Amendment 7 - State Representative Hochberg's Guide to the 2009 Texas Constitutional Amendments

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Proposition 7

The ballot will read: The constitutional amendment to allow an officer or enlisted member of the Texas State Guard or other state militia or military force to hold other civil offices.

Background: The Constitution prohibits a person from holding more than one civil office for which the person would receive compensation. Those considered to be “holding a civil office” include not only the elected officials that we normally think of as officeholders, but also appointed officials and officers of the military.

The Constitution specifically exempts officers in the United States armed forces from this restriction, including those serving in the National Guard. Proposition 7 would add officers and enlisted members of the Texas State Guard and other state military forces to the military exemption.

For: This proposed amendment would correct an oversight in the Texas Constitution. The Texas State Guard and other Texas military forces were overlooked during earlier amendments to this section exempting other members of the armed forces. Many civil officials would like to become active in the Texas State Guard or other Texas military forces but are prohibited from doing so by the current constitutional provision.

Against: No apparent opposition.

For the exact wording of the changes to the Constitution
that would occur if this proposition passes,
CLICK HERE.
Words to be added to the Constitution will be underlined.
Words to be removed, if any, will be [~~struck through~~].

For a more detailed analysis of this proposition
from the House Research Organization,
CLICK HERE.

For the full House Research Organization report
on all of the propositions,
CLICK HERE.

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