The Legislative Branch Chapter 4. Texas Legislature - Elections Apportionment and Redistricting Apportionment: basis for representation. Texas Senate.

The Legislative BranchChapter 4

Texas Legislature - ElectionsApportionment and RedistrictingApportionment: basis for representation. Texas Senate was qualified electors; House was population. Limits and rotten boroughsDistricting: drawing the boundaries for districts: House, Senate, U.S. House of Representatives. Districts must be compact, contiguous, approximately equal in population. Ideal size: Senate=672,639; House=139,012.

Texas Legislature - ElectionsRedistricting Process (TX House and Senate)Legislature passes redistricting bill.Governor may veto.If legislature cannot pass a redistricting bill, the governor vetoes the bill, or a court rules the bill unconstitutional, then a Legislative Redistricting Board (Lt. Gov., Speaker, AG, Comptroller, Land Commissioner) draws the districts.GerrymanderingPackingCracking

Texas Legislature - ElectionsRedistricting Process (US House)Legislature passes redistricting bill.Governor may veto.If legislature cannot pass a redistricting bill, the governor vetoes the bill, or a court rules the bill unconstitutional, then a U.S. District Court must draw the district boundaries.2003 Redistricting2002 Elections2003 Regular Session2003 Special Sessions

Texas Legislature - ElectionsReelection rates and turnoverTexas House: 1998=16%; 2000=7%; 2002=23%; 2004=11%; 2006=18%; 2008=13%Texas Senate: 1998=6%; 2000=3%; 2002=23%; 2004=6%; 2006=16%; 2008=13%Tenure, 2009: House= 8 years; Senate=14 yearsTerm Limits?

Texas Legislature - StructureBicameralBiennial meetings, Odd yearsHouse Members 150 House, 31 SenateTenure 2 years House, 4 years SenateCompensation salary ($7,200) and per diem ($168 in 2009)Residence House 2 years state, 1 year districtResidence Senate 5 years state, 1 year districtAge House 21, Senate - 26

Texas Legislature Characteristics of MembersOccupation, education, and religionBusinesspersons and lawyersMajority have advanced degreesCatholics, Baptists, Methodists, and EpiscopaliansGender, race, and age43 Women (6 Senate; 37 House)38 Hispanics (6 Senate; 32 House)16 African Americans (2 Senate; 14 House)2 Asian American (House)Average age: 51 House; 54 Senate

Texas Legislature Characteristics of MembersPolitical PartyHistorically, Democrats had majorities2009, House: 76 Republicans, 74 Democrats Senate: 19 Republicans, 12 DemocratsIdeology--200770 Conservatives: 68 Republicans, 2 Democrats36 Liberals: 33 Democrats, 3 Republicans38 Populists: 33 Democrats, 5 Republican 4 Libertarians: All Republicans

Texas HouseComposition

Chart1

1401014911120

1331714551180

1341614371490

132181401018130

128221391118140

114361391118130

115351371321120

98521351519130

94561341619130

93571341619130

92581311920130

91591252526140

88621212926140

82681203028140

78721212928140

78721203027140

62881183230141

63871193131142

69811173231141

74761173732142

Democrats

Republicans

Men

Women

Hispanic

African American

Asian American

Number of Members

Texas House 1971-2009

Sheet1

TexasHouse

DemocratsRepublicansMenWomenHispanicAfrican AmericanAsian American

19711401014911120

19731331714551180

19751341614371490

1977132181401018130

1979128221391118140

1981114361391118130

1983115351371321120

198598521351519130

198794561341619130

198993571341619130

199192581311920130

199391591252526140

199588621212926140

199782681203028140

199978721212928140

200178721203027140

200362881183230141

200563871193131142

200769811173231141

200974761173732142

TexasSenate

DemocratsRepublicansMenWomenAngloHispanicAfrican AmericanAsian American

19712923012911

19732833012920

19752833012920

19772833012830

19792743012740

19812473012740

19832653102641

19852563012641

19872562832362

19892382832362

19912382742452

199318132742362

199517142742452

199714172832272

199915162832272

200115162742272

200312192742272

200512192742272

200711202742362

200912192562362

Sheet1

Democrats

Republicans

Men

Women

Hispanic

African American

Asian American

Number of Members

Texas House 1971-2009

Sheet2

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Democrats

Republicans

Men

Women

Anglo

Hispanic

African American

Number of Members

Texas Senate 1971-2009

Sheet3

Texas SenateComposition

Chart4

2923012911

2833012920

2833012920

2833012830

2743012740

2473012740

2653102641

2563012641

2562832362

2382832362

2382742452

18132742362

17142742452

14172832272

15162832272

15162742272

12192742272

12192742272

11202742362

12192562362

Democrats

Republicans

Men

Women

Anglo

Hispanic

African American

Number of Members

Texas Senate 1971-2009

Sheet1

TexasHouse

DemocratsRepublicansMenWomenHispanicAfrican AmericanAsian American

19711401014911120

19731331714551180

19751341614371490

1977132181401018130

1979128221391118140

1981114361391118130

1983115351371321120

198598521351519130

198794561341619130

198993571341619130

199192581311920130

199391591252526140

199588621212926140

199782681203028140

199978721212928140

200178721203027140

200362881183230141

200563871193131142

200769811173231141

200974761173632142

TexasSenate

DemocratsRepublicansMenWomenAngloHispanicAfrican AmericanAsian American

19712923012911

19732833012920

19752833012920

19772833012830

19792743012740

19812473012740

19832653102641

19852563012641

19872562832362

19892382832362

19912382742452

199318132742362

199517142742452

199714172832272

199915162832272

200115162742272

200312192742272

200512192742272

200711202742362

200912192562362

Sheet1

Democrats

Republicans

Men

Women

Hispanic

African American

Asian American

Number of Members

Texas House 1971-2009

Sheet2

Democrats

Republicans

Men

Women

Anglo

Hispanic

African American

Number of Members

Texas Senate 1971-2009

Sheet3

Texas Legislature - OrganizationLeadershipSenate Lieutenant GovernorHouse SpeakerCommitteesTypes of CommitteesStandingSpecialInterimJointConferenceComposition

