Proposed Texas Democratic Party Rule Amendments

The following rule revisions were submitted to the SD8 Convention by the Rules Committee and accepted for adoption to be submitted to the Texas Democratic Party Rules for consideration by the Convention. Barb Walters, Chair, 3-22-14

Contents
Proposed Texas Democratic Party Rule Amendments ......................................................... 1 1. 2. 3. Meeting of the County Executive Committee ................................................................... 2 County Executive Committee, Expenditures of Funds ..................................................... 3 County Executive Committee Bylaws or Rules ................................................................ 4

1. Meeting of the County Executive Committee

Article and Section * Article III E. County Executive Committee, 10. Meeting of the County Executive Committee. Section of Rule Exactly As Currently Worded * The County Executive Committee (CEC) shall meet at least quarterly throughout the two year term between elections. Statutory meetings called for by the Texas Election Code may be counted toward the quarterly meeting requirement of the CEC. The County Executive Committee (CEC) meetings shall not be scheduled during the week of the biennial state convention and county/Senatorial district convention, except to a) fill a ballot vacancy, b) endorse a candidate in a special election or c) if the nature of the business is such that it cannot wait until the adjournment of that convention. If a county chair fails to issue a written call for a County Executive Committee meeting within six months of the previous County Executive Committee meeting, 25% of the members of the CEC may call a CEC meeting by written demand. Notice of such meeting, including an agenda of the business to be considered, shall be mailed or sent by electronic mail to all members of the county executive committee at least fourteen (14) days prior to the date of the meeting and shall state the time, date and place and the names of the persons issuing the call. The County Executive Committee meetings shall be chaired by the County Chair. If the County Chair is not present, then the Secretary or any qualified Democrat may conduct the meeting. Proposed Rule Amendment * The County Executive Committee (CEC) shall meet at least quarterly throughout the two year term between elections. Statutory meetings called for by the Texas Election Code may be counted toward the quarterly meeting requirement of the CEC. The County Executive Committee (CEC) meetings shall not be scheduled during the week of the biennial state convention and county/Senatorial district convention, except to a) fill a ballot vacancy, b) endorse a candidate in a special election or c) if the nature of the business is such that it cannot wait until the adjournment of that convention. The County Chair or 25% of the members of the CEC may call a CEC meeting by written demand. Notice of such meeting, including an agenda of the business to be considered, shall be mailed or sent by electronic mail to all members of the county executive committee at least fourteen (14) days prior to the date of the meeting and shall state the time, date and place and the names of the persons issuing the call. The County Executive Committee meetings shall be chaired by the County Chair. If the County Chair is not present, any qualified Democrat may call the meeting to order. The first order of business will be election by majority vote of a chair for that meeting. Rationale * These changes allow a County Executive Committee (CEC) to function when a County Chair may become unable or unwilling to facilitate meaningful CEC meetings.Specifically, these changes allow for a CEC quorum (as well as the County Chair) to call a CEC meeting at any time. They also allow the CEC to elect a meeting chair (which can be but does not necessarily have to be the County Chair) at the beginning of each meeting. Also, a right of essentially any qualified Democrat to call a meeting to order ensures CEC meetings can timely begin. .

2. County Executive Committee, Expenditures of Funds

Article and Section * Article III, Section E., County Executive Committee, 8. Expenditures of Funds. Section of Rule Exactly As Currently Worded * III.E.8. Expenditures of Funds. Expenditures of funds by the County Executive Committee, unless otherwise specified by law, shall require the approval of at least 51% of its member present Proposed Rule Amendment Expenditures of funds by the County Executive Committee, unless otherwise specified by law, shall through budget approval or specific resolution require the prior approval of at least 51% of its member present. Rationale * The changes are designed to ensure that the CEC is operating from a planned budget or a resolution voted on for additional outlays, and that all expenditures have prior approval rather than being voted on after the money has been spent.

3. County Executive Committee Bylaws or Rules

Article and Section * ADDITIONAL ARTICLE: Article III. Section E.11., County Executive Committee Bylaws or Rules Section of Rule Exactly As Currently Worded * N/A Proposed Rule Amendment By majority vote, County Executive Committees may adopt bylaws or rules governing their operation. Such bylaws or rules must conform with and not conflict with applicable rules of the Texas Democratic Party. Bylaws or rules must be reauthorized by a County Executive Committee majority at least once every two years and within 60 days of the beginning of a new committee term. New or amended bylaws or rules must be filed within 30 days of adoption with the Chair of the Texas Democratic Party or designee for review for conformity with the rules of the Texas Democratic Party. Bylaws or rules found nonconforming by the Chair of the Texas Democratic Party or designee shall be of no force or effect. If the Chair of the Texas Democratic Party or designee does not respond within 60 days of a filing, those bylaws, rules or amendments thereto shall be deemed in conformance. Rationale * This allows a County Executive Committee (CEC) to adopt local bylaws or rules and ensures they will conform to state party rules. A review process allows CECs to confidently govern themselves with less concern about conflicts with state rules.