(Legislative Process Chart)     (Basic Steps Chart)

High school civics classes are in the rather distant past for most of us and much, if not all, of what we learned has long since receded from memory. Many citizens have so little idea of how the legislative process works that they do nothing but follow the proceedings in the newspaper and shake their heads in disbelief.

There is a general perception of great inefficiency in our political processes. While that may be true to some extent, the fact is that things do get done. Whether they get done to our liking or pursuant to our input is altogether a different matter.

The laws of the state of Texas affect the way we live, regulate the way we do business and determine the taxes we are required to pay. Legislation impacts our education, judicial and criminal justice systems.

When taxpayers do not interact with state government, our most basic democratic rights - as well as responsibilities - are forfeited. Simply put, a democratic, capitalistic society cannot flourish in an environment of apathy.

Following is a summary of the legislative process for those who want to learn how to be instrumental in determining what does and does not get done legislatively in our state. Here, then, is a crash refresher course in the Texas Legislature and the legislative process.

The Legislature

The Texas Legislature is composed of two separate bodies, the House of Representatives and the Senate. The House and the Senate convene in Austin for 140 days in odd-numbered years to pass laws and resolutions, submit constitutional amendments to the voters and approve the state budget.

The Senate has sole responsibility for confirming the Governor's appointments to the many agencies and commissions that make up state government. The House has the sole responsibility for originating any legislation dealing with taxes.

House members serve two-year terms: senators serve four-year terms. Members of both houses earn the same amount of money - $7,200 annually plus $30 per day while serving in Austin.

The House is presided over by the Speaker of the House, who is elected by a majority of the house members. The Speaker appoints the chairs and members of all house committees and refers all bills to committee. There are 36 standing committees in the House.

The Senate is presided over by the Lieutenant Governor, who is elected by the voters of Texas. The Lt. Governor likewise appoints all chairs and members of senate committees and refers all bills to committee. There are 10 standing committees in the Senate.

In the House, the powerful Calendar Committee schedules (or does not schedule) bills for consideration on the House floor. In the Senate, the Lt. Governor schedules most bills for consideration except bills that affect only a local community. These are scheduled by the Senate Administration Committee.

Working with the Legislature

Common sense dictates that one who is interested in proposing supporting or opposing specific legislation know one's representatives in the House and Senate. The mailing address for all House members is Box 2910, Austin, Texas 78768-2910, FAX: 512-463-0695.

The mailing address for all senators is Box 12068, Austin, Texas 78711, FAX: 512-463-0326. Check your phone book for your district office phone numbers and addresses.

Letters telephone calls, telegrams, mailgrams and opiniongrams are all ways to influence a legislator's opinion on issues of importance, but a productive working relationship with any elected representative also requires that you cultivate staff relationships.

Most representatives and senators have two staffs, one in Austin and one in their home district. The Speaker of the House has a staff, as does the Lt. Governor and the various committees.

All of these various staffs are highly instrumental to the legislative process. Staff members are the "eyes and ears" of their bosses. They perform important research and serve as conduits of information both from constituent to representative and vice versa.

Well before the session

Prepare yourself on issues of importance. If you are not a member of an industry or trade organization, consider joining one. Realize that legislators do not know everything there is to know, nor do they have the time to become experts in every area. They will appreciate your being able to define the problem with clarity and specificity, present facts to support your position and muster cogent arguments against opposing views. Get to know your representatives and their assistants, and discuss with them your proposals for, or opposition to, legislation.

During the session

Contact your representative's office in Austin and find out which staff person is handling issues of importance to you. Make an appointment to discuss a specific bill you either support or oppose. If at all possible, attend committee hearings on bills of particular interest and be willing to testify in support of opposition.

Committee hearings are scheduled by the Senate and House committee coordinators. Call them to find when a bill is being heard. (Senate committee coordinator, 512-463-0070: House committee coordinator, 512-463-0850) Be sure and notify your legislator if you intend to testify before his/her committee.

Bill status can be tracked by calling the Legislative Reference Library. Their main number is 512-463-1252, but during sessions a toll-free number is in operation so bills can be tracked at no cost. Ask your representative's office for the toll-free number or call the reference library's main number.

Do not neglect to work with the staff of the Lt. Governor and the Speaker of the House. They are critical to the success of your efforts. Main telephone numbers are 512-463-0001 for the Lt. Governor and 512-463-1000 for the Speaker.

The procedure

Is it really necessary for the average citizen to be an expert in the legislative process to play an important role? Not really! Let those responsible for getting legislation passed worry about navigating the procedure. That is after all, their job.

Your job is to work closely with your lawmakers and be willing to provide testimony and information at the critical times in a bill's life.

The key is the effort

As daunting a task as it appears to be, proposing or influencing legislation is every citizen's right and responsibility. Like every other important activity, it requires a willingness to learn and to work hard.

Even with our best efforts we will not always get what we want or get everything our way. It is important to remember, however, that the ultimate goal of every single person you will be dealing with in the lawmaking process should be that of public service. And you are the taxpaying public is supposed to be served.

Reprinted from Texas Business Today, a TEC publication.