Guide to Texas Legislative Information (Revised) Texas Legislative Council For the 84th Legislature March 2015 This page intentionally left blank. Guide to Texas Legislative Information (Revised) Prepared by the Research Division of the Texas Legislative Council Published by the Texas Legislative Council P.O. Box 12128 Austin, Texas 78711-2128 Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, Joint Chair Speaker Joe Straus, Joint Chair Jeff Archer, Executive Director For the 84th Legislature March 2015 The mission of the Texas Legislative Council is to provide professional, nonpartisan service and support to the Texas Legislature and legislative agencies. In every area of responsibility, we strive for quality and efficiency. Copies of this publication have been distributed in compliance with the state depository law (Subchapter G, Chapter 441, Government Code) and are available for public use through the Texas State Publications Depository Program at the Texas State Library and other state depository libraries. This publication can be found at http://www.tlc.state.tx.us/lege_ref.htm. Additional copies of this publication may be obtained from the council: By mail: P.O. Box 12128, Austin, TX 78711-2128 By phone: (512) 463-1144 By e-mail: [email protected] By online request form (legislative offices only): http://bilreq/House.aspx If you have questions or comments regarding this publication, please contact the research division of the Texas Legislative Council by e-mail at [email protected]. Contents Preface......................................................................................................................................v Section 1: The Legislative Process in Texas Process for a Bill ................................................................................................................. 1 How a Bill Originates .................................................................................................... 1 Introducing a Bill .......................................................................................................... 1 The Role of Committees ............................................................................................... 2 Referral to a Committee ............................................................................................... 2 The Committee Process ................................................................................................ 3 Committee Reports ...................................................................................................... 3 House Calendars and List of Items Eligible for Consideration ....................................... 4 Senate Agenda and Intent Calendar ............................................................................. 5 Floor Action .................................................................................................................. 6 Consideration of Local and Noncontroversial Bills ........................................................ 7 Return of a Bill to the Originating Chamber ................................................................. 7 Conference Committee ................................................................................................. 8 Governor’s Action ......................................................................................................... 8 Effective Date ............................................................................................................... 8 Filing and Publication of Laws ...................................................................................... 9 Other Legislation—Resolutions .......................................................................................... 9 Joint Resolutions .........................................................................................................10 Concurrent Resolutions ...............................................................................................10 Simple Resolutions ......................................................................................................10 Diagrams of the Legislative Process ............................................................................ 11-12 Section 2: Computer Applications and Websites Capitol Complex Resources ...............................................................................................13 Public Resources ...............................................................................................................14 Section 3: Documents, Publications, and Recordings Bill Files, Historical ............................................................................................................17 Bills and Resolutions, Current and Recent.........................................................................17 Calendars and Agendas .....................................................................................................18 Committee Minutes and Records of Proceedings..............................................................18 Committee Reports ...........................................................................................................18 Conference Committee Reports ........................................................................................19 Daily Floor Reports, House Research Organization ...........................................................19 General Appropriations Bill and Act ..................................................................................20 Interim Reports by Committees ........................................................................................20 Journals, House and Senate ..............................................................................................20 Legislative Newspaper Clippings and Periodical Articles ...................................................21 Lists of Bills .......................................................................................................................21 Notices and Schedules of Committee Meetings ................................................................22 iii Publications by Legislative Information Service Providers .................................................22 Recordings and Broadcasts of Floor and Committee Proceedings .....................................24 Rules of Procedure, House and Senate .............................................................................24 Senate Amendment Printings ............................................................................................25 Session Laws .....................................................................................................................25 Statutory Revision Project Documents ..............................................................................26 Texas Legislative Handbook ...............................................................................................26 Texas Legislative Manual ...................................................................................................26 Texas State Directory .........................................................................................................26 Texas Statutes, Codes, and Constitution............................................................................26 Section 4: Legislative Information Service Providers Chief Clerk’s Office ............................................................................................................29 House Committee Coordinator’s Office .............................................................................29 House Document Distribution ...........................................................................................29 House Journal Clerk ..........................................................................................................30 House Research Organization ............................................................................................30 House Video/Audio Services .............................................................................................31 Legislative Budget Board ...................................................................................................32 Legislative Reference Library .............................................................................................33 Secretary of the Senate .....................................................................................................34 Senate Bill Distribution......................................................................................................35 Senate Calendar Clerk .......................................................................................................35 Senate Journal Clerk ..........................................................................................................35 Senate Research Center ....................................................................................................35 Senate Staff Services .........................................................................................................36 State Auditor’s Office ........................................................................................................37 Sunset Advisory Commission ............................................................................................37 Texas Legislative Council—Information Systems Division ..................................................37 Texas Legislative