Texas State Senate

Texas State Senate
General Information
Party control:	Republican
Session start:	January 14, 2025
Session end:	June 2, 2025
Term length:	2-4-4 year system
Term limits:	None
Redistricting:	Legislature-dominant
Salary:	$7,200/year + per diem
Members
Total:	31
Democrats:	11
Republicans:	20
Other:	0
Vacancies:	0
Leadership
President:	Dan Patrick (R)
Elections
Last election:	November 5, 2024
Next election:	November 3, 2026

The Texas State Senate is the upper chamber of the Texas State Legislature. Alongside the Texas House of Representatives, it forms the legislative branch of the Texas state government and works alongside the governor of Texas to create laws and establish a state budget. Legislative authority and responsibilities of the Texas State Senate include passing bills on public policy matters, setting levels for state spending, raising and lowering taxes, and voting to uphold or override gubernatorial vetoes.

The Texas State Senate meets in the state capitol building in Austin, Texas.

A total of 15 of the 31 seats in the Texas State Senate were up for election in 2024. The chamber's Republican majority increased from 19-12 to 20-11.

All 31 seats in the Texas State Senate were up for election in 2022. The chamber's Republican majority increased from 18-13 to 19-12.

Texas has a Republican trifecta. The Republican Party controls the office of governor and both chambers of the state legislature.

This page contains the following information on the Texas State Senate.

• Which party controls the chamber
• The chamber's current membership
• Partisan control of the chamber over time
• Elections in the chamber and how vacancies are filled
• A district map
• How redistricting works in the state
• Legislation currently under consideration
• Legislative session dates
• Legislative procedures, such as veto overrides and the state budget process
• A list of committees

Party control

Current partisan control

The table below shows the partisan breakdown of the Texas State Senate as of February 2025:

Party	As of February 2025
	Democratic Party	11
	Republican Party	20
	Other	0
	Vacancies	0
Total	31

Members

Leadership

The lieutenant governor serves as president of the Senate. The Senate adopts rules at the beginning of each legislative session which set out how much power the president of the Senate will have.^[4]

Leadership and members

• Senate president: Dan Patrick (R)

Salaries

See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries

State legislative salaries, 2024[5]
Salary	Per diem
$7,200/year	$221/day

Swearing in dates

See also: When state legislators assume office after a general election

Texas legislators assume office at the beginning of the legislative session, which starts at noon on the second Tuesday in January in the year after the election.^[6][7]

Membership qualifications

See also: State legislature candidate requirements by state

To be eligible to serve in the Texas State Senate, a candidate must be:^[8]

• A U.S. citizen
• 26 years old before the general election
• A five-year resident of Texas before the general election
• A district resident for one year prior to the general election

Historical party control

Republicans won control of the Texas State Senate in 1996. In 2024, they won a 20-11 majority.

The table below shows the partisan history of the Texas Senate following every general election from 1992 to 2024. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin's Party Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.

Texas State Senate election results: 1992-2024

Year	'92	'94	'96	'98	'00	'02	'04	'06	'08	'10	'12	'14	'16	'18	'20	'22	'24
Democrats	18	17	15	15	15	12	12	11	12	12	12	11	11	12	13	12	11
Republicans	13	14	16	16	16	19	19	20	19	19	19	20	20	19	18	19	20

Trifecta history

A state government trifecta is a term that describes single-party government, when one political party holds the governor's office and has majorities in both chambers of the legislature in a state government. Between 1992 and 2023, Texas was under the following types of trifecta control:

• Democratic trifecta: 1992-1994
• Republican trifecta: 2003-2023
• Divided government: 1995-2002

Texas Party Control: 1992-2025
Three years of Democratic trifectas  •  Twenty-three years of Republican trifectas
Scroll left and right on the table below to view more years.

Elections

Elections by year

Texas state senators serve 2-4-4 terms, where senators serve one two-year term and two four-year terms each decade. Texas holds elections for its legislature in even years.

2026

See also: Texas State Senate elections, 2026

Elections for the Texas State Senate will take place in 2026. The general election is on November 3, 2026.

