79th Texas Legislature explained

The 79th Texas Legislature met from 11 January to 30 May 2005 in regular session, and in consecutive called sessions from 21 June to 20 July (First called session) and 21 July to 19 August 2005 (Second called session). It met again in 2006 from 17 April to 16 May. Most of the members of the House of Representatives and 15 members of the Senate were elected in the 2004 general election; the other House members were elected in special elections held in 2006.

Sessions

To consider legislation that addresses educator compensation, benefits and certification.

To consider legislation that provides for public school financial accountability and that increases transparency in school district financial reporting.

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

To consider legislation that funds textbooks and that creates the instructional materials allotment for public schools.

To consider legislation that provides for charter school funding and reform.

To consider legislation that provides for modifications to the recapture provisions of the public school finance system.

To consider legislation that provides for November elections for public school boards of trustees.

To consider legislation providing funding for the public school finance system and the continuation of the Texas Education Agency.

To consider legislation providing for end-of-course examinations to be used in public schools.

To consider legislation that provides for increased accountability and intervention for schools failing to meet state standards.

To consider legislation that provides for local property tax rate compression and voter approval of local property tax rates.

To consider legislation that establishes indicators of college readiness and higher levels of student achievement in the public school accountability system. https://web.archive.org/web/20051103155414/http://www.governor.state.tx.us/divisions/press/proclamations/proclamation2.2005-06-18

Legislation relating to limiting the use of eminent domain to take private property for private parties or economic development purposes. https://web.archive.org/web/20051028154305/http://www.governor.state.tx.us/divisions/press/proclamations/proclamation.2005-07-08

To consider legislation to limit the ad valorem tax appraisals and rates of certain taxing units.

To consider legislation that provides ad valorem tax relief and protects taxpayers.

To consider legislation to increase the homestead ad valorem tax exemption. https://web.archive.org/web/20051028154404/http://www.governor.state.tx.us/divisions/press/proclamations/proclamation.2005-07-20

Legislation that addresses educator compensation, benefits, and certification.

Legislation that provides for public school financial accountability and that increases transparency in school district financial reporting.

Legislation that provides for performance-based incentives to educators and schools that attain higher levels of student achievement.

Legislation that funds textbooks and that creates the instructional materials allotment for public schools.

Legislation that provides for charter school funding and reform.

Legislation that provides for modifications to the recapture provisions of the public school finance system.

Legislation that provides for November elections for public school boards of trustees.

Legislation providing funding for the public school finance system and the continuation of the Texas Education Agency.

Legislation providing for end-of-course examinations to be used in public schools.

Legislation that provides for increased accountability and intervention for schools failing to meet state standards.

Legislation that provides for local property tax rate compression and voter approval of local property tax rates.

Legislation that establishes indicators of college readiness and higher levels of student achievement in the public school accountability system.

Legislation relating to the authorization, issuance, and funding of tuition revenue bonds. https://web.archive.org/web/20051103154157/http://www.governor.state.tx.us/divisions/press/proclamations/proclamation.2005-07-21

Legislation relating to an increase in the compensation of judges, including salary and retirement benefits. https://web.archive.org/web/20051028155120/http://www.governor.state.tx.us/divisions/press/proclamations/proclamation2.2005-07-21

Legislation related to further competition in the telecommunications market.

Legislation related to the provision of broadband over powerlines.

Legislation related to the issuance of state-issued certificate of franchise authority for cable and video services. https://web.archive.org/web/20051103155504/http://www.governor.state.tx.us/divisions/press/proclamations/proclamation3.2005-07-21

Party summary

Senate

AffiliationMembersNote
 Republican Party19
 Democratic Party12
'Total'31

House of Representatives

AffiliationMembersNote
 Republican Party86
 Democratic Party64
'Total'150

Officers

Senate

'Regular Session': Florence Shapiro, Republican

'Ad Interim' (30 May 2005-16 April 2006): Frank Madla, Democrat

'Ad Interim' (17 April 2006-8 January 2007): Royce West, Democrat

House of Representatives

Members

Members of the Seventy-ninth Texas Legislature at the beginning of the regular session, 11 January 2005:

