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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to requirements for the exercise of the power of |
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impeachment by the House of Representatives and providing that |
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officers against whom articles of impeachment are preferred receive |
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pay during the pendency of impeachment proceedings. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 665.004, Government Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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Sec. 665.005. POWERS OF HOUSE DURING IMPEACHMENT |
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PROCEEDING. (a) When conducting an impeachment proceeding, the |
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house or a house committee may: |
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(1) send for persons or papers; |
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(2) compel the giving of testimony; and |
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(3) punish for contempt to the same extent as a |
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district court of this state. |
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(b) When exercising the power of impeachment, the house or a |
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house committee must: |
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(1) conduct a thorough, even-handed investigation of |
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all articles of impeachment; |
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(2) ensure all testimony presented to and considered |
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by the House of Representatives is provided under oath; |
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(3) provide any officer against whom articles of |
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impeachment may be preferred and the officer's legal counsel the |
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opportunity to: |
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(A) be present during all hearings before the |
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House of Representatives and committees of the House of |
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Representatives; and |
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(B) examine the witnesses and evidence against |
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the officer in a hearing before the House of Representatives that |
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shall take place at least seven days after all evidence and witness |
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testimony transcripts have been provided to the officer; and |
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(4) provide the members of the House of |
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Representatives at least 14 calendar days to review all records |
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pertaining to articles of impeachment before voting on the |
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articles of impeachment. |
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SECTION 2. Subchapter D, Chapter 665, Government Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 665.082 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 665.082. PAY DURING SUSPENSION. The suspension |
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provided by Article XV, Sec. 5 of the Texas Constitution shall be |
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suspension with pay. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |