Legislative Process
By
John Brieden
Texas State Government
Executive
Branch
Judicial
Branch
Legislative
Branch
Legislative Branch
House of
Representatives
Senate
150 House Members
representing approx.
113,000 population
31 Senate Members
representing approx.
550,000 population
Legislature meets for
140 days every other
year (odd years)
1st day both
chambers adopt
rules and House
elects Speaker
Speaker
appoints the
House
Committees (38
standing
committees)
Each Member
serves on 2 or 3
Lt. Governor
appoints the
Senate
Committees (18
standing
committees)
Each Member
serves on 3 or 4
How a Bill becomes Law
New Bill
Idea
Draft Bill (Legislative Council)
Bill Introduced
Any bill in 1st 60 days of session, after 60 days requires 4/5 majority to bring to floor
On Floor
1st reading (caption only)
Speaker assigns to Committee
Committee Hearing
Hearing must be posted at least 5 days in advance
Bill Reported Out (Passed)
Text of Bill as Amended
No action Taken (Bill Dies)
Committee’s Vote
Detailed Bill Analysis
Fiscal Note
Possible Impact Statement
Calendars
Committee
Debate and possible
amendment
(Requires 2/3)
Vote
2nd Reading
(Caption)
3rd Reading
(Caption)
Engrossed (includes
all amendments and
changes)
Debate and possible
amendments
Vote
Sent to the Senate
If Senate
passes with
no
amendments
then sent to
Governor
If Senate
passes with
amendments
then
returned to
the House
If returned to the House
If House
agrees to the
amendments
bill is sent to
Governor
If do not
agree with
amendments
then request
Conference
Committee
Conference Committee
• Speaker and Lt. Governor
each name 5 to the
Conference Committee
• Committee meets to only
reconcile the differences
• Report must be approved
by at least 3 conferee
from each chamber
• Report (compromise)
from Conference
Committee goes to both
chambers
• There is debate but no
amendments are allowed
• Pass or Fail vote
• If passed by both
Chambers then sent to
Governor
Governor
• Governor has 10 days to:
– Sign bill
– Allow bill to become law
without signature (at the
end of the 10 days)
– Veto bill
• 2/3 vote in each Chamber
to override a veto
• If Governor receives a bill
less than 10 days before
the end of the legislative
session then he has 20
days from the end of the
session to:
– Sign
– Allow to become law
without signature
– Veto
• Cannot override veto since
not in session
Senate has different rules
• Committee hearings required
• to be posted at least 24
hours in advance
• There is no calendars committee
– Local and Non-controversial bills are scheduled by the
Senate Administration Committee
– Other bills are placed on the Regular Order of Business in
the order they are received
• The 1st bill introduced is a blocker bill so every other
introduced bill waits behind it
• To be heard the author must file a notice of intent to waive
the regular order to hear the bill. It requires a 2/3 vote.
Senate has different rules
• After the 2nd reading the Senate often suspends the
Constitutional requirement to have the 3rd reading on
another day and takes up the 3rd reading right away
• This requires a 4/5 vote
• The House rarely suspends the Constitutional
requirement for the 3rd reading on a different day
How do I have an influence on
the legislative process?
Make a Difference
• Be Knowledgeable
• Be a source of information on bills or issues
• Legislators rely on accurate and balanced information
– Information comes from many sources
– Some is only one side of story
– Be a trusted source
• If you mislead then you have burned the bridge
Make a Difference
• Today it is on the internet
– www.texas.gov – Texas Legislature
– www.capitol.state.tx.us
• Links for House and Senate
– Committees
– Committee Schedules
– Bills to be considered
• Bill Searches
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Text
Amendments
Engrossed
Fiscal Notes
Bill Status
Make a Difference
• Show up when needed
– Face to face meetings carry weight
– Face to face means discussion to clarify
– Committees allow anyone to testify
– Sign up by Kiosk or on-line
– Can be for or against
» If against remember courtesy to bill’s author
– Can register position without testimony
Make a Difference
• Relationships
– With your legislators
– With their staff
– With other legislators
– With other influential persons