The Texas Legislature is made up of two branches - the Senate and the House of Representatives. The entire Legislature meets for 140 days in each odd-numbered year. It is during these legislative sessions that laws are enacted. Bills can be presented for consideration by either individual legislators or legislative committees. Ideas for bills can come from constituents, other elected officials such as the Attorney General, lobbyists, industry groups, etc.
Interested parties have to find a legislator to sponsor their bill for consideration.
The progress of a bill is basically the same in each chamber. When a bill is introduced in the House, it is read on the floor for the first of three times and then sent to a standing committee for review. Committees have been set up to thoroughly review each bill and make recommendations. When the committee is finished reviewing the bill, it issues a report and sends the bill with any amend ments to the floor for the second reading. At this time there is debate on the bill and further amendments can be added.