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Texas lawmakers can't pass bills for 60 days under constitution. Can they change that?


Published on 2025-01-16 23:40:39 - MSN
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  • After a roaring start to the 89th legislative session, both the Texas House of Representatives and the Texas Senate have adjourned for the week and don't return

The article discusses a unique aspect of the Texas Constitution which mandates a 60-day waiting period before newly elected state lawmakers can pass bills, a rule established to ensure that legislators have time to understand the legislative process and their roles. This provision, known as the "60-day rule," has been in place since 1876 and is intended to prevent hasty legislation. However, there is ongoing debate about whether this rule should be amended or abolished. Critics argue that it delays critical legislation, especially in urgent situations, while supporters believe it provides necessary time for reflection and prevents the passage of poorly considered laws. Efforts to change this rule have been made in the past, but any amendment would require a two-thirds vote in both the Texas House and Senate, followed by a majority vote in a statewide election, making changes difficult to achieve.

Read the Full MSN Article at:
[ https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/texas-lawmakers-can-t-pass-bills-for-60-days-under-constitution-can-they-change-that/ar-AA1xltRh ]
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