Texas Legislature Overview and Functions

Legislative Branch Overview

  • The legislative branch is tasked with making laws.
  • Laws are the foundation of public policy, which guides the actions of state agencies.

Structure of the Texas Legislature

  • Bicameral legislature:
    • Comprises two houses:
    • Texas Senate: 31 members
    • Texas House of Representatives: 150 members
    • Both houses must agree on a bill for it to become law.
    • The Senate has the unique authority to confirm the governor's appointments.
  • Historical Context:
    • Bicameralism mimics the structure of the national Congress and is practiced in most states except Nebraska, which has a unicameral legislature.

Advantages of Bicameralism

  • Acts as a check on legislation, preventing hasty decisions.
  • Both chambers must deliberate on bills before they can become law.
  • May slow the law-making process or lead to legislative deadlock.

Characteristics of the Texas Legislature

  • Considered a "citizen legislature" due to:
    • Members meet for only 140 days biennially.
    • Receive low salaries ($7,200 annually plus a per diem).
  • Dominated by presiding officers (lieutenant governor in the Senate and speaker in the House).
  • Utilizes various standing committees to manage the legislative process.

Legislative Terms and Sessions

  • Election Terms:
    • Representatives: 2-year terms.
    • Senators: 4-year staggered terms; groups of senators elected every two years.
  • Term Limits:
    • No limits in Texas; other states may impose term limits due to concerns over legislative responsiveness.
  • Special Sessions:
    • Can be called by the governor and have specific agendas, lasting up to 30 days.

Legislative Compensation

  • Annual salary of $7,200, with $190 per diem during sessions.
  • Laws regarding salary adjustments require voter approval.
  • Texas legislators are among the lowest paid in large states.
  • Potential conflicts of interest arise from outside compensation:
    • Retainer fees: For lawyer-legislators from businesses connected to state agencies.
    • Consulting fees: For legislative advice and assistance.

Legislative Staff

  • Minimal funds available for staffing; average staff budget for House members is $13,250 and for senators is $38,000.
  • Staff is required to manage work in Austin and home districts.
  • Limited staff leads to increased reliance on special interests for support.

Challenges and Critiques

  • Short sessions contribute to the citizen nature of the legislature but hinder thorough examination of proposed legislation.
  • The biennial schedule limits legislators' effectiveness compared to states with annual sessions.
  • Increased turnover due to term limits can lead to reliance on lobbyists and reduce legislative effectiveness.
  • Special sessions are often unpopular due to their cost (over a million dollars) and the disruption to legislators' lives.

Interesting Note

  • On April Fool's Day 1971, the Texas House inadvertently passed a congratulatory resolution for Albert De Salvo, later confirmed to be the "Boston Strangler."