78th Texas Legislature explained

The 78th Texas Legislature met from January 14 to June 2, 2003 in regular session, and in three called sessions in 2003, and a fourth called session in 2004. All members of the House of Representatives and all members of the Senate (15 to two-year terms, 16 to four-year terms) were elected in the 2002 general election, with seats apportioned among the 2000 United States census.

Sessions

78th Regular session: January 14, 2003 – June 2, 2003
78th First called session: June 30, 2003 – July 28, 2003

To consider legislation relating to congressional redistricting. http://www.governor.state.tx.us/divisions/press/proclamations/proclamation.2003-06-21

78th Second called session: July 28, 2003 – August 26, 2003

To consider legislation relating to congressional redistricting. http://www.governor.state.tx.us/divisions/press/proclamations/proclamation.2003-07-28

78th Third called session: September 15, 2003 – October 12, 2003

To consider legislation relating to congressional redistricting.

To consider legislation relating to state fiscal management, including adjustments to certain school district fiscal matters made necessary by recent changes in state fiscal management; making related appropriations.

To consider legislation relating to the dates of certain elections, the procedures for canvassing the ballots for an election, and the counting of certain ballots voted by mail.

To consider legislation modifying the filing period and related election dates for the primary elections in Texas.

To consider legislation relating to the financing, construction, improvement, maintenance, and operation of toll facilities by the Texas Department of Transportation and the disposition of money generated by the driver responsibility program, fines imposed for certain traffic offenses, and certain fees collected by the Department of Public Safety of the State of Texas; making an appropriation.

To consider legislation relating to the reorganization of, efficiency in, and other reform measures applying to state government.

To consider legislation appropriating fees established by legislation from the 78th Regular Session of the Texas Legislature that remain unappropriated. This matter shall be strictly construed to only include fees that were established during that session of the legislature.

Legislation relating to making an appropriation for the purpose of returning to a fund outside of the state treasury cash that was transferred from the fund to the general revenue fund. http://www.governor.state.tx.us/divisions/press/proclamations/proclamation.2003-09-09

78th Fourth called session: April 20, 2004 – May 17, 2004

To consider legislation that provides for performance based incentives to schools that attain higher levels of achievement.

To consider legislation that provides a cap on the growth in the appraisal values of homesteads for property tax purposes.

To consider legislation that provides a cap that is indexed to population and inflation on all property tax revenues received by local governments.

To consider legislation that provides reform of the property tax appraisal process, including having elected officials approve certification rolls, and requiring mandatory sales price disclosure of real property.

To consider legislation that provides for modifications to the recapture provisions of the school finance system, including but not limited to a constitutional amendment that links residential and non-residential tax rates at a lower level than provided by current law, providing for local enrichment.

To consider legislation that creates an Educational Excellence Fund to provide incentive funding, funding to maintain and enhance equity, and greater funding to address the needs of students with limited English proficiency.

To consider legislation on education reforms and property tax reduction proposals that benefit the school children and property tax payers of Texas.

To consider legislation that provides for an increase in cigarette and tobacco product taxes and fees and dedicating the revenue derived from the increase to the Educational Excellence Fund and for school property tax relief for taxpayers.

To consider legislation and amendments to the constitution that authorize and allow the placement and licensing of video lottery terminals at licensed racetracks and certain Indian reservations, providing that the revenue derived from such activity is dedicated to the Educational Excellence Fund, providing that the racetracks and tribes sign a contract with the state.

To consider legislation that privatizes the collection of delinquent taxes.

To consider legislation that provides for a reasonable tax and fees on certain adult entertainment venues.

To consider legislation that provides for an acceleration in the collection of tax revenues.

To consider legislation that reduces fraud in the sale of automobiles.

To consider legislation that closes loopholes in the franchise tax and dedicates the revenue from closing the loopholes to the Educational Excellence Fund and for school property tax relief for taxpayers. http://www.governor.state.tx.us/divisions/press/proclamations/proclamation.2004-04-15

Party summary

Senate

Affiliation		Members
	Republican Party	19
	Democratic Party	12
Total		31

House of Representatives

Affiliation		Members
	Republican Party	88
	Democratic Party	62
Total		150

Officers

Senate

Lieutenant Governor: David Dewhurst, Republican
President Pro Tempore (regular session): Eddie Lucio, Jr., Democrat
President Pro Tempore (1st–3rd called sessions): Jane Nelson, Republican
President Pro Tempore (4th called session): Jeff Wentworth, Republican

House of Representatives

Speaker of the House: Tom Craddick, Republican^[1]

Members

Members of the Seventy-eighth Texas Legislature at the beginning of the regular session, January 14, 2003:

