Text of TX HR 144 (2025)

By: Lozano H.R. No. 144 R E S O L U T I O N BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the State of Texas, That the following is adopted as the housekeeping resolution for the House of Representatives of the 89th [88th] Legislature: HOUSEKEEPING RESOLUTION FOR THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE TABLE OF CONTENTS ARTICLE 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS 5 SECTION 1.01. PURPOSE 5 SECTION 1.02. PRECEDENCE 5 ARTICLE 2. SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE 5 SECTION 2.01. SPEAKER'S GENERAL POWERS AND DUTIES 5 SECTION 2.02. SPEAKER'S APARTMENT AND OFFICES 6 SECTION 2.03. INTERSTATE OR FEDERAL-STATE ASSOCIATIONS; TRAINING SEMINARS 6 SECTION 2.04. DEANS 8 ARTICLE 3. GENERAL POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE COMMITTEE ON HOUSE ADMINISTRATION 8 SECTION 3.01. CONTRACTS 8 SECTION 3.02. HOUSE AND COMMITTEE OPERATING BUDGETS 8 SECTION 3.03. OPERATING POLICIES 8 SECTION 3.04. HOUSE POLICY MANUAL 9 SECTION 3.05. HOUSE PROPERTY, SUPPLIES, ACCOUNTING 9 SECTION 3.06. USE OF HOUSE CHAMBER AND FACILITIES; ASSIGNMENT OF DESKS, OFFICES, AND PARKING SPACES 9 SECTION 3.07. RECORDS OF THE HOUSE; PRINTING; JOURNALS; COPIES OF LEGISLATIVE DOCUMENTS 11 SECTION 3.08. HONORARY CERTIFICATES 12 SECTION 3.09. COMPOSITE PHOTOGRAPH 12 SECTION 3.10. POLICIES REGARDING TEMPORARY ACTING MEMBERS 13 SECTION 3.11. DISPLAY OF "IN GOD WE TRUST" IN HOUSE 13 SECTION 3.115. DISPLAY OF TEN COMMANDMENTS IN HOUSE 13 SECTION 3.12. HOUSE RECYCLING PROGRAM 14 SECTION 3.13. JOINT COMMITTEE HEARING NOTICES ON WEBSITE 14 SECTION 3.14. ACCESS TO HOUSE OFFICES 14 SECTION 3.15. DPS PANIC BUTTONS 14 SECTION 3.16. USE OF HOUSE AUDIO OR VIDEO RESOURCES 14 SECTION 3.17. MULTI-USE RESTROOM POLICY 15 ARTICLE 4. EMPLOYEES AND EMPLOYMENT POLICIES 16 SECTION 4.01. DEFINITION 16 SECTION 4.02. OFFICERS AND SUPERVISORY ADMINISTRATIVE EMPLOYEES OF THE HOUSE 16 SECTION 4.03. OTHER CENTRAL HOUSE PERSONNEL 17 SECTION 4.04. EMPLOYEES OF INDIVIDUAL MEMBER 17 SECTION 4.05. COMMITTEE STAFF; AUTHORITY TO REQUEST ASSISTANCE 18 SECTION 4.06. WORK SCHEDULE; HOURS OF HOUSE OPERATIONS 18 SECTION 4.07. COMPENSATION 18 SECTION 4.08. DUTIES 20 SECTION 4.09. APPEARANCE BEFORE COMMITTEES 20 SECTION 4.10. CHAMBER ACCESS 20 SECTION 4.11. VOTING 20 [SECTION 4.12. VOTING RECORDS] 20 SECTION 4.13. CAMPAIGN FOR SPEAKER 20 SECTION 4.14. POLITICAL INFLUENCE 20 SECTION 4.15. OUTSIDE EMPLOYMENT, EXTRA COMPENSATION, OR GIFTS 21 SECTION 4.16. DISCHARGE 21 SECTION 4.17. DURATION OF EMPLOYMENT 22 SECTION 4.18. EMPLOYMENT BY MORE THAN ONE MEMBER OR COMMITTEE 22 SECTION 4.19. POSITION TITLES AND CLASSIFICATIONS 22 SECTION 4.20. PERSONAL TITLES AND PRONOUNS 23 SECTION 4.21. CITIZENSHIP 24 ARTICLE 5. ACCOUNTING 24 SECTION 5.01. FUNDING OF OFFICE OPERATIONS 24 SECTION 5.02. OPERATING ACCOUNTS 25 SECTION 5.03. CREDIT FOR NEWLY ELECTED MEMBERS 25 SECTION 5.04. MONTHLY CREDIT 25 SECTION 5.045. DETERMINATION OF OPERATING ACCOUNT BALANCE 26 SECTION 5.05. ACCOUNT CLOSING 27 SECTION 5.06. EXPENDITURES CHARGED WHEN ENCUMBERED 28 SECTION 5.07. TRAVEL FROM AUSTIN DURING SESSION NOT CHARGED TO OPERATING ACCOUNT 28 SECTION 5.08. TRAVEL OUTSIDE TEXAS 28 SECTION 5.09. APPROVAL OF EXPENDITURES 29 SECTION 5.10. USE OF FUNDS FOR INFORMAL SETTLEMENTS PROHIBITED 29 [SECTION 5.11. USE OF HOUSE RESOURCES FOR POLITICAL PURPOSES PROHIBITED] 29 SECTION 5.12. NOTICE REQUIRED FOR CERTAIN USES OF FUNDS 30 SECTION 5.13. LIMITATION ON USE OF FUNDS 30 ARTICLE 6. CAUCUSES 30 SECTION 6.01. DEFINITION 30 SECTION 6.02. USE OF HOUSE FUNDS, EMPLOYEES, EQUIPMENT, AND FACILITIES 30 SECTION 6.03. CONTRIBUTIONS 32 SECTION 6.04. MEMBERSHIP AND OFFICER LISTS 32 SECTION 6.05. REPORT TO ETHICS COMMISSION 32 ARTICLE 7. HOUSE RESEARCH ORGANIZATION 32 SECTION 7.01. ESTABLISHMENT 32 SECTION 7.02. STEERING COMMITTEE 32 SECTION 7.03. BUDGET 33 ARTICLE 8. SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR INTERIM 33 SECTION 8.01. INTERIM COMMITTEE ACTIVITIES 33 SECTION 8.02. POWERS AND DUTIES OF COMMITTEE ON HOUSE ADMINISTRATION DURING INTERIM 33 ARTICLE 9. APPROPRIATE WORKPLACE CONDUCT 35 SECTION 9.01. PURPOSE 35 SECTION 9.02. TRAINING 35 SECTION 9.03. COMPLAINTS; FILING, INVESTIGATION, AND RESOLUTION 36 SECTION 9.04. PROHIBITION ON POSSESSION, DISTRIBUTION, OR CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES IN CERTAIN PLACES 40 ARTICLE 10. COMMITTEE GIFTS 40 [SECTION 10.01. COMMITTEE GIFTS] 40 SECTION 10.02. USE OF COMMITTEE FUNDS PROHIBITED 40 ARTICLE 11. CONFLICTING PROVISIONS 41 SECTION 11.01. CONFLICTING PROVISIONS 41 ARTICLE 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS SECTION 1.01. PURPOSE. This resolution is adopted by the members of the House of Representatives of the 89th [88th] Legislature to provide for the efficient and orderly operation of the house under the supervision of the speaker and the Committee on House Administration. SECTION 1.02. PRECEDENCE. The provisions of this resolution take precedence over the provisions of any resolution not passed in full compliance with the rules of the house and, except as otherwise noted herein, shall be in effect during the full term of the 89th [88th] Legislature whether in session or adjournment. ARTICLE 2. SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE SECTION 2.01. SPEAKER'S GENERAL POWERS AND DUTIES. The speaker may make any expenditures or transfers and perform any function deemed necessary for the effective and efficient operation of the house of representatives. SECTION 2.02. SPEAKER'S APARTMENT AND OFFICES. (a) The speaker's apartment and offices shall be set aside for the use of the speaker, the speaker's family, and house members, as the speaker may designate, throughout the speaker's term of office. (b) The Committee on House Administration may make the necessary expenditures to operate and properly equip and service the speaker's apartment and offices and may employ such help as may be necessary to properly maintain and care for the apartment and offices. (c) The speaker and the speaker's family may occupy the speaker's apartment during the speaker's term of office, utilizing the services of employees of the house and others on a temporary basis, if and as needed. (d) The speaker may obtain through the Committee on House Administration the necessary supplies and services to operate the speaker's office and may also have paid through that committee necessary telephone charges. SECTION 2.03. INTERSTATE OR FEDERAL-STATE ASSOCIATIONS; TRAINING SEMINARS. (a) The speaker may attend any meetings of or sponsored by the Council of State Governments and any meetings on problems of federal-state relations and interstate relations and cooperation, and any other governmental meeting in or outside the state. (b) The speaker may appoint members of the house, staff members, and other employees of the house to accompany or represent the speaker at these meetings or to attend in-service training courses sponsored by the Council of State Governments or the National Conference of State Legislatures or similar training courses, conferences, or seminars as the speaker may determine. (c) Members of the house attending meetings under this section while the legislature is in session