reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
TX Govt Code § 301.004 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Government Code|Title 3 - Legislative Branch|Subtitle A - Legislature|Chapter 301 - Legislative Organization|Subchapter A. Initial Meeting and Organization|Section 301.004. Temporary Officers; Duties

Sec. 301.004.  TEMPORARY OFFICERS; DUTIES.  (a)  If the secretary of the senate for the previous session is present, that individual shall act as temporary secretary of the senate.  If the chief clerk of the house of representatives for the previous session is present, the secretary of state shall appoint that individual to act as temporary chief clerk. The presiding officer of each house of the legislature shall appoint any temporary officers necessary to ensure the organization of the legislature.(b)  Under the direction of the presiding officer, the secretary of the senate or chief clerk shall call the districts of the appropriate house in numerical order regardless of whether the secretary of state has received the election returns for each district.(c)  If an individual appears at the call and presents proper evidence of the individual's election, the individual shall be admitted or qualified as if the individual's election returns had been made to the secretary of state.(d)  After the secretary of the senate has called the districts and the senators-elect have appeared and presented their credentials, the official oath shall be administered to each senator-elect by an officer authorized by law to administer oaths.(e)  After the chief clerk has called the districts and the members-elect of the house of representatives have appeared and presented their credentials, the chief clerk shall administer the official oath to each member-elect.(f)  The presiding officer of each house shall ensure that a journal of the proceedings of that house is kept.|Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 479, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.Amended by: Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1250 (H.B. 4181), Sec. 1, eff. June 14, 2019.|
TX Govt Code § 301.005 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Government Code|Title 3 - Legislative Branch|Subtitle A - Legislature|Chapter 301 - Legislative Organization|Subchapter A. Initial Meeting and Organization|Section 301.005. Lack of Quorum

Sec. 301.005.  LACK OF QUORUM.  If a quorum is not present in a house of the legislature on the day the legislature is to convene, the presiding officer of that house and the secretary of the senate or chief clerk, as appropriate, shall attend each day until a quorum appears and is qualified.|Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 479, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.Amended by: Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1250 (H.B. 4181), Sec. 1, eff. June 14, 2019.|
TX Govt Code § 301.006 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Government Code|Title 3 - Legislative Branch|Subtitle A - Legislature|Chapter 301 - Legislative Organization|Subchapter A. Initial Meeting and Organization|Section 301.006. Selection of Officers

Sec. 301.006.  SELECTION OF OFFICERS.  (a)  Immediately after election of the speaker of the house of representatives under Section 302.001, the speaker shall take the chair.(b)  After the speaker takes the chair, the house of representatives shall choose necessary officers and the speaker shall administer the official oath to them.(c)  After the senators-elect have taken the official oath, the senate shall choose necessary officers, and the lieutenant governor or an officer authorized by law to administer oaths shall administer the official oath to those officers.|Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 479, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.Amended by: Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1250 (H.B. 4181), Sec. 2, eff. June 14, 2019.|
TX Govt Code § 301.011 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Government Code|Title 3 - Legislative Branch|Subtitle A - Legislature|Chapter 301 - Legislative Organization|Subchapter B. Committees and Committee Procedure|Section 301.011. Short Title

Sec. 301.011.  SHORT TITLE.  This subchapter may be cited as the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1961.|Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 479, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.|
TX Govt Code § 301.012 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Government Code|Title 3 - Legislative Branch|Subtitle A - Legislature|Chapter 301 - Legislative Organization|Subchapter B. Committees and Committee Procedure|Section 301.012. Purpose

Sec. 301.012.  PURPOSE.  The legislature believes that it must conduct its activities on a full-time and continuing basis in order to achieve efficiency and continuity in performing its duties.  It is the purpose of this subchapter to authorize legislative committees and other legislative instrumentalities to work and meet their responsibilities regardless of whether the legislature is in session.|Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 479, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.|
TX Govt Code § 301.013 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Government Code|Title 3 - Legislative Branch|Subtitle A - Legislature|Chapter 301 - Legislative Organization|Subchapter B. Committees and Committee Procedure|Section 301.013. Selection of Committees

Sec. 301.013.  SELECTION OF COMMITTEES.  (a)  In its rules of procedure or in a simple resolution, each house may determine the number, composition, function, membership, and authority of its committees.(b)  By concurrent resolution, the two houses may determine the number, composition, function, membership, and authority of joint committees.|Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 479, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.|
TX Govt Code § 301.014 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Government Code|Title 3 - Legislative Branch|Subtitle A - Legislature|Chapter 301 - Legislative Organization|Subchapter B. Committees and Committee Procedure|Section 301.014. Powers and Duties of Standing Committees

