Texas House Dean Senfronia Thompson, D-Houston, has appointed a bipartisan workgroup to review and recommend changes to the chamber’s operating rules ahead of the 90th Texas Legislature, which convenes Jan. 12.
Thompson, who has secured enough support to become the next speaker of the Texas House, selected state Rep. Erin Elizabeth Gámez to chair the 12-member workgroup.
The panel will evaluate existing House procedures and develop recommendations for consideration when lawmakers return to Austin in January.
The Texas House adopts its operating rules at the beginning of each legislative session. Those rules establish procedures governing legislative business, including committee operations, consideration of legislation and debate on the House floor.
The workgroup’s recommendations will be submitted for consideration by House members, who will vote on the chamber’s rules during the opening days of the session.
The bipartisan panel includes lawmakers with experience in legislative leadership, committee operations and House procedures.
In addition to Gámez, the workgroup includes:
- Rep. Nicole Collier
- Rep. Drew Darby
- Rep. Yvonne Davis
- Rep. Jay Dean
- Rep.-elect Odus Evbagharu
- Rep. Cassandra Garcia Hernandez
- Rep. Charlie Geren
- Rep. Ana Hernandez
- Rep. Todd Hunter
- Rep. Ann Johnson
- Rep. Erin Zwiener
The announcement comes as Thompson prepares for the upcoming legislative session and the anticipated transition in House leadership.
The workgroup is expected to meet before the Legislature convenes to examine potential changes and develop proposals intended to establish procedures acceptable to members across party lines.
The announcement did not identify specific rules under consideration or establish a deadline for submitting recommendations.
Any proposed changes would require approval by the full House after the 90th legislative session begins.
Photo by SHOX ART from Pexels
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