may be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses. Members of the house attending meetings under this section while the legislature is not in session and staff members and other employees of the house attending meetings at any time under this section may be reimbursed for either actual and necessary expenses or receive a per diem not to exceed that provided by law for state officials or state employees. In addition, members, staff, and other employees attending meetings under this section may be reimbursed for mileage or other transportation expenses at the same rate as provided by law for state officials or state employees together with registration fees and tuition. To receive payment under this subsection, sworn expense accounts must be filed with and approved by the chair of the Committee on House Administration or an officer of the house designated in writing by the Committee on House Administration. Prior written approval of the chair of the Committee on House Administration to attend any such meetings, conferences, seminars, or training courses is a prerequisite for reimbursement for travel and other related expenses. (d) Reimbursement for expenses incurred by a member, staff member, or employee of the house in an appointive capacity resulting from an appointment made by anyone other than the speaker shall be made only in the event that the appointment and expenses to be incurred have been previously approved in writing by the Committee on House Administration. (e) The speaker may expend money for memberships in interstate associations of legislators considered necessary to discharge properly the duties and responsibilities of the office of speaker. SECTION 2.04. DEANS. The speaker shall recognize as deans both the male member and the female member having the greatest seniority based on cumulative years of service in the house. ARTICLE 3. GENERAL POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE COMMITTEE ON HOUSE ADMINISTRATION SECTION 3.01. CONTRACTS. The Committee on House Administration shall approve all contracts necessary for the effective operation of the divisions of the house and its committees. SECTION 3.02. HOUSE AND COMMITTEE OPERATING BUDGETS. The Committee on House Administration shall consider and adopt operating budgets that cover both session and interim periods for the divisions of the house and all committees appointed pursuant to the resolution adopting the rules of the house or appointed by the speaker pursuant to any other resolution. A budget adopted by the Committee on House Administration must be adopted in a public hearing. Each requested operating budget and each operating budget proposed for adoption must be posted on the Internet website of the committee in advance of the hearing. SECTION 3.03. OPERATING POLICIES. The Committee on House Administration shall effectuate policies and determine guidelines for the operation of the divisions and committees of the house. SECTION 3.04. HOUSE POLICY MANUAL. The Committee on House Administration shall prepare and distribute to all members, within 60 days after the convening of the regular session, policy statements to include, but not be limited to, policies pertaining to members as a class. SECTION 3.05. HOUSE PROPERTY, SUPPLIES, ACCOUNTING. The Committee on House Administration shall: (1) provide and maintain for the use of the speaker, members, employees, divisions, and committees of the house such stationery, stamps, office equipment, furniture, fixtures, supplies, and telephone and other services as may be necessary; (2) keep an itemized account of the quantity and cost of every kind of material received, and the source from which it was received; (3) maintain an annual operating account for each member, division, and committee authorized by the Committee on House Administration to make expenditures and charge each operating account with daily expenditures, withdrawals from inventory, and interdepartmental services; (4) furnish a monthly statement for the expenditures of each member, division, and committee of the house; and (5) adopt any rules, regulations, and policies necessary to effectively provide and account for the above-mentioned services. SECTION 3.06. USE OF HOUSE CHAMBER AND FACILITIES; ASSIGNMENT OF DESKS, OFFICES, AND PARKING SPACES. (a) The Committee on House Administration shall: (1) be in charge of and provide for the protection, maintenance, and use of the hall of the house, all committee rooms, offices of members and house departments, the speaker's office and apartment, and other space under the jurisdiction of the house; (2) make permanent assignments of desks and offices to members of the house; (3) adopt and enforce a plan for the parking of motor vehicles on the portion of the Capitol grounds under house jurisdiction; (4) be in charge of and provide for the protection, maintenance, and use of the furniture, fixtures, equipment, and records of the house; (5) purchase, remodel, repair, restore, or replace any furniture, fixtures, equipment, and other furnishings to maintain the dignity and appearance of space occupied by the house; (6) in consultation with the State Preservation Board, identify and establish a space that provides privacy, security, a water faucet, and a power outlet, within or near the hall of the house for use for breastfeeding or breast pumping by house members and employees of the house or media representatives entitled to the privileges of the floor when the house is in session; and (7) determine the hours the hall of the house shall be open to visitors. (b) Any member who is not a member-elect of the 90th [89th] Legislature shall vacate the member's office space before December 1, 2026 [2024]. If the office is not vacated on that date, the Committee on House Administration shall immediately remove the member's personal effects and store them in an appropriate place in order that the member-elect to whom the office space is assigned may move in. The Committee on House Administration shall ensure that each member-elect of the 90th [89th] Legislature who was not a member of the 89th [88th] Legislature is permitted to move into and begin using the member-elect's office space at least 72 hours before the time the 90th [89th] Legislature is scheduled to convene. SECTION 3.07. RECORDS OF THE HOUSE; PRINTING; JOURNALS; COPIES OF LEGISLATIVE DOCUMENTS. (a) The Committee on House Administration shall: (1) have completed and preserved the official records of the house; (2) have charge of and approve the operation and maintenance of the printing and duplicating facilities of the house, provided, however, that the use of the house printing and duplicating facilities is restricted to agencies of the legislative branch and any other operation thereof is strictly prohibited unless previously authorized in writing by the Committee on House Administration or an officer of the house designated in writing by the speaker; (3) determine the number of copies of the daily House Journal to be printed and have jurisdiction over the mailing and distribution of the daily journal; and (4) determine the number of copies of the House Journal that will be furnished to each member for distribution by the