HJR170 - Proposing a constitutional amendment providing for the statewide election of the speaker of the house of representatives by the voters of this state.

  89R12662 MLH-F     By: Lowe H.J.R. No. 170       A JOINT RESOLUTION   proposing a constitutional amendment providing for the statewide   election of the speaker of the house of representatives by the   voters of this state.          BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Article III, Texas Constitution, is amended by   adding Section 9-a to read as follows:           Sec.   9-a.     (a)   The Speaker of the House of Representatives   shall be elected by the qualified voters of this state at the time   and places of election for members of the Legislature. A person   elected as Speaker serves a term of two years expiring when the   Legislature for which the Speaker was elected ends.           (b)     A person may not serve as Speaker of the House unless the   person is qualified to be elected or to serve as a member of the   House of Representatives.           (c)  The Speaker of the House:                 (1)     is ineligible for any office or position for which   a member of the Legislature is ineligible; and                 (2)     may not be a member of the Senate or the House of   Representatives.           (d)     The returns of the election for Speaker of the House   shall be transmitted to the Speaker pro tempore of the House in the   manner provided by law for the transmission of the returns for the   office of Governor and Lieutenant Governor to the Speaker. The   Legislature shall canvass the returns, and the person elected as   Speaker shall be determined in the manner provided by Section 3,   Article IV, of this constitution for the office of Lieutenant   Governor. The canvass of the returns and declaration of election   for the offices of Governor and Lieutenant Governor under Section   3, Article IV, may not be conducted until a Speaker is elected and   assumes office under this subsection.           (e)     A vacancy in the office of Speaker of the House shall be   filled in the same manner as a vacancy in the Legislature.   The   Speaker pro tempore of the House of Representatives serves as   Speaker until the vacancy is filled.   The election of a member of   the Legislature to fill a vacancy in the office of Speaker creates a   vacancy in that member's legislative seat.           (f)     The initial election for Speaker of the House shall be   held in 2026 for a term that begins when the person elected at that   election is declared elected as Speaker when the Legislature   convenes in 2027.   This subsection expires January 1, 2030.          SECTION 2.  Section 9(b), Article III, Texas Constitution,   is repealed.          SECTION 3.  This proposed constitutional amendment shall be   submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 4, 2025.   The ballot shall be printed to provide for voting for or against the   proposition: "The constitutional amendment providing for the   statewide election of the speaker of the house of representatives   by the voters of this state."