Senate

SenatorPartyDistrict Home TownTook Office
Kevin EltifeRepublican1Tyler2004
Bob DeuellRepublican2Greenville2003
Todd StaplesRepublican3Palestine2000
Tommy WilliamsRepublican4The Woodlands2003
Steve OgdenRepublican5Bryan1997
Mario Gallegos, Jr.Democratic6Houston1995
Jon LindsayRepublican7Houston1997
Florence ShapiroRepublican8Plano1993
Chris HarrisRepublican9Arlington1991
Kim BrimerRepublican10Fort Worth2003
Mike JacksonRepublican11La Porte1999
Jane NelsonRepublican12Lewisville1993
Rodney EllisDemocratic13Houston1990
Gonzalo BarrientosDemocratic14Austin1985
John WhitmireDemocratic15Houston1983
John CaronaRepublican16Dallas1996
Kyle JanekRepublican17Houston2002
Kenneth L. ArmbristerDemocratic18Katy1987
Frank L. MadlaDemocratic19San Antonio1993
Juan "Chuy" HinojosaDemocratic20Mission2002
Judith ZaffiriniDemocratic21Laredo1987
Kip AverittRepublican22Waco2002
Royce WestDemocratic23Dallas1993
Troy FraserRepublican24Horseshoe Bay1997
Jeff WentworthRepublican25San Antonio1993
Leticia R. Van de PutteDemocratic26San Antonio1999
Eddie Lucio, Jr.Democratic27Brownsville1991
Robert L. DuncanRepublican28Lubbock1997
Eliot ShapleighDemocratic29El Paso1997
Craig EstesRepublican30Wichita Falls2001
Kel SeligerRepublican31Amarillo2004