House Committees 81st Legislature

34 Standing Committees 28 Substantive 6 Procedural 18 Republican Chairs 16 Democratic Chairs

Senate Committees 81st Legislature

18 Standing Committees16 Substantive2 Procedural12 Republican Chairs 6 Democratic Chairs

Powers Speaker of the HouseIn the leadership systemAppoints chairs and vice chairs of substantive committeesAppoints housekeeping and leadership committeesAppoints speaker pro tempore

Powers Speaker of the HouseIn the committee systemAppoints half of substantive committee membersAppoints all members of the Appropriations CommitteeAppoints select, conference, and interim committee membersDetermines jurisdiction of committees through control over House Rules

Powers Speaker of the HouseIn the staff systemAppoints officers, employees, and personnelAppoints members of the Legislative Budget Board (Speaker, Appropriations Chair, Ways and Means Chair, 2 others) and Legislative Council (House Administration Chair, 5 others).Appoints members of the Sunset Advisory Commission (5 House members and 1 public member).

Powers Speaker of the HouseIn the system of rules and proceduresWrites the rules for the HouseApplies, enforces, and interprets the rulesRefers bills to committeesPresides over activities in the HouseSchedules bills for floor debate (Calendars Committee)

Opposition in the HouseHouse Study Group (1975) Opposition to Speaker ClaytonMorphed into House Research OrganizationTexas Conservative Coalition (1985)http://www.txcc.org/Formed in opposition to legislationCreated research instituteLegislative Study Group (1994)http://www.texaslsg.org/Moderate and progressive members

Think TanksTexas Public Policy Foundationhttp://www.texaspolicy.comConservative groupPublications, Forums, etc.Center for Public Policy Prioritieshttp://www.cppp.orgProgressive groupPublications, Forums, etc.

Legislative Process - IntroductionOne primary author, cosponsors allowed written permissionFiling dates no limit during first 60 days, 4/5s required afterCopies 13 requiredpreferred bills one per member priority on calendarFirst reading and assignment to committee read on 3 days 4/5 to suspend Speaker assigns

Legislative Process - CommitteeNo bill can become law unless referred to and reported on by committeeCommittee hearings can consider legislation in public hearings, formal meetings, and work sessions. Meetings open to the public. Votes in open meetings.Before committee consideration analysis of bill, fiscal note, and impact statement criminal justice, equalized education funding, water development, tax equity, actuarialAnyone can testify before a committee

Legislative Process - CommitteeCommittee ActionsAmend billSubstitute billKill bill chair determines when and if bill gets a hearing. Two-thirds vote to remove bill. Minority report possible.SubcommitteeReferred by committee chairMembers chosen by chair

Legislative Process Committee ReportRecorded vote adopting reportRecommendation of assignment to a calendarAmendments and recommendationEffect of bill on existing lawAnalysis and synopsis of billSummary of committee hearing

Legislative Process Calendar Committee Assignment 7 days placed on one of House calendarsPlacement daily calendar only bills debated on the floor. Cannot require placement by the committee 36 hours before second reading

Legislative Process FloorOrder of businessRegistration of members 2/3 quorumDaily order of businessCall to orderRegistration of membersConsideration of calendars Emergency, Major State, Constitutional Amendments, General State, Local, Consent, Resolutions

Legislative Process Floor Daily order of Business (Continued)Second reading amendments possible. Sponsor opens and closes debate (20 minutes). Others get 10 minutes. Limit by previous question or motion to limit amendments. Voting by voice or roll call.Third reading separate legislative day. Four-fifths to suspend rule. Amendments require 2/3 vote.

Legislative Process Senate Calendaring Function blocker billIntent Calendar president of the SenateTwo-thirds vote 21 senators to suspend rules and consider billDebates no limitFilibuster

Legislative Process Conference CommitteeFive representativesFive senatorsVote by chamberMajority of each chamber requiredReturns to chambersOnly consider differences

Legislative Process Gubernatorial actionsTen days to sign or veto bill if legislature is in session.Bills effective 90 days after end of session unless: later day set or emergency declared and 2/3 vote in both chambers (earlier date set)

Budgeting Process - StepsBudget PreparationGovernors Budget OfficeLegislative Budget Board (LBB)Constitutional LimitationsBalanced budgetLimit on spending growthComptrollers estimateComptrollers certification

Budgeting Process - StepsBudget AdoptionCommittee HearingsHouse AppropriationsSenate FinanceHouse and Senate ActionConference CommitteeBudget ExecutionGovernor and LBB must agree on movement of funds

Influences on Legislative BehaviorLegislative staffIndividual legislatorsCommitteesInstitutionalLegislative CouncilLegislative Budget BoardSenate Research Center

Influences on Legislative BehaviorRelations with the governorCall special sessionsDetermine agenda items for special sessionVeto billRelations with lobbyistsProvide informationProtect interests of groups represented

Join the Debate: RedistrictingArguments for Nonpartisan RedistrictingParties should not be able to increase their influenceLegislatures will not be fair in redistrictingIndependent committee more likely to be fairArguments against Nonpartisan RedistrictingTruly independent or nonpartisan redistricting committee is impossiblePlan consequences are observableRedistricting is a political process

Legislative Branch and DemocracyPowers of legislative leadersLegislative procedures