Texas Constitutional Convention Updates

Summary of 27 July 1997 Meeting (Rough Notes)

The Site Selection and Calendar Committee presented a report recommending that we pick a location for the sessions and stay in that location rather than moving around. The committee presented two possible locations: San Angelo and Brownwood. After some discussion, the delegates selected Brownwood as the city in which future sessions will be held. The committe recommended that we meet on the 2nd weekend of each month with the exception that the next meeting should be 23 and 24 August. The committee will find an appropriate meeting location and inform the delegates of a specific meeting location in Brownwood later.

The convention session then went into a committee of the whole to continue discussing the functions or specific duties of the government. Discussion was divided into two sections: Functions of the national government and functions of the county governments. The tentative list is provided below but it should be noted that the committee report has not been presented to the convention nor has the convention approved the committee's work. It should also be noted that any subject may be reviewed and decisions may be questioned at a later date.

After a short recess for lunch, the convention reconvened to discover that a quorum was no longer present. The remaining delegates voted to adjourn the session until 23 August 1997, 9 a.m., in Brownwood, Texas, specific meeting location to be provided later. The committee continued with the discussion of the functions of government with the understanding that the work accomplished after the lunch break will have to be ratified at the next meeting of the committee where a quorum is present.

Functions of the national government:

1. Maintain and operate equity and maritime courts
2. Upon invasion by a foreign power, declare war
3. Organize, maintain, arm, and discipline a voluntary military force
4. Conduct treaty negotiations and ambassadorial functions with foreign nations
5. Establish uniform standards for maintaining public records
6. Issue foreign travel documents when requested by individuals
7. Maintain a national treasury
8. Organize and maintain the Texas Rangers
9. Establish procedures for conducting national elections
10. Establish rules of official proceedings, maintain and publish records of the same
11. Operate and maintain buildings for national government use

Functions of the county governments:

1. Operate and maintain voluntary water systems where called for by a vote of the people of the county
2. Operate and maintain voluntary sewer systems where called for by a vote of the people of the county
3. Organize and train a voluntary County Defense Force
4. Enforce court decisions
5. Maintain records of who voted
6. Establish rules of official proceedings, maintain and publish records of the same
7. Operate and maintain county penal facilities where called for by a vote of the people of the county
8. Maintain existing public rights of way
9. Establish procedures for county elections
10. Conduct national and county elections
11. Operate and maintain buildings for county government use

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Copyright at Common Law, West El Paso Information Network, 1997