Texas Legislature Overview

Vocabulary flashcards covering the structure, session schedules, member qualifications, compensation, representation, and redistricting process of the Texas Legislature.

Biennial Sessions

Legislative meetings held every two years in odd-numbered years, restricted to a 140-day limit.

Sine Die Rule

The rule mandating that regular legislative sessions in Texas cannot extend beyond the 140-day limit.

Governor's Special Sessions

The sole mechanism available to reconvene the Texas Legislature outside of its regular biennial schedule.

Texas House Qualifications

Requirements stating a representative must be at least age 21, a 2-year state resident, a 12-month district resident, a U.S. citizen, and a qualified voter with no felony convictions.

Texas Senate Qualifications

Requirements stating a senator must be at least age 26, a 5-year state resident, an 11-month district resident, a U.S. citizen, and a qualified voter with no felony convictions.

Female Representation Growth (1971–2021)

The increase of women in the Texas Legislature from 1 woman in 1971 to 38 House members and 10 Senators in 2021, representing 27% of seats.

Irma Rangel

The first Latina legislator in Texas (serving 1976–2002) who co-authored the top 10% college admission law.

Texas Legislative Compensation

An annual salary of $7,200 plus a daily per diem of $221 during legislative sessions only.

Texas Legislative Pension Eligibility

Retirement pension qualifications requiring an age of 50 with 12 years of service, or an age of 60 with 8 years of service.

Single-Member Districts

An electoral system where one representative is elected per geographic area, using a plurality winner-take-all vote without runoff elections.

Representation Ratios

The ratio of constituent representation in Texas, consisting of 1 House member per 200,000 people and 1 Senator per 1,000,000 people.

Gerrymandering Issues in Texas

Frequent redrawing of district boundaries that leads to urban underrepresentation through carving up city areas while suburban areas receive disproportionate representation.

Reapportionment

The constitutional requirement to redraw legislative districts after each federal census.

Legislative Redistricting Board

A board created in 1948 to address redistricting when the state legislature fails to act.

Political Motivation in Redistricting

The heavy influence of partisan interests and incumbent protection on the current redistricting process.