2024

See also: Texas State Senate elections, 2024

Elections for the Texas State Senate took place in 2024. The general election was on November 5, 2024. The primary was March 5, 2024, and the primary runoff was May 28, 2024. The filing deadline was December 11, 2023.

Heading into the 2024 elections, Republicans held a 19-12 majority. After the election, the Republican majority was 20-11.

Texas State Senate
Party	As of November 5, 2024	After November 6, 2024
	Democratic Party	12	11
	Republican Party	19	20
Total	31	31

2022

See also: Texas State Senate elections, 2022

Elections for the Texas State Senate took place in 2022. The general election was on November 8, 2022. A primary was scheduled for March 1, 2022, and a primary runoff was scheduled for May 24, 2022. The filing deadline was December 13, 2021.

Heading into the 2022 elections, Republicans held an 18-13 majority. After the election, the Republican majority was 19-12.

Texas State Senate
Party	As of November 8, 2022	After November 9, 2022
	Democratic Party	13	12
	Republican Party	18	19
Total	31	31

2020

See also: Texas State Senate elections, 2020

Elections for the office of Texas State Senate took place in 2020. The general election was held on November 3, 2020. A primary was scheduled for March 3, 2020, and a primary runoff was scheduled for July 14, 2020. The filing deadline was December 9, 2019.

In the 2020 elections, the Republican majority in the Texas State Senate decreased from 19-12 to 18-13.

Texas State Senate
Party	As of November 3, 2020	After November 4, 2020
	Democratic Party	12	13
	Republican Party	19	18
Total	31	31

2018

See also: Texas State Senate elections, 2018

Elections for the Texas State Senate took place in 2018. An open primary election took place on March 6, 2018.^[9] A primary runoff election took place on May 22, 2018. The general election was held on November 6, 2018. The candidate filing deadline was December 11, 2017.^[10]

In the 2018 elections, the Republican majority in the Texas State Senate was reduced from 21-10 to 19-12.

Texas State Senate
Party	As of November 6, 2018	After November 7, 2018
	Democratic Party	10	12
	Republican Party	21	19
Total	31	31

2016

See also: Texas State Senate elections, 2016

Elections for the Texas State Senate took place in 2016. The primary election was held on March 1, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was December 14, 2015.^[11] A total of 16 seats out of the 31 seats in the Texas State Senate were up for election in 2016.

Heading into the election, Republicans held a 20-11 majority. No changes occurred to the partisan balance of the chamber.

Texas State Senate
Party	As of November 7, 2016	After November 8, 2016
	Democratic Party	11	11
	Republican Party	20	20
Total	31	31

