The Legislature is the state’s lawmaking body. It enacts laws that cover a variety of subjects such as health care, economic development, welfare, education and the environment. Like most states, Texas relies on a bicameral system: two separate chambers that include the Texas House of Representatives and the Texas Senate. State senators and representatives are elected from single-member districts.

The Legislature meets for a regular legislative session in Austin every two years for 140 days. The Texas Constitution allows the governor to call additional sessions, referred to as “special” or “called” sessions. During a special session, which cannot exceed 30 days, the Legislature can only consider proposals related to the issues specified by the governor.

Texas House of Representatives

• 150 members
• Serve two-year terms
• Led by the speaker of the House (a legislator elected by House members)

Texas Senate 

• 31 members
• Serve four-year, staggered terms
• Led by the lieutenant governor (Texas voters elect to a four-year term)

Texas Legislative Staff 

• According to the House and Senate Payroll Department, as of February 18th, 2009 the Texas House and Senate are staffed by 1,994 staff members.
• About 523 of those staffers work only during the legislative session.