Seventy-eighth Texas Legislature

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The Seventy-eighth Texas Legislature met from January 14 to June 2, 2003 in regular session, and in three called sessions in 2003, and a fourth called session in 2004. All members of the House of Representatives and all members of the Senate (15 to two-year terms, 16 to four-year terms) were elected in the 2002 General Election.

## Sessions[edit]

* 78th Regular session: January 14, 2003 – June 2, 2003
* 78th First called session: June 30, 2003 – July 28, 2003

To consider legislation relating to congressional redistricting. [1]

* 78th Second called session: July 28, 2003 – August 26, 2003

To consider legislation relating to congressional redistricting. [2]

* 78th Third called session: September 15, 2003 – October 12, 2003

To consider legislation relating to congressional redistricting.

To consider legislation relating to state fiscal management, including adjustments to certain school district fiscal matters made necessary by recent changes in state fiscal management; making related appropriations.

To consider legislation relating to the dates of certain elections, the procedures for canvassing the ballots for an election, and the counting of certain ballots voted by mail.

To consider legislation modifying the filing period and related election dates for the primary elections in Texas.

To consider legislation relating to the financing, construction, improvement, maintenance, and operation of toll facilities by the Texas Department of Transportation and the disposition of money generated by the driver responsibility program, fines imposed for certain traffic offenses, and certain fees collected by the Department of Public Safety of the State of Texas; making an appropriation.

To consider legislation relating to the reorganization of, efficiency in, and other reform measures applying to state government.

To consider legislation appropriating fees established by legislation from the 78th Regular Session of the Texas Legislature that remain unappropriated. This matter shall be strictly construed to only include fees that were established during that session of the legislature.

Legislation relating to making an appropriation for the purpose of returning to a fund outside of the state treasury cash that was transferred from the fund to the general revenue fund. [3]

* 78th Fourth called session: April 20, 2004 – May 17, 2004

To consider legislation that provides for performance based incentives to schools that attain higher levels of achievement.

To consider legislation that provides a cap on the growth in the appraisal values of homesteads for property tax purposes.

To consider legislation that provides a cap that is indexed to population and inflation on all property tax revenues received by local governments.

To consider legislation that provides reform of the property tax appraisal process, including having elected officials approve certification rolls, and requiring mandatory sales price disclosure of real property.

To consider legislation that provides for modifications to the recapture provisions of the school finance system, including but not limited to a constitutional amendment that links residential and non-residential tax rates at a lower level than provided by current law, providing for local enrichment.

To consider legislation that creates an Educational Excellence Fund to provide incentive funding, funding to maintain and enhance equity, and greater funding to address the needs of students with limited English proficiency.

To consider legislation on education reforms and property tax reduction proposals that benefit the school children and property tax payers of Texas.

To consider legislation that provides for an increase in cigarette and tobacco product taxes and fees and dedicating the revenue derived from the increase to the Educational Excellence Fund and for school property tax relief for taxpayers.

To consider legislation and amendments to the constitution that authorize and allow the placement and licensing of video lottery terminals at licensed racetracks and certain Indian reservations, providing that the revenue derived from such activity is dedicated to the Educational Excellence Fund, providing that the racetracks and tribes sign a contract with the state.

To consider legislation that privatizes the collection of delinquent taxes.

To consider legislation that provides for a reasonable tax and fees on certain adult entertainment venues.

To consider legislation that provides for an acceleration in the collection of tax revenues.

To consider legislation that reduces fraud in the sale of automobiles.

To consider legislation that closes loopholes in the franchise tax and dedicates the revenue from closing the loopholes to the Educational Excellence Fund and for school property tax relief for taxpayers. [4]

## Party summary[edit]

### Senate[edit]

Affiliation  | Members  | Note

|
|

| Republican Party | 19  |
| Democratic Party | 12  |
Total | 31 |

### House of Representatives[edit]

Affiliation  | Members  | Note

|
|

| Republican Party | 88  |
| Democratic Party | 62  |
Total | 150 |

## Officers[edit]

### Senate[edit]

* Lieutenant Governor: David Dewhurst, Republican
* President Pro Tempore (regular session): Eddie Lucio, Jr., Democrat
* President Pro Tempore (1st–3rd called sessions): Jane Nelson, Republican
* President Pro Tempore (4th called session): Jeff Wentworth, Republican

### House of Representatives[edit]

* Speaker of the House: Tom Craddick, Republican

## Members[edit]

Members of the Seventy-eighth Texas Legislature at the beginning of the regular session, January 14, 2003:

