Texas House of Representatives

Texas House of Representatives
Name	Texas House of Representatives
Legislature	Texas Legislature
House type	Lower house
Body	Texas Legislature
Term limits	None
New session	January 10, 2023
Leader1 type	Speaker
Leader1	Dade Phelan
Election1	January 12, 2021
Leader2 type	Speaker pro tempore
Leader2	Joe Moody
Election2	January 8, 2019
Leader3 type	Majority Leader
Leader3	Craig Goldman
Election3	May 25, 2023
Leader4 type	Minority Leader
Leader4	Trey Martinez Fischer
Election4	November 15, 2022
Members	150
Political groups1	Majority (86), Republican (86), Minority (64), Democratic (64)
Meeting place	Texas State Capitol, Austin, Texas
Website	https://house.texas.gov/

Texas House of Representatives. It is the lower chamber of the Texas Legislature, the state's bicameral legislative body, with the Texas Senate serving as the upper house. The House convenes at the Texas State Capitol in Austin, Texas, and its 150 members represent districts drawn based on population from across the state. Its primary responsibilities include crafting and passing state legislation, developing the biennial state budget, and providing oversight of the state executive branch.

History

The House traces its origins to the legislative body of the Republic of Texas, established by the Texas Constitution of 1836 following the Texas Revolution. Early sessions grappled with issues of debt, land grants, and relations with Native American tribes and Mexico. Following annexation into the United States in 1845, the House operated under subsequent constitutions, including the post-Reconstruction Texas Constitution of 1876, which remains the governing document today. The 20th century saw pivotal moments such as the Sharpstown stock-fraud scandal of the 1970s, which led to reforms, and the 2003 mid-decade redistricting controversy spearheaded by U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay. The chamber's physical home, the current Texas State Capitol, was completed in 1888.

Membership and elections

Membership consists of 150 representatives elected from single-member districts. Elections are held in even-numbered years, with all seats contested every two years. Candidates must be at least 21 years old, a qualified voter, and a resident of Texas for two years and of their district for one year preceding the election. District boundaries are redrawn every decade following the United States Census by the Texas Legislature, a process often subject to litigation, such as the case League of United Latin American Citizens v. Perry. Vacancies are filled by special election called by the Governor of Texas.

Powers and duties

The chamber holds the sole constitutional power to initiate revenue bills and articles of impeachment against state officials, which are then tried by the Texas Senate. It shares lawmaking authority with the Senate, with all bills requiring passage by both chambers before being sent to the Governor of Texas. The House plays a critical role in crafting the state's massive biennial budget, overseen by the Legislative Budget Board, and in confirming gubernatorial appointments to state agencies and boards when the Senate is not in session. It also exercises oversight through committee investigations and the power to subpoena witnesses.

Leadership and organization

The presiding officer is the Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives, elected by the membership at the start of each regular session. The Speaker, such as current officeholder Dade Phelan, appoints committee chairs and members and exerts significant control over the legislative calendar. Other key leaders include the Speaker pro tempore, like Joe Moody, and the party floor leaders, including the Majority Leader (Craig Goldman) and the Minority Leader (Trey Martinez Fischer). The Texas Legislative Council and the House Administration Committee provide operational and administrative support to the body.

Committees

The work of the House is conducted primarily through its committee system, which includes standing, select, and conference committees. Major standing committees include Appropriations, Ways and Means, State Affairs, and Public Education. The powerful Calendars Committee determines which bills reach the floor for debate. The Lieutenant Governor and the Speaker jointly appoint members to key interim committees, such as the Legislative Budget Board and the Sunset Advisory Commission, which review state agencies.

Current session and composition

The 88th Legislature convened its regular session on January 10, 2023. The current party composition gives the Republican Party a majority with 86 seats, while the Democratic Party holds 64 seats. Key legislation considered in the recent session includes measures on property tax relief, power grid reform following Winter Storm Uri, and regulations concerning border security and public education. The chamber adjourned its regular session on May 29, 2023, but the legislature may be convened into special session by the Governor of Texas, Greg Abbott.

Category:Texas House of Representatives Category:Lower houses of subnational legislatures