Senate

District	Senator	Party	Took office
align=center	1	Bill Ratliff	align=center	Republican	1989
align=center	2	Bob Deuell	align=center	Republican	2003
align=center	3	Todd Staples	align=center	Republican	2000
align=center	4	Tommy Williams	align=center	Republican	2003
align=center	5	Steve Ogden	align=center	Republican	1997
align=center	6	Mario Gallegos, Jr.	align=center	Democrat	1995
align=center	7	Jon Lindsay	align=center	Republican	1997
align=center	8	Florence Shapiro	align=center	Republican	1993
align=center	9	Chris Harris	align=center	Republican	1991
align=center	10	Kim Brimer	align=center	Republican	2003
align=center	11	Mike Jackson	align=center	Republican	1999
align=center	12	Jane Nelson	align=center	Republican	1993
align=center	13	Rodney Ellis	align=center	Democrat	1990
align=center	14	Gonzalo Barrientos	align=center	Democrat	1985
align=center	15	John Whitmire	align=center	Democrat	1983
align=center	16	John J. Carona	align=center	Republican	June 1996
align=center	17	Kyle Janek	align=center	Republican	November 2002
align=center	18	Kenneth L. Armbrister	align=center	Democrat	1987
align=center	19	Frank L. Madla	align=center	Democrat	1993
align=center	20	Chuy Hinojosa	align=center	Democrat	2003
align=center	21	Judith Zaffirini	align=center	Democrat	1987
align=center	22	Kip Averitt	align=center	Republican	April 2002
align=center	23	Royce West	align=center	Democrat	1993
align=center	24	Troy Fraser	align=center	Republican	1997
align=center	25	Jeff Wentworth	align=center	Republican	1993
align=center	26	Leticia R. Van de Putte	align=center	Democrat	1999
align=center	27	Eddie Lucio, Jr.	align=center	Democrat	1991
align=center	28	Robert L. Duncan	align=center	Republican	December 1996
align=center	29	Eliot Shapleigh	align=center	Democrat	1997
align=center	30	Craig Estes	align=center	Republican	December 2001
align=center	31	Teel Bivins	align=center	Republican	1989

