Texas House of Representatives explained

Texas House of Representatives
Legislature:Eighty-eighth Texas Legislature
Coa Pic:Seal of Texas House of Representatives.svg
Session Room:Austin Capitol Building (47391738632).jpg
House Type:Lower house
Body:Texas Legislature
Term Limits:None
New Session:January 10, 2023
Structure1:Texas House 2022.svg
Structure1 Res:275px
Leader1 Type:Speaker
Leader1:Dade Phelan (R)
Election1:January 12, 2021
Leader2 Type:Speaker pro tempore
Leader2:Charlie Geren (R)
Election2:February 8, 2023
Leader3 Type:Majority Leader
Leader3:Tom Oliverson (R)
Election3:April 3, 2024
Leader4 Type:Minority Leader
Leader4:Trey Martinez Fischer (D)
Election4:January 10, 2023
Term Length:2 years
Authority:Article 3, Texas Constitution
Salary:$7,200/year + per diem
Members:150
Last Election1:November 8, 2022
(150 seats)
Next Election1:November 5, 2024
(150 seats)
Voting System1:First-past-the-post
Redistricting:Legislative control
Political Groups1:
Meeting Place:House of Representatives Chamber
Texas State Capitol
Austin, Texas
Website:Texas House of Representatives

The Texas House of Representatives is the lower house of the bicameral Texas Legislature. It consists of 150 members who are elected from single-member districts for two-year terms. There are no term limits. The House meets at the State Capitol in Austin.

Leadership

The leadership for the 88th Legislature is as follows:

Position Name Party Residence District
21
Speaker Pro Tempore 99
Republican Caucus Chair130
Democratic House Leader 116

The Speaker of the House is the presiding officer and highest-ranking member of the House. The Speaker's duties include maintaining order within the House, recognizing members during debate, ruling on procedural matters, appointing members to the various committees and sending bills for committee review.

The Speaker pro tempore is primarily a ceremonial position, but does, by long-standing tradition, preside over the House during its consideration of local and consent bills.

Unlike other state legislatures, the House rules do not formally recognize majority or minority leaders. The unofficial leaders are the Republican Caucus Chairman and the Democratic House Leader, both of whom are elected by their respective caucuses.

Composition

Republicans currently hold a majority of seats in the House.

Texas' legislative districts are an example of gerrymandering; however, requirements in the Texas Constitution are more strict than other states. [1] [2]

AffiliationParty

(Shading indicates majority caucus)

Total
RepublicanDemocraticIndVacant
nowrap style="font-size:80%"End 2010757301482
nowrap style="font-size:80%"Begin 2011 rowspan=21014901500
nowrap style="font-size:80%"End 2012481491
nowrap style="font-size:80%"Begin 2013 rowspan=2955501500
nowrap style="font-size:80%"End 2014
nowrap style="font-size:80%"Begin 2015985201500
nowrap style="font-size:80%"End 201699501
nowrap style="font-size:80%"Begin 2017955501500
nowrap style="font-size:80%"End 20189456
wrap style="font-size:80%"2019–2020836701500
wrap style="font-size:80%"Begin 2021826701491
End 202285651500
wrap style="font-size:80%"Begin 2023866401500
wrap style="font-size:80%"May 9, 2023851491
wrap style="font-size:80%"February 14, 2024861500
wrap style="font-size:80%"August 15, 2024851491
wrap style="font-size:80%"August 30, 20248663
nowrap style="font-size:80%:Latest voting share

