Legislative Process 101: How To Engage Effectively

As the 89th Texas legislative session approaches, it’s important for advocates, community leaders, and engaged citizens to understand how the Legislature works and how to engage effectively. Here’s a guide to navigating the process.

Why Does the Legislature Meet for Only 140 Days Every Two Years?

The 140-day biennial session is a vestige of Texas’s post-Civil War history. Skeptical of government overreach, the framers of the Texas Constitution sought to keep legislative activity to a minimum. Their compromise—140 days every two years—is now a hallmark of Texas governance.

This infrequency makes every session pivotal, with compressed timelines for debating and passing laws. Here are the key dates for next year’s session:

• Tuesday, January 14, 2025: The 89th Legislature convenes at noon, marking the beginning of the regular session.
  [Sec. 5(a), Article III, Texas Constitution; Sec. 301.001, Government Code]
  
• Friday, March 14, 2025: The 60-day deadline for filing bills. Legislation must be introduced by this date to proceed under normal rules.
  [House Rule 8, Secs. 8 and 10(c); Senate Rule 7.07(b); Senate Rule 10.01 subjects joint resolutions to the rules governing proceedings on bills]
  
• Monday, June 2, 2025: The session concludes, or “sine die,” marking the 140th and final day of legislative work.
  [Sec. 24(b), Article III, Texas Constitution]

Who Makes Up The Texas Legislature?

The Texas Legislature, modeled after the U.S. Congress, consists of two chambers:

• The House of Representatives:
  • Members: 150 state representatives serving two-year terms.
  • Leadership: Led by the Speaker, who determines committee assignments, directs bills to committees and influences what reaches the House floor.
• The Senate:
  • Members: 31 state senators serving four-year terms (with staggered elections).
  • Leadership: Led by the Lieutenant Governor, who controls committee assignments and the Senate’s legislative agenda.

Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, and the Speaker of the House hold pivotal roles in deciding which legislation advances, shaping the direction of each session. While Abbott and Patrick are firmly in place, the Speaker’s position remains undecided, with House Republicans set to select their nominee in the coming weeks.

To find your local representative and learn how to connect with them, visit Who Represents Me?

How Does a Bill Become a Law?

The journey from idea to law is complex but follows a predictable path:

1. Introduction and Referral: Bills are introduced and assigned to a committee by the House Speaker or Lt. Governor.
2. Committee Action: The committee debates, amends, and votes on whether the bill advances.
3. Calendars Committee: For House bills, this committee schedules the bill for floor debate—or lets it die.
4. Floor Debate and Vote: Lawmakers debate and vote twice in each chamber.
5. Reconciliation: If both chambers pass different versions, they must reconcile the differences.
6. Governor’s Desk: The governor signs, vetoes, or lets the bill become law without signing.

Advocacy During the Legislative Process

Effective advocacy isn’t just about opposing legislation—it’s about relationship-building, strategic engagement, and proactive communication. Here are key strategies to maximize impact:

1. Engage Early: Don’t wait for a bill to reach the floor. Connect with legislators and their staff well before committee hearings or floor votes. Remember you don’t have to be an expert to communicate with legislators.
2. Find Common Ground: Even with lawmakers whose views differ from yours, look for areas of alignment. A collaborative tone often achieves more than a combative one.
3. Be Present at Key Moments: Attend and testify during committee hearings. You can register through kiosks at the Capitol or online while using the Capitol Wi-Fi. In the Senate, you may have to fill out a card in person during the hearing to testify. You can find more tips on how to testify here.
4. Follow Up Strategically: Whether a bill passes or fails, maintaining communication helps foster relationships for future sessions.

Legislative sessions are short, but their impact lasts for years. Advocacy isn’t just about one session or one issue. Constructive partnerships with legislators and staff can pave the way for meaningful policy changes, session after session.

By understanding the process and engaging thoughtfully, advocates can make an impact and a lasting difference.