Changes

As with all other states except [[Nebraska]], it is a bi-cameral legislature, consisting of a 150-member House of Representatives (led by the Speaker of the House, elected from among the membership of the House, who by custom rarely votes on legislation) and a 31-member Senate (led by the Lieutenant Governor, popularly elected statewide but who votes only in case of a tie).  Representatives serve for two-year terms.  Senators serve for four-year terms, but due to a provision in the [[Texas Constitution|state constitution]] requiring the entire Senate to stand for re-election after the Federal Census is complete (this takes place in years ending in "2") and another provision which randomly determines which Senate seats will stand for re-election two years or four years thereafter, the seats stand for re-election three times in a ten-year period with roughly 1/2 of the Senate subject to re-election every two years.  Texas does not have [[term limits]] on members of the Legislature (or any office which, by either the state constitution or state law, is an elected office).

As with all other states except [[Nebraska]], it is a bi-cameral legislature, consisting of a 150-member House of Representatives (led by the Speaker of the House, elected from among the membership of the House, who by custom rarely votes on legislation) and a 31-member Senate (led by the Lieutenant Governor, popularly elected statewide but who votes only in case of a tie).  Representatives serve for two-year terms.  Senators serve for four-year terms, but due to a provision in the [[Texas Constitution|state constitution]] requiring the entire Senate to stand for re-election after the Federal Census is complete (this takes place in years ending in "2") and another provision which randomly determines which Senate seats will stand for re-election two years or four years thereafter, the seats stand for re-election three times in a ten-year period with roughly 1/2 of the Senate subject to re-election every two years.  Texas does not have [[term limits]] on members of the Legislature (or any office which, by either the state constitution or state law, is an elected office).

It is one of only a few state legislatures, and by far the largest, that does not meet annually or full time; it meets in regular session only in odd-numbered years and only for a total of 140 days (the session begins in January and must adjourn no later than May 31 of that year).  Furthermore, the Legislature can only call itself into a special session to bring [[impeachment]] hearings and remove a state officer from office.  It cannot otherwise call itself into special session; only the Governor can do so, can do so as many times as desired, for a 30-day period each session, and the only legislation that can be considered in such a session is that which the Governor announces in his proclamation calling for one or in an amended proclamation; the Legislature cannot consider any legislation on its own initiative.  Furthermore, legislators are paid a mere $7,200 per year for their work (though when in session they are paid a daily per diem amount plus mileage to and from their districts).

It is one of only a few state legislatures, and by far the largest, that does not meet annually or full time; it meets in regular session only in odd-numbered years and only for a total of 140 days (the session begins in January and must adjourn no later than May 31 of that year).  Furthermore, the Legislature can only call itself into a special session to bring [[impeachment]] hearings and remove a state officer from office.  It cannot otherwise call itself into special session; only the Governor can do so, can do so as many times as desired, for a 30-day period each session, and the only legislation that can be considered in such a session is that which the Governor announces in his proclamation calling for one or in an amended proclamation; the Legislature cannot consider any legislation on its own initiative.  Furthermore, as part of the "citizen legislature" concept under which the state operates, legislators are paid a mere $7,200 per year for their work (though when in session they are paid a daily per diem amount plus mileage to and from their districts).

Bills passed and signed take effect either at the beginning of the state fiscal year (September 1) or a later date specified in the bill, or (if specified in the legislation) if passed by 2/3 vote of each chamber to give the bill upon the Governor's signature immediate effect or on an earlier date specified.  Joint Resolutions proposing amendments to the state constitution require 2/3 vote of each chamber to be sent to the voters (the Governor's signature is not required).  By tradition, the first bills introduced in either chamber (House Bill 1 and Senate Bill 1) are the '''General [[Appropriation]]s Act''' (the state budget and authorization for spending), and the chambers alternate between sessions on which one will ultimately be the final Act.

Bills passed and signed take effect either at the beginning of the state fiscal year (September 1) or a later date specified in the bill, or (if specified in the legislation) take effect immediately upon the Governor's signature if passed by 2/3 vote of each chamber.  Joint Resolutions proposing amendments to the state constitution require 2/3 vote of each chamber to be sent to the voters (the Governor's signature is not required).  By tradition, the first bills introduced in either chamber (House Bill 1 and Senate Bill 1) are the '''General [[Appropriation]]s Act''' (the state budget and authorization for spending), and the chambers alternate between sessions on which one will ultimately be the final Act.

Notwithstanding which party has controlled the Legislature, the legislation passed is generally conservative in nature.  This is due in large part to the state constitution, one of the longest and most restrictive in the world, which greatly limits what the legislature can pass.  For example, it limits spending to what the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts certifies is the estimated revenue for the next biennium (the period beginning September 1 of the year after the Legislature adjourns in regular session and ending August 31 two years thereafter; the estimate is divided by fiscal year) unless the Legislature declares a "public emergency" and then passes the legislation by 4/5 of both chambers.  Also, public debt and pledging the state's credit is severely limited, requiring numerous amendments to the state constitution to allow for legislation which, in Congress and most states, is routinely passed without such a requirement.  

Notwithstanding which party has controlled the Legislature, the legislation passed is generally conservative in nature.  This is due in large part to the state constitution, one of the longest and most restrictive in the world, which greatly limits what the legislature can pass.  For example, it limits spending to what the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts certifies is the estimated revenue for the next biennium (the period beginning September 1 of the year after the Legislature adjourns in regular session and ending August 31 two years thereafter; the estimate is divided by fiscal year) unless the Legislature declares a "public emergency" and then passes the legislation by 4/5 of both chambers.  Also, public debt and pledging the state's credit is severely limited, requiring numerous amendments to the state constitution to allow for legislation which, in Congress and most states, is routinely passed without such a requirement.