Texas House of Representatives

Texas House of Representatives
Texas State Legislature
Coat of arms or logo
Type
Type
Term limits
 None
History
New session started
 January 13, 2015
Leadership
Joe Straus (R)
Since January 13, 2009
Speaker pro Tempore
Structure
Seats 150
Political groups

Majority

Minority

Length of term
 2 years
Authority Article 3, Texas Constitution
Salary $7,200/year + per diem
Elections
Last election
 November 4, 2014
(150 seats)
Next election
 November 8, 2016
(150 seats)
Redistricting Legislative Control
Meeting place
House of Representatives Chamber
Texas State Capitol
Austin, Texas
Website
Texas House of Representatives

The Texas House of Representatives is the lower house of the bicameral Texas Legislature. It consists of 150 members who are elected from single-member districts for a term of 2 years. As of the 2010 Census, each member represents an average of 167,637 people. There are no term limits, with the most senior member, Tom Craddick, having been elected in 1968.

The House meets at the State Capitol in Austin.

Leadership

Position Name Party Residence District
Speaker of the House Joe Straus Republican San Antonio 121
Speaker Pro Tempore Dennis Bonnen Republican Angleton 25
Republican Caucus Chair Tan Parker Republican Flower Mound 63
Democratic Caucus Chair Yvonne Davis Democratic Dallas 111

The Speaker of the House is the presiding officer and highest-ranking member of the House. The Speaker's duties include maintaining order within the House, recognizing members during debate, ruling on procedural matters, appointing members to the various committees and sending bills for committee review. The Speaker pro tempore is primarily a ceremonial position, but does, by long-standing tradition, preside over the House during its consideration of local and consent bills.

Unlike other state legislatures, the House rules do not formally recognize majority or minority leaders. The unofficial leaders are the Republican Caucus Chairman and the Democratic House Leader, both of whom are elected by their respective caucuses.

Composition

Affiliation Party
(Shading indicates majority caucus)
 Total
Republican Democrat Vacant
Previous Legislature 75 73 148 2
Begin 101 49 150 0
End of Previous Legislature 48 149 1
Begin 95 55 150 0
June 27, 2013[1] 54 149 1
January 28, 2014 55 150 0
End of Previous Legislature 150 0
Begin 98 52 150 0
Aug. 10, 2015[2] 51 149 1
January 26, 2016[3] 99 150 0
Latest voting share 66% 34%

