Chapter 23 The Texas Legislature
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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?
Chapter 23 The Texas Legislature
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Presentation Transcript
The Texas Legislature • Structure • Sessions of the legislature • How a bill becomes law • Other players in the legislative process • Power in the legislature
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 • Qualified voter • 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 OfficersTrue 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