List of current representatives

District RepresentativeParty Since Residence Counties represented
1Republican2015New BostonBowie, Cass, Lamar, Morris, Red River
2Jill DuttonRepublican2024Ben WheelerHopkins, Hunt, Van Zandt
3Republican2013MagnoliaMontgomery
4Republican2019ForneyHenderson, Kaufman
5Republican2017Mount PleasantCamp, Rains, Smith, Titus, Upshur, Wood
6Republican2013ArpSmith
7Republican2017LongviewGregg, Harrison, Marion
8Republican2019PalestineAnderson, Cherokee, Henderson, Navarro
9Republican2022LufkinAngelina, Houston, Polk, San Augustine, Trinity, Tyler
10Republican2021MidlothianEllis
11Republican2013NacogdochesNacogdoches, Newton, Panola, Rusk, Sabine, Shelby
12Republican2013College StationBrazos, Grimes, Madison, Robertson, Walker, Washington
13Republican2023ItascaBosque, Falls, Freestone, Hill, Leon, Limestone, McLennan
14Republican2011BryanBrazos
15Republican2019ConroeMontgomery
16Republican2015MontgomeryMontgomery
17Republican2023LockhartBastrop, Burleson, Caldwell, Lee, Milam
18Republican2017ShepherdHardin, Liberty, Montgomery, San Jacinto
19Republican2023AustinBlanco, Burnet, Gillespie, Kendall, Travis
20Republican2017GeorgetownWilliamson
21Republican2015BeaumontJasper, Jefferson, Orange
22Democratic2023BeaumontJefferson
23Republican2023GalvestonChambers, Galveston
24Republican2013FriendswoodGalveston
25Republican2021AngletonBrazoria
26Republican2021RichmondFort Bend
27Democratic2011Missouri CityFort Bend
28Republican2020RichmondFort Bend
29Republican2013PearlandBrazoria
30Republican1999VictoriaDe Witt, Goliad, Jackson, Lavaca, Matagorda, Victoria
31Republican2003Rio Grande CityBrooks, Duval, Jim Hogg, Karnes, Kenedy, La Salle, Live Oak, McMullen, Starr, Wilson, Zapata
32Republican2009Corpus ChristiAransas, Nueces
33Republican2017HeathCollin, Rockwall
34Democratic2013RobstownNueces
35Democratic2013La JoyaCameron, Hidalgo
36Democratic2011PalmviewHidalgo
37Republican2023BrownsvilleCameron, Willacy
38Democratic2022BrownsvilleCameron
39Democratic2005WeslacoHidalgo
40Democratic2013EdinburgHidalgo
41Democratic2012MissionHidalgo
42Democratic2001LaredoWebb
43Republican2011KingsvilleBee, Calhoun, Jim Wells, Kleberg, Refugio, San Patricio
44Republican2011SeguinGonzalez, Guadalupe
45Democratic2019DriftwoodHays
46Democratic2019AustinTravis
47Democratic2019AustinTravis
48Democratic2006AustinTravis
49Democratic2017AustinTravis
50Democratic2018Round RockTravis
51Democratic2023AustinTravis
52Republican2023Round RockWilliamson
53Republican2015JunctionBandera, Crane, Crockett, Edwards, Kerr, Kimble, Llano, Mason, McCulloch, Medina, Menard, Pecos, Real, Schleicher, Sutton, Upton
54Republican2019SaladoBell
55Republican2017TempleBell
56Republican2024WacoMcLennan
57Republican2023DentonDenton
58Republican2015CleburneJohnson, Somervell
59Republican2021StephenvilleCoryell, Erath, Hamilton, Hood
60Republican2021GrafordPalo Pinto, Parker, Stephens
61Republican2023McKinneyCollin
62Republican2018Van AlstyneDelta, Fannin, Franklin, Grayson
63Republican2023Flower MoundDenton
64Republican2017SangerDenton, Wise
65Republican2023LewisvilleDenton
66Republican2015PlanoCollin
67Republican2013AllenCollin
68Republican2021JacksboroBrown, Cooke, Eastland, Jack, Lampasas, Mills, Montague, San Saba, Shackelford, Throckmorton, Young
69Republican2013Wichita FallsArcher, Baylor, Clay, Cottle, Fisher, Foard, Hardeman, Haskell, King, Knox, Motley, Stonewall, Wichita, Wilbarger
70Democratic2023DallasCollin
71Republican2017AbileneCallahan, Jones, Nolan, Taylor
72Republican2007San AngeloCoke, Coleman, Concho, Glasscock, Howard, Irion, Reagan, Runnels, Sterling, Tom Green
73Republican2023Dripping SpringsComal, Hays
74Democratic2021Eagle PassBrewster, Culberson, El Paso, Hudspeth, Jeff Davis, Kinney, Maverick, Presidio, Reeves, Terrell, Val Verde
75Democratic2013ClintEl Paso
76Democratic2023HoustonFort Bend
77Democratic2017El PasoEl Paso
78Democratic2013El PasoEl Paso
79Democratic2021El PasoEl Paso
80Democratic2005UvaldeAtacscosa, Dimmit, Frio, Uvalde, Webb, Zavala
81Republican2015OdessaEctor, Loving, Ward, Winkler
82Republican1969MidlandDawson, Martin, Midland
83Republican2015LubbockBorden, Crosby, Dickens, Floyd, Garza, Kent, Lubbock, Lynn, Mitchell, Scurry, Terry
84Republican2023LubbockLubbock
85Republican2023PattisonAustin, Colorado, Fayette, Fort Bend, Waller, Wharton
86Republican1985AmarilloArmstrong, Dallam, Deaf Smith, Hartley, Oldham, Parmer, Randall
87Republican2011AmarilloCarson, Hansford, Hutchinson, Lipscomb, Moore, Ochilitree, Potter, Sherman
88Republican2013CanadianAndrews, Bailey, Briscoe, Castro, Childress, Cochran, Collingsworth, Donley, Gaines, Gray, Hale, Hall,Hansford, Hemphill, Hockley, Lamb, Roberts, Swisher, Wheeler, Yoakum
89Republican2019LucasCollin
90Democratic2015Fort WorthTarrant
91Republican2013Fort WorthTarrant
92Democratic2023EulessTarrant
93Republican2023Fort WorthTarrant
94Republican2015ArlingtonTarrant
95Democratic2013Fort WorthTarrant
96Republican2021MansfieldTarrant
97Republican2013Fort WorthTarrant
98Republican2013SouthlakeTarrant
99Republican2001Fort WorthTarrant
100Democratic2023DallasDallas
101Democratic2013Grand PrairieTarrant
102Democratic2019RichardsonDallas
103Democratic2005DallasDallas
104Democratic2019DallasDallas
105Democratic2019IrvingDallas
106Republican2019FriscoDenton
107Democratic2017MesquiteDallas
108Republican2015DallasDallas
109Democratic2019DeSotoDallas
110Democratic2013DallasDallas
111Democratic1993DeSotoDallas
112Republican2009GarlandDallas
113Democratic2019RowlettDallas
114Democratic2023DallasDallas
115Democratic2019Farmers BranchDallas
116Democratic2019San AntonioBexar
117Democratic2017San AntonioBexar
118Republican2021San AntonioBexar
119Democratic2021San AntonioBexar
120Democratic2017San AntonioBexar
121Republican2019San AntonioBexar
122Republican2023San AntonioBexar
123Democratic2015San AntonioBexar
124Democratic2023San AntonioBexar
125Democratic2019San AntonioBexar
126Republican2019SpringHarris
127Republican2023HoustonHarris
128Republican2017Deer ParkHarris
129Republican2015HoustonHarris
130Republican2017CypressHarris
131Democratic2005HoustonHarris
132Republican2021KatyHarris
133Republican2023HoustonHarris
134Democratic2021HoustonHarris
135Democratic2019HoustonHarris
136Democratic2019AustinWilliamson
137Democratic2013HoustonHarris
138Republican2021HoustonHarris
139Democratic2016HoustonHarris
140Democratic2009HoustonHarris
141Democratic1973HoustonHarris
142Democratic1985HoustonHarris
143Democratic2005HoustonHarris
144Democratic2017HoustonHarris
145Democratic2019HoustonHarris
146Republican2017HoustonHarris
147Democratic2022HoustonHarris
148Democratic2021HoustonHarris
149Democratic2005HoustonHarris
150Republican2017SpringHarris