member. (b) The employee in charge of the printing facilities must keep at least one copy of all items printed or duplicated and a copy of the work order authorizing such printing. (c) Copies of bills, resolutions, and attachments thereto shall be made available free of charge to members of the house who call at the bill distribution office and request them, and the cost of these copies shall be paid from funds appropriated for that purpose by the legislature. If the Committee on House Administration finds gross abuse of this privilege, it may establish a policy regarding such distribution. SECTION 3.08. HONORARY CERTIFICATES. The Committee on House Administration shall provide for the use of members appropriate certificates to commend, congratulate, and memorialize. Such certificates shall be printed with a signature line for the name of the presenting member and adequate space for insertion of the name of the individual or organization to be honored. SECTION 3.09. COMPOSITE PHOTOGRAPH. (a) The Committee on House Administration shall select a suitable photographer to take individual photographs of each member. The photographer shall prepare a composite photograph of the members of the house composed of the individual photographs of each member arranged on a panel, of the same size as used in previous sessions, in such manner as to approximate the location of each member's desk on the house floor. The member's name and the county of residence shall be printed under the member's photograph, and the composite shall be framed and hung in the hall of the house during the regular session. (b) The photographs for the composite panel shall be provided without cost to the members, and the expense of the composite panel shall be paid from the expense fund of the house. (c) The Committee on House Administration shall establish, with concurrence of the photographer, a price to charge members for any prints of photographs they wish to purchase. SECTION 3.10. POLICIES REGARDING TEMPORARY ACTING MEMBERS. If a person is serving as a temporary acting member of the house under Section 72, Article XVI, Texas Constitution, in the place of a house member on active military duty, the Committee on House Administration, with the approval of the speaker and in consultation with the temporary acting member and, if available, the member on military duty, may adopt policies regarding a temporary acting member that the committee considers necessary for the efficient administration and performance of the duties of the house consistent with this resolution, the rules of the house, and the Texas Constitution. SECTION 3.11. DISPLAY OF "IN GOD WE TRUST" IN HOUSE. The Committee on House Administration shall direct the State Preservation Board to maintain the permanent display of the motto "In God We Trust" on the face of the portico located over the speaker's podium. SECTION 3.115. DISPLAY OF TEN COMMANDMENTS IN HOUSE. The Committee on House Administration shall direct the State Preservation Board to permanently display the Ten Commandments in the house chamber in a manner that is prominent and visible from all angles to members of the house from the house floor and to the public from the house gallery. SECTION 3.12. HOUSE RECYCLING PROGRAM. The Committee on House Administration, in coordination with the State Preservation Board, shall implement a program for recycling paper, plastic, and other recyclable materials from house offices. SECTION 3.13. JOINT COMMITTEE HEARING NOTICES ON WEBSITE. The Committee on House Administration shall provide for the posting of all notices for hearings of joint committees of the house and senate on the house website regardless of whether the notice is posted on the senate website. SECTION 3.14. ACCESS TO HOUSE OFFICES. A house member and the member's staff may control access by the public to the member's office and may exclude visitors from the office at their discretion. If a person refuses to leave the member's office when requested, the member may request assistance from the Department of Public Safety. SECTION 3.15. DPS PANIC BUTTONS. The Committee on House Administration shall work with the Department of Public Safety to ensure that each house office may request a panic button that the house member and the member's staff may use to alert the department to an emergency in the office. The member may reimburse the Committee on House Administration for the cost of the panic button equipment in monthly installments over the fiscal year. SECTION 3.16. USE OF HOUSE AUDIO OR VIDEO RESOURCES. The Committee on House Administration shall adopt a policy that allows members the use of house audio or visual resources. Use of house audio or visual resources may only be prohibited for the following reasons: (1) the use is otherwise prohibited by law; (2) the use maligns the reputation of an individual; or (3) the use is for political advertising, as defined by Section 251.001, Election Code. SECTION 3.17. MULTI-USE RESTROOM POLICY. ( a) The Committee on House Administration shall adopt a policy limiting access to each multi-use restroom under the jurisdiction of the house to persons of the same biological sex as that term is used in Section 33.0834, Education Code. (b) The Committee on House Administration shall exempt the following individuals from the policy adopted under Subsection (a) of this section: (1) a person entering a multi-use restroom: (A) for a bona fide custodial or maintenance purpose; (B) to render medical or other emergency assistance; (C) to accompany a person needing assistance in using the facility; or (D) to receive assistance in using the facility; (2) a child who is younger than 10 years of age who is accompanied by a person caring for the child. ARTICLE 4. EMPLOYEES AND EMPLOYMENT POLICIES SECTION 4.01. DEFINITION. Unless expressly provided otherwise, in this article "employee" means any person compensated from funds appropriated to the house. The term includes persons for whom the employing authority is the speaker, the Committee on House Administration, an individual member, or a committee. SECTION 4.02. OFFICERS AND SUPERVISORY ADMINISTRATIVE EMPLOYEES OF THE HOUSE. (a) Officers of the house authorized to be appointed under this section shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the speaker. Employees of the house responsible for supervising the departments and divisions that support the operation of the house shall also be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the speaker. (a-1) The following are the officers of the house that shall be appointed by the speaker under this section: (1) Chief Clerk; (2) Journal Clerk; (3) Reading Clerks; (4) Sergeant-at-Arms; (5) Doorkeeper; (6) Chaplain; (7) Voting Clerk; (8) Committee Coordinator; (9) Parliamentarians (not more than two individuals); and (10) Executive Director, House Business Office. (a-2) In addition to the officers listed in Subsection (a-1) of this section, the speaker may also appoint a chief assistant to any officer listed in Subsection (a-1) of this section. An assistant appointed under this subsection is also an officer of the house who serves at the pleasure of the speaker. (b) The speaker shall have the right to discharge