### Senate[edit]

District | Senator | Party | Took office

|
|
|

1 | Bill Ratliff | Republican  | 1989
2 | Bob Deuell | Republican  | 2003
3 | Todd Staples | Republican  | 2000
4 | Tommy Williams | Republican  | 2003
5 | Steve Ogden | Republican  | 1997
6 | Mario Gallegos, Jr. | Democrat  | 1995
7 | Jon Lindsay | Republican  | 1997
8 | Florence Shapiro | Republican  | 1993
9 | Chris Harris | Republican  | 1991
10 | Kim Brimer | Republican  | 2003
11 | Mike Jackson | Republican  | 1999
12 | Jane Nelson | Republican  | 1993
13 | Rodney Ellis | Democrat  | 1990
14 | Gonzalo Barrientos | Democrat  | 1985
15 | John Whitmire | Democrat  | 1983
16 | John J. Carona | Republican  | June 1996
17 | Kyle Janek | Republican  | November 2002
18 | Kenneth L. Armbrister | Democrat  | 1987
19 | Frank L. Madla | Democrat  | 1993
20 | Chuy Hinojosa | Democrat  | 2003
21 | Judith Zaffirini | Democrat  | 1987
22 | Kip Averitt | Republican  | April 2002
23 | Royce West | Democrat  | 1993
24 | Troy Fraser | Republican  | 1997
25 | Jeff Wentworth | Republican  | 1993
26 | Leticia R. Van de Putte | Democrat  | 1999
27 | Eddie Lucio, Jr. | Democrat  | 1991
28 | Robert L. Duncan | Republican  | December 1996
29 | Eliot Shapleigh | Democrat  | 1997
30 | Craig Estes | Republican  | December 2001
31 | Teel Bivins | Republican  | 1989

