTION 4.05.  COMMITTEE STAFF; AUTHORITY TO REQUEST
                    ASSISTANCE16
   SECTION 4.06.  WORK SCHEDULE; HOURS OF HOUSE OPERATIONS16
   SECTION 4.07.  COMPENSATION17
   SECTION 4.08.  DUTIES18
   SECTION 4.09.  APPEARANCE BEFORE COMMITTEES18
   SECTION 4.10.  CHAMBER ACCESS18
   SECTION 4.11.  VOTING18
   SECTION 4.12.  VOTING RECORDS18
   SECTION 4.13.  CAMPAIGN FOR SPEAKER19
   SECTION 4.14.  POLITICAL INFLUENCE19
   SECTION 4.15.  OUTSIDE EMPLOYMENT, EXTRA COMPENSATION, OR
                    GIFTS19
   SECTION 4.16.  DISCHARGE19
   SECTION 4.17.  DURATION OF EMPLOYMENT20
   SECTION 4.18.  EMPLOYMENT BY MORE THAN ONE MEMBER OR
                    COMMITTEE20
   SECTION 4.19.  POSITION TITLES AND CLASSIFICATIONS21
  ARTICLE 5.  ACCOUNTING22
   SECTION 5.01.  FUNDING OF OFFICE OPERATIONS22
   SECTION 5.02.  OPERATING ACCOUNTS22
   SECTION 5.03.  CREDIT FOR NEWLY ELECTED MEMBERS23
   SECTION 5.04.  MONTHLY CREDIT23
   SECTION 5.045. DETERMINATION OF OPERATING ACCOUNT BALANCE23
   SECTION 5.05.  ACCOUNT CLOSING24
   SECTION 5.06.  EXPENDITURES CHARGED WHEN ENCUMBERED25
   SECTION 5.07.  TRAVEL FROM AUSTIN DURING SESSION NOT
                    CHARGED TO OPERATING ACCOUNT25
   SECTION 5.08.  TRAVEL OUTSIDE TEXAS25
   SECTION 5.09.  APPROVAL OF EXPENDITURES26
   SECTION 5.10.  USE OF FUNDS FOR INFORMAL SETTLEMENTS
                    PROHIBITED26
   SECTION 5.11.  USE OF HOUSE RESOURCES FOR POLITICAL PURPOSES
                    PROHIBITED26
  ARTICLE 6.  CAUCUSES27
   SECTION 6.01.  DEFINITION27
   SECTION 6.02.  USE OF HOUSE FUNDS, EMPLOYEES, EQUIPMENT, AND
                    FACILITIES27
   SECTION 6.03.  CONTRIBUTIONS28
   SECTION 6.04.  MEMBERSHIP AND OFFICER LISTS29
   SECTION 6.05.  REPORT TO ETHICS COMMISSION29
  ARTICLE 7.  HOUSE RESEARCH ORGANIZATION29
   SECTION 7.01.  ESTABLISHMENT29
   SECTION 7.02.  STEERING COMMITTEE29
   SECTION 7.03.  BUDGET29
  ARTICLE 8.  SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR INTERIM29
   SECTION 8.01.  INTERIM COMMITTEE ACTIVITIES29
   SECTION 8.02.  POWERS AND DUTIES OF COMMITTEE ON HOUSE
                    ADMINISTRATION DURING INTERIM30
  ARTICLE 9. APPROPRIATE WORKPLACE CONDUCT31
   SECTION 9.01.  PURPOSE31
   SECTION 9.02.  TRAINING32
   SECTION 9.03.  COMPLAINTS; FILING, INVESTIGATION, AND
                    RESOLUTION33
  ARTICLE 10. COMMITTEE GIFTS36
   SECTION 10.01.  COMMITTEE GIFTS36
  ARTICLE 1.  GENERAL PROVISIONS
         SECTION 1.01.  PURPOSE.  This resolution is adopted by the
  members of the House of Representatives of the 88th [87th]
  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 88th [87th] 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 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.
         SECTION 2.04.  DEANS. The speaker shall recognize as deans
  both the male member and the female member having the greatest
  seniority based on cumulative years of service in the house.