any officer or supervisory administrative employee when the best interest of the house of representatives would be served by so doing. (c) The authority to appoint and discharge officers and supervisory administrative employees may be delegated to the Committee on House Administration to the extent and for the length of time the speaker determines. (d) In the event of the absence, resignation, or death of any officer or supervisory administrative employee the speaker may designate a person to take charge of and attend to all the duties of the office affected until the officer or employee returns or until a successor is chosen. SECTION 4.03. OTHER CENTRAL HOUSE PERSONNEL. (a) The Committee on House Administration shall employ all personnel necessary for the operation of the house other than: (1) those appointed under Section 4.02; or (2) employees of an individual member or committee. (b) For purposes of this article, the Committee on House Administration is the employing authority for all house employees other than those for whom the employing authority is the speaker, an individual member, or a committee. SECTION 4.04. EMPLOYEES OF INDIVIDUAL MEMBER. A member may employ, with funds from the member's operating budget, such staff as the member deems necessary. SECTION 4.05. COMMITTEE STAFF; AUTHORITY TO REQUEST ASSISTANCE. (a) The Committee on House Administration shall provide funds for the adequate staffing of all standing committees of the house and all other committees appointed by the speaker. (b) Select committees, interim study committees, standing committees, or subcommittees appointed pursuant to the resolution adopting the rules of the house or appointed by the speaker pursuant to any other resolution may employ any person, firm, or corporation, subject to budget limitations. Those committees or subcommittees may ask for the assistance of any of the employees, agencies, departments, or branches of the state government. SECTION 4.06. WORK SCHEDULE; HOURS OF HOUSE OPERATIONS. (a) An employee shall be on duty on the days and hours determined by the employing authority. (b) All offices of the departments and divisions that support the operations of the house shall be open on days and hours determined by the Committee on House Administration or the speaker and other hours that the house or its committees are in session. SECTION 4.07. COMPENSATION. (a) Officers and supervisory administrative employees of the house shall receive the compensation that the speaker or Committee on House Administration determines. (b) The Committee on House Administration shall fix the compensation of house personnel employed under Section 4.03. A person employed under that section who is absent without leave shall not receive compensation for the time missed. (c) The salaries of employees of individual members, committees, and the house shall begin when they are instructed to start work by their respective employing authority. (d) Except as provided by Subsections (e) and (f) of this section, an employee of an individual member, a committee employee, or any person, firm, or corporation employed by a committee or subcommittee may not be paid a salary in excess of $6,780 for any one month. (e) A member may exempt one or two employees [employee] of the individual member and, if the member is a chair of a standing or select committee, one employee of the standing or select committee the member chairs from the salary cap imposed by Subsection (d) of this section. Each calendar year the member shall file with the Committee on House Administration a statement designating the exempt employee or employees, as appropriate. During a calendar year after an exempt employee has been designated, the member may exempt a different employee from the salary cap only if the employee previously designated as exempt for the calendar year is no longer employed by the member or committee, as appropriate. An [The] exempt employee may not receive compensation from the operating account of any other committee or member. (f) The Committee on House Administration may increase the amount of the salary cap imposed by Subsection (d) of this section to account for any increase in salary provided to all state employees during the biennium that begins during the term of the legislature to which this resolution applies. SECTION 4.08. DUTIES. An employee shall perform all duties directed by the employing authority. SECTION 4.09. APPEARANCE BEFORE COMMITTEES. An employee may appear before a standing or select committee on a measure when granted permission by majority vote of the committee. SECTION 4.10. CHAMBER ACCESS. (a) An employee may not enter the house chamber when the house is in session except when performing official duties and specifically authorized by the Committee on House Administration. (b) An employee may not enter the area on the floor of the house enclosed by the railing when the house is in session except when specifically authorized by the Committee on House Administration. SECTION 4.11. VOTING. An employee may not cast a vote for a member on the voting machine or otherwise. [SECTION 4.12. VOTING RECORDS. An employee may not compile or release any information concerning the voting record of any member of the house for any session of the legislature except when a member requests information about that member's personal voting record or when the information is for the journal or other official records.] SECTION 4.13. CAMPAIGN FOR SPEAKER. An employee may not campaign or assist in the campaign of any candidate for speaker. SECTION 4.14. POLITICAL INFLUENCE. An employee may not attempt to, or aid anyone in an attempt to, influence any member of the house in favor of or against any measure pending before the legislature, either directly or indirectly, except when answering questions or giving information at the request of a member of the house. SECTION 4.15. OUTSIDE EMPLOYMENT, EXTRA COMPENSATION, OR GIFTS. An employee may not receive, directly or indirectly, any compensation, by gift or otherwise, from any other source, unless specifically authorized by the employing authority. SECTION 4.16. DISCHARGE. (a) The employing authority of an employee shall have primary responsibility for overseeing and discharging the employee. An employee is subject to immediate discharge by the employing authority for violation of any section of this article or any other applicable rule. (b) An individual member or chair of a committee employing an employee who violates any applicable section of this article or any rule shall be advised of the violation by the chair of the Committee on House Administration, and the employing authority shall take appropriate action with regard to the employee in question. (c) In addition to being subject to immediate discharge by the employing authority under Subsection (a) of this section, an employee is subject to discharge by the chair of the Committee on House Administration, with the approval of the committee, if: (1) the employee is not needed and, if the employee is employed in an individual member's office or by a committee, the member or committee chair has resigned, is deceased, or is incapacitated; or (2) the employee is guilty of gross