Texas Legislature

The Texas Legislature is a bi-cameral legislature consisting of a 150-seat House of Representatives and a 31-seat Senate.

The Legislature meets in January of odd-numbered years only for a total of 140 days, and must adjourn no later than May 31 of that year, unless called into special session. Uniquely, the Legislature cannot call itself into such a session (unlike most other states), only the Governor can do so (as many times as desired) for a 30-day session, and the only legislation that can be considered in a special session is that which the Governor announces in his proclamation calling for one (or in an amended proclamation); the Legislature cannot consider any on its own.

Bills passed and signed take effect at the beginning of the state fiscal year (September 1) unless passed by 2/3 vote to give the bill upon passage/signature immediate effect or on an earlier date specified.

Although the Democrats controlled the Legislature for the majority of its existence, it has generally been conservative in the legislation passed. This is due in large part to the state constitution, one of the longest and most restrictive in the world, which greatly limits what the legislature can pass.^[1]

As of the 2020 elections, the breakdown is as follows:

The Texas Constitution mandates a quorum in order for business to be conducted. Democrats (both when they have held control and when they have not) have used this provision to ignore their duty to represent their constituents, by physically leaving the state in order to keep legislation from passing, notably twice in 2021 (during both the regular session and the first special session called) when they were in opposition. The latter move in July 2021 has kept needed legislation to reform Child Protective Services and to provide retired teachers a bonus check from passing.

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