HB5020 - 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.

      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.