misconduct. (d) The Committee on House Administration may authorize the chair of the Committee on House Administration to conduct an investigation into allegations of gross misconduct. The chair may, with the approval of the committee, discharge or otherwise discipline an employee of an individual member or committee if the Committee on House Administration finds that the employee has engaged in gross misconduct. SECTION 4.17. DURATION OF EMPLOYMENT. The period of employment of all employees shall be determined by the employing authority, except that employees of all committees and of individual members who are not members-elect of the next legislature shall be terminated not later than noon on the day of the convening of the next regular session. SECTION 4.18. EMPLOYMENT BY MORE THAN ONE MEMBER OR COMMITTEE. (a) Members may join in the employment of a research assistant or assistants to be paid jointly from their operating budgets. Unless expressly authorized by the provisions of this resolution, the members who join together to sponsor such research shall not constitute a committee, task force, or group to operate in any official or quasi-official manner not specifically authorized under the Rules of the House of Representatives. (b) No person, firm, or corporation may be employed by more than two committees or subcommittees. SECTION 4.19. POSITION TITLES AND CLASSIFICATIONS. The job title for each position shall be determined by the employing authority. The employing authority and the house business office shall classify each job title for accounting purposes according to the following position classifications, unless otherwise determined by the Committee on House Administration: (a) Member Employees 1. Chief of Staff 2. General Counsel 3. Legislative Director 4. Legislative Assistant 5. Administrative Assistant 6. Special Project Coordinator 7. Intern (b) Committee Employees 1. Committee General Counsel 2. Chief Committee Clerk 3. Committee Clerk (c) Research Employees 1. Research Director 2. Research Assistant 3. Policy Analyst SECTION 4.20. PERSONAL TITLES AND PRONOUNS. (a) It is the policy of the house that all officers, employees and members are to treat persons with respect and to be truthful in their interactions. (b) A person's sex is an immutable biological trait and it is false to ascribe to a person a pronoun that does not correspond to such person's sex. This provision does not apply to individuals born with a genetically or biochemically verifiable disorder of sex, including, but not limited to, 46, xx disorder of sex development; 46, XY disorder of sex development; sex chromosome disorder of sex development; XX or XY sex reversal; and ovotesticular disorder. (c) An officer or employee may not be required, as a condition of employment, to refer to another person using that person's preferred title or pronouns if such personal title or pronouns do not correspond to that person's sex. (d) No officer or employee shall communicate the officer's or employee's preferred pronouns while performing their official duties, including through official correspondence or on, business cards, identification cards, or letterhead. (e) No officer or employee shall be compelled to refer to any person using a pronoun that does not correspond to such person's sex or be subject to adverse or discriminatory treatment for refusing to do so. (f) In the event any person indicates they are not comfortable being referred to by a particular pronoun, they should be referred to using their name or position and name. SECTION 4.21. CITIZENSHIP. All employees must be citizens of the United States. ARTICLE 5. ACCOUNTING SECTION 5.01. FUNDING OF OFFICE OPERATIONS. (a) Each member of the house shall be allocated funds for staff, office supplies, office equipment, postage, printing, telephone, travel, and such other reasonable and necessary office expenses as may be determined by the Committee on House Administration. (b) The manner in which funds are allocated, and the amounts thereof, are as provided by this article. SECTION 5.02. OPERATING ACCOUNTS. (a) Each member who served in the 88th [87th] Legislature shall have the following operating accounts for the 89th [88th] Legislature: (1) a Fiscal Year 25 [23] Operating Account (September 1, 2024 [2022], through August 31, 2025 [2023]); (2) a Fiscal Year 26 [24] Operating Account (September 1, 2025 [2023], through August 31, 2026 [2024]); and (3) a Fiscal Year 27 [25] Operating Account (September 1, 2026 [2024], through January 12, 2027 [14, 2025]). (b) Each member who did not serve in the 88th [87th] Legislature shall have the same operating accounts for the 89th [88th] Legislature as a returning member under Subsection (a) of this section except that the duration of the Fiscal Year 25 [23] Operating Account is from January 14, 2025 [10, 2023], through August 31, 2025 [2023]. (c) For each member who served in the 88th [87th] Legislature, it shall not be necessary to close the member's Fiscal Year 25 [23] Operating Account when the 89th [88th] Legislature convenes. SECTION 5.03. CREDIT FOR NEWLY ELECTED MEMBERS. Each member who did not serve in the 88th [87th] Legislature may have credited to the member's Fiscal Year 25 [23] Operating Account the amount of $2,000. SECTION 5.04. MONTHLY CREDIT. (a) Each member's operating account shall be credited with $19,250 for each month that falls wholly or partly during the regular legislative session or a special legislative session. In any other month, each member's operating account shall be credited with $17,500. (b) The Committee on House Administration may provide to the deans and the speaker pro tempore of the house additional funds as may be determined to be necessary for the duties of those offices to be fulfilled. (c) The Committee on House Administration may increase the amount credited each month to each member's operating account in an amount to allow for an increase in: (1) the salary cap as provided by Section 4.07(f); or (2) longevity pay as authorized by legislation. (d) If by June 3, 2025, the legislature has not appropriated additional property tax relief of at least $12 billion of general revenue-related funds for the biennium ending August 31, 2027, as determined by the Legislative Budget Board, by reducing school districts' maximum compressed rate or increasing the school district residence homestead exemption, the monthly credit to each member's operating account under Subsection (a) of this section for a month that falls wholly or partly during a special legislative session or in any other month shall be reduced by $1,000. SECTION 5.045. DETERMINATION OF OPERATING ACCOUNT BALANCE. (a) On the third business day of each calendar month, the House Business Office shall determine the available, unobligated balance at the end of the preceding calendar month for each member's operating account and each committee operating account. If the House Business Office determines that a member's operating account has a negative balance at the end of the preceding calendar month, the office shall provide notice to the member and the member shall deposit funds in the account equal to the negative balance not later than the 10th business day after the