### House of Representatives[edit]

District | Representative | Party | Took office

|
|
|

1 | Barry B. Telford | Democrat  | 1986
2 | Dan Flynn | Republican  | 2003
3 | Mark Homer | Democrat  | 1999
4 | Betty Brown | Republican  | 1999
5 | Bryan Hughes | Republican  | 2003
6 | Leo Berman | Republican  | 1999
7 | Tommy Merritt | Republican  | 1997
8 | Byron Cook | Republican  | 2003
9 | Wayne Christian | Republican  | 1996
10 | Jim Pitts | Republican  | 1993
11 | Chuck Hopson | Democrat  | 2001
12 | Jim McReynolds | Democrat  | 1997
13 | Lois Kolkhorst | Republican  | 2001
14 | Fred Brown | Republican  | 1999
15 | Rob Eissler | Republican  | 2003
16 | Ruben Hope, Jr. | Republican  | 1999
17 | Robby Cook | Democrat  | 1997
18 | Dan Ellis | Democrat  | 1998
19 | Tuffy Hamilton | Republican  | 2003
20 | Dan Gattis | Republican  | 2003
21 | Allan Ritter | Democrat  | 1999
22 | Joe Deshotel | Democrat  | 1999
23 | Craig Eiland | Democrat  | 1995
24 | Larry Taylor | Republican  | 2003
25 | Dennis Bonnen | Republican  | 1997
26 | Charles F. "Charlie" Howard | Republican  | 1995
27 | Dora Olivo | Democrat  | 1997
28 | Glenn Hegar | Republican  | 2003
29 | Glenda Dawson | Republican  | 2003
30 | Geanie Morrison | Republican  | 1999
31 | Ryan Guillen | Democrat  | 2003
32 | Gene Seaman | Republican  | 1997
33 | Vilma Luna | Democrat  | 1993
34 | Jaime Capelo | Democrat  | 1998
35 | Gabi Canales | Democrat  | 2003
36 | Kino Flores | Democrat  | 1997
37 | Rene O. Oliveira | Democrat  | 1991 (first time: 1981–1987)
38 | Jim Solis | Democrat  | 1993
39 | Miguel Wise | Democrat  | 1996
40 | Aaron Pena | Democrat  | 2003
41 | Roberto Gutierrez | Democrat  | 1992
42 | Richard Raymond | Democrat  | 2001 (first time: 1993–1999)
43 | Irma Rangel | Democrat  | 1976
44 | Edmund Kuempel | Republican  | 1983
45 | Patrick Rose | Democrat  | 2003
46 | Dawnna Dukes | Democrat  | 1995
47 | Terry Keel | Republican  | 1997
48 | Todd Baxter | Republican  | 2003
49 | Elliott Naishtat | Democrat  | 1991
50 | Jack Stick | Republican  | 2003
51 | Eddie Rodriguez | Democrat  | 2003
52 | Mike Krusee | Republican  | 1993
53 | Harvey Hilderbran | Republican  | 1989
54 | Suzanna Gratia Hupp | Republican  | 1996
55 | Dianne Delisi | Republican  | 1991
56 | John Mabry | Democrat  | 2003
57 | Jim Dunnam | Democrat  | 1997
58 | Arlene Wohlgemuth | Republican  | 1994
59 | Sid Miller | Republican  | 2001
60 | Jim Keffer | Republican  | 1997
61 | Phil King | Republican  | 1999
62 | Larry Phillips[5] | Republican  | 2003
63 | Mary Denny | Republican  | 1993
64 | Myra Crownover | Republican  | 2000
65 | Burt Solomons | Republican  | 1995
66 | Brian McCall | Republican  | 1991
67 | Jerry Madden | Republican  | 1993
68 | Rick Hardcastle | Republican  | 1999
69 | David Farabee | Democrat  | 1999
70 | Ken Paxton | Republican  | 2003
71 | Robert Dean Hunter | Republican  | 1986
72 | Scott Campbell | Republican  | 2003
73 | Carter Casteel | Republican  | 2003
74 | Pete P. Gallego | Democrat  | 1991
75 | Chente Quintanilla | Democrat  | 2003
76 | Norma Chavez | Democrat  | 1997
77 | Paul C. Moreno | Democrat  | 1975 (first time: 1967–1973)
78 | Pat Haggerty | Republican  | 1989
79 | Joe C. Pickett | Democrat  | 1995
80 | Timo Garza | Democrat  | 2003
81 | Buddy West | Republican  | 1993
82 | Tom Craddick | Republican  | 1969
83 | Delwin Jones | Republican  | 1989 (first time: 1965–1981)
84 | Carl H. Isett | Republican  | 1997
85 | Pete Laney | Democrat  | 1973
86 | John Smithee | Republican  | 1985
87 | David Swinford | Republican  | 1991
88 | Warren Chisum | Republican  | 1989
89 | Jodie Anne Laubenberg | Republican  | 2003
90 | Lon Burnam | Democrat  | 1997
91 | Bob E. Griggs | Republican  | 2003
92 | Todd Smith | Republican  | 1997
93 | Toby Goodman | Republican  | 1991
94 | Kent Grusendorf | Republican  | 1987
95 | Glenn Lewis | Democrat  | 1994
96 | Bill Zedler | Republican  | 2003
97 | Anna Mowery | Republican  | 1988
98 | Vicki Truitt | Republican  | 1999
99 | Charlie Geren | Republican  | 2001
100 | Terri Hodge | Democrat  | 1997
101 | Elvira Reyna | Republican  | 1993
102 | Tony Goolsby | Republican  | 1989
103 | Steven D. Wolens | Democrat  | 1996
104 | Roberto R. Alonzo | Democrat  | 2003 (first time: 1993–1997)
105 | Linda Harper-Brown | Republican  | 2003
106 | Ray Allen | Republican  | 1993
107 | Bill Keffer | Republican  | 2002
108 | Dan Branch | Republican  | 2003
109 | Helen Giddings | Democrat  | 1993
110 | Jesse W. Jones | Democrat  | 1993
111 | Yvonne Davis | Democrat  | 1993
112 | Fred Hill  | Republican  | 1989
113 | Joe Driver | Republican  | 1993
114 | Will Ford Hartnett | Republican  | 1991
115 | Kenny Marchant | Republican  | 1986
116 | Trey Martinez Fischer | Democrat  | 2001
117 | Ken Mercer | Republican  | 2003
118 | Carlos Uresti | Democrat  | 1997
119 | Robert R. Puente | Democrat  | 1991
120 | Ruth McClendon | Democrat  | 1996
121 | Elizabeth Ames Jones | Republican  | 2000
122 | Frank Corte, Jr. | Republican  | 1993
123 | Mike Villarreal | Democrat  | 2000
124 | Jose Menendez | Democrat  | 2001
125 | Joaquin Castro | Democrat  | 2003
126 | Peggy Hamric | Republican  | 1991
127 | Joe Crabb | Republican  | 1993
128 | Wayne Smith | Republican  | 2003
129 | John E. Davis | Republican  | 1999
130 | Corbin Van Arsdale | Republican  | 2003
131 | Ron Wilson | Democrat  | 1976
132 | Bill Callegari | Republican  | 2001
133 | Joe Nixon | Republican  | 1995
134 | Martha Wong | Republican  | 2003
135 | Gary Elkins | Republican  | 1995
136 | Beverly Woolley | Republican  | 1995
137 | Scott Hochberg | Democrat  | 1993
138 | Dwayne Bohac | Republican  | 2003
139 | Sylvester Turner | Democrat  | 1989
140 | Kevin Bailey | Democrat  | 1991
141 | Senfronia Thompson | Democrat  | 1973
142 | Harold V. Dutton, Jr. | Democrat  | 1985
143 | Joe E. Moreno | Democrat  | 1998
144 | Robert Talton | Republican  | 1993
145 | Rick Noriega | Democrat  | 1999
146 | Al Edwards | Democrat  | 1979
147 | Garnet Coleman | Democrat  | 1991
148 | Jessica Farrar | Democrat  | 1995
149 | Talmadge L. Heflin | Republican  | 1992
150 | Debbie Riddle | Republican  | 2002

^ : In the 2002 General Election, Ron Clark won the District 62 seat but declined it, having received an appointment as a United States federal judge. Phillips was elected prior to the start of the regular session.