Sec. 301.014.  POWERS AND DUTIES OF STANDING COMMITTEES.  (a)  Each standing committee shall:(1)  conduct a continuing study of any matter within its jurisdiction and of the instrumentalities of government administering or executing the matter;(2)  examine the administration and execution of all laws relating to matters within its jurisdiction;(3)  conduct investigations to collect adequate information and materials necessary to perform its duties; and(4)  recommend to the appropriate house any legislation the committee believes is necessary and desirable.(b)  Each committee may inspect the records, documents, and files of each state department, agency, or office as necessary to perform the committee's duties.(c)  A standing committee is not limited in its legislative endeavors to considering bills, resolutions, or other proposals submitted by individual legislators. Each committee shall search for problems within its jurisdiction and develop, formulate, and recommend passage of any legislative solution the committee believes is desirable.|Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 479, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.Amended by: Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1250 (H.B. 4181), Sec. 4, eff. June 14, 2019.|
TX Govt Code § 301.015 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Government Code|Title 3 - Legislative Branch|Subtitle A - Legislature|Chapter 301 - Legislative Organization|Subchapter B. Committees and Committee Procedure|Section 301.015. Meetings of Standing Committees

Sec. 301.015.  MEETINGS OF STANDING COMMITTEES.  (a)  When the legislature is in session, each standing committee shall, if practicable, meet regularly according to applicable legislative requirements and rules of procedure.  A committee shall meet at other times determined by the committee.(b)  When the legislature is not in session, each standing committee shall meet as necessary to transact the committee's business. Each committee shall meet in Austin, except that if authorized by rule or resolution of the house creating the committee, the committee may meet in any location in this state that the committee determines necessary. To the extent authorized by rule or resolution, each committee may determine its meeting times.|Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 479, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.Amended by: Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1250 (H.B. 4181), Sec. 5, eff. June 14, 2019.|
TX Govt Code § 301.016 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Government Code|Title 3 - Legislative Branch|Subtitle A - Legislature|Chapter 301 - Legislative Organization|Subchapter B. Committees and Committee Procedure|Section 301.016. Special Committees

Sec. 301.016.  SPECIAL COMMITTEES.  (a)  By rule or resolution, each house acting individually or the two houses acting jointly may create special committees.(b)  A special committee shall perform the duties and functions and exercise the powers prescribed by the rule or resolution creating the committee.(c)  Except as limited by the rule or resolution creating the special committee, a special committee shall have and exercise the powers granted under this subchapter to a standing committee. A special committee also has any other powers delegated to it by the rule or resolution creating the committee, subject to the limitations of law.|Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 479, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.Amended by: Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1250 (H.B. 4181), Sec. 6, eff. June 14, 2019.|
TX Govt Code § 301.017 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Government Code|Title 3 - Legislative Branch|Subtitle A - Legislature|Chapter 301 - Legislative Organization|Subchapter B. Committees and Committee Procedure|Section 301.017. General Investigating Committees

Sec. 301.017.  GENERAL INVESTIGATING COMMITTEES.  (a)  By rule or resolution, each house may create a general investigating committee.(b)  The senate general investigating committee must consist of five senators appointed by the president of the senate. The president of the senate shall designate one committee member as chairman and one committee member as vice chairman.(c)  The house general investigating committee must consist of not fewer than five house members appointed by the speaker. The speaker shall designate one committee member as chairman and one committee member as vice chairman.(d)  Each member serves a term beginning on the date of the member's appointment and ending with the convening of the next regular session following the date of appointment.(e)  If a vacancy occurs on a general investigating committee, the appropriate appointing authority shall appoint a person to fill the vacancy in the same manner as the original appointment.(f)   Members of a general investigating committee are entitled to reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses incurred in attending committee meetings and engaging in committee work.(g)  All expenses of a general investigating committee, including compensation of the committee's employees and expenses incurred by members, shall be paid out of any appropriation to the legislature under Section 301.029.|Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 479, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.  Amended by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1005, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.Amended by: Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1250 (H.B. 4181), Sec. 6, eff. June 14, 2019.|
TX Govt Code § 301.018 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Government Code|Title 3 - Legislative Branch|Subtitle A - Legislature|Chapter 301 - Legislative Organization|Subchapter B. Committees and Committee Procedure|Section 301.018. General Investigating Committee Meetings

Sec. 301.018.  GENERAL INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE MEETINGS.  (a)  Each general investigating committee may begin work as soon as it desires after its members are appointed.  Each general investigating committee created under this subchapter shall meet, organize, and adopt rules of evidence and procedure and any other necessary rules.  The committee rules may not conflict with Section 301.025.(b)  Whether or not the legislature is in session, each general investigating committee may meet at any time or place in the state determined necessary by the committee.(c)  Each general investigating committee shall keep a record of its proceedings.(d)  A majority of the members of a general investigating committee constitutes a quorum to transact business.(e)  If the general investigating committees decide not to conduct joint hearings as provided by Section 301.019, the committees shall establish a liaison to fully inform each other of the nature and progress of committee inquiries.|Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 479, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.  Amended by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1005, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.Amended by: Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1250 (H.B. 4181), Sec. 7, eff. June 14, 2019.|
TX Govt Code § 301.019 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Government Code|Title 3 - Legislative Branch|Subtitle A - Legislature|Chapter 301 - Legislative Organization|Subchapter B. Committees and Committee Procedure|Section 301.019. Joint General Investigating Committee Hearings

