Texas Election Code 241.011 – Referral of Contest to Committee; Hearing by Committee
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(a) As soon as practicable after receiving the contestee’s answer, the presiding officer of the house in which the contest is pending shall refer the contest to a special committee, a standing committee, or a committee of the whole, as provided by rules of the house.
(b) The committee shall promptly set a time and place for hearing the contest. After notice to the parties, the committee shall investigate the issues raised by the contest, hearing all legal evidence presented by the parties, except as provided by Subsection (c).
Terms Used In Texas Election Code 241.011
- Answer: The formal written statement by a defendant responding to a civil complaint and setting forth the grounds for defense.
- Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
- Person: includes corporation, organization, government or governmental subdivision or agency, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, association, and any other legal entity. See Texas Government Code 311.005
- Presiding officer: A majority-party Senator who presides over the Senate and is charged with maintaining order and decorum, recognizing Members to speak, and interpreting the Senate's rules, practices and precedents.
- Testimony: Evidence presented orally by witnesses during trials or before grand juries.
(c) The committee may refuse to hear testimony or other evidence presented in person by the parties if the master determines under Section 241.0091 that the contestant’s petition is frivolous or otherwise groundless.