  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;
               (6)  in consultation with the State Preservation Board,
  identify and establish a space that provides privacy, security, a
  water faucet, and a power outlet, within or near the hall of the
  house for use for breastfeeding or breast pumping by house members
  and employees of the house or media representatives entitled to the
  privileges of the floor when the house is in session; and
               (7)  determine the hours the hall of the house shall be
  open to visitors.
         (b)  Any member who is not a member-elect of the 89th [88th]
  Legislature shall vacate the member's office space before December
  1, 2024 [2022]. 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 89th [88th] Legislature who was not a
  member of the 88th [87th] Legislature is permitted to move into and
  begin using the member-elect's office space at least 72 hours
  before the time the 89th [88th] 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. The
  Committee on House Administration shall direct the State
  Preservation Board to maintain the permanent display of the motto
  "In God We Trust" 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.
         SECTION 3.13.  JOINT COMMITTEE HEARING NOTICES ON WEBSITE.
  The Committee on House Administration shall provide for the posting
  of all notices for hearings of joint committees of the house and
  senate on the house website regardless of whether the notice is
  posted on the senate website.
         SECTION 3.14.  ACCESS TO HOUSE OFFICES. A house member and
  the member's staff may control access by the public to the member's
  office and may exclude visitors from the office at their
  discretion. If a person refuses to leave the member's office when
  requested, the member may request assistance from the Department of
  Public Safety.
         SECTION 3.15.  DPS PANIC BUTTONS. The Committee on House
  Administration shall work with the Department of Public Safety to
  ensure that each house office may request a panic button that the
  house member and the member's staff may use to alert the department
  to an emergency in the office. The member may reimburse the
  Committee on House Administration for the cost of the panic button
  equipment in monthly installments over the fiscal year.
         SECTION 3.16.  USE OF HOUSE AUDIO OR VIDEO RESOURCES. The
  Committee on House Administration shall adopt a policy that allows
  members the use of house audio or visual resources. Use of house
  audio or visual resources may only be prohibited for the following
  reasons:
               (1)  the use is otherwise prohibited by law;
               (2)  the use maligns the reputation of an individual;
  or
               (3)  the use is for political advertising, as defined
  by Section 251.001, Election Code.
  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) Officers of the house authorized to be
  appointed under this section shall be appointed by and serve at the
  pleasure of the speaker. Employees of the house responsible for
  supervising the departments and divisions that support the
  operation of the house shall also be appointed by and serve at the
  pleasure of the speaker.
         (a-1)  The following are the officers of the house that shall
  be appointed by the speaker under this section:
               (1)  Chief Clerk;
               (2)  Journal Clerk;
               (3)  Reading Clerks;
               (4)  Sergeant-at-Arms;
               (5)  Doorkeeper;
               (6)  Chaplain;
               (7)  Voting Clerk;
               (8)  Committee Coordinator;
               (9)  Parliamentarians (not more than two individuals);
  and
               (10)  Executive Director, House Business Office.
         (a-2)  In addition to the officers listed in Subsection (a-1)
  of this section, the speaker may also appoint a chief assistant to
  any officer listed in Subsection (a-1) of this section. An
  assistant appointed under this subsection is also an officer of the
  house who serves 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 $6,000 [$5,280]
  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 87th [86th] Legislature shall have the following
  operating accounts for the 88th [87th] Legislature:
               (1)  a Fiscal Year 23 [21] Operating Account (September
  1, 2022 [2020], through August 31, 2023 [2021]);
               (2)  a Fiscal Year 24 [22] Operating Account (September
  1, 2023 [2021], through August 31, 2024 [2022]); and
               (3)  a Fiscal Year 25 [23] Operating Account (September
  1, 2024 [2022], through January 14, 2025 [10, 2023]).
         (b)  Each member who did not serve in the 87th [86th]
  Legislature shall have the same operating accounts for the 88th 
  [87th] Legislature as a returning member under Subsection (a) of
  this section except that the duration of the Fiscal Year 23 [21]
  Operating Account is from January 10, 2023 [12, 2021], through
  August 31, 2023 [2021].
         (c)  For each member who served in the 87th [86th]
  Legislature, it shall not be necessary to close the member's Fiscal
  Year 23 [21] Operating Account when the 88th [87th] Legislature
  convenes.
         SECTION 5.03.  CREDIT FOR NEWLY ELECTED MEMBERS. Each
  member who did not serve in the 87th [86th] Legislature may have
  credited to the member's Fiscal Year 23 [21] Operating Account the
  amount of $2,000.