House of Representatives

District	Representative	Party	Took office
align=center	1	Barry B. Telford	align=center	Democrat	1986
align=center	2	Dan Flynn	align=center	Republican	2003
align=center	3	Mark Homer	align=center	Democrat	1999
align=center	4	Betty Brown	align=center	Republican	1999
align=center	5	Bryan Hughes	align=center	Republican	2003
align=center	6	Leo Berman	align=center	Republican	1999
align=center	7	Tommy Merritt	align=center	Republican	1997
align=center	8	Byron Cook	align=center	Republican	2003
align=center	9	Wayne Christian	align=center	Republican	1996
align=center	10	Jim Pitts	align=center	Republican	1993
align=center	11	Chuck Hopson	align=center	Democrat	2001
align=center	12	Jim McReynolds	align=center	Democrat	1997
align=center	13	Lois Kolkhorst	align=center	Republican	2001
align=center	14	Fred Brown	align=center	Republican	1999
align=center	15	Rob Eissler	align=center	Republican	2003
align=center	16	Ruben Hope, Jr.	align=center	Republican	1999
align=center	17	Robby Cook	align=center	Democrat	1997
align=center	18	Dan Ellis	align=center	Democrat	1998
align=center	19	Tuffy Hamilton	align=center	Republican	2003
align=center	20	Dan Gattis	align=center	Republican	2003
align=center	21	Allan Ritter	align=center	Democrat	1999
align=center	22	Joe Deshotel	align=center	Democrat	1999
align=center	23	Craig Eiland	align=center	Democrat	1995
align=center	24	Larry Taylor	align=center	Republican	2003
align=center	25	Dennis Bonnen	align=center	Republican	1997
align=center	26	Charles F. "Charlie" Howard	align=center	Republican	1995
align=center	27	Dora Olivo	align=center	Democrat	1997
align=center	28	Glenn Hegar	align=center	Republican	2003
align=center	29	Glenda Dawson	align=center	Republican	2003
align=center	30	Geanie Morrison	align=center	Republican	1999
align=center	31	Ryan Guillen	align=center	Democrat	2003
align=center	32	Gene Seaman	align=center	Republican	1997
align=center	33	Vilma Luna	align=center	Democrat	1993
align=center	34	Jaime Capelo	align=center	Democrat	1998
align=center	35	Gabi Canales	align=center	Democrat	2003
align=center	36	Kino Flores	align=center	Democrat	1997
align=center	37	Rene O. Oliveira	align=center	Democrat	1991 (first time: 1981–1987)
align=center	38	Jim Solis	align=center	Democrat	1993
align=center	39	Miguel Wise	align=center	Democrat	1996
align=center	40	Aaron Pena	align=center	Democrat	2003
align=center	41	Roberto Gutierrez	align=center	Democrat	1992
align=center	42	Richard Raymond	align=center	Democrat	2001 (first time: 1993–1999)
align=center	43	Irma Rangel	align=center	Democrat	1976
align=center	44	Edmund Kuempel	align=center	Republican	1983
align=center	45	Patrick Rose	align=center	Democrat	2003
align=center	46	Dawnna Dukes	align=center	Democrat	1995
align=center	47	Terry Keel	align=center	Republican	1997
align=center	48	Todd Baxter	align=center	Republican	2003
align=center	49	Elliott Naishtat	align=center	Democrat	1991
align=center	50	Jack Stick	align=center	Republican	2003
align=center	51	Eddie Rodriguez	align=center	Democrat	2003
align=center	52	Mike Krusee	align=center	Republican	1993
align=center	53	Harvey Hilderbran	align=center	Republican	1989
align=center	54	Suzanna Gratia Hupp	align=center	Republican	1996
align=center	55	Dianne Delisi	align=center	Republican	1991
align=center	56	John Mabry	align=center	Democrat	2003
align=center	57	Jim Dunnam	align=center	Democrat	1997
align=center	58	Arlene Wohlgemuth	align=center	Republican	1994
align=center	59	Sid Miller	align=center	Republican	2001
align=center	60	Jim Keffer	align=center	Republican	1997
align=center	61	Phil King	align=center	Republican	1999
align=center	62	Larry Phillips	align=center	Republican	2003
align=center	63	Mary Denny	align=center	Republican	1993
align=center	64	Myra Crownover	align=center	Republican	2000
align=center	65	Burt Solomons	align=center	Republican	1995
align=center	66	Brian McCall	align=center	Republican	1991
align=center	67	Jerry Madden	align=center	Republican	1993
align=center	68	Rick Hardcastle	align=center	Republican	1999
align=center	69	David Farabee	align=center	Democrat	1999
align=center	70	Ken Paxton	align=center	Republican	2003
align=center	71	Robert Dean Hunter	align=center	Republican	1986
align=center	72	Scott Campbell	align=center	Republican	2003
align=center	73	Carter Casteel	align=center	Republican	2003
align=center	74	Pete P. Gallego	align=center	Democrat	1991
align=center	75	Chente Quintanilla	align=center	Democrat	2003
align=center	76	Norma Chavez	align=center	Democrat	1997
align=center	77	Paul C. Moreno	align=center	Democrat	1975 (first time: 1967–1973)
align=center	78	Pat Haggerty	align=center	Republican	1989
align=center	79	Joe C. Pickett	align=center	Democrat	1995
align=center	80	Timo Garza	align=center	Democrat	2003
align=center	81	Buddy West	align=center	Republican	1993
align=center	82	Tom Craddick	align=center	Republican	1969
align=center	83	Delwin Jones	align=center	Republican	1989 (first time: 1965–1981)
align=center	84	Carl H. Isett	align=center	Republican	1997
align=center	85	Pete Laney	align=center	Democrat	1973
align=center	86	John Smithee	align=center	Republican	1985
align=center	87	David Swinford	align=center	Republican	1991
align=center	88	Warren Chisum	align=center	Republican	1989
align=center	89	Jodie Anne Laubenberg	align=center	Republican	2003
align=center	90	Lon Burnam	align=center	Democrat	1997
align=center	91	Bob E. Griggs	align=center	Republican	2003
align=center	92	Todd Smith	align=center	Republican	1997
align=center	93	Toby Goodman	align=center	Republican	1991
align=center	94	Kent Grusendorf	align=center	Republican	1987
align=center	95	Glenn Lewis	align=center	Democrat	1994
align=center	96	Bill Zedler	align=center	Republican	2003
align=center	97	Anna Mowery	align=center	Republican	1988
align=center	98	Vicki Truitt	align=center	Republican	1999
align=center	99	Charlie Geren	align=center	Republican	2001
align=center	100	Terri Hodge	align=center	Democrat	1997
align=center	101	Elvira Reyna	align=center	Republican	1993
align=center	102	Tony Goolsby	align=center	Republican	1989
align=center	103	Steven D. Wolens	align=center	Democrat	1996
align=center	104	Roberto R. Alonzo	align=center	Democrat	2003 (first time: 1993–1997)
align=center	105	Linda Harper-Brown	align=center	Republican	2003
align=center	106	Ray Allen	align=center	Republican	1993
align=center	107	Bill Keffer	align=center	Republican	2002
align=center	108	Dan Branch	align=center	Republican	2003
align=center	109	Helen Giddings	align=center	Democrat	1993
align=center	110	Jesse W. Jones	align=center	Democrat	1993
align=center	111	Yvonne Davis	align=center	Democrat	1993
align=center	112	Fred Hill	align=center	Republican	1989
align=center	113	Joe Driver	align=center	Republican	1993
align=center	114	Will Ford Hartnett	align=center	Republican	1991
align=center	115	Kenny Marchant	align=center	Republican	1986
align=center	116	Trey Martinez Fischer	align=center	Democrat	2001
align=center	117	Ken Mercer	align=center	Republican	2003
align=center	118	Carlos Uresti	align=center	Democrat	1997
align=center	119	Robert R. Puente	align=center	Democrat	1991
align=center	120	Ruth McClendon	align=center	Democrat	1996
align=center	121	Elizabeth Ames Jones	align=center	Republican	2000
align=center	122	Frank Corte, Jr.	align=center	Republican	1993
align=center	123	Mike Villarreal	align=center	Democrat	2000
align=center	124	Jose Menendez	align=center	Democrat	2001
align=center	125	Joaquin Castro	align=center	Democrat	2003
align=center	126	Peggy Hamric	align=center	Republican	1991
align=center	127	Joe Crabb	align=center	Republican	1993
align=center	128	Wayne Smith	align=center	Republican	2003
align=center	129	John E. Davis	align=center	Republican	1999
align=center	130	Corbin Van Arsdale	align=center	Republican	2003
align=center	131	Ron Wilson	align=center	Democrat	1976
align=center	132	Bill Callegari	align=center	Republican	2001
align=center	133	Joe Nixon	align=center	Republican	1995
align=center	134	Martha Wong	align=center	Republican	2003
align=center	135	Gary Elkins	align=center	Republican	1995
align=center	136	Beverly Woolley	align=center	Republican	1995
align=center	137	Scott Hochberg	align=center	Democrat	1993
align=center	138	Dwayne Bohac	align=center	Republican	2003
align=center	139	Sylvester Turner	align=center	Democrat	1989
align=center	140	Kevin Bailey	align=center	Democrat	1991
align=center	141	Senfronia Thompson	align=center	Democrat	1973
align=center	142	Harold V. Dutton, Jr.	align=center	Democrat	1985
align=center	143	Joe E. Moreno	align=center	Democrat	1998
align=center	144	Robert Talton	align=center	Republican	1993
align=center	145	Rick Noriega	align=center	Democrat	1999
align=center	146	Al Edwards	align=center	Democrat	1979
align=center	147	Garnet Coleman	align=center	Democrat	1991
align=center	148	Jessica Farrar	align=center	Democrat	1995
align=center	149	Talmadge L. Heflin	align=center	Republican	1992
align=center	150	Debbie Riddle	align=center	Republican	2002