Click [show] to see election information dating back to 2000

2014 See also: Texas State Senate elections, 2014 Elections for 15 of the 31 seats in the Texas State Senate took place in 2014. A primary election took place on March 4, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in these elections was December 9, 2013. Heading into the election, Republicans held an 18-12 majority with one vacancy. Republicans gained two seats in the election, giving them a 20-11 majority. Texas State Senate Party As of November 3, 2014 After November 4, 2014      Democratic Party 12 11      Republican Party 18 20      Vacancy 1 0 Total 31 31 2012 See also: Texas State Senate elections, 2012 Elections for the office of Texas State Senate took place in 2012. The primary election was held on May 29, 2012, and the general election was held on November 6, 2012. The candidate filing deadline was December 19, 2011. All 31 Senate seats were up for election in 2012. Heading into the election, Republicans held a 19-12 majority. No partisan change occurred in the election. Texas State Senate Party As of November 5, 2012 After the 2012 Election      Democratic Party 12 12      Republican Party 19 19 Total 31 31 The following table details the 10 districts with the smallest margin of victory in the November 6 general election. 2012 Margin of Victory, Texas State Senate District Winner Margin of Victory Total Votes Top Opponent District 10 Wendy Davis 2.2% 287,759 Mark Shelton District 19 Carlos Uresti 18.8% 205,736 Michael Berlanga District 9 Kelly Hancock 20.1% 233,577 Pete Martinez District 20 Juan Hinojosa 23.1% 183,038 Raul Torres District 15 John Whitmire 24.7% 217,860 Bill Walker District 8 Ken Paxton 27.7% 286,147 Jack Ternan District 25 Donna Campbell 31.2% 354,167 John Courage District 11 Larry Taylor 32% 274,333 Jacqueline Acquistapace District 7 Dan Patrick 36.8% 287,319 Sam Texas District 29 Jose Rodriguez 37.2% 169,398 Dan Chavez 2010 See also: Texas State Senate elections, 2010 Elections for the office of Texas State Senate took place in 2010. The primary election was held on March 2, 2010, and the general election was held on November 2, 2010. The runoff election was on April 13, 2010. The candidate filing deadline was January 4, 2010. Sixteen seats were up for election. Heading into the election, Republicans held a 19-12 majority. No partisan change occurred in the election. Texas State Senate Party As of November 1, 2010 After the 2010 Election      Democratic Party 12 12      Republican Party 19 19 Total 31 31 In 2010, the candidates for state Senate raised a total of $11,219,972 in campaign contributions. The top 10 donors were:[12] 2010 Donors, Texas State Senate Donor Amount Perry, Bob J $544,500 Border Health $486,750 Texas Association of Realtors $426,548 Bius, Ben $273,790 Texas Medical Association $255,741 Time Warner $251,075 Texans for Lawsuit Reform $218,466 Independent Insurance Agents of Texas $207,232 AT&T $205,850 Associated General Contractors of Texas $180,408 2008 See also: Texas State Senate elections, 2008 Elections for the office of Texas State Senate consisted of a primary election on March 4, 2008, and a general election on November 4, 2008. During the 2008 election, the total value of contributions to Senate candidates was $25,929,067. The top 10 contributors were:[13] 2008 Donors, Texas State Senate Donor Amount Texas Association Of Realtors $494,383 Perry, Bob J $430,500 Texans For Lawsuit Reform $389,416 Twenty-One PAC $305,000 Texas Medical Association $280,295 Butt, Charles C $262,655 Time Warner $211,524 Associated General Contractors Of Texas $200,253 Texans For Economic Development $190,000 Texas Democratic Party $186,742 2006 See also: Texas State Senate elections, 2006 Elections for the office of Texas State Senate consisted of a primary election on March 7, 2006, and a general election on November 7, 2006. During the 2006 election, the total value of contributions to Senate candidates was $28,516,289. The top 10 contributors were:[14] 2006 Donors, Texas State Senate Donor Amount Texans For Lawsuit Reform $1,041,735 Perry, Bob J $597,000 Nichols, Robert $576,600 Texas Association of Mortgage Attorneys $430,000 Texas Association of Realtors $424,530 Williams Bailey Law Firm $385,000 Gates, Gary $369,623 Texas Medical Association $342,382 BG Distribution Partners $336,000 Patrick, Dan $316,671 2004 See also: Texas State Senate elections, 2004 Elections for the office of Texas State Senate consisted of a primary election on March 9, 2004, and a general election on November 2, 2004. During the 2004 election, the total value of contributions to Senate candidates was $16,529,122. The top 10 contributors were:[15] 2004 Donors, Texas State Senate Donor Amount Edwards, Kirk $896,867 Seliger, Kel & Nancy $325,000 Texas Medical Association $271,481 Texas Association Of Mortgage Attorneys PAC $227,500 Texas Association of Realtors $210,366 Texas Trial Lawyers Association $200,848 Friends of Frank Madla $190,000 Williams Bailey Law Firm $164,500 Texas Optometric Association $158,000 Perry, Bob J $153,000 2002 See also: Texas State Senate elections, 2002 Elections for the office of Texas State Senate consisted of a primary election on March 12, 2002, and a general election on November 5, 2002. During the 2002 election, the total value of contributions to Senate candidates was $23,504,855. The top 10 contributors were:[16] 2002 Donors, Texas State Senate Donor Amount Texans For Lawsuit Reform $643,807 Texas Association Of Realtors $447,133 Bentzin, Ben $442,083 Perry, Bob J $401,000 Texas Medical Association $394,077 Madla, Friends Of Frank $345,400 Hinojosa, Juan (Chuy) $286,371 Texas Dental Association $280,500 Texas Trial Lawyers Association $260,659 Estes, Craig L $249,000 2000 See also: Texas State Senate elections, 2000 Elections for the office of Texas State Senate consisted of a primary election on March 14, 2000, and a general election on November 7, 2000. During the 2000 election, the total value of contributions to Senate candidates was $15,399,907. The top 10 contributors were:[17] 2000 Donors, Texas State Senate Donor Amount Texans For Lawsuit Reform $945,659 Texas Democratic Party $607,826 Texas Republican Party $443,296 Associated Republicans Of Texas $384,399 Texas Association Of Realtors $338,895 Perry, Bob J $206,000 Democratic Legislative Campaign Cmte $197,500 Texas Medical Association $164,717 Texas Trial Lawyers Association $157,503 Texas Dental Association $136,500