date the member receives notice of the deficit from the House Business Office; provided, however, that if a member deposits funds in the member's operating account to cover a negative balance under this subsection and the member later has a positive balance in the member's operating account at the end of a calendar month in the same fiscal year in which the member deposited the funds to cover the negative balance, the member may use the excess money in the member's operating account at that time to reimburse the member in an amount not to exceed the amount the member earlier deposited to cover the negative balance. (b) A committee operating account may not operate at a deficit. (c) If a member is not a member-elect of the 90th [89th] Legislature, the member's operating account may not operate at a deficit after November 30, 2026 [2024]. SECTION 5.05. ACCOUNT CLOSING. (a) Each member's Fiscal Year 25 [23] Operating Account shall be closed as of August 31, 2025 [2023]. (b) Each member may carry forward and have credited to the member's Fiscal Year 26 [24] Operating Account the unexpended balance of the member's Fiscal Year 25 [23] Operating Account[, not to exceed $20,000]. If the member is the chair of a committee, the member may transfer and have credited to that committee's operating account all or part of that unexpended balance[, not to exceed $20,000], and may have the remainder of that amount credited to the member's Fiscal Year 26 [24] Operating Account. (c) Each member's Fiscal Year 26 [24] Operating Account shall be closed as of August 31, 2026 [2024]. (d) Each member may carry forward and have credited to the member's Fiscal Year 27 [25] Operating Account the unexpended balance of the member's Fiscal Year 26 [24] Operating Account[, not to exceed $20,000]. If the member is the chair of a committee, the member may transfer and have credited to that committee's operating account all or part of that unexpended balance[, not to exceed $20,000], and may have the remainder of that amount credited to the member's Fiscal Year 27 [25] Operating Account. (e) A member who is the chair of a committee may not transfer and have credited to that member's operating account any portion of the unexpended balance of the committee's operating account. SECTION 5.06. EXPENDITURES CHARGED WHEN ENCUMBERED. All expenditures shall be charged to the period in which they are encumbered. SECTION 5.07. TRAVEL FROM AUSTIN DURING SESSION NOT CHARGED TO OPERATING ACCOUNT. While the legislature is in session, the travel expenses of members for one trip each week between Austin and their districts and return shall not be charged against the members' operating accounts but shall be paid from funds appropriated for that purpose by the legislature. SECTION 5.08. TRAVEL OUTSIDE TEXAS. A member is entitled to be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses incurred while traveling outside Texas in the performance of legislative duties and responsibilities. If the reimbursement is for travel inside the conterminous United States, reimbursement is limited to twice the amount that would be reimbursed to state employees for the same travel under the comptroller's guidelines and rates governing travel by state employees. SECTION 5.09. APPROVAL OF EXPENDITURES. (a) No allowance included in this resolution shall be expended except for actual salaries or actual expenses of the house, its members, departments, committees, and employees and for such other expenses as are authorized by the Committee on House Administration. (b) The Committee on House Administration may not authorize any expenditures of funds for personal or political campaign reasons. (c) All expenditures authorized by this resolution shall be paid from funds appropriated for the use of the house of representatives by vouchers or other forms approved by the speaker of the house and the Committee on House Administration. SECTION 5.10. USE OF FUNDS FOR INFORMAL SETTLEMENTS PROHIBITED. No public funds appropriated to the house or expended by any house member, committee, or office may be spent or promised to settle in whole or part a legal claim brought or threatened to be brought against the house or a member, committee, office, or employee of the house unless the settlement is made with the participation and approval of the attorney general and notice of any settlement is promptly given to the public. [SECTION 5.11. USE OF HOUSE RESOURCES FOR POLITICAL PURPOSES PROHIBITED. Pursuant to Section 51, Article III, Texas Constitution, house resources may be used only for a public purpose. A house member, committee, officer, or employee may not use or direct the use of any house resources to further any political purpose. In this section, "house resources" includes appropriated funds, property, services, personnel, or any other thing of value belonging to the government that comes into the custody, possession, or control of a house member, committee, officer, or employee by virtue of public office or employment.] SECTION 5.12. NOTICE REQUIRED FOR CERTAIN USES OF FUNDS. The speaker, a member, or a committee may not expend funds credited to an account during the 89th Legislature to satisfy a financial obligation incurred before the convening of the 89th Legislature unless, before the payment is made, notice of the intended payment and the amount of the payment is posted on the house's Internet website and, if the house is in session, published in the journal. SECTION 5.13. LIMITATION ON USE OF FUNDS. Funds credited to the speaker's account during the 89th Legislature may not be used to satisfy a financial obligation incurred before the convening of the 89th Legislature. ARTICLE 6. CAUCUSES SECTION 6.01. DEFINITION. In this article, "caucus" means an organization that is composed exclusively of members of the legislature, that elects or appoints officers and recognizes identified legislators as members of the organization, and that exists for research and other support of policy development and interests that the membership holds in common. An organization whose only nonlegislator members are the lieutenant governor or the governor remains a "caucus" for purposes of this section. SECTION 6.02. USE OF HOUSE FUNDS, EMPLOYEES, EQUIPMENT, AND FACILITIES. (a) Except as expressly authorized by this section, funds appropriated to the house may not be expended in support of a caucus, employees compensated from funds appropriated to the house may not perform caucus activities, and state-owned equipment may not be used in the performance of caucus activities. (b) An individual member of the house may authorize the use of state equipment assigned to the member's office and the performance of caucus activities by an employee of the member only if: (1) the member determines that the activities support the member's official duties; (2) the caucus does not endorse or support a candidate for public office; and (3) the caucus does not accept contributions from nonmembers that are in violation of Section 253.0341, Election Code. (c) A caucus may use the meeting rooms of the Capitol and Capitol extension to conduct meetings of the caucus membership, to host public forums on matters of interest to the caucus, or to