List of Members

District Representative Party Residence First elected County(ies) represented
1 VanDeaver, GaryGary VanDeaver R New Boston 2014 Bowie, Franklin, Lamar, Red River
2 Flynn, DanDan Flynn R Canton 2003 Hopkins, Hunt, Van Zandt
3 Bell Jr., CecilCecil Bell Jr. R Magnolia 2012 Montgomery (part), Waller
4 Spitzer, StuartStuart Spitzer to be replaced by Lance Gooden R Kaufman 2014 Henderson, Kaufman
5 Hughes, BryanBryan Hughes R Mineola 2004 Camp, Morris, Rains, Smith, Titus, Wood
6 Schaefer, MattMatt Schaefer R Tyler 2012 Smith (part)
7 Simpson, DavidDavid Simpson to be replaced by Jay Dean R Longview 2010 Gregg, Upshur
8 Cook, ByronByron Cook R Corsicana 2002 Anderson, Freestone, Hill, Navarro
9 Paddie, ChrisChris Paddie R Marshall 2012 Cass, Harrison, Marion, Panola, Sabine, Shelby
10 Wray, JohnJohn Wray R Waxahachie 2014 Ellis, Henderson (part)
11 Clardy, TravisTravis Clardy R Jacksonville 2012 Cherokee, Nacogdoches, Rusk
12 Kacal, KyleKyle Kacal R Hillister 2012 Brazos (part), Falls, Limestone, McLennan, Robertson
13 Schubert, LeightonLeighton Schubert R Brenham 2014 Austin, Burleson, Colorado, Fayette, Grimes, Lavaca, Washington
14 Raney, JohnJohn Raney R Bryan 2010 Brazos (part)
15 Keough, MarkMark Keough R The Woodlands 2012 Montgomery
16 Metcalf, WillWill Metcalf R Conroe 2014
17 Cyrier, JohnJohn Cyrier R Lockhart 2014 Bastrop, Caldwell, Gonzales, Karnes, Lee
18 Otto, JohnJohn Otto R Dayton 2004 Liberty, San Jacinto, Walker
19 White, JamesJames White R Woodville 2010 Hardin, Jasper, Newton, Polk, Tyler
20 Farney, MarshaMarsha Farney R Georgetown 2012 Burnet, Milam, Williamson (part)
21 Phelan, DadeDade Phelan R Beaumont 2014 Jefferson (part), Orange
22 Deshotel, JoeJoe Deshotel D Port Arthur 1998 Jefferson (part)
23 Faircloth, WayneWayne Faircloth R Galveston 2014 Chambers, Galveston (part)
24 Bonnen, GregGreg Bonnen R Friendswood 2012 Galveston (part)
25 Bonnen, DennisDennis Bonnen R Angleton 1996 Brazoria (part), Matagorda
26 Miller, RickRick Miller R Sugar Land 2012 Fort Bend (part)
27 Reynolds, RonRon Reynolds D Missouri City 2010
28 Zerwas, John M.John M. Zerwas R Katy 2006
29 Thompson, EdEd Thompson R Pearland 2012 Brazoria (part)
30 Morrison, GeanieGeanie Morrison R Victoria 1998 Aransas, Calhoun, DeWitt, Goliad, Refugio
31 Guillen, RyanRyan Guillen D Rio Grande City 2002 Atascosa, Brooks, Duval, Jim Hogg, Kenedy, La Sallae, Live Oak, McMullen, Starr, Willacy
32 Hunter, Todd AmesTodd Ames Hunter R Portland 2008
(1989-1997) 		Nueces (part)
33 Turner, ScottScott Turner R 2012 Collin (part), Rockwall
34 Herrero, AbelAbel Herrero D Corpus Christi 2012 Nueces (part)
35 Longoria, OscarOscar Longoria D Beeville 2012 Cameron (part) Hidalgo (part)
36 Muñoz, Jr., SergioSergio Muñoz, Jr. D Mission 2010 Hidalgo
37 Oliveira, ReneRene Oliveira D Brownsville 1980 Cameron (part)
38 Lucio III, EddieEddie Lucio III D San Benito 2006
39 Martinez, ArmandoArmando Martinez D Weslaco 2004 Hidalgo (part)
40 Canales, TerryTerry Canales D Edinburg 2012
41 Guerra, RobertRobert Guerra D McAllen 2012†
42 Raymond, RichardRichard Raymond D Laredo 2001†
(1993-1999) 		Webb (part)
43 Lozano, J. M.J. M. Lozano R[4] Kingsville 2010 Bee, Jim Wells, Kleberg, San Patricio
44 Kuempel, JohnJohn Kuempel R Seguin 2010† Guadalupe, Wilson
45 Isaac, JasonJason Isaac R Austin 2010 Blanco, Hays
46 Dukes, DawnnaDawnna Dukes D Austin 1994 Travis (part)
47 Workman, Paul D.Paul D. Workman R Austin 2010
48 Howard, DonnaDonna Howard D Austin 2006†
49 Naishtat, ElliottElliott Naishtat D Austin 1990
50 Israel, CeliaCelia Israel D Austin 2014†
51 Rodriguez, EddieEddie Rodriguez D Austin 2002
52 Gonzales, LarryLarry Gonzales R Round Rock 2010 Williamson (part)
53 Murr, AndrewAndrew Murr R Kimble County 2014 Bandera, Crockett, Edwards, Kerr, Kimble, Llano, Mason, Medina, Menard, Real, Schleicher, Sutton
54 Aycock, Jimmie DonJimmie Don Aycock R Lampasas 2006 Bell (part), Lampasas
55 White, MollyMolly White R Belton 2014 Bell (part)
56 Anderson, CharlesCharles Anderson R Waco 2004 McLennan (part)
57 Ashby, TrentTrent Ashby R Lufkin 2012 Angelina, Houston, Leon, Madison, San Augustine, Trinity
58 Burns, DeWayneDeWayne Burns R Cleburne 2014 Bosque, Johnson
59 Sheffield, J.D.J.D. Sheffield R Gatesville 2012 Comanche, Coryell, Erath, Hamilton, McCulloch, Mills, San Saba, and Somervell
60 Keffer, JimJim Keffer R Eastland 1996 Brown, Callahan, Coleman, Eastland, Hood, Palo Pinto, Shackelford, Stephens
61 King, PhilPhil King R Weatherford 1998 Parker, Wise
62 Phillips, LarryLarry Phillips R Sherman 2002 Delta, Grayson, Fannin
63 Parker, TanTan Parker R Flower Mound 2006 Denton (part)
64 Crownover, MyraMyra Crownover R Lake Dallas 2000†
65 Simmons, RonRon Simmons R Carrollton 2012 Denton (part)
66 Shaheen, MattMatt Shaheen R Plano 2014 Collin (part)
67 Leach, JeffJeff Leach R Plano 2012
68 Springer, Jr., DrewDrew Springer, Jr. R Vernon 2012 Childress, Collingsworth, Cooke, Cottle, Crosby, Dickens, Fisher, Floyd, Garza, Hall, Hardeman, Haskell,