Vacancies

See also: How vacancies are filled in state legislatures

If there is a vacancy in the Texas State Legislature, the governor must call a special election to fill the vacant seat.^[18] A governor's proclamation to hold a special election must be delivered to county judges in the legislative district no later than 36 days before the scheduled election.^[19]

The secretary of state can declare a candidate duly elected in a special election if there is no opposition.^[20]

See sources: Texas Elec. Code § 203.001 et. seq.

District map

See also: Texas state legislative districts

The state of Texas has 31 state Senate districts. Each district elects one senator.

Use the interactive map below to find your district.

Redistricting

See also: Redistricting in Texas

In Texas, both congressional and state legislative district boundaries are drawn by the Texas State Legislature. These lines are subject to veto by the governor.^[21]

If the state legislature is unable to approve a state legislative redistricting plan, a backup commission must draw the lines (the backup commission is not involved in congressional redistricting). This backup commission, established in 1948, comprises the following members:^[21]

1. Lieutenant governor
2. Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives
3. Attorney general
4. State comptroller
5. Commissioner of the General Land Office

The Texas Constitution requires that state legislative districts be contiguous and "that they preserve whole counties when population mandates permit."^[21]

2020

See also: Redistricting in Texas after the 2020 census

State legislative maps enacted in 2023

See also: State legislative district maps implemented after the 2020 census

Texas enacted new legislative district boundaries in June 2023 for use in 2024 and until the 2030 census. These districts were the same as those enacted by the state in October 2021. Gov. Greg Abbott (R) signed HB 1000—establishing state House district boundaries—on June 12, 2023, and he allowed SB 375—establishing state Senate district boundaries—to become law without his signature on June 18, 2023.^[22][23] The Texas Tribune's James Barragan wrote in January 2023 that Senate Legislative Redistricting Committee Chairperson Joan Huffman (R) said the state was re-doing the redistricting process "to ensure that Legislature had met its constitutional requirement to apportion districts in the first regular session after the publishing of the results of the federal census, which is done every 10 years. Because of the pandemic, census numbers were not released until after the end of the last regularly scheduled legislative session on May 31, 2021. Redistricted maps were passed in a subsequent special session that year."^[24] Texas had originally enacted new state legislative districts on October 25, 2021.

State Senate map

Below is the state Senate map in effect before and after the 2020 redistricting cycle. The map on the right was in effect for Texas’ 2024 state legislative elections.

State House map

Below is the state House map in effect before and after the 2020 redistricting cycle. The map on the right was in effect for Texas' 2024 state legislative elections.

State legislative maps enacted in 2021

Texas had originally enacted new state legislative districts on October 25, 2021. After both sets of legislative district maps passed their respective chambers, the House and Senate both approved maps for the other chamber's districts on October 15, 2021. The House approved the Senate map by an 81-60 vote, and the Senate approved the House map by an 18-13 vote.^[25] Gov. Abbott signed both maps into law on October 25, 2021.^[26]These maps took effect for Texas' 2022 legislative elections.

