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HJR 29

Proposing a constitutional amendment prescribing certain requirements applicable to the impeachment of an officer by the house of representatives and repealing the requirement that an officer against whom articles of impeachment have been preferred be suspended from the exercise of the duties of office during the pendency of the impeachment.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Ryan Guillen

Texas constitutional amendment would eliminate automatic suspension of impeached officers from office pending trial and impose unspecified new impeachment requirements.

Referred to State Affairs
#houseofrepresentatives(v0096) #legislature(i0520) #resolutions--constitutionalamendments(i0661) #stateofficers(i0761)
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Bill Summary · HJR 29

Legislative bill overview

HJR 29 proposes a constitutional amendment to modify Texas's impeachment process by establishing new requirements for House impeachment proceedings and eliminating the automatic suspension of an officer's duties while impeachment charges are pending. The bill would change how impeachment functions at the state level, potentially allowing officials to continue performing their duties even after the House votes to impeach them.

Why is this important

This amendment directly affects the balance of power between legislative oversight and executive continuity in Texas government. Currently, impeached officers are automatically suspended from office pending trial; removing this requirement could allow officials accused of serious misconduct to remain in positions of authority, which has significant implications for state governance and public trust.

Potential points of contention

  • Executive power vs. accountability: Removing mandatory suspension could be viewed as weakening legislative oversight or alternatively as protecting officials from politically-motivated impeachments that may not result in conviction
  • Undefined new requirements: The bill references "certain requirements" for impeachment without specifying what they are, making it unclear what actual procedural changes would occur
  • Public confidence: Allowing suspended-duty officials to continue working may undermine public confidence in government accountability, particularly in high-profile misconduct cases

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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