Jack, Kent, King, Montague, Motley, Wheeler, Wilbarger, Young
69 Frank, JamesJames Frank R Wichita Falls 2012 Archer, Baylor, Clay, Foard, Knox, Wichita
70 Sanford, ScottScott Sanford R McKinney 2012 Collin (part)
71 Susan KingSusan King R Abilene 2006 Jones, Nolan, Taylor
72 Darby, DrewDrew Darby R San Angelo 2006 Coke, Concho, Howard, Irion, Reagan, Runnels, Sterling, Tom Green,
73 Miller, DougDoug Miller R New Braunfels 2008 Comal, Gillespie, Kendall
74 Nevarez, PonchoPoncho Nevarez D Eagle Pass 2012 Brewster, Culberson, Hudspeth, Jeff Davis, Kinney, Loving, Maverick, Pecos, Presidio, Reeves, Terrell, Val Verde
75 González, MaryMary González D El Paso 2012 El Paso (part)
76 Blanco, CésarCésar Blanco D El Paso 2014
77 Marquez, MarisaMarisa Marquez D El Paso 2008
78 Moody, JoeJoe Moody D El Paso 2012
79 Pickett, JoeJoe Pickett D El Paso 1994
80 King, TracyTracy King D Batesville 2005
(1995-2003) 		Dimmit, Frio, Webb (part), Uvalde, Zapata, Zavala
81 Landgraf, BrooksBrooks Landgraf R Odessa 2014 Andrews, Ector, Ward, Winkler
82 Craddick, TomTom Craddick R Midland 1968 Crane, Dawson, Martin, Midland, Upton
83 Burrows, DustinDustin Burrows R Lubbock 2014 Borden, Gaines, Lubbock (part), Lynn, Mitchell, Scurry, Terry
84 Frullo, JohnJohn Frullo R Lubbock 2010† Lubbock (part)
85 Stephenson, PhilPhil Stephenson R Wharton 2012 Fort Bend (part), Jackson, Wharton
86 Smithee, John T.John T. Smithee R Amarillo 1984 Dallam, Deaf Smith, Hartley, Oldham, Parmer, Randall
87 Price, FourFour Price R Amarillo 2010 Carson, Hutchinson, Moore, Potter, Sherman
88 King, KenKen King R Pampa 2012 Armstrong, Bailey, Briscoe, Castro, Cochran, Donley, Gray, Hale, Hansford, Hemphill, Hockley,
Lamb, Lipscomb, Ochiltree, Roberts, Swisher, Yoakum
89 Laubenberg, Jodie AnneJodie Anne Laubenberg R Parker 2002 Collin (part)
90 Romero, Jr., RamonRamon Romero, Jr. D Fort Worth 2014 Tarrant (part)
91 Klick, StephanieStephanie Klick R Fort Worth 2012
92 Stickland, JonathanJonathan Stickland R Bedford 2012
93 Krause, MattMatt Krause R Arlington 2012
94 Tinderholt, TonyTony Tinderholt R Arlington 2006
95 Collier, NicoleNicole Collier D Fort Worth 2012
96 Zedler, BillBill Zedler R Arlington 2010
97 Goldman, CraigCraig Goldman R Fort Worth 2012
98 Capriglione, GiovanniGiovanni Capriglione R Southlake 2012
99 Geren, CharlieCharlie Geren R River Oaks 2000
100 Johnson, EricEric Johnson D Dallas 2010 Dallas (part)
101 Turner, ChrisChris Turner D Grand Prairie 2012 Tarrant (part)
102 Koop, LindaLinda Koop R Dallas 2014 Dallas (part)
103 Anchia, RafaelRafael Anchia D Dallas 2004
104 Alonzo, Roberto R.Roberto R. Alonzo D Dallas 1992
105 Anderson, RodneyRodney Anderson R Grand Prairie 2014
106 Fallon, PatPat Fallon R Grand Prairie 2012 Denton (part)
107 Sheets, KennethKenneth Sheets R Dallas 2010 Dallas (part)
108 Meyer, MorganMorgan Meyer R Dallas 2014
109 Giddings, HelenHelen Giddings D De Soto 1992
110 Rose, ToniToni Rose D Dallas 2012
111 Davis, YvonneYvonne Davis D Dallas 1992
112 Button, Angie ChenAngie Chen Button R Richardson 2008
113 Burkett, CindyCindy Burkett R Garland 2010
114 Villalba, JasonJason Villalba R Dallas 2012
115 Rinaldi, MattMatt Rinaldi R Irving 2014
116 Fischer, Trey MartinezTrey Martinez Fischer to be succeeded by Diana Arevalo D San Antonio 2000 Bexar (part)
117 Galindo, RickRick Galindo R San Antonio 2014
118 Lujan, JohnJohn Lujan R San Antonio 2016†
119 Gutierrez, RolandRoland Gutierrez D San Antonio 2008†
120 McClendon, RuthRuth McClendon D San Antonio 1998
121 Straus, JoeJoe Straus R San Antonio 2005†
122 Larson, LyleLyle Larson R San Antonio 2010
123 Bernal, DiegoDiego Bernal D San Antonio 2014
124 Minjarez, InaIna Minjarez[5] D San Antonio 2015†
125 Rodriguez, JustinJustin Rodriguez D San Antonio 2012
126 Harless, PatriciaPatricia Harless R Spring 2006 Harris (part)
127 Huberty, DanDan Huberty R Kingwood 2010
128 Smith, WayneWayne Smith R Baytown 2002
129 Paul, DennisDennis Paul R Houston 2014
130 Fletcher, AllenAllen Fletcher R Houston 2008
131 Allen, AlmaAlma Allen D Houston 2004
132 Schofield, MikeMike Schofield R Houston 2014
133 Murphy, JimJim Murphy R Houston 2010
134 Davis, SarahSarah Davis R Houston 2010
135 Elkins, GaryGary Elkins R Houston 1994
136 Dale, TonyTony Dale R Cedar Park 2012 Williamson (part)
137 Wu, GeneGene Wu D Houston 2012 Harris (part)
138 Bohac, DwayneDwayne Bohac R Houston 2002
139 Turner, SylvesterSylvester Turner D Houston 1988
140 Walle, ArmandoArmando Walle D Houston 2008
141 Thompson, SenfroniaSenfronia Thompson D Houston 1972
142 Dutton, Jr., HaroldHarold Dutton, Jr. D Houston 1984
143 Luna, Ana HernandezAna Hernandez Luna D Houston 2005†
144 Peña, GilbertGilbert Peña R Houston 2014
145 Alvarado, CarolCarol Alvarado D Houston 2008
146 Miles, BorrisBorris Miles D Houston 2010
147 Coleman, GarnetGarnet Coleman D Houston 1991†
148 Farrar, Jessica ChristinaJessica Christina Farrar D Houston 1994
149 Vo, HubertHubert Vo D Houston 2004
150 Riddle, DebbieDebbie Riddle R Houston 2002†
†Representative was first elected in a special election.

