hy paul! THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS SITTING AS A HIGH COURT OF IMPEACHMENT Uj. 5 223 IN THE MATTER OF § CLERK OF THE COURT WARREN KENNETH § PAXTON, JR. § HOUSE MANAGERS’ MOTION TO CLARIFY CERTAIN SENATE RULES GOVERNING THE IMPEACHMENT TRIAL OF WARREN KENNETH PAXTON JR. To the Honorable Dan Patrick: The Texas House of Representatives Board of Managers (“House Managers”) file this ‘motion seeking clarification of certain rules contained in Senate Resolution No. 35 (“the Senate Rules”) governing the impeachment of Warren Kenneth Paxton Jr. (“Paxton”), Attorney General of the State of Texas, and would show the following: A. Time Limitations at Trial Rule 17 of the Senate Rules provides each side a total of 24 hours for “presentation of evidence” and an additional 60 minutes for “rebuttal evidence.” Rule 5 further provides that these “shall be monitored by the clerk of the court during all the proceedings of the court.” Additional guidance is needed both for the parties as well as the Clerk of Court who will be monitoring the time, per Rule 5. First, the House Managers seek confirmation that only the time spent on direct examination of a witness shall count against the 24-hour time limit for presentation of evidence. Or, at a minimum, the House Managers seek clarification that the time spent by an opposing party on cross examination will be counted only against the party conducting the cross examination, Second, the Senate Rules reflect a desire to avoid potential “unnecessary delays” and charge the Presiding Officer to maintain “control” over the time to “avoid wasting time” and to “closely monitor” for violations of Rule 611. The House Managers seek confirmation that time 1spent on objections, motions, responses thereto, and responding to any inquiry by the Presiding Officer, will not count as time spent presenting evidence. ‘The House Managers propose the following clarifications to Rule 17: * Only time spent on direct examination of a witness shall count against the 24- hour time limit for presentation of evidence, or at a minimum, time spent questioning a witness presented is counted only against the party conducting the questioning, * Any objections or motions, including points of order or parliamentary inquiries, responses thereto, deliberation of these matters, or inquiries by the Presiding Officer or responses thereto, whether done pretrial or during the trial are not considered “presentation of evidence” under Rule 17. B. Pre-Trial Exchange of Exhibits The Senate Rules do not contemplate the pretrial exchange of exhibits. To prevent unnecessary delay during the trial, the House Managers propose that counsel for each party assemble all documents, photographs, or other materials expected to be used at trial and exchange such materials with opposing counsel by August 22, 2023.! This rule does not apply to demonstrative evidence, rebuttal exhibits, or those the use of which cannot be anticipated. Counsel requiring authentication of an exhibit shall notify opposing counsel in writing by September 1, 2023. C. House Members’ Use of Wireless Mobile Devices Senate Rule 11(c) prohibits the House Managers, but not Paxton or his counsel, from utilizing a wireless mobile device while on the floor. Importantly, the House Managers serve dual roles of both client and prosecutor. To fully perform their jobs as prosecutors, the House Managers will need to access personal electronic devices. As with legal counsel, this will permit them to conduct research, review legal authorities and documents, and gather essential data that may be ' Paxton previously filed a motion proposing that the parties exchange exhibits on August 22, 2023. 2used at trial. Moreover, the lack of access to electronic devices will inhibit the House Managers’ ability to communicate with their legal counsel during trial. This will interfere with counsel’s ability to fully represent the House Managers. The July 17, 2023 Gag Order addresses any concerns about the potential for abuse that could result from having access to wireless devices. ‘Thus, the House Managers seek permission to use wireless mobile devices on the floor. Accordingly, the House Managers respectfully request that the Senate clarify the Senate Rules as set forth herein. Respectfully submitted, Rusty Hardin State Bar No. 08972800 Lara Hudgins Hollingsworth State Bar No. 00796790 Jennifer Brevorka State Bar No. 24082727 Daniel Dutko State Bar No. 24054206 Leah M. Graham State Bar No. 24073454 Armstead Lewis State Bar No. 24102089 Aisha Dennis State Bar No. 24128655 Rusty Harbin & Associates, LLP 1401 McKinney Street, Suite 2250 Houston, Texas 77010 Telephone: (713) 652-9000 Facsimile: (713) 652-9800 rhardin@rustyhardin,com [email protected] [email protected] ddutko@rusthardin,com [email protected] alewis(@rustyhardin,com [email protected]and DL xs Dick DeGuerin State Bar No. 05638000 DEGUERIN AND DICKSON 1018 Preston Houston, Texas 77002 Telephone: 713-223-5959 [email protected] and LO. roblh. Harriet O’Neill State Bar No, 00000027 LAW OFFICE OF HARRIET O°NEILL, PC 919 Congress Ave., Suite 1400 Austin, Texas. 78701 [email protected] and Erin M. Epley State Bar No. 24061389 EpLey LAW FIRM [email protected] and Mark E. Donnelly State Bar No. 24032134 PARKER, SANCHEZ, & DONNELLY, PLLC 700 Louisiana, Suite 2700 Houston, TX 77002 [email protected]and Donna Cameron State Bar No. 03675050 and Terese Buess State Bar No. 03316875 [email protected] and Ross Garber D.C. Bar No. 438838 ‘Tue GaRBER Group LLC 1300 I Street, N.W. Suite 400E Washington, D.C., 20005 [email protected] and Lisa Bowlin Hobbs State Bar No. 24026905 KUHN Hops PLLC 3307 Northland Drive, Suite 310 Austin, TX 78731 [email protected](CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE I certify that a true and correct copy of the foregoing was served on the following counsel for Paxton on August 5, 2023: Judd E. Stone II ([email protected]) Christopher D. Hilton ([email protected]) Allison M. Collins ([email protected]) Amy S. Hilton ([email protected]) Kateland R. Jackson (kateland [email protected]) Joseph N. Mazzara ([email protected]) Dan Cogdell (dan@)cogdell-law.com) Tony Buzbee ([email protected]) Lara Hudgins Hollingsworth