1. Chapter Six
The Legislature

2. The Legislature A Preliminary Note
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3. Legislative Framework
Composition
Election and Terms of Office
Sessions
Districting
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4. Figure 6.1: Texas State Senatorial Districts (used for electing state senators in 2002 and 2004)
Source: Texas Legislative Council
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5. Figure 6.2: Texas State House Districts (used for electing state representatives in 2002 and 2004)
Source: Texas Legislative Council
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6. Pay and Per Diem Allowance Contingency Expense Allowances
Compensation
Pay and Per Diem Allowance
Contingency Expense Allowances
Retirement Pension
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7. Table 6.1: Constitutional Qualifications for Membership in the Texas Legislature
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8. Qualifications of Members Characteristics of Members
Membership
Qualifications of Members
Characteristics of Members
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9. Powers and Immunities Legislative Powers Other Powers Immunities
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10. President of the Senate: The Lieutenant Governor
Presiding Officers
President of the Senate: The Lieutenant Governor
Speaker of the House
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11. Table 6.2: Texas House and Senate Committees 78th Legislature, January 2003–January 2005
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12. Committee System House Committees Senate Committees
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13. Legislative Caucus System
Party Caucuses
Racial/Ethnic Caucuses
Ideological Caucuses
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14. Procedure Rules A Bill Becomes a Law
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15. Figure 6.3: Route Followed by a House Bill from Texas Legislature to Governor
Prepared with the assistance of Dr. Beryl E. Pettus
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16. Influences Within the Legislative Environment
The Governor
Judges, the Attorney General, and the Comptoller of Public Accounts
Lobbyists
Research Organizations
The Media
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17. Selected Reading
“Redistricting and Electoral Results in the Twenty-First Century” by Lyle C. Brown and Jerry Wilkins
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