Notable past members

Officials

Speaker of the House

The Speaker of the House of Representatives has duties as a presiding officer as well as administrative duties. As a presiding officer, the Speaker must enforce, apply, and interpret the rules of the House, call House members to order, lay business in order before the House and receive propositions made by members, refer proposed legislation to a committee, preserve order and decorum, recognize people in the gallery, state and hold votes on questions, vote as a member of the House, decide on all questions to order, appoint the Speaker Pro Tempore and Temporary Chair, adjourn the House in the event of an emergency, postpone reconvening in the event of an emergency, and sign all bills, joint resolutions, and concurrent resolutions. The administrative duties of the Speaker include having control over the Hall of the House, appointing chair, vice-chair, and members to each standing committee, appointing all conference committees, and directing committees to make interim studies.[6]

Chief Clerk

The Chief Clerk is the head of the Chief Clerk's Office which maintains a record of all authors who sign legislation, maintains and distributes membership information to current house members, and forwards copies of legislation to house committee chairs.[7] The Chief Clerk is the primary custodian of all legal documents within House. Additional duties include keeping a record of all progress on a document, attesting all warrants, writs, and subpoenas, receiving and filing all documents received by the house, and maintaining the electronic information and calendar for documents. When there is a considerable update of the electronic source website, the Chief Clerk is also responsible for noticing House members via email.[6]

