🦂Texas Government Unit 3 – Legislative branch

Structure and Composition

• The Texas Legislature consists of two chambers: the Senate and the House of Representatives
  • The Senate has 31 members, each elected to a four-year term
  • The House of Representatives has 150 members, each elected to a two-year term
• The Legislature meets in regular session every two years, convening on the second Tuesday in January of odd-numbered years
  • Regular sessions are limited to 140 days
• Special sessions can be called by the Governor and are limited to 30 days
• Senators and Representatives must be U.S. citizens, qualified voters, and residents of their districts for at least one year prior to election
• The Lieutenant Governor presides over the Senate, while the Speaker of the House, elected by House members, presides over the House
• Each chamber is divided into committees that specialize in specific policy areas (education, finance, transportation)

Powers and Responsibilities

• The primary responsibility of the Texas Legislature is to enact laws that apply to the state
• The Legislature has the power to levy taxes, allocate revenue, and make appropriations for state government operations
• It can propose amendments to the Texas Constitution, which must be approved by voters
• The Legislature has the authority to create, merge, or abolish state agencies and departments
• It can impeach and remove state officials, including the Governor, from office for misconduct
• The Legislature has oversight responsibilities, investigating and monitoring the implementation of state programs and policies
• It confirms certain gubernatorial appointments, such as heads of state agencies and members of state boards and commissions

Legislative Process

• The legislative process begins with the introduction of a bill in either the House or the Senate
  • Bills can be introduced by individual legislators, committees, or the Governor
• After introduction, bills are referred to the appropriate committee for consideration and public hearings
• If approved by the committee, the bill is sent to the full chamber for debate and a vote
  • Bills must pass both chambers in identical form before being sent to the Governor
• The Governor has the power to sign a bill into law, veto it, or allow it to become law without signature
  • A veto can be overridden by a two-thirds vote in each chamber
• If signed or not vetoed, the bill becomes law and is codified in the Texas Statutes

Key Committees and Leadership

• The Lieutenant Governor appoints Senate committee members and chairs, giving the office significant influence over the legislative agenda
• The Speaker of the House appoints House committee members and chairs, shaping the priorities of the lower chamber
• Key Senate committees include Finance, Education, Health and Human Services, and State Affairs
• Important House committees include Appropriations, Public Education, Transportation, and Ways and Means
• Committee chairs have the power to schedule hearings, decide which bills will be considered, and shape the direction of legislation
• The chairs of the budget-writing committees (Finance in the Senate and Appropriations in the House) wield significant influence over state spending priorities

Relationship with Executive Branch

• The Texas Governor has the power to veto legislation, call special sessions, and make appointments to state agencies and boards
  • The Legislature can override a veto with a two-thirds vote in each chamber
• The Governor submits a budget proposal to the Legislature, which serves as a starting point for budget negotiations
• The Legislature has the authority to confirm or reject certain gubernatorial appointments
• The Governor can influence the legislative agenda by declaring emergency items, which allows bills on those topics to be considered earlier in the session
• The Comptroller of Public Accounts, an executive branch official, provides revenue estimates that guide the Legislature's budget-writing process

Representation and Elections

• Texas is divided into 31 single-member Senate districts and 150 single-member House districts
  • Districts are redrawn every ten years following the U.S. Census to ensure equal population
• Senators serve four-year terms, with half of the Senate elected every two years
• Representatives serve two-year terms, with all 150 seats up for election every even-numbered year
• Texas has a closed primary system, where voters must choose to participate in either the Democratic or Republican primary
• In general elections, candidates compete in single-member districts, with the candidate receiving the most votes (plurality) winning the seat
• Texas has faced legal challenges to its redistricting plans, with accusations of racial and partisan gerrymandering

Current Issues and Debates

• School finance reform and property tax relief have been major issues in recent legislative sessions
  • The Legislature has grappled with how to adequately fund public education while reducing reliance on local property taxes
• Criminal justice reform, including bail reform and policing practices, has gained attention in the wake of high-profile incidents and protests
• The Legislature has debated policies related to immigration and border security, such as funding for border wall construction and cooperation with federal immigration authorities
• Abortion rights and access have been contentious issues, with the Legislature passing laws that restrict the procedure and are challenged in court
• The COVID-19 pandemic has raised questions about the balance of power between the Governor and the Legislature during emergencies

Impact on Texas Politics

• The composition and actions of the Texas Legislature have a significant impact on the lives of Texans
  • Laws passed by the Legislature affect education, healthcare, transportation, criminal justice, and many other areas
• The Legislature's budget decisions determine funding for state agencies, programs, and services
• Redistricting by the Legislature can shape the political landscape and influence the balance of power between parties
• The legislative process is influenced by various interest groups, lobbyists, and constituents who seek to shape policy outcomes
• The relationship between the Legislature and the Governor can affect the state's ability to address pressing issues and enact reforms
• Legislative elections and the resulting makeup of the Senate and House can shift the priorities and direction of state policy