In the 2002 General Election, Ron Clark won the District 62 seat but declined it, having received an appointment as a United States federal judge. Phillips was elected prior to the start of the regular session.

Membership Changes

Senate

District	Outgoing Senator	Reason for Vacancy	Successor	Date of Successor's Installation
District 1	Bill Ratliff	Retirement. Senator Ratliff resigned effective January 10, 2004 for personal reasons.	Kevin Eltife	March 5, 2004
District 31	Teel Bivins	Resignation. Senator Bivins resigned effective January 12, 2004 after being appointed U.S. Ambassador to Sweden by President George W. Bush.	Kel Seliger	March 2, 2003

District 1: A special election was held on January 20, 2004. No candidate received a majority of the votes on that date, so the top two candidates faced each other in a runoff on February 17, 2004. Kevin Eltife received a majority of the vote and was sworn in on March 5, 2004.
District 31: A special election was held on January 20, 2004. No candidate received a majority of the votes on that date, so the top two candidates faced each other in a runoff on February 17, 2004. Kel Seliger received a majority of the vote and was sworn in on March 2, 2004.

House of Representatives

District	Outgoing Representative	Reason for Vacancy	Successor	Date of Successor's Installation
District 43	Irma Rangel	Representative Rangel died on March 18, 2003.	Juan Manuel Escobar	May 9, 2003
District 62	Ron Clark	Representative Clark declined his seat after accepting appointment as United States federal judge.	Larry Phillips	January 14, 2003

District 43: A special election was held on April 15, 2003. No candidate received a majority of the votes on that date, so the top two candidates faced each other in a runoff on May 6, 2003. Juan Manuel Escobar won the runoff and was sworn in 3 days later, on May 9, 2003.
District 62: Representative Clark was elected in the 2002 General Election, but resigned before re-taking the oath of office for the Seventy-eighth Legislature. A special election was held on December 14, 2002. No candidate received a majority of the votes on that date, so the top two candidates faced each other in a runoff on January 7, 2002. Larry Phillips won the runoff and was sworn in at the opening of the regular session.

Notes and References

Web site: Tom Craddick . 2024-02-12 . Legislative Reference Library of Texas.