## Membership Changes[edit]

### Senate[edit]

District  | Outgoing
Senator  | Reason for Vacancy  | Successor  | Date of Successor's Installation

|
|
|
|

District 1 | Bill Ratliff | Retirement.
Senator Ratliff resigned effective January 10, 2004 for personal reasons.  | Kevin Eltife[6] | March 5, 2004
District 31 | Teel Bivins | Resignation.
Senator Bivins resigned effective January 12, 2004 after being appointed
U.S. Ambassador to Sweden by President George W. Bush.  | Kel Seliger[7] | March 2, 2003

* ^ District 1: A special election was held on January 20, 2004. No candidate received a majority of the votes on that date, so the top two candidates faced each other in a runoff on February 17, 2004. Kevin Eltife received a majority of the vote and was sworn in on March 5, 2004.
* ^ District 31: A special election was held on January 20, 2004. No candidate received a majority of the votes on that date, so the top two candidates faced each other in a runoff on February 17, 2004. Kel Seliger received a majority of the vote and was sworn in on March 2, 2004.

### House of Representatives[edit]

District  | Outgoing
Representative  | Reason for Vacancy  | Successor  | Date of Successor's Installation

|
|
|
|

District 43 | Irma Rangel | Representative Rangel died on March 18, 2003.  | Juan Manuel Escobar[8] | May 9, 2003
District 62 | Ron Clark | Representative Clark declined his seat after accepting appointment as
United States federal judge.  | Larry Phillips[9] | January 14, 2003

* ^ District 43: A special election was held on April 15, 2003. No candidate received a majority of the votes on that date, so the top two candidates faced each other in a runoff on May 6, 2003. Juan Manuel Escobar won the runoff and was sworn in 3 days later, on May 9, 2003.
* ^ District 62: Representative Clark was elected in the 2002 General Election, but resigned before re-taking the oath of office for the Seventy-eighth Legislature. A special election was held on December 14, 2002. No candidate received a majority of the votes on that date, so the top two candidates faced each other in a runoff on January 7, 2002. Larry Phillips won the runoff and was sworn in at the opening of the regular session.

## External links[edit]

* Texas Legislature Online
* Texas Senate
* Texas House of Representatives
* Election Results from the Office of the Secretary of State
* Legislative Reference Library

* v
* t
* e

Texas State Legislatures (and year convened)

* 1 (1846)
* 2 (1847)
* 3 (1849)
* 4 (1851)
* 5 (1853)
* 6 (1855)
* 7 (1857)
* 8 (1859)
* 9 (1861)
* 10 (1863)
* 11 (1866)†
* 12 (1870)†
* 13 (1873)†
* 14 (1874)†
* 15 (1876)†
* 16 (1879)
* 17 (1881)
* 18 (1883)
* 19 (1885)
* 20 (1887)
* 21 (1889)
* 22 (1891)
* 23 (1893)
* 24 (1895)
* 25 (1897)
* 26 (1899)
* 27 (1901)
* 28 (1903)
* 29 (1905)
* 30 (1907)
* 31 (1909)
* 32 (1911)
* 33 (1913)
* 34 (1915)
* 35 (1917)
* 36 (1919)
* 37 (1921)
* 38 (1923)
* 39 (1925)
* 40 (1927)
* 41 (1929)
* 42 (1931)
* 43 (1933)
* 44 (1935)
* 45 (1937)
* 46 (1939)
* 47 (1941)
* 48 (1943)
* 49 (1945)
* 50 (1947)
* 51 (1949)
* 52 (1951)
* 53 (1953)
* 54 (1955)
* 55 (1957)
* 56 (1959)
* 57 (1961)
* 58 (1963)
* 59 (1965)
* 60 (1967)
* 61 (1969)
* 62 (1971)
* 63 (1973)
* 64 (1975)
* 65 (1977)
* 66 (1979)
* 67 (1981)
* 68 (1983)
* 69 (1985)
* 70 (1987)
* 71 (1989)
* 72 (1991)
* 73 (1993)
* 74 (1995)
* 75 (1997)
* 76 (1999)
* 77 (2001)
* 78 (2003)
* 79 (2005)
* 80 (2007)
* 81 (2009)
* 82 (2011)
* 83 (2013)
* 84 (2015)
* 85 (2017)
* 86 (2019)
* 87 (2021)

†Timing of elections and sessions affected by the Civil War and Reconstruction
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