GOVT 2302
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Transcript of GOVT 2302
GOVT 2302
The Texas Legislature – Constitutional Design
The Constitutional Design of the Texas Legislature
The Texas Legislature: Article Three of the Texas Constitution
You might want to also read the legislature’s entry in the Handbook of Texas Online.
Here is a link to the original wording of
Article 3 of the 1876 Constitution.
It had 58 Sections and
3,809 words
In the current version, the article contains 67 Sections and 29,557
words.
It contains language defining more clearly how the House and Senate
operate internally and how bills become laws.
Many provisions are very similar to those in the U.S. Constitution.
But many are not.
The article has been heavily amended since it was originally
ratified.
Some highlights
Section 1 contains the vesting clause
Section 2 establishes the size of each chamber – the U.S.
Constitution has no such language.
Sections 3 and 4 establish the term lengths for each chamber.
Section 5 establishes that the legislature meets every two years,
and establishes rules for the consideration of bills. None can be
considered for the first 30 days, but it states that the Governor can
declare certain bills “emergency matters” meaning that they can.
Sections 6 and 7 states the qualifications for Senators and
Representatives.
Sections 8 states that each chamber can judge the
qualifications of their members.
Section 9 establishes the position of Speaker and defines the powers
of the Lieutenant Governor.
Section 10 states that a 2/3rds quorum is necessary to conduct
business.
Section 11 allows each chamber to punish and expel members.
Section 12 mandates that each chamber keep a journal of its
proceedings.
Section 13 mandates that the Governor issue writs of elections if vacancies occur in either chamber.
Section 14 privileges members from arrest during the session.
Section 15 allows each chamber to punish members for disorderly
conduct.
Section 16 mandates that sessions be open to the public.
Section 17 concerns adjournments.
Sections 18 and 19 prevents members from holding other
government offices, and vice versa.
Section 20 places limits on tax collectors holding office.
Section 21 states that debates on the floor cannot be questioned in
any other place.
Section 22 prevents members who have a stake in an issue from voting
on it.
Section 23 reinforces the residency requirement.
Section 24 establishes the salary of members, allows them to receive a per diem rates when in session and
mandates that sessions be 140 days long.
Section 24a establishes the Texas Ethics Commission.
TEC: Texas TribuneTEC: Wikipedia
Section 25 concerns senatorial districts
Section 26 modifies how house districts are apportioned across the
state.
Section 27 states that elections for each chamber shall be the same
throughout the state.
Section 28 clarifies the apportionment process and
establishes the Legislative Redistricting Board.
LRB: Texas Tribune
Section 29 states that all laws begin with the phrase: "Be it
enacted by the Legislature of the State of Texas."
Section 30 states that laws must be passed in the form of bills.
Section 31 allows bills to originate in either chamber.
Section 32 states that bills have to be read on three several days in
each chamber.
Section 33 mandates that revenue bills begin in the House.
Section 34 bills once defeated, cannot be reintroduced that
session.
Section 35 bills can only contain one subject.
Section 36 concerns the revision of laws.
Section 37 states that bills must be reported out of committee at least 3 days before the adjournment of
the legislature.
Section 38 mandates that bills passed by each chamber be signed
by the presiding officer of each chamber.
Section 39 states that laws passed by the legislature go into effect 90 days after the end of the session.
Section 40 states that special sessions can only focus on the
subject the legislature was called to consider.
Section 41 states that all votes – except for those for officers – shall be by voice vote. Votes for Speaker
are by secret ballot.
Section 42 was repealled
Section 43 modifies the process for revising laws.
Section 44 concerns compensation for all officers not covered in the
Constitution.
Section 45 allows for changes of venue in criminal and civil cases.
Section 46 States that all fees must be collected uniformly.
Section 47 allows for laws to be passed regarding lotteries and
regulating bingo games.
Section 48 has been repealed with the exception of a section relating
to emergence service, and jail districts.
Section 49 prohibits the states from creating debt unless due to
certain circumstances described in the section.
Section 49a requires the Comptroller of Public Accounts to
provide to the Governor and Legislature an accounting of the financial condition of the state
prior to each session.
Section 49b establishes the Veteran’s Land Fund and the
Veteran’s Housing Assistance Fund.
Section 49c establishes that Texas Water Development Board.
Section 49d (the longest in the article) concerns Water
Development Board and authorizes the sale of bonds for that purpose.
Section 49e concerns the Texas Park Development Fund
Section 49f provides for bonds to be sold to provide assistance for the purchase of farm and ranch
land.
Section 49g was initially intended to provide funding for the
Superconducting Super Collider.
Section 49g now concerns the Economic Stabilization Fund (
the Rainy Day Fund).
Section 49h allows for bonds to be sold to build prisons and mental
health facilities.
Section 49i allows for bonds to be sold to establish the Texas
Agricultural Fund.
Section 49j places limits on additional state debt beyond what
is allowed in the preceding sections.
Section 49k establishes the Texas Mobility Fund.
Section 49l allows for assistance for building roads to serve colonias.
Section 49m and n allows for funding highway projects as well as
projects aimed at benefiting defense related communities.
Section 49o allows for funding the Texas Rail and Relocation
Improvement Fund.
Section 49p allows for additional highway construction projects.
Section 50 limits the ability of the state to provide credit and related
assistance.
Section 50a allows for the creation of the State Medical Educational
Board.
Sections 50b-4, 5 and 6 allow for student loans
Sections 50c, d, e, f and g provide for loans related to agriculture and
maintenance and repair
Section 51 prevents the legislature form making grants to individuals
or corporations
Sections 51a – g authorize various forms of assistance
Sections 52 a – k concern the relationship between the state and
smaller, local governments.
Section 53 prevents the state from granting the power to grant extra
fees and compensation after services have been rendered.
Section 55 prevents the state from negating indebtedness on the part
of an individual or corporation
Section 56 places limits on the local laws and special that can be
passed by the legislature
Section 57 states that local laws passed by the legislature cannot be passed unless notice is given in the
locality affected by the law.
Section 58 states the seat of government is Austin
Sections 59 and 60 allows for the establishment of Workers’ Compensation Insurance.
Section 61a establishes minimum salaries for executive office
holders.
Section 62 relates to the continuity of state and local government in
the event of a disaster.
Section 63 was repealed
Section 64 allows for the consolidation of governmental
offices within a county.
Section 65 places a limit on the interest rates on bonds issued by
the state.
Section 66 places limits on liability for noneconomic damages
Section 67 allows for the establishment of and funding for
the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas