Income from the investment of money in the funds that is not immediately committed to the payment of the principal of and interest on the bonds or the provision of financial assistance shall be used to create new employment and business opportunities in the state through the diversification and expansion of agricultural or rural small businesses, as provided by the legislature. ADDITIONAL BONDS FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO ECONOMICALLY DISTRESSED AREAS. Because it doesn't receive a vote, it prevents any other bill coming to the floor. The comptroller shall allocate the depository interest as if the transfers had not been made. Sec. The members of the two But ultimately, even those vetoes can be overturned by the Legislature. (g) Notwithstanding Subsection (a) of this section, the proceeds of $200 million of the bonds authorized by this section may be used for the purposes provided by Section 49-i of this article and for other rural economic development programs, and the proceeds of bonds issued for those purposes under this subsection shall be deposited in the Texas agricultural fund, to be administered in the same manner that proceeds of bonds issued under Section 49-i of this article are administered. And the sponsor must jump through all the same hoops as he would have if the bill he was carrying had originated in his own chamber. (a) No bill, (except general appropriation bills, which may embrace the various subjects and accounts, for and on account of which moneys are appropriated) shall contain more than one subject. MEMBERSHIP OF SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. For more information, please call the Library at 512 463-1252. Chief Justice Hecht delivers State of the Judiciary 2019. (TEMPORARY TRANSITION PROVISIONS for Sec. For the purposes of this subsection, the comptroller shall adjust the computation of revenues to reflect only 12 months of collection. Sec. (c) Money in the fund may also be used to provide participation by the state in the payment of a portion of the costs of constructing and providing publicly owned toll roads and other public transportation projects in accordance with the procedures, standards, and limitations established by law. Sec. Let's divide the two chambers now, so you can see the process specific to each. 2: See Appendix, Note 1.). Sec. Money in the separate fund or account may be used only to pay for: (1) construction and repair projects authorized by the legislature by general law or the General Appropriations Act and administered by or on behalf of the General Services Commission, the Texas Youth Commission, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, the Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation, the Parks and Wildlife Department, the adjutant general's department, the Texas School for the Deaf, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Public Safety of the State of Texas, the State Preservation Board, the Texas Department of Health, the Texas Historical Commission, or the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired; or. (b) The Texas Mobility Fund is created in the state treasury and shall be administered by the commission as a revolving fund to provide a method of financing the construction, reconstruction, acquisition, and expansion of state highways, including costs of any necessary design and costs of acquisition of rights-of-way, as determined by the commission in accordance with standards and procedures established by law. rational ignorance b.) Redistricting is the process of drawing electoral boundaries in the United States. No bill shall be considered, unless it has been first referred to a committee and reported thereon, and no bill shall be passed which has not been presented and referred to and reported from a committee at least three days before the final adjournment of the Legislature. (b) Money deposited in a special fund created under this section may not be used to finance or aid any project that contemplates or results in the removal from the basin of origin of any surface water necessary to supply the reasonably foreseeable water requirements for the next ensuing 50-year period within the river basin of origin, except on a temporary, interim basis. Sec. Not coincidentally, there are 150 Psalms and 31 Proverbs in the Bible. The Texas Water Development Board is hereby authorized, at its determination, to issue general obligation bonds for one or more accounts of the Texas Water Development Fund II in an aggregate principal amount equal to the amount of bonds previously authorized pursuant to former Section 49-d-6 and Sections 49-d-2 and 49-d-7 of this article less the amount of bonds issued pursuant to those sections to augment the Texas Water Development Fund and the amount of bonds issued to augment the Texas Water Development Fund II. 56: See Appendix, Note 3.). The law may authorize the charitable foundation to pay with the raffle proceeds reasonable advertising, promotional, and administrative expenses. (d) The legislature may provide for the investment of money available in the Farm and Ranch Loan Security Fund and the interest and sinking fund established for the payment of bonds issued by the commissioner of agriculture. (e) Bonds and notes authorized under this section are a general obligation of the state. READING ON THREE SEVERAL 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 … The legislative branch is one of three branches of the U.S. government—the executive and judicial are the other two—and it is the one charged with creating the laws that hold our society together. The compensation for said citizen members shall be as is now or may hereafter be fixed by the Legislature; and each shall make bond in such amount as is now or may hereafter be prescribed by the Legislature. Established by Article I of the Constitution, the Legislative Branch consists of the House of Representatives and the Senate, which together form the Unite COUNTY PAYMENT OF MEDICAL EXPENSES OF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS. Governor then deliberates on his or her committee chair assignments, possibly for a few weeks. As no bills can become law without passing through these committees, the members in charge of them practically control the agenda in the Capitol. (e) Bonds issued under this section, after approval by the attorney general, registration by the comptroller of public accounts, and delivery to the purchasers, are incontestable and are general obligations of the State of Texas under this constitution. (Added Nov. 5, 1968; amended Nov. 4, 1997, and Nov. 2, 1999. (2) the commission implements the authority granted by the legislature pursuant to Subsection (f) of this section. The Texas Legislature is the state legislature of the US state of Texas. Both concurrence and calls for conference do require a vote, but the chambers usually honor the desires of the bills' authors. Such a district may provide emergency medical services, emergency ambulance services, rural fire prevention and control services, or other emergency services authorized by the Legislature. Sec. The bonds shall bear a rate or rates of interest the Board determines. Otherwise, the Executive and Judicial branches do as they are instructed by the Legislature. 51-c. AID OR COMPENSATION TO PERSONS IMPROPERLY FINED OR IMPRISONED. All bills for raising revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives. After years of lawsuits, plus a 2016 ruling finding the state’s public school … Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT. From educating lawmakers and their staff about key health care issues to preparing physicians to testify before committees to lobbying for votes, the Texas Capitol is the No. JOURNALS OF PROCEEDINGS; RECORD VOTES. (m) In addition to the appropriation authority provided by Subsections (k) and (l) of this section, the legislature may, by a two-thirds vote of the members present in each house, appropriate amounts from the economic stabilization fund at any time and for any purpose. The bonds shall bear a rate or rates of interest the Texas Water Development Board determines. The chambers consist of the Senate and the House of Representatives just like the National Legislative Branch. (a) amended and (b)-(g) added Nov. 5, 1991.). See more. 5: See Appendix, Note 1.). (e) If in the preceding year the state received from gas production taxes a net amount greater than the net amount of gas production taxes received by the state in the fiscal year ending August 31, 1987, the comptroller shall transfer under Subsection (c) of this section and allocate in accordance with Subsections (c-1) and (c-2) of this section an amount equal to 75 percent of the difference between those amounts. A program created or a loan or grant made as provided by this section that is not secured by a pledge of ad valorem taxes or financed by the issuance of any bonds or other obligations payable from ad valorem taxes of the political subdivision does not constitute or create a debt for the purpose of any provision of this constitution. They write the laws. (e) The legislature by general law shall provide for the manner in which the assets of the State Water Implementation Revenue Fund for Texas may be used, subject to the limitations provided by this section. Sec. Sec. UNIFORMITY IN COLLECTION OF FEES. (b) The Commissioner of the General Land Office shall act as Chairman of said Board and shall be the administrator of the Veterans' Land Program under such terms and restrictions as are now or may hereafter be provided by law. (Amended Nov. 2, 1999.) (c) The bonds authorized under this section constitute a general obligation of the state. The Legislative power of this State shall be vested in a Senate and House of Representatives, which together shall be styled "The Legislature of the State of Texas.". 36. Governor, aside from casting a ballot every 4 years like the rest of us. Sec. (b) A portion of the money used under this section may be used for the administrative costs of the program. 26a: See Appendix, Note 1.). The House is made up of 150 members, each serving a two-year term. (a) The Legislature shall pass laws prohibiting lotteries and gift enterprises in this State other than those authorized by Subsections (b), (d), (d-1), and (e) of this section. (b) The Texas Water Development Board is hereby authorized, at its determination, to issue general obligation bonds for one or more accounts of the Texas Water Development Fund II in order to refund outstanding bonds previously issued to augment the Texas Water Development Fund, as long as the principal amount of the refunding bonds does not exceed the outstanding principal amount of the refunded bonds, and to refund the general obligation of the State of Texas under long-term contracts entered into by the Texas Water Development Board with the United States or any of its agencies under authority granted by Section 49-d of this article, as long as the principal amount of the refunding bonds does not exceed the principal amount of the contractual obligation of the Texas Water Development Board. (j) The Texas Public Finance Authority shall consider using a business whose principal place of business is located in the state to issue the bonds authorized by this section and shall include using a historically underutilized business as defined by general law. The maximum amount paid out of state funds for assistance grants to or on behalf of needy dependent children and their caretakers shall not exceed one percent of the state budget. (f) deleted Nov. 2, 1999.) 1. The head of the Senate is the Lieutenant Governor. (e) The commission may recommend the salary of the members of the legislature and may recommend that the salary of the speaker of the house of representatives and the lieutenant governor be set at an amount higher than that of other members. (2) scholarships and grants to educate and train the members of local fire departments and other public fire-fighting organizations. A member who has a personal or private interest in any measure or bill, proposed, or pending before the Legislature, shall disclose the fact to the House, of which he is a member, and shall not vote thereon. (a) The legislature shall establish the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas to: (1) make grants to provide funds to public or private persons to implement the Texas Cancer Plan, and to institutions of learning and to advanced medical research facilities and collaborations in this state for: (A) research into the causes of and cures for all forms of cancer in humans; (B) facilities for use in research into the causes of and cures for cancer; and. (a) The Texas Ethics Commission is a state agency consisting of the following eight members: (1) two members of different political parties appointed by the governor from a list of at least 10 names submitted by the members of the house of representatives from each political party required by law to hold a primary; (2) two members of different political parties appointed by the governor from a list of at least 10 names submitted by the members of the senate from each political party required by law to hold a primary; (3) two members of different political parties appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives from a list of at least 10 names submitted by the members of the house from each political party required by law to hold a primary; and. Sec. Payments under a bond enhancement agreement entered into pursuant to this section may not be a constitutional state debt payable from general revenues of the state. VACANCY IN LEGISLATURE. Here's the typical process for a successful bill in the Senate: Once a House Bill (HB) has reached the Senate, or a Senate Bill (SB) has reached the House, it must be sponsored (carried) by a member of the other body. 2. Legislative branch definition, the branch of government having the power to make laws; the legislature. Bills may originate in either House, and, when passed by such House, may be amended, altered or rejected by the other. For a record vote on a bill or on a resolution proposing or ratifying a constitutional amendment, the record vote must be accessible to the public by reference to the designated number of the bill or resolution and by reference to its subject. Texas Legislature Online House Members: Help | FAQ | Site Map | Contact | Login : House: Senate: The legislative branch includes the Texas House of Representatives and the Texas Senate, which together make up the Legislature. Sec. The financial assistance offered by both funds may include loan guarantees, insurance, coinsurance, loans, and indirect loans or purchases or acceptances of assignments of loans or other obligations. (TEMPORARY TRANSITION PROVISIONS for Sec. 52g: See Appendix, Note 1.). Provides information on legislation, committees, house, and senate. 