         SECTION 5.04.  MONTHLY CREDIT.  (a) Each member's operating
  account shall be credited with $17,250 [$15,250] 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 $15,500 [$13,500].
         (b)  The Committee on House Administration may provide to the
  deans 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 89th [88th]
  Legislature, the member's operating account may not operate at a
  deficit after November 30, 2024 [2022].
         SECTION 5.05.  ACCOUNT CLOSING. (a) Each member's Fiscal
  Year 23 [21] Operating Account shall be closed as of August 31, 2023 
  [2021].
         (b)  Each member may carry forward and have credited to the
  member's Fiscal Year 24 [22] Operating Account the unexpended
  balance of the member's Fiscal Year 23 [21] 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 24 [22] Operating Account.
         (c)  Each member's Fiscal Year 24 [22] Operating Account
  shall be closed as of August 31, 2024 [2022].
         (d)  Each member may carry forward and have credited to the
  member's Fiscal Year 25 [23] Operating Account the unexpended
  balance of the member's Fiscal Year 24 [22] 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 25 [23] 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 FROM 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.
         SECTION 5.11.  USE OF HOUSE RESOURCES FOR POLITICAL PURPOSES
  PROHIBITED. Pursuant to Section 51, Article III, Texas
  Constitution, house resources may be used only for a public
  purpose. A house member, committee, officer, or employee may not
  use or direct the use of any house resources to further any
  political purpose. In this section, "house resources" includes
  appropriated funds, property, services, personnel, or any other
  thing of value belonging to the government that comes into the
  custody, possession, or control of a house member, committee,
  officer, or employee by virtue of public office or employment.
  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.
  ARTICLE 9. APPROPRIATE WORKPLACE CONDUCT
         SECTION 9.01.  PURPOSE. (a) The house finds that early
  intervention is often the most effective way to resolve incidents
  of inappropriate behavior and ensure appropriate workplace
  conduct.
         (b)  The house encourages the prompt reporting of concerns
  and complaints, as appropriate, so that constructive action can be
  taken before the offensive conduct continues, escalates, or affects
  others, and to ensure that a timely and thorough investigation can
  occur if necessary.
         (c)  This article is adopted to further early intervention
  and remediation of complaints and implements the house rules.
         SECTION 9.02.  TRAINING. (a) Each member, officer, and
  employee is required to complete an interactive training program
  related to preventing and resolving violations of the house rules,
  this resolution, and house policy related to appropriate workplace
  conduct that is approved every two years by the Committee on House
  Administration. This training may be combined with training on
  other employment-related topics such as employment discrimination
  and workplace violence.
         (b)  The training must include specific information related
  to the process for reporting violations of a house rule, this
  resolution, and house policy related to appropriate workplace
  conduct, for utilizing informal methods of resolving those
  violations, and for filing formal complaints with the house or
  another agency designated by law to receive those complaints.
         (c)  The training required by this section must be completed
  not later than the 30th day after:
               (1)  the member qualifies;
               (2)  the officer is appointed; or
               (3)  the employee starts employment.
         (d)  A member, officer, or employee is required to complete a
  subsequent approved interactive training program not later than
  each biennial anniversary of the date the individual was initially
  required to complete the training under Subsection (c) of this
  section.
         (e)  The Committee on House Administration shall designate
  an officer or supervisory administrative employee to keep accurate
  records of each individual required to complete an approved
  training program. The officer or employee shall make those records
  available to the public.
         SECTION 9.03.   COMPLAINTS; FILING, INVESTIGATION, AND
  RESOLUTION. (a) An individual claiming to be aggrieved by a
  violation of the house rules, this resolution, or house policy
  related to appropriate workplace conduct may file a complaint with:
               (1)  the chair of the house general investigating
  committee established under Section 301.017, Government Code, if
  the individual whose complained-of conduct is an individual other
  than the chair, the chair's employee, or an individual related to
  the chair or the chair's employee within the third degree by
  consanguinity or within the second degree by affinity as determined
  under Chapter 573, Government Code; or
               (2)  the vice chair of the committee, if the individual
  whose complained-of conduct is the chair of the committee, the
  chair's employee, or an individual related to the chair or the
  chair's employee within the third degree by consanguinity or within
  the second degree by affinity as determined under Chapter 573,
  Government Code.