In a filing for a motion to stay in League of United Latin American Citizens, et al., v. Abbott, et al., in April 2022, legal representatives from the state said, “...article III, section 28 of the Texas Constitution requires that “[t]he Legislature shall, at its first regular session after the publication of each United States decennial census, apportion the state into senatorial and representative districts, agreeable to the provisions of Sections 25 and 26 of” Article III of the Constitution. In this instance, due to the U.S. Census Bureau’s delays in releasing the necessary data, that first regular session is the 2023 regular session. The State has already acknowledged that while federal law required the State to reapportion sooner than 2023, that does not relieve the State of its obligation to enact redistricting legislation in 2023 as required by its Constitution.”^[27]

Reactions to 2021 state legislative maps

Lt. Gov Dan Patrick (R) said of the Senate map: "This map illustrates our commitment to making sure every Texan is well-represented in their state Legislature and their voices are heard."^[28] State Rep. Rafael Anchia (D) said the Senate proposal did not adequately reflect the racial composition of the state. “There are nearly three times as many districts that are majority white compared to majority Hispanic,” Anchia said.

State Rep. Todd Hunter (R) said the House map “achieves fair representation for the citizens of Texas.” State Sen. Eddie Lucio (D) criticized revisions to the House districts in the Rio Grande Valley, saying “In my time in the Legislature, I have never seen such blatant disregard for the process.”^[29]

2010

See also: Redistricting in Texas after the 2010 census

Texas received its local census data on February 17, 2011. The state grew 20.6%, with Hispanics making up at least 2/3 of that growth. The growth rate in the largest cities was as follows: Houston grew by 7.5 percent, San Antonio grew by 16.0 percent, Dallas grew by 0.8 percent, Austin grew by 20.4 percent, and Fort Worth grew by 38.6 percent. Harris County grew by 20%, which suggested suburban growth.^[30]

The Texas State Senate released a proposed map of its 31 districts on May 11, 2011. The Senate and House plans were passed by the Texas Legislature on May 21, 2011, and were signed by Gov. Rick Perry (R) on June 17, 2011. Attorney General Greg Abbott submitted Texas' redistricting maps to a panel of three federal judges in Washington DC on July 19, 2011, as required under the Voting Rights Act. The DC federal court rejected Texas' senate and house maps on November 8, 2011, denying the state's request for preclearance summary judgment.^[31] The Texas House of Representatives approved new district maps during a June 2013 special session. The maps passed the Texas State Senate and were signed into law by Gov. Perry on June 26, 2013.^[32][33]

Sessions

Legislation

The legislation tracker below displays all legislation that the Texas State Senate has approved in its most recent legislative session—this includes legislation that has been sent from the Senate to the House and legislation that has already been approved by both chambers and signed by the governor. The table below includes the bill number, its name, progress, most recent action date, and sponsor. Scroll up and down and side to side to see more. Click the bill number to read the bill text and see its voting history. Click the headings to sort the content. Rearrange the order of the headings by clicking and dragging them. Click the magnifying glass in the bottom left corner to search for specific terms. The legislation tracker is maintained and updated by BillTrack50.

Dates of legislative sessions in Texas by year

2025

See also: 2025 Texas legislative session and Dates of 2025 state legislative sessions

In 2025, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 14, 2025, and adjourn on June 2, 2025.

Click [show] for past years' session dates.

