Chapter 23 The Texas Legislature

The Texas Legislature Structure Sessions of the legislature How a bill becomes law Other players in the legislative process Power in the legislature

Box 23.2 top

Box 23.2 bottom

Structure How is the Texas state legislature organized? What are the constitutional requirements for becoming a member? What is the current membership like?

Legislative Structure Bicameral 150 members in the Texas House 31 members in the Texas Legislature Legislative session 140 days, every odd-numbered year $7,200 annual salary

Constitutional Requirements Senate U.S. citizen Qualified voter Five-year state residency and one-year district residency Twenty-six years of age House U.S citizen Two-year state residency and one-year district residency Twenty-one years of age

Legislative Sessions What are the different types of sessions in the Texas legislature?

Sessions of the Legislature Regular sessions 140 days in odd-numbered years Several thousand bills and the budget must be considered in a relatively short time frame Special sessions Called by the governor Thirty days on agenda set by the governor

Powers of the Legislature What are the powers of the Texas legislature? To what end does it use these powers?

Powers of the Legislature Legislative powers Bills Resolutions Nonlegislative powers Constituent powers Electoral powers Investigative powers Directive and supervisory powers Judicial powers

How a Bill Becomes Law What are the steps in the legislative process?

How a Bill Becomes Law Introduction Referral Committee action Floor action Conference committee Governor

Other Players in the Legislative Process In addition to legislators, who else is involved in the legislative process?

Other Players in the Legislative Process The governor Message power Special sessions Signing and vetoing legislation Comptroller of Public Accounts Media Courts Lobbyists Public

Power in the Legislature Who are the most important leaders in the Texas legislature? What are their powers? How does the battle over redistricting illustrate the party politics within the legislature?

The Presiding Officers True Political Power Speaker of the House Elected from legislative district Chosen by all legislators Presides over the House Lieutenant governor Elected in statewide election Presides over the Senate

Box 23.4