Texas Legislature

The Texas State Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Texas. The Texas Legislature is a bicameral body consisting of a 31-member Senate and a 150-member House of Representatives. The Texas Legislature meets every two years in regular session, starting on the second Tuesday in January of odd-numbered years, and sessions can last up to 140 days. It is a powerful arm of the Texas government not only because of its power of the purse to control and direct the activities of state government and the strong constitutional connections between it and the lieutenant governor of Texas, but also due to Texas's plural executive.

The Legislature is the constitutional successor of the Congress of the Republic of Texas since Texas's 1845 entrance into the Union. The Legislature held its first regular session from February 16 to May 13, 1846.

The Texas Legislature meets every other year, starting on the second Tuesday in January of each odd-numbered year. Texas is one of only four states — and the largest — that doesn’t hold annual legislative sessions."Texas Legislature". Wikipedia. Retrieved October 13, 2025. The Texas Constitution limits the regular session to 140 calendar days. As of 2025, Dan Patrick serves as the Lieutenant Governor of Texas, presiding over the Senate. Dustin Burrows is the Speaker of the House. Both have significant influence over committee assignments and lawmaking in their chambers.

In Texas, only the governor can call the Legislature into special sessions; the Legislature cannot call itself."Texas Legislature". Wikipedia. Retrieved October 13, 2025. The governor may call as many sessions as desired. For example, Governor Rick Perry called three consecutive sessions to address the 2003 Texas congressional redistricting. Each special session is limited to 30 days, and lawmakers can only consider the issues listed by the governor, though the governor can add more during the session."Texas Legislature". Wikipedia. Retrieved October 13, 2025.

By default, bills take effect 90 days after passage, but the Legislature can vote for an earlier date if two-thirds of each chamber agrees."Texas Legislature". Wikipedia. Retrieved October 13, 2025. The Legislature may provide for an effective date that is after the 90th day. Most bills are set to take effect on September 1 in odd-numbered years, which marks the start of Texas’ fiscal year."Texas Legislature". Wikipedia. Retrieved October 13, 2025.

Many bills can be pre-filed before a session begins, with lower numbers reserved for high-priority bills like HB1 and SB1, which are each chamber’s version of the state budget."Texas Legislature". Wikipedia. Retrieved October 13, 2025.

As of 2025, most members of both the Senate and House are Republicans."Texas Legislature". Wikipedia. Retrieved October 13, 2025.

The Texas Constitution sets the qualifications for election to each house as follows: