Unit Unit 44--The The Texas LegislatureTexas Legislature11The Texas LegislatureThe Texas Legislature11Structure and OrganizationStructure and OrganizationFunctions of Legislative BodiesFunctions of Legislative Bodies Articulate the general demands of Articulate the general demands of societysociety Represent the needs of special Represent the needs of special segments of the societysegments of the societywhetherwhether22segments of the societysegments of the society--whether whether organized or unorganizedorganized or unorganized Frame and give approval to the lawsFrame and give approval to the laws Allocate the resources of society (tax Allocate the resources of society (tax and spend)and spend)Basis of RepresentationBasis of RepresentationSelection CriteriaSelection Criteria Types of DistrictsTypes of Districts MultiMulti--membermember-- used in House used in House priorprior to the 1970’s for urban areas onlyto the 1970’s for urban areas only SingleSingle--membermember-- Prior to 1970’s rural districts only. Prior to 1970’s rural districts only. AllAll Senate/ House Senate/ House after 1970’safter 1970’s33 Types of ConstituenciesTypes of Constituencies Racial/ethnicRacial/ethnic EconomicEconomic ReligiousReligious GeographicalGeographical-- sole method for legal drafting of districts today (although sole method for legal drafting of districts today (although the way the districts are drawn can create homogenous districts of a the way the districts are drawn can create homogenous districts of a particular nature)particular nature)Unit Unit 44--The The Texas LegislatureTexas Legislature22Roles of a RepresentativeRoles of a Representative DelegateDelegate-- votes as s/he believes the votes as s/he believes the district wantsdistrict wants TrusteeTrustee-- votes consistent with personal votes consistent with personal beliefsbeliefs44beliefsbeliefs AdvocateAdvocate-- votes wishes of major votes wishes of major supporters/contributorssupporters/contributors PoliticoPolitico-- combination of the three rolescombination of the three rolesStructure of the TX LegislatureStructure of the TX Legislature BicameralBicameral-- Senate Senate --31 members elected for 4 year terms (overlapping 31 members elected for 4 year terms (overlapping terms for Senators)terms for Senators)HH150 b l t d f 2 t ( ll b 150 b l t d f 2 t ( ll b 55HouseHouse--150 members elected for 2 year term (all members 150 members elected for 2 year term (all members run at the same time)run at the same time) SessionsSessions Regular sessionsRegular sessions-- 140 days every two years in odd year140 days every two years in odd year Special sessionsSpecial sessions-- 30 days when called by Governor30 days when called by GovernorOrganizational IssuesOrganizational Issuesfor Legislative Bodiesfor Legislative Bodies Level of professionalismLevel of professionalism Degree of partisan organizationDegree of partisan organization66Unit Unit 44--The The Texas LegislatureTexas Legislature33Models of Legislative Models of Legislative OrganizationOrganization Citizen LegislatureCitizen Legislature Low payLow payLimited length sessionsLimited length sessions Professional Professional LegislatureLegislature Full time membersFull time membersNo limits on sessionsNo limits on sessions77Limited length sessionsLimited length sessions Limited staffingLimited staffingNo limits on sessionsNo limits on sessions Adequate staffingAdequate staffingLegislative Organizational Legislative Organizational ModelsModels Partisan Partisan organizationorganization-- parties parties responsible for responsible for selection ofselection of NonNon--Partisan Partisan organizationorganization-- parties parties play only limited role play only limited role ininLeadershipLeadership88 Leadership Leadership  CommitteesCommittees StaffingStaffingLeadershipLeadership Appointment to Appointment to committees/ chairscommittees/ chairs Appointment of Appointment of staff/legislative staff/legislative agenciesagenciesTexas LegislatureTexas LegislatureCompensationCompensation SalarySalary-- set by Texas Constitution at $7200/ set by Texas Constitution at $7200/ yearyear Per diemPer diem-- governed by IRS allowable. Set governed by IRS allowable. Set annually by the Texas Ethics Commission.annually by the Texas Ethics Commission.99yyyy TravelTravel-- same mileage rates as state same mileage rates as state employees when on Legislative businessemployees when on Legislative business RetirementRetirement-- must have 12 years service. must have 12 years service. Calculated on 2.3% x years service x salary Calculated on 2.3% x years service x salary of district judge (A form of deferred of district judge (A form of deferred compensation)compensation)Unit Unit 44--The The Texas LegislatureTexas Legislature44Duties of the LegislatureDuties of the Legislature LegislativeLegislative Amendment of ConstitutionAmendment of Constitution Electoral functionElectoral function1010 Directory and supervisory functionsDirectory and supervisory functions Legislative Audit Committee (State Auditor)Legislative Audit Committee (State Auditor) Sunset CommissionSunset Commission Investigatory functionInvestigatory function ImpeachmentImpeachmentNonNon--Constitutional DutiesConstitutional Dutiesof Membersof Members Services for constituentsServices for constituents OversightOversight-- through staff and committeesthrough staff and committees ResearchResearch-- through staff and committeesthrough staff and committees1111Powers of Presiding OfficersPowers of Presiding Officers Appoints Appoints allall committees (standing, committees (standing, special, interim)special, interim) Refers bills to committeeRefers bills to committeeAittflAittfl1212Approves appointment of employeesApproves appointment of employees Organizes calendars for legislative Organizes calendars for legislative actionaction Recognizes speakers (persons who Recognizes speakers (persons who may speak on issues)may speak on issues) Rules on points of orderRules on points of orderUnit Unit 44--The The Texas LegislatureTexas