facilitate the work of the caucus or a caucus employee. (d) An individual member may house, in the state office space assigned to the member, caucus employees or equipment owned by a caucus. A member may retain in the member's office a telephone, facsimile machine, or computer owned by the caucus for purposes of the member's communication with the caucus or caucus employees. (e) From space under the jurisdiction of the house, the Committee on House Administration may assign: (1) one office space and one parking space for use by the Texas Republican Legislative Caucus; and (2) one office space and one parking space for use by the House Democratic Caucus. SECTION 6.03. CONTRIBUTIONS. (a) A person acting on behalf of a caucus may not knowingly accept a contribution in violation of Section 253.0341, Election Code. (b) A person acting on behalf of a caucus may not knowingly accept a contribution, and shall refuse a contribution that is received, in the Capitol. SECTION 6.04. MEMBERSHIP AND OFFICER LISTS. Each caucus shall provide to the chief clerk, on a regular basis, a list of its current membership and officers. SECTION 6.05. REPORT TO ETHICS COMMISSION. Each caucus shall file a report of contributions and expenditures with the Texas Ethics Commission as required by Section 254.0311, Election Code. ARTICLE 7. HOUSE RESEARCH ORGANIZATION SECTION 7.01. ESTABLISHMENT. The Committee on House Administration shall provide operating funds for a house research organization that will be an administrative department of the house and may for that purpose adopt policies and procedures relating to the administrative operation of that organization. SECTION 7.02. STEERING COMMITTEE. The functions and duties performed by the house research organization shall be governed by a 15-member steering committee composed of house members serving staggered four-year terms, who are subject to approval of the house membership. SECTION 7.03. BUDGET. The house research organization shall have an operating account and in compliance with the terms of its establishment shall operate under a budget approved by the steering committee and the Committee on House Administration. ARTICLE 8. SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR INTERIM SECTION 8.01. INTERIM COMMITTEE ACTIVITIES. (a) Pursuant to the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1961 (Subchapter B, Chapter 301, Government Code), standing committees of the house established by the rules of the house may hold meetings while the legislature is not in session. (b) The speaker may grant authority to select committees, interim study committees, subcommittees, or standing committees of the house to hold meetings while the legislature is not in session as the speaker considers necessary and desirable to conduct the business of the house and to assist the speaker in conducting the business of the house, under a pattern of operation and restrictions determined by the rules of the house. (c) The committee members and employees may either be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses or receive a per diem not to exceed that provided by law for state officials or state employees, along with mileage or other transportation expenses at the same rate as provided by law for state officials or state employees when conducting such business and attending those meetings when approved by the Committee on House Administration. SECTION 8.02. POWERS AND DUTIES OF COMMITTEE ON HOUSE ADMINISTRATION DURING INTERIM. (a) When the legislature is not in session, the Committee on House Administration may act as provided by this section. (b) The committee may call meetings for the transaction of necessary business, and the committee members shall be reimbursed for expenses incurred by them when attending such meetings or when in performance of their duties as members of the Committee on House Administration, the reimbursement to be either actual and necessary expenses or a per diem not to exceed that provided by law for state officials or state employees, along with mileage or other transportation expenses at the same rate as provided by law for state officials or state employees. (c) The committee may reimburse authorized members and employees for expenses incurred by them when traveling in the performance of their legislative duties and responsibilities within their respective districts or within any county in which any part of their districts lie or from their districts to the State Capitol, the reimbursement to be either actual and necessary expenses or a per diem not to exceed that provided by law for state officials or state employees, along with mileage or other transportation expenses at the same rate as provided by law for state officials or state employees. (d) The committee may pay for all other reasonable and necessary expenses, including operation of each member's district office, incurred by the members of the house of representatives. The expenses shall be paid from funds appropriated for that purpose, or any other funds appropriated for the use of the house of representatives, on vouchers or other forms approved by the chair of the Committee on House Administration, in accordance with regulations governing such expenditures. (e) The committee may assign or reassign parking places in the best interest of the house under such terms and conditions as the committee deems necessary. ARTICLE 9. APPROPRIATE WORKPLACE CONDUCT SECTION 9.01. PURPOSE. (a) The house finds that early intervention is often the most effective way to resolve incidents of inappropriate behavior and ensure appropriate workplace conduct. (b) The house encourages the prompt reporting of concerns and complaints, as appropriate, so that constructive action can be taken before the offensive conduct continues, escalates, or affects others, and to ensure that a timely and thorough investigation can occur if necessary. (c) This article is adopted to further early intervention and remediation of complaints and implements the house rules. SECTION 9.02. TRAINING. (a) Each member, officer, and employee is required to complete an interactive training program related to preventing and resolving violations of the house rules, this resolution, and house policy related to appropriate workplace conduct that is approved every two years by the Committee on House Administration. This training may be combined with training on other employment-related topics such as employment discrimination and workplace violence. (b) The training must include specific information related to the process for reporting violations of a house rule, this resolution, and house policy related to appropriate workplace conduct, for utilizing informal methods of resolving those violations, and for filing formal complaints with the house or another agency designated by law to receive those complaints. (c) The training required by this section must be completed not later than the 30th day after: (1) the member qualifies; (2) the officer is appointed; or (3) the employee starts employment. (d) A member, officer, or employee is required to complete a subsequent approved interactive training program not later than each biennial anniversary of the date the individual