2024 See also: Dates of 2024 state legislative sessions In 2024, the legislature did not hold a regular session. 2023 See also: 2023 Texas legislative session and Dates of 2023 state legislative sessions In 2023, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 10, 2023, and adjourn on May 29, 2023. 2022 See also: Dates of 2022 state legislative sessions In 2022, the legislature did not hold a regular session. 2021 See also: 2021 Texas legislative session and Dates of 2021 state legislative sessions In 2021, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 12, 2021, and adjourn on May 31, 2021. 2020 See also: Dates of 2020 state legislative sessions In 2020, the legislature did not hold a regular session. 2019 See also: 2019 Texas legislative session and Dates of 2019 state legislative sessions In 2019, the legislature was in session from January 8, 2019, through May 27, 2019. 2018 See also: Dates of 2018 state legislative sessions In 2018, the legislature did not hold a regular session. 2017 See also: Dates of 2017 state legislative sessions In 2017, the legislature was in session from January 10, 2017, through May 29, 2017. A special session was held from July 18 to August 15. Click [show] to read about the 2017 special session. Gov. Greg Abbott (R) called a 30-day special session after the legislature failed to pass sunset legislation that would prevent the shutdown of five government agencies, including the Texas Medical Board. Abbot’s special session proclamation and supplemental call allowed for a more broad range of matters to be taken up during the special session. Among the 20 items on Abbott’s special session agenda was legislation related to bathroom usage, changes to property taxes, school finance, and mail-in ballot fraud.[34][35] On July 18, two sunset bills were approved in Senate committee after Republicans took measures to move the legislation past debate and straight into committee. Shortly after midnight on July 20, SB 20 and SB 60 were given final approval by the Senate, allowing for additional agenda items to be taken up by the chamber.[36][37] On August 11, the House gave final approval on the two Senate bills, and Abbott signed both bills that day.[38] Legislation on mail-in ballot fraud and school finance did end up being signed by Abbott. The Senate and House were unable to agree on key thresholds for when local governments would require voter approval to raise property taxes. The Senate passed a bill on bathroom usage, but the House did not take up the subject in committee. On the final day of the special session, the House voted in favor of the Senate's version of HB21. The bill originally put $1.8 billion into public schools, but the Senate Education Committee voted days earlier to reduce that amount by $1.5 billion. The bill also set up a commission to further study the issue in advance of more significant changes to school finance during the 2019 legislative session. The Texas Freedom Caucus played a role in the legislature’s failure to renew the Texas Medical Board during the regular session. On May 11, the caucus used procedural tactics in the House rules (blocking legislation not expected to generate debate from being fast tracked) to prevent votes on more than 100 pieces of legislation, including bills renewing the medical board and other state agencies. The caucus released a statement in support of a special session and the agenda items established for the special session.[39][40] 2016 See also: Dates of 2016 state legislative sessions In 2016, the legislature did not hold a regular session. 2015 See also: Dates of 2015 state legislative sessions In 2015, the legislature was in session from January 13 through June 1. Major issues in 2015 Major issues during the 2015 legislative session included transportation funding, especially funding of the Texas Department of Transportation. A bill meant to help alleviate funding issues within the agency died in the last legislative session, leaving the issue to the 2015 legislative session. Officials from the agency told lawmakers they needed an additional $4 billion a year to maintain the state's current traffic levels.[41] 2014 See also: Dates of 2014 state legislative sessions In 2014, the legislature did not hold a regular session. 2013 See also: Dates of 2013 state legislative sessions In 2013, the legislature was in session from January 8 to May 27. Thirty minutes after the regular session ended, Governor Rick Perry (R) called legislators back for a special session starting that evening.[42] Tweets from @texastribune / texas-legislators Major issues in 2013 Along with the necessity of creating a new budget, some of the biggest issues included Medicaid and school funding, a water shortage, and reforming the school finance system.[43] Wallace Hall impeachment See also: Wallace Hall impeachment trial After he was appointed in 2011, University of Texas Regent Wallace Hall began looking into what he believed to be clout scandals within the University of Texas system. Hall investigated the university's forgivable-loans program and admissions policies and preferential treatment to politically-connected individuals.[44] Hall, as an individual citizen, filed FOIA requests with the university system after his inquiries via his role as a Regent were rebuffed.[45] According to his accusers, Hall filed requests of more than 800,000 pages, which some Texas administrators called an unnecessary burden.[46][47] However, a letter from university chancellor Francisco Cigarroa in February 2014 said that Hall likely requested fewer than 100,000 pages.[48][49] In addition, Cigarroa wrote: "During testimony before the Select Committee, some early witnesses implied that the U.T. System has not protected the privacy rights of students, staff, and patients. This is simply not true."[50] An effort was begun in June 2013 by members of the Texas State House to try and impeach Hall from his position as Regent. Some legislators justified the impeachment on the grounds that Hall did not disclose several lawsuits that he was involved in when he originally completed his Regent background check. Hall updated Governor Rick Perry's (R) office in April 2013 with the full list.[51][52] The lack of lawsuit disclosure by Hall was not unique -- more than 9,000 lawsuits were not disclosed by other appointed Texas officials.[53][54] Perry's spokesperson said the investigations sent a "chilling message" to gubernatorial appointees.[55] He added that the investigation was "extraordinary political theater."[56] Texas state legislators had never previously tried to remove an appointed official. Only two elected officials in the history of Texas have ever been successfully impeached.[57] Texas State House Speaker Joe Straus (R) authorized the Committee on Transparency in State Agency Operations to investigate the possibility of drafting articles of impeachment.[58] The committee censured Hall but did not impeach him. 2012 See also: Dates of 2012 state legislative sessions In 2012, the legislature did not hold a regular session. 2011 (82nd Legislature) See also: Dates of 2011 state legislative sessions Regular session In 2011, the legislature was in session from January 11 through May 30.[59]Major themes throughout the session were fixing a multi-billion dollar budget shortfall, state and congressional redistricting, and immigration reform. While redistricting maps were passed for the Texas House of Representatives, the Texas State Senate, and the State Board of Education, the legislature failed to pass a congressional map within the regular session. Special session The 82nd Legislative Session officially ended Monday, May 30, 2011. Due to a lack of progress on key legislative items, Governor Rick Perry (R) called a special session which began first thing Tuesday, May 31, 2011. Of primary concern in the special session was passing supporting legislation needed to balance the budget. Even though a budget bill passed both the House and Senate during the regular session, a last-minute filibuster by Democratic Senator Wendy Davis halted the passing of an essential school finance bill that was required to balance the budget. The Texas Constitution requires a balanced budget, so a special session was called. Balancing the budget was not the only item on the special session agenda. Medicaid reform, immigration, and congressional redistricting were amongst the issues to be addressed.[60] 2010 See also: Dates of 2010 state legislative sessions In 2010, the legislature did not hold a regular session.[61] 2009 In 2009, the legislature met in session from January 13 through June 1.[62]