Sec. 301.019.  JOINT GENERAL INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE HEARINGS.  (a)  On a majority vote of each general investigating committee, the committees may conduct joint hearings and investigations.  The committees may adopt joint rules to govern the hearings.(b)  If the general investigating committees conduct joint inquiries or investigations, the chairman of the senate committee shall be the chairman and the chairman of the house committee shall be the vice-chairman.(c)  A majority of the members from each house's committee constitutes a quorum of a joint general investigating committee.|Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 479, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.Amended by: Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1250 (H.B. 4181), Sec. 8, eff. June 14, 2019.|
TX Govt Code § 301.020 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Government Code|Title 3 - Legislative Branch|Subtitle A - Legislature|Chapter 301 - Legislative Organization|Subchapter B. Committees and Committee Procedure|Section 301.020. Powers and Duties of General Investigating Committees

Sec. 301.020.  POWERS AND DUTIES OF GENERAL INVESTIGATING COMMITTEES.  (a)  Each general investigating committee may initiate or continue inquiries and hearings concerning:(1)  state government;(2)  any agency or subdivision of government within the state;(3)  the expenditure of public funds at any level of government within the state;  and(4)  any other matter the committee considers necessary for the information of the legislature or for the welfare and protection of state citizens.(b)  Each general investigating committee may inspect the records, documents, and files and may examine the duties, responsibilities, and activities of each state department, agency, and officer and of each municipality, county, or other political subdivision of the state.(c)  If a person disobeys a subpoena or other process that a general investigating committee lawfully issues, the committee may cite the person for contempt and cause the person to be prosecuted for contempt according to the procedure prescribed by this chapter or by other law.(d)  Each general investigating committee shall make reports to members of the legislature that the committee determines are necessary and appropriate.(e)  Information held by a general investigating committee is confidential and not subject to public disclosure except as provided by the rules of the house establishing the committee.|Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 479, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.  Amended by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1005, Sec. 3, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.Amended by: Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1250 (H.B. 4181), Sec. 9, eff. June 14, 2019.|
TX Govt Code § 301.021 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Government Code|Title 3 - Legislative Branch|Subtitle A - Legislature|Chapter 301 - Legislative Organization|Subchapter B. Committees and Committee Procedure|Section 301.021. General Investigating Committee Employees

Sec. 301.021.  GENERAL INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE EMPLOYEES.  (a)  If for any reason it is necessary to obtain assistance in addition to the services provided by the State Auditor, attorney general, Texas Legislative Council, or Department of Public Safety, each general investigating committee may employ and compensate assistants to assist in any investigation, audit, or legal matter.(b)  Each general investigating committee may employ and compensate clerks, stenographers, and other employees to conduct committee investigations and hearings and keep proper records.(c)  Before a general investigating committee may employ or compensate an employee, the committee must submit the proposed employment to the president of the senate or speaker of the house, as appropriate, for authorization.  If the president of the senate or speaker agrees to the proposed employment, he must authorize the employment in writing.|Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 479, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.|
TX Govt Code § 301.022 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Government Code|Title 3 - Legislative Branch|Subtitle A - Legislature|Chapter 301 - Legislative Organization|Subchapter B. Committees and Committee Procedure|Section 301.022. Testimony Under Oath

Sec. 301.022.  TESTIMONY UNDER OATH.  (a)  All legislative committees shall require witnesses to give testimony under oath, subject to the penalties of perjury.(b)  The oath required by this section may be waived by any committee except a general investigating committee.|Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 479, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.|
TX Govt Code § 301.0221 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Government Code|Title 3 - Legislative Branch|Subtitle A - Legislature|Chapter 301 - Legislative Organization|Subchapter B. Committees and Committee Procedure|Section 301.0221. Use of Pseudonym by Victims of Human Trafficking

Sec. 301.0221.  USE OF PSEUDONYM BY VICTIMS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING.  (a)  Each legislative committee shall allow a witness who is the victim of an offense under Section 20A.02 or 20A.03, Penal Code, to give testimony to the committee relating to the witness's experience as a victim of trafficking of persons using a pseudonym instead of the witness's name.(b)  The name of a witness who uses a pseudonym authorized by Subsection (a) is confidential and may not be included in any public records of the committee.|Added by Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 807 (H.B. 1540), Sec. 15, eff. September 1, 2021.|
TX Govt Code § 301.023 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Government Code|Title 3 - Legislative Branch|Subtitle A - Legislature|Chapter 301 - Legislative Organization|Subchapter B. Committees and Committee Procedure|Section 301.023. Administering Oaths

