Legislative Process
- The Legislative Process is long, as this diagram shows. That is a good thing!
- More details about the process via video recap (< 6 minutes).
- Know what gimmicks can be played when legislators discuss what they have done or not done concerning legislation.
- How does a Bill become a law in Texas? See graphic here
Texas Legislature Online (TOL), here, is where we, the citizens, can find the status on bills, read the full text of bills, track votes on bills, and so much more. Create a TLO account and get alerts about specific bills of your choosing, read the complete text of a bill, watch a committee meeting live, submit public comments, etc..
- Overview of How to Effectively Use TLO is here
- An overview of how to follow a bill using the TLO is here
- An overview of how to engage with the Texas Legislature is here
- Comment/Testify on proposed bills – fill in the bill number or click the arrow to see a list of active hearings
- Quick reference guide on written testimony )how to prepare, submit, and follow-up) is here
- What bills your representative and senator have filed? Easily view this information on Texas Legislature Online. In the middle of the home page at the top under “Search Legislation,” select “Word/Phrase”, type your representative’s name in the box, and press “Go.” This takes you to a list of each bill filed by that representative or senator and a description.
2024 RPT
- Platform and Resolutions found here
- Legislative Priorities for the 89th Legislative Session (24-25) are detailed here; summarized as Border Enforcement, Secure Texas Elections, Stop Sexualizing Texas’ Kids, No Democrat Chairs, Ban Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying; Secure the Electric Grid, Texas is Not for Sale, End Federal Overreach.
- Handy summary sheet of the legislative priorities here
Other Texas Resources:
Grassroots America We the People (GAWTP) are based in Tyler and host monthly educational programs generally on Tuesday evenings. They provide many venues for grassroots involvement, engagement, and education.
Huffines Liberty Foundation seeks to advance the cause of liberty, prosperity, and virtue in the State of Texas.
Patriot Academy: Restoring America’s Biblical and Constitutional Foundations of Freedom. Located in Dripping Springs, Texas, they host a multitude of on-site and virtual learning events.
Texans for Fiscal Responsibility provide a wealth of educational information about the taxation process. They also publish an annual Fiscal Responsibility Index that “grades” our Texas lawmakers’ voting records on key fiscal issues. Use their “Vote Notices” to track items of key financial impact.
Texans Uniting for Reform & Freedom (TURF) is a non-profit organization who educates and defends citizens’ concerns about toll roads and eminent domain abuse.
Texas Public Policy Foundation (TPPF) seeks to educate policymakers and the Texas public policy debate with academically sound research and outreach on all issues related to the defense of liberty, personal responsibility, and free enterprise.
True Texas Project seeks to educate and motivate citizen engagement in all levels of the government.