collin county 2014 sd8 texas democratic party proposed rules amendment

8/12/2019 Collin County 2014 SD8 Texas Democratic Party Proposed Rules Amendment

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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

ontentsProposed Texas Democratic Party Rule Amendments......................................................... 1

1. Meeting of the County Executive Committee ................................................................... 22. County Executive Committee, Expenditures of Funds ..................................................... 33. County Executive Committee Bylaws or Rules ................................................................ 4


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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 yearterm 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 andthe 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.

.


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2. County Executive Committee, Expenditures of Funds


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.


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3. County Executive Committee Bylaws or Rules


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 TexasDemocratic 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.

collin county 2014 sd8 texas democratic party proposed rules amendment

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