About legislative sessions in Texas

The Tenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution declares that any power not already given to the federal government is reserved to the states and the people.^[63] State governments across the country use this authority to hold legislative sessions where a state's elected representatives meet for a period of time to draft and vote on legislation and set state policies on issues such as taxation, education, and government spending. The different types of legislation passed by a legislature may include resolutions, legislatively referred constitutional amendments, and bills that become law.

Article III of the Texas Constitution establishes when the Texas State Legislature, of which the Senate is a part, is to be in session. Section 5 of Article III states that the legislature shall meet every two years at times to be established by law. Section 5 goes on to say that the legislature can also be convened by the governor of Texas.

Legislative roles and procedures

Every state legislature throughout the country features its own internal procedures that it uses to govern itself and how it interacts with other parts of state government. Ballotpedia's coverage of internal state legislative procedures includes veto overrides, the role of the legislature in the state budget, and procedures for filling membership vacancies.

Veto overrides

See also: Veto overrides in state legislatures

State legislatures can override governors' vetoes. Depending on the state, this can be done during the regular legislative session, in a special session following the adjournment of the regular session, or during the next legislative session. The rules for legislative overrides of gubernatorial vetoes in Texas are listed below.

How many legislators are required to vote for an override? Two-thirds of members present in both chambers.

Two-thirds of members present in both chambers must vote to override a veto. If all members are in attendance, this is 100 of the 150 members in the Texas House of Representatives and 21 of the 31 members in the Texas State Senate. Texas is one of 36 states that requires a two-thirds vote from both of its legislative chambers to override a veto.

Authority: Article 4, Section 14 of the Texas Constitution.