Notable past members

Officials

Speaker of the House

The Speaker of the House of Representatives has duties as a presiding officer as well as administrative duties. As a presiding officer, the Speaker must enforce, apply, and interpret the rules of the House, call House members to order, lay business in order before the House and receive propositions made by members, refer proposed legislation to a committee, preserve order and decorum, recognize people in the gallery, state and hold votes on questions, vote as a member of the House, decide on all questions to order, appoint the Speaker Pro Tempore and Temporary Chair, adjourn the House in the event of an emergency, postpone reconvening in the event of an emergency, and sign all bills, joint resolutions, and concurrent resolutions. The administrative duties of the Speaker include having control over the Hall of the House, appointing chair, vice-chair, and members to each standing committee, appointing all conference committees, and directing committees to make interim studies.[4]

Chief Clerk

The Chief Clerk is the head of the Chief Clerk's Office which maintains a record of all authors who sign legislation, maintains and distributes membership information to current house members, and forwards copies of legislation to house committee chairs.[5] The Chief Clerk is the primary custodian of all legal documents within House. Additional duties include keeping a record of all progress on a document, attesting all warrants, writs, and subpoenas, receiving and filing all documents received by the house, and maintaining the electronic information and calendar for documents. When there is a considerable update of the electronic source website, the Chief Clerk is also responsible for noticing House members via email.

Committee structure

The committee structure below is valid for the 88th Legislature (numbers in parentheses are the number of committee members; under House rules 1/2 of each committee's membership is determined by seniority and the remaining 1/2 by the Speaker of the House, excluding Procedural Committees the membership of which are wholly chosen by the Speaker).[6]

In addition to these committees, there are also six joint committees composed of members of both the State House and Senate:

Past composition

See main article: Political party strength in Texas.

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: THE TEXAS CONSTITUTION ARTICLE 3. LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT.
  2. Web site: Analysis: Gerrymandering has left Texas voters with few options . April 20, 2022 .
  3. Book: Hispanic Americans in Congress, 1822–2012. U.S. Government Printing Office. 2013. 978-0160920684. 422.
  4. Web site: Texas House Rules. https://web.archive.org/web/20110124171007/http://www.house.state.tx.us/_media/pdf/hrrules.pdf. dead. January 24, 2011. Texas House of Representatives. 1 March 2016.
  5. Web site: Service Providers. Guide to Texas Legislative Information. 1 March 2016. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20150215074922/http://www.tlc.state.tx.us/gtli/leginfo/serv_cch.html. February 15, 2015. mdy-all.
  6. Web site: Texas Legislature Online – House Committees .
  7. Web site: Hooks. Christopher. Ratcliffe. R.G.. Zelinski. Andrea. 2021: The Best and Worst Legislators. Texas Monthly. July 2021. 2024-08-16.
  8. Web site: Texas State Auditor's Office - Legislative Audit Committee .
  9. Web site: Legislative Budget Board .
  10. Web site: Legislative Reference Library |. lrl.texas.gov.
  11. Web site: Texas Legislative Council. tlc.texas.gov.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Texas House of Representatives".

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