Texas Constitutional Convention Updates
Texas
Constitutional Convention Updates
Texas Constitutional Convention
Robert Kesterson, Publicity and
Advertising Chairman - (972) 222-8785
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - February 20, 1998
Few Texans realize that the State of Texas has no constitutional or statutory definitions of Texas citizenship or Texas geographic boundaries... two important ingredients for constitutional law, an oversight which has been corrected by delegates to the Texas Constitutional Convention in Brownwood at the Ninth Session February 14 and 15.
Using historical documents and court decisions provided by the Texas General Land Office and the State Archives, delegates adopted a concise and complete definition of Texas boundaries. "We were surprised to discover a few months ago that there is no formal or official definition of Texas boundaries," convention vice-chairman Wesley W. Burnett commented.
Delegates also adopted a definition of Texas citizenship, which has been overlooked in both the 1876 Texas Constitution and in statutory law. "Millions of Texans think they are Texas citizens," Burnett added, "but when we inquired of the State of Texas Secretary of State, we were informed that there is no formal or legal description of who is a Texas citizen."
The new constitution now includes a definition of Texas citizen: "(1) an individual born on the soil of Texas, or one whose parents were both born on the soil of Texas, and who voluntarily declares citizenship; or (2) an individual who has physically domiciled on the soil of Texas for not less than six consecutive months prior to affirming adherence to this constitution through voluntary affidavit" (Article 8, Section 5).
Delegates also adopted Article 4, Parts 2 and 3, establishing a republic form of government. The cornerstone of the national government structure is a unicameral administrative body, composed of 254 representatives appointed by elected officers of each Texas county to serve in the National Assembly. Implementing the functions of government authorized by the constitution, the National Assembly will be balanced by the nation-wide election of a president, vice president and treasurer, who will serve on the National Executive Council.
Demonstrating their intent to place most political power at the county level, delegates adopted Article 5, Part 2, which establishes a County Administrative Council (CAC) to implement the limited functions of county government. The council will consist of all elected officers in the county: sheriff, treasurer, county recorder, commissioner for each precinct; at least one justice and one clerk of court for each county or one justice and one clerk of court for each precinct. CACs will appoint one citizen to serve in the National Assembly, and will have authority to recall the appointee at any time.
Other action at the Ninth Session included adoption of Article 6 (Elections) setting two year election cycles, delegating details of election procedures to the National Assembly and defining qualification for voting: "Qualified voters in Texas elections shall be Texas citizens who have attained the age of 18 years or older" (Article 6, Section 1).
The Tenth Session of the convention will be held in Brownwood at the Gold Key Inn on March 14-15, 1998. All sessions are open to the public.
Other contacts for additional information:
Wesley W. Burnett (806)
495-4135 or (806) 495-2816
Don Henson (915) 587-4616
Convention Updates
at: <http://colossus.net/wepinsto/txconv/update.html>
Copyright at Common Law, West El Paso Information Network, 1998
Convention Update Index