Sec. 301.023.  ADMINISTERING OATHS.  (a)  The following individuals may administer oaths to testifying witnesses:(1)  the president of the senate;(2)  the speaker of the house;(3)  the chairman or acting chairman of a standing or special committee;  and(4)  the chairman or acting chairman of a joint committee.(b)  If circumstances require, a member of either house may administer an oath to a witness testifying on a matter pending in the member's house or in a committee of that house.|Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 479, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.|
TX Govt Code § 301.024 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Government Code|Title 3 - Legislative Branch|Subtitle A - Legislature|Chapter 301 - Legislative Organization|Subchapter B. Committees and Committee Procedure|Section 301.024. Process

Sec. 301.024.  PROCESS.  (a)  A general investigating committee may issue process to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of books, records, documents, and instruments required by the committee.  Any other committee may issue process if authorized by the resolution creating the committee or the rules of procedure of the creating house.  A committee may issue process to a witness at any place in this state.(b)  A committee chairman shall issue in the name of the committee all subpoenas and other process as directed by the committee.(c)  If necessary to obtain compliance with a subpoena or other process, a committee may issue writs of attachment.(d)  All process may be addressed to and served by any peace officer of this state or by the sergeant at arms appointed by the committee.(e)  A witness who attends a committee proceeding or a proceeding of either house under process is entitled to the same mileage and per diem as a witness who appears before a grand jury in this state.  Mileage and per diem are paid from that house's contingent expense fund or from the contingent expense fund of the committee conducting the proceeding.|Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 479, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.|
TX Govt Code § 301.025 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Government Code|Title 3 - Legislative Branch|Subtitle A - Legislature|Chapter 301 - Legislative Organization|Subchapter B. Committees and Committee Procedure|Section 301.025. Refusal to Testify

Sec. 301.025.  REFUSAL TO TESTIFY.  (a)  A witness called by either house or by a legislative committee does not have a privilege to refuse to testify to a fact or produce a document on the ground that the testimony or document may tend to disgrace the person or otherwise make the person infamous.(b)  The legislature may require a person to testify or produce a document concerning a matter under inquiry before either house or a legislative committee even if the person claims that the testimony or document may incriminate him.(c)  If a person testifies or produces a document while claiming that the testimony or document may incriminate him, the person may not be indicted or prosecuted for any transaction, matter, or thing about which the person truthfully testified or produced evidence.(d)  A witness has a right to counsel when testifying before the legislature or a legislative committee.|Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 479, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.|
TX Govt Code § 301.026 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Government Code|Title 3 - Legislative Branch|Subtitle A - Legislature|Chapter 301 - Legislative Organization|Subchapter B. Committees and Committee Procedure|Section 301.026. Contempt of Legislature

Sec. 301.026.  CONTEMPT OF LEGISLATURE.  (a)  A person commits an offense if the person:(1)  has been summoned as a witness to testify or produce papers by either house or any legislative committee;  and(2)  refuses to appear, refuses to answer relevant questions, or refuses to produce required books, papers, records, or documents.(b)  An offense under this section is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $1,000 and by imprisonment for not less than 30 days nor more than 12 months.|Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 479, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.|
TX Govt Code § 301.027 (2021)
2021 Texas Statutes|Government Code|Title 3 - Legislative Branch|Subtitle A - Legislature|Chapter 301 - Legislative Organization|Subchapter B. Committees and Committee Procedure|Section 301.027. Prosecution for Contempt of Legislature

Sec. 301.027.  PROSECUTION FOR CONTEMPT OF LEGISLATURE.  (a)  If a person is summoned by either house or any legislative committee as prescribed by Section 301.024 and fails to appear, refuses to answer relevant questions, or fails to produce required books, papers, records, or documents while the legislature is in session, the fact of the failure may be reported to either house.  If the legislature is not in session, a statement of facts concerning the failure may be reported to and filed with the president of the senate or speaker of the house.(b)  If the president of the senate or speaker receives a report or statement of facts as provided by Subsection (a), the president of the senate or speaker shall certify the statement of facts to the appropriate prosecuting attorney as provided under Section 411.0253(d) under the seal of the senate or house of representatives, as appropriate.(c)  The prosecuting attorney to whom a statement of facts is certified under Subsection (a) or the prosecutor selected under Section 411.0255, if applicable, shall bring the matter before the grand jury for action.  If the grand jury returns an indictment, the prosecuting attorney shall prosecute the indictment.|Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 479, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985.Amended by: Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 927 (H.B. 1690), Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2015.|