Unit 4 The Texas Legislature The Texas Legislature Structure and Organization 1 Functions of Legislative Bodies Articulate the general demands of society Represent the needs of special segments of the society society whether organized or unorganized Frame and give approval to the laws Allocate the resources of society tax and spend 2 Basis of Representation Selection Criteria Types of Districts MultiMulti membermember used in House prior to the 1970 s for urban areas only Single Single membermember Prior to 1970 s rural districts only All Senate House after 1970 s Types of Constituencies Racial ethnic Economic Religious Geographical sole method for legal drafting of districts today although Geographical the way the districts are drawn can create homogenous districts of a particular nature 3 1 Unit 4 The Texas Legislature Roles of a Representative DelegateDelegate votes as s he believes the district wants Trustee Trustee votes consistent with personal beliefs Advocate Advocate votes wishes of major supporters contributors Politico Politico combination of the three roles 4 Structure of the TX Legislature Bicameral Bicameral Senate 31 members elected for 4 year terms overlapping terms for Senators House H House 150 members b elected l t d ffor 2 year tterm allll members b run at the same time Sessions Regular sessionssessions 140 days every two years in odd year Special sessionssessions 30 days when called by Governor 5 Organizational Issues for Legislative Bodies Level of professionalism Degree of partisan organization 6 2 Unit 4 The Texas Legislature Models of Legislative Organization Citizen Legislature Low pay Limited length sessions Limited staffing Professional Legislature Full time members No limits on sessions Adequate staffing 7 Legislative Organizational Models Partisan organization parties organization responsible for selection of Leadership Committees Staffing NonNon Partisan organization parties organization play only limited role in Leadership Appointment to committees chairs Appointment of staff legislative agencies 8 Texas Legislature Compensation SalarySalary set by Texas Constitution at 7200 year Per diem diem governed by IRS allowable Set annuallyy by y the Texas Ethics Commission Travel Travel same mileage rates as state employees when on Legislative business Retirement Retirement must have 12 years service Calculated on 2 3 x years service x salary of district judge A form of deferred compensation 9 3 Unit 4 The Texas Legislature Duties of the Legislature Legislative Amendment of Constitution Electoral function Directory and supervisory functions Legislative Audit Committee State Auditor Sunset Commission Investigatory function Impeachment 10 Non Constitutional Duties Non of Members Services for constituents Oversight Oversight through staff and committees Research Research through staff and committees 11 Powers of Presiding Officers Appoints all committees standing special interim Refers bills to committee Approves A appointment i t t off employees l Organizes calendars for legislative action Recognizes speakers persons who may speak on issues Rules on points of order 12 4 Unit 4 The Texas Legislature Presiding Officers of the Texas Legislature House SpeakerSpeaker elected by the members Speaker pro pro tem tem appointed by Speaker Officers Officers appointed by Speaker Senate Lt Governor Governor elected by voters President propro tem tem elected by Senate seniority is a major factor Senate officersofficers elected by the Senate 13 Types of Committees in the TX Legislature StandingStanding membership established at beginning of session Special investigatory investigatory created with a special p mandate Interim study study operates during interim only Statutory Statutory established by law Legislative Budget Board Legislative Council Legislative Audit Committee 14 Legislative Staff Session staff SenateSenate variable allowance set by Senate Administration Committee for each Senator House House fixed allowance for each House member for staff and office expense Office expenses SenateSenate reasonable expenses House House part of overall allowance InterimInterim same arrangement but reduced amounts 15 5 Unit 4 The Texas Legislature Standing Committees Senate 19 Standing Committees Three are not substantive committees House 35 Standing Committees Five of these are procedural Administration Committee of the Whole Senate Nominations Calendars General Investigations Ethics House Administration Local and Consent Rules and Resolutions http www capitol state tx us 16 Statutory Committees Legislative Budget Board http www lbb state tx us Legislative Council http www tlc state tx us Legislative Audit Committee http www sao state tx us lac html 17 Staffing for Legislative Committees Staff of the Statutory Committees Legislative Budget Board Legislative Council Legislative Reference Library Staffing for selected standing committees All committees during sessions Reduced staffing during interims except for committees with special mandates 18 6 Unit 4 The Texas Legislature Legislative Role of Governor Declare legislative emergencies Address legislature Call special sessions Veto legislation 19 Legislative ReformReformProposals generally proposed by experts FullFull time legislators Better informational services Improved mechanicsmechanics rules role of presiding idi officers ffi lilimits it on llocall and d special legislation lobby control 20 Main Steps of the Legislative Process in Texas Drafting the proposals Introduction and referral Committee actions Floor consideration Conference committee Governor s action Override of veto these actions do not occur on every bill 21 7 Unit 4 The Texas Legislature Types of Legislative Instruments Bills Bills HB HB House Bill SBSB Senate Bill established or amends law appropriates money passed by both houses in same form signed by Gov Joint J i tR Resolutions l ti HJR SJR proposes constitutional amendments 2 3 of both houses vote by people Concurrent Resolutions HCR SCR Simple Resolutions HR SR 22 Drafting of Bills Major sources of legislative proposals Interest Groups Agencies g of the executive branch Legislative staff and committeescommittees Legislative Budget Board Legislative Council standing committees interim committees Individual members 23 Introduction and Referral Introduced by members only filed with the Secretary of Senate or Clerk of House Referred to committee referred by presiding officer on recommendation of