House of Representatives

District Representative Party Took office
align=center 1Stephen James Frostalign=center DemocratJanuary 11, 2005
align=center 2Dan Flynnalign=center Republican2003
align=center 3Mark Homeralign=center Democrat1999
align=center 4Betty Brownalign=center Republican1999
align=center 5Bryan Hughesalign=center Republican2003
align=center 6Leo Bermanalign=center Republican1999
align=center 7Tommy Merrittalign=center Republican1997
align=center 8Byron Cookalign=center Republican2003
align=center 9Roy Blake, Jr.align=center Republican2005
align=center 10Jim Pittsalign=center Republican1993
align=center 11Chuck Hopsonalign=center Democrat2001
align=center 12Jim McReynoldsalign=center Democrat1997
align=center 13Lois Kolkhorstalign=center Republican2001
align=center 14Fred Brownalign=center Republican1999
align=center 15Rob Eissleralign=center Republican2003
align=center 16Ruben Hope, Jr.align=center Republican1999
align=center 17Robby Cookalign=center Democrat1997
align=center 18John Ottoalign=center Democrat2005
align=center 19Tuffy Hamiltonalign=center Republican2003
align=center 20Dan Gattisalign=center Republican2003
align=center 21Allan Ritteralign=center Democrat1999
align=center 22Joe Deshotelalign=center Democrat1999
align=center 23Craig Eilandalign=center Democrat1995
align=center 24Larry Tayloralign=center Republican2003
align=center 25Dennis Bonnenalign=center Republican1997
align=center 26Charles F. "Charlie" Howardalign=center Republican1995
align=center 27Dora Olivoalign=center Democrat1997
align=center 28Glenn Hegaralign=center Republican2003
align=center 29Glenda Dawsonalign=center Republican2003
align=center 30Geanie W. Morrisonalign=center Republican1999
align=center 31Ryan Guillenalign=center Democrat2003
align=center 32Gene Seamanalign=center Republican1997
align=center 33Vilma Lunaalign=center Democrat1993
align=center 34Abel Herreroalign=center Democrat2005
align=center 35Yvonne Gonzalez Toureillesalign=center Democrat2005
align=center 36Kino Floresalign=center Democrat1997
align=center 37Rene O. Oliveiraalign=center Democrat1991 (first time: 1981–1987)
align=center 38Jim Solisalign=center Democrat1993
align=center 39Mando Martinezalign=center Democrat2005
align=center 40Aaron Penaalign=center Democrat2003
align=center 41Veronica Gonzalesalign=center Democrat2005
align=center 42Richard Raymondalign=center Democrat2001 (first time: 1993–1999)
align=center 43Juan Manuel Escobaralign=center Democrat2003
align=center 44Edmund Kuempelalign=center Republican1983
align=center 45Patrick Rosealign=center Democrat2003
align=center 46Dawnna Dukesalign=center Democrat1995
align=center 47Terry Keelalign=center Republican1997
align=center 48Todd Baxteralign=center Republican2003
align=center 49Elliott Naishtatalign=center Democrat1991
align=center 50Mark Stramaalign=center Democrat2005
align=center 51Eddie Rodriguezalign=center Democrat2003
align=center 52Mike Kruseealign=center Republican1993
align=center 53Harvey Hilderbranalign=center Republican1989
align=center 54Suzanna Gratia Huppalign=center Republican1996
align=center 55Dianne White Delisialign=center Republican1991
align=center 56Doc Andersonalign=center Republican2005
align=center 57Jim Dunnamalign=center Democrat1997
align=center 58Rob Orralign=center Republican2005
align=center 59Sid Milleralign=center Republican2001
align=center 60Jim Kefferalign=center Republican1997
align=center 61Phil Kingalign=center Republican1999
align=center 62Larry Phillipsalign=center Republican2003
align=center 63Mary Dennyalign=center Republican1993
align=center 64Myra Crownoveralign=center Republican2000
align=center 65Burt Solomonsalign=center Republican1995
align=center 66Brian McCallalign=center Republican1991
align=center 67Jerry Maddenalign=center Republican1993
align=center 68Rick Hardcastlealign=center Republican1999
align=center 69David Farabeealign=center Democrat1999
align=center 70Ken Paxtonalign=center Republican2003
align=center 71Bob Hunteralign=center Republican1986
align=center 72Scott Campbellalign=center Republican2004
align=center 73Carter Casteelalign=center Republican2003
align=center 74Pete P. Gallegoalign=center Democrat1991
align=center 75Chente Quintanillaalign=center Democrat2003
align=center 76Norma Chavezalign=center Democrat1997
align=center 77Paul C. Morenoalign=center Democrat1975 (first time: 1967–1973)
align=center 78Pat Haggertyalign=center Republican1989
align=center 79Joe C. Pickettalign=center Democrat1995
align=center 80Tracy O. Kingalign=center Democrat2005
align=center 81Buddy Westalign=center Republican1993
align=center 82Tom Craddickalign=center Republican1969
align=center 83Delwin Jonesalign=center Republican1989 (first time: 1965–1981)
