Legislative agencies and the legislative process in Texas

Legislative agencies | Legislative process

Legislative agencies

Texas Legislative Council: The Texas Legislative Council is a state agency within the legislative branch that provides services for the senate and house of representatives that include drafting bills and other legislative documents, conducting legal, public policy, and statistical research, producing informational publications, and supporting a wide variety of operations with information technology services.
Legislative Budget Board: The Legislative Budget Board is a permanent joint committee of the Texas Legislature that develops recommendations for legislative appropriations for all agencies of state government.
House Research Organization: The House Research Organization is a nonpartisan source of impartial information on legislation and issues considered by the Texas Legislature. During legislative sessions, the HRO publishes the Daily Floor Report, which includes analyses of all legislation, except local and consent bills, scheduled for floor debate on the daily house calendar.
Senate Research Center: Provides quality, specialized, objective research and information to the Texas Senate and Office of the Lieutenant Governor.
State Auditor's Office: The Texas State Auditor's Office is the independent auditor for Texas State government and provides information about the operations of state agencies and universities to legislators, agency management, and the citizens of the State.
Sunset Advisory Commission: The Sunset Advisory Commission reviews the policies and programs of more than 150 state agencies and questions the need for each agency; looks for duplication of other public services or programs; and considers changes to improve each agency's operations and activities
State Preservation Board: The State Preservation Board was established in 1983 for the purpose of preserving, maintaining, and restoring the State Capitol and the General Land Office Building, and their contents and grounds for the benefit of the citizens of Texas.

Legislative process

Citizen Handbook, Secretary of the Senate: Includes information on the legislative process in Texas, advocacy etiquette and guidelines.
How A Bill Becomes Law: 82nd Legislature, House Research Organization: Summarizes key constitutional provisions and rules governing a bill's movement through the Legislature, with emphasis on House Rules.
House Committee Procedures: 82nd Legislature, House Research Organization: Reviews the rules and procedures used in the committees of the Texas House of Representatives.
The Legislative Process, Texas Legislature Online: Features details on the legislative process in Texas and includes a useful diagram.
Reading a Bill, Texas Legislative Council: Provides an overview of each part of a bill and its function.
Legislative Glossary, Texas Legislature Online: Defines many words and phrases used to describe legislative activity.
How to Follow a Bill, Texas Legislature Online: Offers links and descriptions of resources that can be used to follow a bill through each stage of the legislative process.
Secretary of State, Elections Division: Voter Information: Gathers information on voter registration, candidates, past election returns, and upcoming elections.
Texas Online: Government: Provides general information about Texas government, including legislative, executive, and judicial branches, as well as links to city and county governments in Texas.

The handbooks and resources below are available for viewing at the Legislative Reference Library.

Button, Betty J. and Allen J. Dietz. Making a Difference: Active Participation in the Texas Legislative Process. Rev. ed. Oct. 1990. Austin, Tex.: Capitol Information Service, Inc., 1990.

Texas. Governor's Commission for Women. The Layman's Guide to the Legislative Process. Austin, Tex.: Governor's Commission for Women, 1996.

United Way of Texas. Texas Public Policy Handbook: a Guide to the Texas Legislative Process. 5th ed. Austin, Tex.: United Way of Texas, 1999.

Young, Stanley K. Texas Legislative Handbook. Austin, Tex.: Texas Legislative Council, 1973.