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Bill > HR128


TX HR128

TX HR128
Amending the House Rules of Procedure to authorize additional constitutionally compliant, proportional penalties for members absent without leave for purpose of impeding the action of the House that do not unfairly impair members' representative functions.


summary

Introduced
08/29/2025
In Committee
09/01/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
09/04/2025
Dead
Signed/Enacted/Adopted
09/04/2025

Introduced Session

89th Legislature 2nd Special Session

Bill Summary

Amending the House Rules of Procedure to authorize additional constitutionally compliant, proportional penalties for members absent without leave for purpose of impeding the action of the House that do not unfairly impair members' representative functions.

AI Summary

This resolution amends the House Rules of Procedure to establish a comprehensive set of penalties for members who are absent without leave for the purpose of impeding the action of the House. The new rules allow for multiple proportional disciplinary actions, including financial fines (set at three times the per diem rate), payment of sergeant-at-arms costs, potential forfeiture of a portion of the member's monthly operating budget, loss of committee chair or vice-chair designations, and potential recalculation of seniority. Members absent without leave for at least two consecutive days may lose leadership appointments, and those absent for three consecutive days could have their seniority reduced by two years per day of absence. The resolution emphasizes that these penalties are constitutionally compliant and designed to protect members' representative functions while discouraging deliberate obstruction. The House Administration Committee is tasked with investigating and reporting on potential violations, and members must pay assessed fines within a specified timeframe or face additional financial penalties. Importantly, the resolution explicitly states that these penalties are not exclusive and do not preclude other potential disciplinary actions under house rules or the Texas Constitution.

Committee Categories

Government Affairs

Sponsors (63)

Greg Bonnen (R)* John McQueeney (R)* Matt Morgan (R)* Mike Schofield (R)* Cody Vasut (R)* Daniel Alders (R),  Cecil Bell (R),  Keith Bell (R),  Brad Buckley (R),  Ben Bumgarner (R),  David Cook (R),  Charles Cunningham (R),  Drew Darby (R),  Mano DeAyala (R),  Mark Dorazio (R),  Paul Dyson (R),  Caroline Fairly (R),  James Frank (R),  Stan Gerdes (R),  Sam Harless (R),  Caroline Harris Davila (R),  Richard Hayes (R),  Cole Hefner (R),  Hillary Hickland (R),  Janis Holt (R),  Andy Hopper (R),  Lacey Hull (R),  Todd Hunter (R),  Carrie Isaac (R),  Brooks Landgraf (R),  Terri Leo-Wilson (R),  Mitch Little (R),  Janie Lopez (R),  A.J. Louderback (R),  David Lowe (R),  Don McLaughlin (R),  Will Metcalf (R),  Morgan Meyer (R),  Candy Noble (R),  Mike Olcott (R),  Tom Oliverson (R),  Angelia Orr (R),  Jared Patterson (R),  Dennis Paul (R),  Katrina Pierson (R),  Keresa Richardson (R),  Nate Schatzline (R),  Alan Schoolcraft (R),  Matt Shaheen (R),  Joanne Shofner (R),  Shelby Slawson (R),  John Smithee (R),  David Spiller (R),  Valoree Swanson (R),  Carl Tepper (R),  Tony Tinderholt (R),  Steve Toth (R),  Ellen Troxclair (R),  Gary VanDeaver (R),  Denise Villalobos (R),  Wesley Virdell (R),  Trey Wharton (R),  Terry Wilson (R), 

Last Action

Reported enrolled (on 09/04/2025)

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