Legislative Process

Ryne Pottorf

PSCI 2306

Dr. Tozzi

27 June 2015

Legislative Process

        All legislative powers are granted by the U.S. constitution to a House of Representatives and a senate, which is better known as a bicameral congress. The two do not have any more power than the other; they are equal in all legislative roles. While they are equal they each have their own functions. The primary function of the legislative process is to enact laws to provide for the health, welfare, education, environment, and economic and general well-being of the citizens of Texas. (Texmed.org)

        Each chamber consists of a 31-member senate and a 150-member house of representatives (Texmed.org). Before a bill can become effective it must be approved by both chambers.  In order for a session to create a bill can begin it must be adopted by each the House of Reps and the Senate. According to the Texas Constitution the bill must be read on three different occasions before it can become effective. During the first reading the bill is introduced to a committee at this point the bill is considered “dead”.  After the first reading the committee will study the bill and try to decide whether they are in favor of the bill or if they want to make any changes to the bill. If the committee decides they are in favor of the bill the first printing is done.  Then the debate process begins. The second reading is known as a floor debate. Once this debate takes place it must be voted on by majority of the committee in order for the third hearing to take place. At this third hearing it simply needs a majority vote is needed for the bill to be passed. This is when the 2nd printing of the bill is made.

If for whatever reason the bill cannot be agreed on by both chambers then it is dealt with by a conference committee. This committee is made up of five members of each chamber appointed by the respective presiding officer (laits.utexas.edu). It is then discussed by the conference members. During this discussion they are able to add amendments or rearrange whole sections. In order for the conference committee version of the bill to be passed it must be approved by 2 out of 3 of the members. Then they send the new bill to the two chambers in hopes that they agree on the new version. Once the bill is approved by both the House of Representatives and Senate the bill can finally be enrolled in its final form then signed by a presiding officer from both chambers.