Now that the November general election has passed, much of the attention has turned to preparing for the next legislative session.
On Jan. 12, 2027, the 90th Texas Legislature will convene for its 140-day regular session. In the weeks between Election Day and opening day, lawmakers and legislative staff will be preparing for what promises to be another busy session. From filing legislation to reviewing interim committee recommendations, much of the groundwork for the upcoming session will be underway well before January.
Here’s a closer look at what happens during this transition and what Texans can expect in the coming months.
Bill prefiling begins Nov. 9
Although the Legislature won’t officially convene until January, lawmakers can begin filing legislation on Monday, Nov. 9, just six days after the general election.
Known as prefiling, this period allows returning legislators and newly elected members to introduce bills ahead of the regular session. It provides an early opportunity to see which policy issues lawmakers are interested in addressing and which proposals from previous sessions may be revisited.
Lawmakers introduce thousands of bill during a typical legislative session, and only a portion ultimately become law. While the filing of a bill does not necessarily indicate that it will advance, the prefiling period can offer an early look at emerging legislative priorities.
Texans interested in following particular issues can review newly filed legislation through Texas Legislature Online, which provides access to bill text, authors and legislative histories.
Interim committee work helps shape legislative priorities
Much of the preparation for a new legislative session begins long before the November election.
During the interim, the period between regular legislative sessions, House and Senate committees examine policy issues, evaluate the implementation of existing laws and hear testimony from state agencies, stakeholders and members of the public.
Earlier this year, legislative committees were issued interim charges to study a wide range of issues, including education, workforce development, healthcare affordability, water infrastructure and government operations.
As this work concludes, committees will begin releasing reports summarizing their findings and, in many cases, offering recommendations for legislative consideration.
These reports can provide valuable insight into the policy discussions that may continue when lawmakers return to Austin. While not every recommendation will result in legislation, interim committee work frequently informs the development of bills and helps lawmakers identify opportunities for further consideration.
For more information on how this process works, read our earlier explainer, Understanding Interim Charges in the Texas Legislature.
Early budget preparations are underway
Another important part of preparing for the upcoming legislative session involves establishing the limits that will guide development of Texas’ next two-year budget.
During the interim, the Legislative Budget Board (LBB), a joint legislative body chaired by the lieutenant governor and House speaker, adopts the growth rates used to establish two of these limits for the upcoming budget cycle.
The first limits the growth of appropriations from certain state tax revenues based on the estimated growth of the Texas economy. The second limits the growth of consolidated general revenue appropriations based on population growth and inflation.
These decisions help establish the financial framework for the state’s 2028-29 budget before lawmakers convene in January.
Another milestone will come at the start of session when the Texas Comptroller is expected to release the Biennial Revenue Estimate, projecting the revenue available to support the state’s next two-year budget.
Although much of the discussion over state spending takes place during the legislative session, these early decisions help establish the parameters for the budget debates that follow.
Looking ahead to the 90th Legislative Session
As January approaches, several developments will help shape the beginning of the 90th Legislature.
- Legislative leadership and organization. Following the election, attention will turn to the leadership and organization of both chambers. The Texas House will elect its speaker when the Legislature convenes, and both chambers will establish the rules and committee structures that guide their work during session.
- Early legislation. Bills filed beginning Nov. 9 will provide an initial look at the issues individual lawmakers hope to address. Additional legislation, including proposals reflecting the priorities of legislative leadership, will be introduced as the session progresses.
- Interim committee recommendations. Reports released in the final months of 2026 will offer a summary of the issues studied by lawmakers and potential recommendations for the upcoming session.
- State spending limits and revenue projections. Spending limits adopted by the Legislative Budget Board ahead of session, along with the Comptroller’s January revenue estimate, will help establish the financial framework for the state’s next two-year budget.
Together, these developments will provide an increasingly detailed picture of what lawmakers may consider during the 90th legislative session.
Staying informed as session approaches
The period between Election Day and the start of session is an important time for Texans interested in understanding the legislative process and the issues that may be considered in 2027.
From early bill filings to committee recommendations and organizational decisions, the work taking place over the next several weeks will help set the stage for the upcoming session.
Texas 2036 will continue sharing resources and insights throughout the legislative session to help Texans better understand the policymaking process, follow important developments and stay informed about decisions that will shape our state’s future.
Helpful resources:
- Texas Legislature Online: Search legislation, review bill histories and access legislative information.
- Texas House of Representatives: Follow House committees, members and legislative activity.
- Texas Senate: Access Senate committee information, member profiles, legislative proceedings and other resources.
- Texas 2036: Explore nonpartisan policy research, legislative analysis and resources to better understand the issues shaping Texas’ future.
