Calendars: How bills make it to the House and Senate floors
The Texas Legislature follows a structured and deliberate process for considering bills on the floor of each legislative chamber. This process is crucial to ensuring transparency and thorough consideration of proposed legislation. To organize and prioritize bills for consideration, one of the most significant tools of this process is the use of different types of floor calendars. These calendars are essential for managing the legislative workload and determining the order in which bills are debated and voted upon.
The Legislative Process in the Texas Senate and House
In both chambers, the journey of a bill begins with its introduction and referral to a committee. After being heard in committee, a bill that receives a stamp of approval from the committee moves to the floor for debate. This is where the floor calendars play a pivotal role in shaping the legislative agenda.
The Role of Calendars in the Texas House of Representatives
The Texas House of Representatives employs a system of calendars to organize bills that have passed the committee stage. The House Calendars Committee and Local & Consent Calendars Committee are responsible for determining which bills make it to the House floor and on which calendar they are placed. The main types of calendars include:
- Emergency Calendar: Placed by the House Calendars Committee, this calendar is reserved for bills deemed urgent and requiring immediate action.
- Major State Calendar: For legislation of statewide significance, the House Calendars Committee will place them on this calendar.
- Constitutional Amendments Calendar: The House Calendars Committee places proposed amendments to the Texas Constitution on this calendar.
- General State Calendar: The House Calendars Committee includes bills that have state-level implications but are less critical than those on the Major State Calendar on this calendar.
- Local, Consent, and Resolutions Calendar: The Local & Consent Calendars Committee organizes this calendar of local or non-controversial bills and resolutions.
- Resolutions Calendar: Specifically for resolutions of various types, the Local & Consent Calendars Committee now places them on this calendar.
Each calendar has a designated order of precedence, and the Calendars Committee and the Local & Consent Calendars Committee work to ensure orderly consideration of bills. The placement of a bill on a particular calendar can significantly influence its chances of passage, as bills on higher-priority calendars are more likely to be debated and voted on.
The Senate Calendar System
In the Texas Senate, the process is somewhat different due to the smaller size of the chamber and the use of the “Intent Calendar.” The Senate has a single calendar that includes all bills eligible for consideration. However, the order in which bills are taken up is determined by the Intent Calendar. Senators must notify the Secretary of the Senate of their intent to bring a bill to the floor, and only bills on the Intent Calendar can be considered.
However, placement on the calendar does not guarantee discussion, as the three-fifths rule requires at least 19 of the 31 senators to agree before a bill can proceed to debate. The Lieutenant Governor also plays a major role in shaping which bills get traction. A green light from the Lieutenant Governor, as well as strong relationships and dealmaking among senators, are often necessary to secure the votes needed to bring a bill to the floor. The intent calendar is a key tool that shapes legislative priorities, influencing which policies gain traction and which stall in the Senate process.
Why It Matters
Calendars are more than just schedules; they are critical to determining the legislative priorities of each chamber. They allow leadership to manage time effectively, prioritize urgent and significant legislation, and ensure that the process is efficient within the constraints of the 140-day regular session. While the process ensures organization and prioritization, it also underscores the importance of leadership roles, such as the Lieutenant Governor, and committees in shaping the legislative agenda. For legislators, understanding the placement and timing of a bill on a calendar is a strategic consideration that can mean the difference between passing and failing to pass legislation.
The reliance on calendars reflects the Legislature’s commitment to procedural efficiency while navigating the complexities of a diverse and dynamic state. Whether a bill pertains to a local matter or a statewide issue, its placement on a calendar is a decisive step in its journey toward becoming law.