Texas HR 41: Relating to imposing monetary punishments on Democratic members of the Texas House of Representatives who intentionally broke quorum during a special session of the 89th Legislature.

Bill Text

By:AAHopperH.R.ANo.A41
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS,TheTexasConstitution,ArticleIII,Section5,
mandatesthatmembersof the TexasHouseof Representativesfulfill
theirlegislativedutiesduringsessionscalledby theGovernor,
includingspecialsessionsconvenedto addresscriticalstate
matters;and
WHEREAS,A quorum,definedas two-thirdsof theelected
membersof theTexasHouseof Representatives,is requiredto
conductofficiallegislativebusiness,as establishedby Texas
HouseRule5, Section1,  and ArticleIII,Section10 of the Texas
Constitution;and
WHEREAS,On  August3,  2025,a  significantnumberof
DemocraticmembersoftheTexasHouseofRepresentatives
deliberatelyabsentedthemselvesfromthestateto preventthe
establishmentofa  quorum,therebyobstructinglegislative
proceedingsduringa specialsessioncalledto addressurgent
issues,includingcongressionalredistricting;and
WHEREAS,Thisintentionalquorumbreak,publicly
acknowledgedby participatingDemocraticmembers,disruptedthe
legislativeprocess,delayedcriticallegislation,andimposed
financialburdenson thestatethroughthecostsassociatedwith
effortsto restorequorum;and
WHEREAS,The TexasHouseof Representativeshas the authority
underits rulesto imposepenaltiesfor actionsthatundermineits
abilityto function,includingtheabsenceof membersforthe
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89S20239TYPED1

purposeof denyinga quorum,as demonstratedby theadoptionof
finesfor quorum-breakingin 2023;and
WHEREAS,Monetarypunishmentsarea   necessaryand
appropriateresponseto ensureaccountabilityanddeterfuture
disruptionsof the legislativeprocess;now,therefore,be it
RESOLVED,Thatthe TexasHouseof Representativesof the 89th
Legislaturehereby:
1.
AAImposesa DailyFine:AllDemocraticmemberswho
participatedin the quorumbreakbeginningon August3, 2025,shall
be fined$500per day for eachday theywereabsentfromthe House
withoutleave,startingfromthe datethe quorumwas brokenuntil
theirreturnor the conclusionof the specialsession,withfinesto
be deductedfromtheirlegislativesalariesor personalfunds;and
2.
AAPermanentlyReducesOfficeBudgets:Theoffice
budgetsof allDemocraticmemberswhoparticipatedin thequorum
breakshallbe reducedby 30 percentfor the remainderof the 89th
Legislature,reflectingthefinancialimpactof theirabsenceon
the efficientoperationof the House;and
3.
AARemovesStipendsforCommitteeChairs:All
Democraticmemberswhoparticipatedin thequorumbreakandhold
committeechairmanshipsshallhaveanystipendsor additional
compensationassociatedwiththosepositionsrevokedforthe
durationof the89thLegislature,as theiractionsdemonstratea
failureto fulfillthe responsibilitiesof leadership;and
4.
AARequiresPaymentof RetrievalCosts:All Democratic
memberswho participatedin the quorumbreakshallbe jointlyand
severallyresponsiblefor reimbursingthe statefor costsincurred
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H.R.
ANo.A41
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in effortsto restorequorum,includingbut not limitedto expenses
for law enforcement,legalactions,or othermeasuresauthorizedby
theHouseor theGovernor,withsuchcoststo be assessedand
collectedby the HouseAdministrationCommittee;and be it further
RESOLVED,ThattheSpeakeroftheTexasHouseof
Representativesshalldirectthe HouseAdministrationCommitteeto
calculateandenforcethefines,budgetreductions,stipend
removals,and retrievalcostassessments,ensuringcompliancewith
all applicableHouserulesand statelaws;and be it further
RESOLVED,Thatthe Speakershallnotifyaffectedmembersof
theirobligationsunderthisresolutionand providea mechanismfor
appealconsistentwithHouserules;and be it further
RESOLVED,Thatthisresolutiontakeseffectimmediatelyupon
itsadoptionbya  majorityvoteoftheTexasHouseof
Representatives,in accordancewithHouserulesandapplicable
statelaw.
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