Committees

In addition to these committees, there are also six joint committees composed of members of both the State House and Senate

Recent controversies

House voting controversy

On May 14, 2007, CBS Austin affiliate KEYE reported on multiple voting by representatives during House floor sessions.[9] The report noted how representatives register votes for absent members on the House's automated voting machines. Each representative would vote for the nearest absent members (apparently regardless of party affiliation). This practice was in direct violation of a Rule of the House; however, no representative had ever been disciplined for the practice in the almost 70 years since the rule was adopted. Speaker Craddick, responsible for enforcement of House Rules, issued a statement that discipline for violations of the rule is left to the individual members.

Craddick removal controversy

Chaos erupted in the Texas House of Representatives on Friday, May 25, 2007, when Rep. Fred Hill, R-Richardson, attempted to offer a motion to remove Tom Craddick as Speaker and have the House elect a new speaker. Craddick (also a Republican) refused to allow him to make the motion.[10] The attempts to oust Craddick continued through the weekend as other Republicans made additional motions, which were also disallowed.

The last time a Texas House speaker was removed by a vote of his fellow members was in 1871, when the House adopted a resolution removing Speaker Ira Evans. The Republican House majority removed Evans because he was seen as cooperating too much with Democrats on an elections bill.[10] While Craddick's close allies say the 2007 attempt to remove Craddick was just an effort by Democrats to gain greater control of the Legislature before the legislative and congressional redistricting process of 2011,[10] Rep. Byron Cook, R-Corsicana, says the fight was about Craddick consolidating power with lobbyists and using campaign contributions to maintain control in the House: "This is about the convergence of money and power and influence," Cook said.[10]

In January 2009, Craddick lost the Speaker's chair after a challenge from Joe Straus.

Cook committee hearing closure controversy (2013)

On June 20, 2013 Byron Cook served as chairman of the House State Affairs Committee hearing on Texas State House Bill 60. Cook's stance was for the passing of the bill and during the hearing he interrupted a testimony, saying "Some of us do (adopt children)." At 12:00 AM on June 21, Cook decided to close the hearing prematurely.[11] Cook's explanation for breaching Texas State Legislature operating procedures was that the testimonies being heard had become repetitive. Twenty-four minutes later, Cook became personally offended by a testimony, ordering the cameras to be shut off and leaving the room of committee members and witnesses. Approximately 20 minutes afterwards, Cook was persuaded by colleagues to resume the hearing and continued listening to testimonies until he prematurely closed the hearing at 1:30 AM.[12]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Democrat Mark Strama (District 50) resigned.
  2. ↑ Democrat Joe Farias (District 118) resigned.
  3. ↑ Republican John Lujan was elected to succeed Farias.
  4. ↑ Elected as a Democrat in 2010, Lozano switched parties in March 2012.
  5. ↑ Gonzalez, John W. (2015-04-21). "Minjarez captures Texas House District 124 - San Antonio Express-News". Mysanantonio.com. Retrieved 2016-02-25.
  6. 1 2 "Texas House Rules" (PDF). Texas House of Representatives. Retrieved 1 March 2016.
  7. ↑ "Service Providers". Guide to Texas Legislative Information. Retrieved 1 March 2016.
  8. ↑ The biennial appropriations bill is divided into eight Articles: General Government (I), Health and Human Services (II), Agencies of Education (III), The Judiciary (IV), Public Safety and Criminal Justice (V), Natural Resources (VI), Business and Economic Development (VII), and Regulatory (VIII). See http://gov.texas.gov/budget for an example of a budget showing the Articles.
  9. ↑ CBS Channel 42 KeyeTV Investigates: One Lawmaker, Many Votes?, May 14, 2007, available at "http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eG6X-xtVask"; see also Wilson, Nanci, One Lawmaker, Many Votes?, May 14, 2007, available at "www.keyetv.com/topstories/local_story_134224129.html"
  10. 1 2 3 4 R.G. Ratcliffe and Gary Scharrer. "The House struggles to move forward". Houston Chronicle, chron.com (May 27, 2007). Retrieved May 27, 2007.
  11. ↑ "Anti-Abortion Bills Back on the Table". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved 2016-02-25.
  12. ↑ "House panel quickly OKs 3 abortion bills". www.statesman.com. Retrieved 2016-02-25.

External links

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