A representative and a senator working together sometimes introduce similar bills in both houses at the same time. Once a bill has been written, a member of the House or the Senate introduces it. Related: How to Get Involved in Setting TASB’s Advocacy Agenda The Legislative Council, an agency that provides legislators bill-drafting services and research assistance, often helps draft proposed legislation.Interim committees of the House or Senate.Ideas for bills come to representatives and senators from many sources: Related: How to Have a Productive Meeting with Your Legislator Introducing billsĪfter rules have been adopted, the Legislature starts to consider bills, which are proposals to change state law by adding a new law or amending a current one. The Texas Constitution provides some legislative procedures, but both chambers can adopt additional rules if they are approved by a majority vote of the members. The first thing the speaker and the lieutenant governor ask the two houses to do is decide on the rules they will follow during the session. Dan Patrick was reelected to this post in November 2018. The lieutenant governor cannot vote on legislation unless there is a tie or when the Senate convenes as a committee of the whole. The lieutenant governor is the second-highest-ranking officer of the executive branch and, like senators and the governor, is chosen for a four-year term. The lieutenant governor is the presiding officer of the Senate and is chosen by voters, not the 31 senators. Dade Phelan (R-Beaumont) serves as speaker of the House for the 2021 legislative session. Representatives, who serve two-year terms, can work on up to three committees. The speaker appoints committees, committee chairs, and vice-chairs. Because he or she is a member of the House, the speaker may vote at any time or withhold action to cast the deciding vote in a tie. Whoever sits in the speaker’s chair will be presiding officer of the House and will keep order, recognize members to speak during debate, and rule on procedural matters. On the first day of each regular session, the 150 members of the Texas House of Representatives choose one of their members as speaker of the House. Greg Abbott currently serves as governor of Texas. These offices carry out the laws and direct state policy.Īs the session comes to a close, the governor’s constitutional job description includes signing or vetoing bills. The governor also appoints the secretary of state, commissioner of education, and many members of boards and commissions that oversee the heads of state agencies and departments. This fast-tracks these items, allowing the Legislature to vote on them within the first 60 days of a session, before other legislation is considered. The governor can declare certain priorities emergencies, typically during the State of the State speech at the opening of a legislative session. During a legislative session, the governor holds the most power at the beginning and end of each session.Īt the beginning, he or she may recommend policies that legislators introduce as bills. The governor is the chief executive and is elected every four years. Legislative: Consists of the Texas House and Senate. Judicial: Includes the Texas Supreme Court and all state courts.Much like the federal government, Texas government is divided into three branches: In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, legislative leaders are implementing some changes in usual operations, but the general procedures listed below should still hold. This brief primer on the Texas legislative process will help you understand what’s happening and what role you can play. With such a brief time to formulate the state budget, new laws, and changes to existing laws, legislators have little time to waste while mapping the future of our state. The Texas Legislature meets every other year for 140 days.
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