HB312 - Relating to the eligibility of a person who is not a United States citizen to be appointed to or serve in a public office or on an advisory board or task force.

  89R1173 LRM-D     By: Tepper H.B. No. 312       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the eligibility of a person who is not a United States   citizen to be appointed to or serve in a public office or on an   advisory board or task force.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Chapter 601, Government Code, is amended by   adding Section 601.012 to read as follows:           Sec.   601.012.     CITIZENSHIP REQUIRED FOR CERTAIN   APPOINTMENTS. (a) A person must be a United States citizen to be   appointed to or serve in a public office, including on the governing   body of a commission, board, or other agency, or on an advisory   board or task force:                 (1)     within the executive, legislative, or judicial   branch of state government; or                 (2)  of a political subdivision of this state.           (b)     Subsection (a) does not apply to an office for which the   federal or state constitution prescribes exclusive qualification   requirements.          SECTION 2.  Section 601.012, Government Code, as added by   this Act, applies to an appointment that occurs on or after   September 1, 2025.          SECTION 3.  The term of office of a person who is not a United   States citizen who was appointed before September 1, 2025, to serve   in a position that is subject to Section 601.012, Government Code,   as added by this Act, ends September 1, 2025, unless the person   becomes a United States citizen on or before that date.          SECTION 4.  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.