Texas House Bill HCR24

Texas 2023 - 88th Regular

Caption

Granting the legislature permission to adjourn for more than three days during the period beginning on Wednesday, January 18, 2023, and ending on Tuesday, January 24, 2023.

Impact

The adoption of HCR24 confirms the legislature's adherence to constitutional requirements regarding adjournment periods. It allows elected representatives the opportunity to take necessary breaks while ensuring legislative duties are met. The resolution was passed with overwhelming support, indicating a unified legislative body on procedural matters. However, it does not directly impact state laws or legislative policy making but rather outlines procedural compliance within the legislature itself.

Summary

HCR24, a House Concurrent Resolution introduced by Representative Goldman, grants the legislature permission to adjourn for more than three days from January 18 to January 24, 2023. This resolution arises from the stipulation in Section 17, Article III of the Texas Constitution, which indicates that neither house of the legislature may adjourn for more than three days without the consent of the other. The resolution was presented during a committee hearing, where it was explained to the members that this adjournment is constitutional and necessary for legislative proceedings.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HCR24 was positive, as evidenced by the 141 votes in favor against only 3 opposed in the House and a unanimous support of 30 in the Senate. This demonstrates the legislature's commitment to upholding constitutional requirements and managing its schedule effectively. The discussion during the committee was minimally contentious and reflected collective agreement on the necessity for such procedural measures.

Contention

While there was little contention regarding HCR24 itself, its passage reflects underlying procedural dynamics within the Texas legislature. The predominant majority suggests that there were no significant disagreements on the necessity of the resolution. However, the debate around adjournment and its implications for legislative productivity could be a point of discussion in broader legislative contexts, as members may have differing views on the effectiveness and frequency of such breaks.