49-d-7. The Texas judicial branch is the least understood of the three branches of government in our state. Sec. 49-d-6: See Appendix, Note 1.). (Added Nov. 6, 1962; Subsec. (c), (d), and (e) amended and Subsecs. (7) interest and other income received from investment of money in such account. (Added Nov. 3, 1987; Subsec. The House is led by the speaker, who is a regular state rep elected by House members … (b) Section 49-d-8 of this article applies to the bonds authorized by this section. (g) In addition to the dedication of specified sources or amounts of revenue, taxes, or money as provided by Subsection (e) of this section, the legislature may by law authorize the commission to guarantee the payment of any obligations and credit agreements issued and executed by the commission under the authority of this section by pledging the full faith and credit of the state to that payment if dedicated revenue is insufficient for that purpose. Income from the investment shall be used for purposes prescribed by the legislature. (h) From the moneys received by the Texas Water Development Board as repayment of principal for financial assistance or as interest thereon, there shall be deposited in the interest and sinking fund for the bonds sufficient moneys to pay the interest and principal to become due during the ensuing year and sufficient to establish and maintain a reserve in said fund equal to the average annual principal and interest requirements on all outstanding bonds. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENTS AND OTHER PUBLIC FIRE-FIGHTING ORGANIZATIONS. (2) the purchase, as authorized by the legislature by general law or the General Appropriations Act, of needed equipment by or on behalf of a state agency listed in Subdivision (1) of this subsection. (Added Aug. 23, 1937; amended Nov. 2, 1999.) The proceeds from the sale of the bonds and notes shall be deposited in the Texas military value revolving loan account in the state treasury or its successor account to be used by one or more state agencies designated by the legislature by general law without further appropriation to provide loans for economic development projects that benefit defense-related communities, as defined by the legislature by general law, including projects that enhance the military value of military installations located in the state. LOAN OF STATE'S CREDIT, GRANT OF PUBLIC MONEY, OR ASSUMPTION OF DEBT FOR TOLL ROAD PURPOSES. (e) deleted Nov. 2, 1999.) (a) In addition to the bonds authorized by the other provisions of this article, the Texas Water Development Board may issue general obligation bonds, at its determination and on a continuing basis, for one or more accounts of the Texas Water Development Fund II in amounts such that the aggregate principal amount of the bonds issued by the board under this section that are outstanding at any time does not exceed $6 billion. (TEMPORARY TRANSITION PROVISIONS for Sec. (The old joke is the framers wanted the Texas Legislature to meet two days every 140 years, but settled on 140 days every two years.) 28.). (4) "Fund" means the Texas Mobility Fund. The law must also require that: (1) all proceeds from the games are spent in Texas for charitable purposes of the organizations; (2) the games are limited to one location as defined by law on property owned or leased by the church, synagogue, religious society, volunteer fire department, nonprofit veterans organization, fraternal organization, or nonprofit organization supporting medical research or treatment programs; and. (3) establish the appropriate standards and oversight bodies to ensure the proper use of funds authorized under this provision for cancer research and facilities development. Order Essay. Sec. Sec. Sec. Sec. (d) Bonds issued under this section, after approval by the attorney general, registration by the comptroller of public accounts, and delivery to the purchasers, are incontestable and are general obligations of the State of Texas under this constitution. Sec. Sec. 47. The legislature may not dedicate money from the collection of motor vehicle registration fees and taxes on motor fuels and lubricants dedicated by Section 7-a, Article VIII, of this constitution, but it may dedicate money received from other sources that are allocated to the same costs as those dedicated taxes and fees. (d) The commission has the powers and duties provided by law. 46. At noon, 150 members of the Texas House and 31 members of the Texas Senate will be sworn into office. The fund shall be administered by the commission to provide a method of financing the relocation and improvement of privately and publicly owned passenger and freight rail facilities for the purposes of: (1) relieving congestion on public highways; (b-1) The fund may also be used to provide a method of financing the construction of railroad underpasses and overpasses, if the construction is part of the relocation of a rail facility. EACH HOUSE JUDGE OF QUALIFICATIONS AND ELECTION OF ITS MEMBERS; ELECTION CONTESTS. (b) Except in the case of emergency and imperative public necessity and with a four-fifths vote of the total membership of each House, no appropriation in excess of the cash and anticipated revenue of the funds from which such appropriation is to be made shall be valid. 6: See Appendix, Note 1.). No member shall be questioned in any other place for words spoken in debate in either House. Below are some of the members of the Texas Plural Executive and their roles: Lieutenant Governor: Serves as the presiding officer of the Texas Senate, first in line of succession for Governor, member of the Legislative Redistricting Board, Chair of the Legislative Budget Board, … You know that in a representative democracy the people have a voice in the making of their laws. (a) amended, Subsecs. COMPENSATION AND EXPENSES OF MEMBERS OF LEGISLATURE; DURATION OF REGULAR SESSIONS. 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