Tex. Election Code § 241.011: REFERRAL OF CONTEST TO COMMITTEE; HEARING BY COMMITTEE.

(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).

(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.

Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986. Amended by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 759, Sec. 9, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.