was initially required to complete the training under Subsection (c) of this section. (e) The Committee on House Administration shall designate an officer or supervisory administrative employee to keep accurate records of each individual required to complete an approved training program. The officer or employee shall make those records available to the public. SECTION 9.03. COMPLAINTS; FILING, INVESTIGATION, AND RESOLUTION. (a) An individual claiming to be aggrieved by a violation of the house rules, this resolution, or house policy related to appropriate workplace conduct may file a complaint with: (1) the chair of the house general investigating committee established under Section 301.017, Government Code, if the individual whose complained-of conduct is an individual other than the chair, the chair's employee, or an individual related to the chair or the chair's employee within the third degree by consanguinity or within the second degree by affinity as determined under Chapter 573, Government Code; or (2) the vice chair of the committee, if the individual whose complained-of conduct is the chair of the committee, the chair's employee, or an individual related to the chair or the chair's employee within the third degree by consanguinity or within the second degree by affinity as determined under Chapter 573, Government Code. (b) Any complaint must be substantially similar in form to the requirements of Sections 21.201(b) and (c), Labor Code. (c) Upon receipt of a complaint that meets the requirements of Subsection (b) of this section, the receiving official may, with the agreement of the parties, endeavor to address the alleged violation by informal, voluntary, and confidential methods of conference and conciliation. (d) During the pendency of a complaint, the committee may take any appropriate action to reduce the likelihood of a complainant and respondent being in regular contact with each other. (e) The committee shall conduct an investigation of a complaint, determine whether reasonable cause exists to believe that the respondent violated a house rule, this resolution, or house policy, and attempt to resolve the complaint through informal or formal methods, as provided by committee rule. The committee's rules must provide for a process substantially similar to the process provided for the administrative review of complaints under Subchapter E, Chapter 21, Labor Code, where applicable, and must include a due process hearing by the committee before a report is prepared under Subsection (h) of this section. (f) If the respondent is a member of the house, the committee's investigation must be conducted by a competent individual who is not an officer, employee, or annuitant of state government. The prohibition under this subsection does not apply to a retired or former judge subject to assignment under Subchapter C, Chapter 74, Government Code. (g) The individual employed or compensated by the committee under Subsection (f) of this section shall only perform the investigative functions of determining facts and reporting those facts to the committee and shall not perform any other functions for, or provide other services to, the committee in connection with a complaint. (h) If the committee cannot resolve the complaint, the committee shall determine whether the respondent violated a house rule, this resolution, or house policy as alleged in a complaint and shall prepare a report containing: (1) the committee's findings of fact and conclusions of law to support its final determination; and (2) if the committee finds that the respondent violated a house rule, this resolution, or house policy, a recommendation for any discipline or remedial action, in proportion to the seriousness of the conduct, necessary to prevent the violation from occurring again. (i) No committee report shall be made unless ordered by two-thirds of the membership of the committee. If a committee report is ordered, any member of the committee dissenting from the views of the majority may file a minority report, which is not subject to House Rule 4, Section 28. The minority report shall be included with the majority report at each distribution. If the committee is unable to agree on a recommendation for action or has an insufficient number of votes to adopt the report prepared by the committee, it shall submit a statement of this fact as its report. The committee shall deliver a copy of its report to the complainant and respondent and, if the respondent is: (1) a member of the house, to the speaker and the chief clerk; (2) an officer of the house, to the speaker; and (3) an employee of the house, to the employee's employing authority as set out in this resolution. (j) All proceedings on a complaint are completely confidential, and information related to those proceedings may not be released by any person unless authorized by committee rule or by the house. Notices of committee hearings, minutes, and witness lists required under the house rules shall be prepared as directed by the Committee on House Administration to ensure that no information is provided that would reasonably lead to the identification of a complainant, respondent, or witness. If an individual releases information made confidential by this section without authorization, that individual is subject to sanction by the house as authorized by Section 15, Article III, Texas Constitution, or other law. Any report of the house general investigating committee under this section is confidential until it is ordered printed by the house or ordered released by the committee if the house is not in session. (k) To the extent of any conflict between this section and Rule 4 of the House Rules, this section prevails. SECTION 9.04. PROHIBITION ON POSSESSION, DISTRIBUTION, OR CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES IN CERTAIN PLACES. No person may possess, distribute, or consume any alcoholic beverage, as defined by Section 1.04, Alcoholic Beverage Code, in any space under the jurisdiction of the house other than: (a) the speaker's apartment; (b) the speaker's office; or (c) an office of a member of the house. ARTICLE 10. COMMITTEE GIFTS [SECTION 10.01. COMMITTEE GIFTS. (a) Subject to the limitation in Subsection (b) of this section, a member of the house may not offer, confer, or agree to confer to a committee member one or more gifts per year with a total value of more than the amount of the per diem set by the Texas Ethics Commission pursuant to Section 24a(e), Article III, Texas Constitution. (b) If two or more members of the house join together to offer, confer, or agree to confer to a committee chair or vice chair one or more gifts per year, the total value of the gifts may not exceed three times the amount of the per diem described in Subsection (a) of this section.] SECTION 10.02. USE OF COMMITTEE FUNDS PROHIBITED. No committee funds shall be spent on committee gifts for members or otherwise. ARTICLE 11. CONFLICTING PROVISIONS SECTION 11.01. CONFLICTING PROVISIONS. In the event of any conflict between any provision of this resolution and any other motion, resolution, or amendment subsequently adopted by the house, the subsequently adopted motion, resolution, or amendment controls.