bill setting House impeachment rules, paychecks included

The text as introduced · 359 words

By: Smithee
H.B. No. 5020

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to requirements for the exercise of the power of

impeachment by the House of Representatives and providing that

officers against whom articles of impeachment are preferred receive

pay during the pendency of impeachment proceedings.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 665.004, Government Code, is amended to

read as follows:

Sec. 665.005. POWERS OF HOUSE DURING IMPEACHMENT

PROCEEDING. (a) When conducting an impeachment proceeding, the

house or a house committee may:

(1) send for persons or papers;

(2) compel the giving of testimony; and

(3) punish for contempt to the same extent as a

district court of this state.

(b) When exercising the power of impeachment, the house or a

house committee must:

(1) conduct a thorough, even-handed investigation of

all articles of impeachment;

(2) ensure all testimony presented to and considered

by the House of Representatives is provided under oath;

(3) provide any officer against whom articles of

impeachment may be preferred and the officer's legal counsel the

opportunity to:

(A) be present during all hearings before the

House of Representatives and committees of the House of

Representatives; and

(B) examine the witnesses and evidence against

the officer in a hearing before the House of Representatives that

shall take place at least seven days after all evidence and witness

testimony transcripts have been provided to the officer; and

(4) provide the members of the House of

Representatives at least 14 calendar days to review all records

pertaining to articles of impeachment before voting on the

articles of impeachment.

SECTION 2. Subchapter D, Chapter 665, Government Code, is

amended by adding Section 665.082 to read as follows:

Sec. 665.082. PAY DURING SUSPENSION. The suspension

provided by Article XV, Sec. 5 of the Texas Constitution shall be

suspension with pay.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives

a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as

provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this

Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this

Act takes effect September 1, 2025.