Dateline Austin Exclusive: Overview of the Legislature

By TLTA Staff Jan. 10, 2017

The begins its 85th session today, and this session has the potential to impact our industry more than ever before. That’s why TLTA has put together the following overview of the legislative process: to give you the information you need to follow bills, as well as a quick but thorough refresher on how the entire process operates.

As you already know from our Breaking News correspondence, one bill was filed in December that would radically disrupt our industry: SB 372 by Sen. Bob Hall (R-Edgewood). This bill would dramatically alter the way our Texas title insurance system functions and negatively impact Texas homebuyers. TLTA will be keeping you up-to-date on this bill and any others related to title insurance that arise during the session. You can get talking points or additional information on our industry to use during the session in the Texas Title Insurance Works Toolbox. If you haven't already done so, please register for Day at the Capitol. Get details.

Texas Legislature Overview

Number of members in each chamber: There are 150 members of the Texas House of Representatives and 31 members of the Senate. House members serve two-year terms, while Senate members have four-year terms.

Party House Senate Overall Democrats 55 11 66 Republicans 95 20 115 Total 150 31 181

There are 28 new legislators being sworn in today. See the list at the bottom of this article.

It's important to understand how a bill becomes a law: There are many steps involved for a bill to make the journey from filing to the Governor's desk – it's not an easy process! There are four major stages that a bill must pass through before becoming a law: introduction, committee action, floor action and enrollment. At any one of these stages, a bill could be debated, amended, passed or killed. Here are three great resources that explain this in more detail: • Read this detailed summary on the Texas House of Representatives website • Read this brief summary on the Texas Legislature Online • View the flow charts on pages 11 and 12 of this Texas Legislative Committee document

Want to stay on top of things? Here’s how you can follow a bill: Go to the Texas Legislature Online. In the center of the page, near the top, is an option titled “Search Legislation.” Type in what you’re looking for (make sure it includes SB or HB), set the drop-down menu under “Legislature” to “85 (R) – 2017” and hit “Go.”

For more information:

• Who Represents Me? (Find your legislator) • The Texas Legislature Online • The Texas House of Representatives website • The website

New Members

The Texas Senate has three new members this legislative session:

• Dawn Buckingham (R-Lakeway) • Bryan Hughes (R-Mineola) • (D-)

In addition, the Texas House of Representatives has 25 new members beginning their roles today.

• Diana Arevalo (D-San Antonio) • (R-Shepherd) • (R-Fredericksburg) • (R-Deer Park) • (D-San Antonio) • Scott Cosper (R-Killeen) • (R-Longview) • Barbara Gervin-Hawkins (D-San Antonio) • Lance Gooden (R-Terrell) • (R-Mt. Pleasant) • (D-Austin) • Justin Holland (R-Rockwall) • (R-Abilene) • Mike Lang (R-Granbury) • (D-Dallas) • (R-Houston) • (D-El Paso) • (D-Houston) • Kevin Roberts (R-Houston) • (R-Temple) • (R-Sanger) • (R-Spring) • (D-Houston) • Tomas Uresti (D-San Antonio) • Terry Wilson (R-Marble Falls)