"Every bill which shall have passed both houses of the Legislature shall be presented to the Governor for his approval. If he approve he shall sign it; but if he disapprove it, he shall return it, with his objections, to the House in which it originated, which House shall enter the objections at large upon its journal, and proceed to reconsider it. If after such reconsideration, two-thirds of the members present agree to pass the bill, it shall be sent, with the objections, to the other House, by which likewise it shall be reconsidered; and, if approved by two-thirds of the members of that House, it shall become a law; but in such cases the votes of both Houses shall be determined by yeas and nays, and the names of the members voting for and against the bill shall be entered on the journal of each House respectively."

Role in state budget

See also: Texas state budget and finances

The state operates on a biennial budget cycle. The sequence of key events in the budget process is as follows:^[64]

1. Budget instructions are sent to state agencies beginning in June.
2. Agencies submit their budget requests to the governor between July and September.
3. Public hearings are held between July and October.
4. The governor submits his or her proposed budget to the state legislature by the date of the State of the State address.
5. The legislature typically adopts a budget in May. A simple majority is required to pass a budget. The fiscal year begins in September.

Texas is one of 44 states in which the governor has line item veto authority.^[64][65]

The legislature is constitutionally required to adopt a balanced budget. The governor must sign a balanced budget into law.^[64]

Committees

See also: List of committees in Texas state government

Every state legislature and state legislative chamber in the country contains several legislative committees. These committees are responsible for studying, amending, and voting on legislation before it reaches the floor of a chamber for a full vote. The different types of committees include standing committees, select or special, and joint.

• Standing committees are generally permanent committees, the names of which sometimes change from session to session.
• Select or special committees are temporary committees formed to deal with specific issues such as recent legislation, major public policy or proposals, or investigations.
• Joint committees are committees that feature members of both chambers of a legislature.

Ballotpedia covers standing and joint committees. The Texas State Senate has 16 standing committees:

Constitutional amendments

In every state but Delaware, voter approval is required to enact a constitutional amendment. In each state, the legislature has a process for referring constitutional amendments before voters. In 18 states, initiated constitutional amendments can be put on the ballot through a signature petition drive. There are also many other types of statewide measures.

The methods in which the Texas Constitution can be amended:

See also: Article 17 of the Texas Constitution and Laws governing ballot measures in Texas

The Texas Constitution provides one mechanism for amending the state's constitution—legislatively referred constitutional amendments. Texas requires a simple majority vote (50% plus 1) for voters to approve constitutional amendments.

Legislature

See also: Legislatively referred constitutional amendment

According to Article 17, the state Legislature can refer constitutional amendments to the ballot for voters to decide. A two-thirds (66.67%) vote is required during one legislative session for the Texas State Legislature to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot. That amounts to a minimum of 100 votes in the Texas House of Representatives and 21 votes in the Texas State Senate, assuming no vacancies. Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.

2026 measures:

See also: 2026 ballot measures

Certified:

The following measures have been certified for the ballot.

No measures to list

Potential:

The following measures have made it through one chamber—or one session for two session states—and may appear on the ballot in 2026.

No measures to list

2025 measures:

Below is a list of measures that were referred to the 2025 ballot by the legislature or that have made it approximately halfway through the process in the legislature for referral to the ballot in 2025.

See also: Texas 2025 ballot measures

Certified:

The following measures have been certified for the ballot.

No measures to list

Potential:

The following measures have made it through one chamber—or one session for two session states—and may appear on the ballot in 2025.

No measures to list

See also

Elections	Texas State Government	State Legislatures	State Politics
Texas State Senate elections, 2024 Texas State Senate elections, 2022 Texas State Senate elections, 2020	Texas State Legislature Texas House of Representatives Governor of Texas Texas Supreme Court	State legislative elections, 2024 State legislative elections, 2023 State legislative elections, 2022 State legislative elections, 2021 State legislative elections, 2020	State government trifectas State government triplexes State executives State courts Ballot measures The State Legislative Decade

External links

• Texas State Senate

Footnotes

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