A package of legislation aimed at overhauling the state’s impeachment process was passed unanimously by the Texas Senate on Tuesday. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick stated that the goal of the legislation was to ensure a more appropriate impeachment process in the future. The proposed changes seek to clarify the existing impeachment process, which led to confusion during the impeachment trial of Attorney General Ken Paxton in 2023. The current proposal includes guidelines for both chambers, requires all witness testimony to be under oath, and tracks costs of impeachment proceedings.
Senator Brian Birdwell proposed a constitutional amendment that would be up for voters to decide on in November. The amendment would allow impeached officers to be suspended with pay and clarify the governor’s ability to make provisional appointments for suspended officers. The proposed changes aim to simplify the two impeachment processes and regulate how future impeachments should be conducted in the Legislature. Impeachment testimony would be required to be given under oath in an open session, and there would be a set timeline for deliberations and final impeachment votes.
Two amendments were approved by senators, including one that would affect the voting eligibility of an accused officer’s former spouse during impeachment proceedings. Another amendment addressed the impeachment process for governors or lieutenant governors if the chief justices of relevant courts recuse themselves or are unavailable.
The proposed changes aim to improve the impeachment process in Texas and bring more clarity and transparency to future proceedings. If enacted, these reforms would standardize the impeachment process and ensure a smoother and more structured approach to handling impeachment cases in the state.
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