AUSTIN, Texas (AP) – The Texas Senate has approved a proposed state constitutional amendment requiring that the governor and lieutenant governor take office the day before the start of the legislative session.
The Texas Constitution currently mandates that lawmakers begin work the second Tuesday of odd-numbered years, and that the governor and lieutenant governor be inaugurated a week later.
But since the governor names “emergency items” to fast-track through the Legislature, and the lieutenant governor oversees the Senate, that rule often makes for an unproductive first week.
Approved 24-6 on Monday, Houston Republican Sen. Joan Huffman’s proposal heads to the House. If passed, it could be put to voters in November.
An effort to impose term limits for the governor and lieutenant governor failed, meanwhile, because it was ruled not relevant to Huffman’s bill.