Focus Report, Volume 83, Number 2, February 20, 2013 Page: 4
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Page 4 House Research Organization
attendance by anyone. Formal meetings and work sessions
also must be open to the public, except for certain meetings
such as to consider an impeachment or other quasi-judicial
matter. All votes must be taken in open meetings (Rule 4,
sec. 12).
House members have an unconditional right to testify
at a hearing on bills that they introduce or sponsor and
generally to open and close the testimony on their own
bills. No bill may be acted on adversely unless its author
first has had an opportunity to testify before the committee
(Rule 4, sec. 30).
Anyone may testify at a committee hearing, subject
to certain restrictions. Those who wish to be recognized
to address the committee must fill out and swear to a
statement showing at least their name, address, and phone
number; the organization, if any, they represent; and, if
representing themselves, their business, profession, or
occupation. They also must indicate whether they favor,
oppose, or are neutral on the bill being considered. The
chair indicates on the statement whether a witness actually
was recognized to address the committee. Everyone, except
legislators, who submitted a sworn statement is listed in anattachment to the committee minutes regardless of whether
the chair recognized the person to testify (Rule 4, secs. 18,
20). All testimony must be recorded electronically (Rule 4,
sec. 19).
A substantive committee may post for the public on
the internet a substitute or amended bill or nonconfidential
written testimony submitted by a state agency that relates to
a measure referred to the committee (Rule 4, sec. 18A).
House rules direct the committee coordinator to
examine the feasibility of and to the extent practicable
establish procedures allowing citizens to submit video
testimony. The video would be available to the public
online and could not exceed three minutes. The name of
a person who testified via online video would not appear
on the witness list unless the person testified in a public
hearing (Rule 4, sec. 20A).
Committees may, by record vote of at least two-
thirds of the members present, issue subpoenas to compel
the attendance of witnesses or to require production of
information (Rule 4, sec. 21(a)). Anyone disobeying a
lawfully issued committee subpoena may be prosecuted forHighlights of changes to House Rules
At the beginning of each legislative session, members adopt by majority vote rules governing the operation
and procedure of the Texas House of Representatives. Certain changes adopted to the House Rules for the 83rd
Legislature are highlighted briefly below.
* The number of standing committees increases from 36 in 2011 to 38 in 2013. This includes 32 substantive
committees and six procedural committees (Rule 3).
* The House approved a rule last in effect in 2001 that the speaker may overrule a point of order raised for
violation of a rule concerning committee reports or minutes or accompanying documentation if the purpose
of the rule was substantially fulfilled and the violation did not deceive or mislead (Rule 1, sec. 9(d)).
* A House bill that would impose or change a tax or fee must include a statement in its caption or headline
indicating the bill's effect on the tax or fee (Rule 8, sec. 1 (b)).
* House rules direct the committee coordinator to examine the feasibility of and to the extent practicable
establish procedures allowing citizens to submit video testimony. The video would be available to the public
online and could not exceed three minutes. The name of a person who testified via online video would not
appear on the witness list unless the person testified in a public hearing (Rule 4, sec. 20A).Page 4
House Research Organization
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Texas. Legislature. House of Representatives. Research Organization. Focus Report, Volume 83, Number 2, February 20, 2013, periodical, February 20, 2013; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth578377/m1/4/?q=%22~1%22~1: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.