         (b)  Any complaint must be substantially similar in form to
  the requirements of Sections 21.201(b) and (c), Labor Code.
         (c)  Upon receipt of a complaint that meets the requirements
  of Subsection (b) of this section, the receiving official may, with
  the agreement of the parties, endeavor to address the alleged
  violation by informal, voluntary, and confidential methods of
  conference and conciliation.
         (d)  During the pendency of a complaint, the committee may
  take any appropriate action to reduce the likelihood of a
  complainant and respondent being in regular contact with each
  other.
         (e)  The committee shall conduct an investigation of a
  complaint, determine whether reasonable cause exists to believe
  that the respondent violated a house rule, this resolution, or
  house policy, and attempt to resolve the complaint through informal
  or formal methods, as provided by committee rule. The committee's
  rules must provide for a process substantially similar to the
  process provided for the administrative review of complaints under
  Subchapter E, Chapter 21, Labor Code, where applicable, and must
  include a due process hearing by the committee before a report is
  prepared under Subsection (h) of this section.
         (f)  If the respondent is a member of the house, the
  committee's investigation must be conducted by a competent
  individual who is not an officer, employee, or annuitant of state
  government. The prohibition under this subsection does not apply to
  a retired or former judge subject to assignment under Subchapter C,
  Chapter 74, Government Code.
         (g)  The individual employed or compensated by the committee
  under Subsection (f) of this section shall only perform the
  investigative functions of determining facts and reporting those
  facts to the committee and shall not perform any other functions
  for, or provide other services to, the committee in connection with
  a complaint.
         (h)  If the committee cannot resolve the complaint, the
  committee shall determine whether the respondent violated a house
  rule, this resolution, or house policy as alleged in a complaint and
  shall prepare a report containing:
               (1)  the committee's findings of fact and conclusions
  of law to support its final determination; and
               (2)  if the committee finds that the respondent
  violated a house rule, this resolution, or house policy, a
  recommendation for any discipline or remedial action, in proportion
  to the seriousness of the conduct, necessary to prevent the
  violation from occurring again.
         (i)  No committee report shall be made unless ordered by
  two-thirds of the membership of the committee. If a committee
  report is ordered, any member of the committee dissenting from the
  views of the majority may file a minority report, which is not
  subject to House Rule 4, Section 28. The minority report shall be
  included with the majority report at each distribution. If the
  committee is unable to agree on a recommendation for action or has
  an insufficient number of votes to adopt the report prepared by the
  committee, it shall submit a statement of this fact as its report.
  The committee shall deliver a copy of its report to the complainant
  and respondent and, if the respondent is:
               (1)  a member of the house, to the speaker and the chief
  clerk;
               (2)  an officer of the house, to the speaker; and
               (3)  an employee of the house, to the employee's
  employing authority as set out in this resolution.
         (j)  All proceedings on a complaint are completely
  confidential, and information related to those proceedings may not
  be released by any person unless authorized by committee rule or by
  the house. Notices of committee hearings, minutes, and witness
  lists required under the house rules shall be prepared as directed
  by the Committee on House Administration to ensure that no
  information is provided that would reasonably lead to the
  identification of a complainant, respondent, or witness. If an
  individual releases information made confidential by this section
  without authorization, that individual is subject to sanction by
  the house as authorized by Section 15, Article III, Texas
  Constitution, or other law. Any report of the house general
  investigating committee under this section is confidential until it
  is ordered printed by the house or ordered released by the committee
  if the house is not in session.
         (k)  To the extent of any conflict between this section and
  Rule 4 of the House Rules, this section prevails.
  ARTICLE 10. COMMITTEE GIFTS
         SECTION 10.01.  COMMITTEE GIFTS. (a) Subject to the
  limitation in Subsection (b) of this section, a member of the house
  may not offer, confer, or agree to confer to a committee member one
  or more gifts per year with a total value of more than the amount of
  the per diem set by the Texas Ethics Commission pursuant to Section
  24a(e), Article III, Texas Constitution.
         (b)  If two or more members of the house join together to
  offer, confer, or agree to confer to a committee chair or vice chair
  one or more gifts per year, the total value of the gifts may not
  exceed three times the amount of the per diem described in
  Subsection (a) of this section.