Changes

===Rules of Impeachment===

===Rules of Impeachment===

#'''Court of Impeachment.''' Designates the trial to begin at 9AM on Tuesday, September 5, 2023.

#'''Court of Impeachment.''' Designates the trial to begin at 9AM on Tuesday, September 5, 2023.

#'''Court and Court Officers.''' Designates the Senate as the Court of Impeachment, the Senators as members of the court, and the President of the Senate (the Lieutenant Governor) as its presiding officer.  The President can designate any member as presiding officer, so long as that member is not standing for re-election in 2024.  The Sergeant at Arms of the Senate will serve as bailiff and the Secretary of the Senate will serve as chief clerk. (The presiding officer is also entitled to legal counsel.)

#'''Court and Court Officers.''' Designates the Senate as the Court of Impeachment, the Senators as members of the court, and the President of the Senate (the Lieutenant Governor) as its presiding officer.  The President can designate any member as presiding officer, so long as that member is not standing for re-election in 2024.  The Sergeant at Arms of the Senate will serve as bailiff and the Secretary of the Senate will serve as chief clerk.

#'''Parties and Appearance.'''  AG Paxton and the House Board of Managers are designated as parties to the trial, and will have full and free access to the Senate chamber floor except when the court is in closed session.

#'''Parties and Appearance.'''  AG Paxton and the House Board of Managers are designated as parties to the trial, and will have full and free access to the Senate chamber floor except when the court is in closed session.

#'''Proceeding Records.''' (a) The clerk will ensure that the court has court reporters needed to transcribe the proceedings; the parties may have their own court reporter at their own expense. (b) Copies of all written documents submitted as evidence will be provided to all members.

#'''Proceeding Records.''' (a) The clerk will ensure that the court has court reporters needed to transcribe the proceedings; the parties may have their own court reporter at their own expense. (b) Copies of all written documents submitted as evidence will be provided to all members.

# (a) '''Commencement of the Trial.''' The trial shall commence on all Articles except for Articles XI, XII, XIII, and XIV, which shall be held in abeyance.  If AG Paxton or his counsel fail to appear, or do not enter a plea, the trial shall commence as if a plea of not guilty was entered. (b) '''Action on Pleadings.''' Any motion which would result in a dismissal of any Article shall be decided by simple majority vote, without debate or comment, after all motions, responses, and a report of recommendations made by the Senate Special Committee on Rules & Procedures for Court of Impeachment. All other pre-trial motions shall be decided in the same manner, solely by the presiding officer, or at the officer's option to a majority vote of the members. (c) '''Order of Proceeding and Trial.''' After all pre-trial motions have been decided, the trial will promptly begin.  The House Managers may make an opening statement; Paxton or his counsel may also do so or reserve the right to do so when they present their evidence.  Cross-examination of witnesses, and presentation of rebuttal evidence, is permitted by both parties.  The House Managers, having the burden of proof, may open and close final arguments, after which deliberation shall begin. (d) '''Examination of Witnesses.''' Only the House Managers or counsel to the parties shall examine the witnesses. (e) '''Witness List.''' A list of witnesses shall be provided by August 22, 2023 but only to specified parties therein; otherwise, the list shall be confidential.

# (a) '''Commencement of the Trial.''' The trial shall commence on all Articles except for Articles XI, XII, XIII, and XIV, which shall be held in abeyance.  If AG Paxton or his counsel fail to appear, or do not enter a plea, the trial shall commence as if a plea of not guilty was entered. (b) '''Action on Pleadings.''' Any motion which would result in a dismissal of any Article shall be decided by simple majority vote, without debate or comment, after all motions, responses, and a report of recommendations made by the Senate Special Committee on Rules & Procedures for Court of Impeachment. All other pre-trial motions shall be decided in the same manner, solely by the presiding officer, or at the officer's option to a majority vote of the members. (c) '''Order of Proceeding and Trial.''' After all pre-trial motions have been decided, the trial will promptly begin.  The House Managers may make an opening statement; Paxton or his counsel may also do so or reserve the right to do so when they present their evidence.  Cross-examination of witnesses, and presentation of rebuttal evidence, is permitted by both parties.  The House Managers, having the burden of proof, may open and close final arguments, after which deliberation shall begin. (d) '''Examination of Witnesses.''' Only the House Managers or counsel to the parties shall examine the witnesses. (e) '''Witness List.''' A list of witnesses shall be provided by August 22, 2023 but only to specified parties therein; otherwise, the list shall be confidential.

==Post-Impeachment Actions==

==Post-Impeachment Actions==