align=center 84Carl H. Isettalign=center Republican1997
align=center 85Pete Laneyalign=center Democrat1973
align=center 86John T. Smitheealign=center Republican1985
align=center 87David Swinfordalign=center Republican1991
align=center 88Warren Chisumalign=center Republican1989
align=center 89Jodie Laubenbergalign=center Republican2003
align=center 90Lon Burnamalign=center Democrat1997
align=center 91Bob E. Griggsalign=center Republican2003
align=center 92Todd Smithalign=center Republican1997
align=center 93Toby Goodmanalign=center Republican1991
align=center 94Kent Grusendorfalign=center Republican1987
align=center 95Marc Veaseyalign=center Democrat2005
align=center 96Bill Zedleralign=center Republican2003
align=center 97Anna Moweryalign=center Republican1988
align=center 98Vicki Truittalign=center Republican1999
align=center 99Charlie Gerenalign=center Republican2001
align=center 100Terri Hodgealign=center Democrat1997
align=center 101Elvira Reynaalign=center Republican1993
align=center 102Tony Goolsbyalign=center Republican1989
align=center 103Rafael Anchiaalign=center Democrat2005
align=center 104Roberto R. Alonzoalign=center Democrat2003 (first time: 1993–1997)
align=center 105Linda Harper-Brownalign=center Republican2003
align=center 106Ray Allenalign=center Republican1993
align=center 107Bill Kefferalign=center Republican2002
align=center 108Dan Branchalign=center Republican2003
align=center 109Helen Giddingsalign=center Democrat1993
align=center 110Jesse W. Jonesalign=center Democrat1993
align=center 111Yvonne Davisalign=center Democrat1993
align=center 112Fred Hillalign=center Republican1989
align=center 113Joe Driveralign=center Republican1993
align=center 114Will Ford Hartnettalign=center Republican1991
align=center 115Jim Jacksonalign=center Republican2005
align=center 116Trey Martinez Fischeralign=center Democrat2001
align=center 117David McQuade Leibowitzalign=center Democrat2005
align=center 118Charlie Urestialign=center Democrat1997
align=center 119Robert R. Puentealign=center Democrat1991
align=center 120Ruth Jones McClendonalign=center Democrat1996
align=center 121Vacant
align=center 122Frank J. Corte, Jr.align=center Republican1993
align=center 123Mike Villarrealalign=center Democrat2000
align=center 124Jose Menendezalign=center Democrat2001
align=center 125Joaquin Castroalign=center Democrat2003
align=center 126Peggy Hamricalign=center Republican1991
align=center 127Joe Crabbalign=center Republican1993
align=center 128Wayne Smithalign=center Republican2003
align=center 129John E. Davisalign=center Republican1999
align=center 130Corbin Van Arsdalealign=center Republican2003
align=center 131Alma A. Allenalign=center Democrat2005
align=center 132Bill Callegarialign=center Republican2001
align=center 133Joe Nixonalign=center Republican1995
align=center 134Martha Wongalign=center Republican2003
align=center 135Gary Elkinsalign=center Republican1995
align=center 136Beverly Woolleyalign=center Republican1995
align=center 137Scott Hochbergalign=center Democrat1993
align=center 138Dwayne Bohacalign=center Republican2003
align=center 139Sylvester Turneralign=center Democrat1989
align=center 140Kevin Baileyalign=center Democrat1991
align=center 141Senfronia Thompsonalign=center Democrat1973
align=center 142Harold V. Dutton, Jr.align=center Democrat1985
align=center 143Joe E. Morenoalign=center Democrat1998
align=center 144Robert E. Taltonalign=center Republican1993
align=center 145Rick Noriegaalign=center Democrat1999
align=center 146Al Edwardsalign=center Democrat1979
align=center 147Garnet Colemanalign=center Democrat1991
align=center 148Jessica Farraralign=center Democrat1995
align=center 149Hubert Voalign=center Democrat2005
align=center 150Debbie Riddlealign=center Republican2002

In the 2004 General Election, Elizabeth Ames Jones won the District 121 seat but declined it, having received an appointment as a member of the Texas Railroad Commission.

Membership changes

Senate

None

House of Representatives

Districtwidth=12% Outgoing RepresentativeReason for Vacancywidth=12% Successorwidth=12% Date of Successor's Installation
District 48Todd BaxterRepresentative Baxter resigned on 1 November 2005 for personal reasons.Donna HowardTo be determined
District 106Ray AllenRepresentative Allen resigned on 20 January 2006 for personal reasons.Kirk EnglandTo be determined
District 121VacantRepresentative Elizabeth Ames Jones was re-elected but declined her seat after being appointed to the Railroad Commission of Texas.Joe Straus10 February 2005
District 143Joe MorenoRepresentative Moreno was killed in a one-car rollover accident 6 May 2005.Ana E. Hernandez20 December 2005

Notable events

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