Texas state government, as established by the Texas Constitution of 1876, is similar to that of most other states, with executive, legislative and judicial branches governing Texas ' 254 counties. Most elected officials serve four-year terms. Members of the House of Representatives serve two-year terms.
The Legislature of the State of Texas is the state's lawmaking body. Its primary function is to enact laws to provide for the health, welfare, education, environment, and economic and general well-being of the citizens of Texas . The Legislature also establishes public policy through the passage of bills and resolutions and proposes amendments to the state constitution, which are then submitted to the voters for approval or disapproval.
Like most other states, Texas employs a bicameral system for its legislative branch of state government. The Texas Legislature consists of two separate chambers, a 31-member senate and a 150-member house of representatives. State senators and representatives are elected from single-member districts to serve four-year and two-year terms, respectively.
Texas
House of Representatives
The Texas House of Representatives is composed of 150 members, each elected for a two-year term. A member of the house must be a citizen of the United States , must be a qualified elector of the state, and must be at least 21 years old. He or she must have been a resident of the state for two years immediately preceding election, and for one year immediately preceding election must have been a resident of the district from which he or she was chosen.
The House of Representatives elects one of its own members as presiding officer—the speaker of the house. The house creates and enforces its own rules and judges the qualifications of its members.
The Texas Senate is composed of 31 members who represent 31 separate geographical districts in the state. In 2001-02, the 77th Legislature used the 2000 census to draw new district boundaries. Senators serve four-year terms and represent a relatively large number of constituents, whereas house members serve two-year terms and represent a smaller number of constituents.
The House of Representatives, together with the state senate, constitute the Texas Legislature. The duties of the legislature include consideration of proposed laws and resolutions, consideration of proposed constitutional amendments for submission to the voters, and appropriation of all funds for the operation of state government. All bills for raising revenue considered by the legislature must originate in the House of Representatives. The house alone can bring impeachment charges against a statewide officer, which charges must be tried by the senate.
In
accordance with the Texas Constitution, the legislature meets
in a regular legislative session in Austin every two years. By
statute, the legislature convenes in a regular session on the
second Tuesday in January of every odd-numbered year. These biennial
sessions are limited to 140 days' duration. The constitution also
allows the governor to call additional special sessions as necessary.
During a called session, which cannot exceed 30 days, the legislature
may consider legislation only on matters specified in proclamations
issued by the governor. 
Harris County and Montgomery County Judge and Commissioners
To find out who your City Council Representative is, please visit www.cityofhouston.gov for more information.
To register to vote in Harris County, please visit www.hcvoter.com for more information.
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Revised April 2004