The Texas Legislature is the lawmaking body of the State of Texas. It consists of two chambers, the house of representatives and the senate. The Texas Legislature convenes in regular session at noon on the second Tuesday in January of each odd-numbered year for no more than 140 days. A special session, so designated because it must be called by the governor, may last no more than 30 days.

The Texas Senate is the upper house of the Texas Legislature. There are 31 members representing districts of population consisting of roughly 811,147 people. Senators are elected every two years for four-year terms with no term limits.

The Lieutenant Governor is President of the Texas Senate. The Lieutenant Governor establishes committees, appoints members and chairpersons, and assigns all Senate legislation to the committee of his choice.

The Texas House of Representatives is the lower house of the Texas Legislature. The House consists of 150 members representing districts of population consisting of roughly 167,637 people. Representatives are elected every two years for two-year terms with no term limits.

The Speaker of the House is the presiding officer of the house of representatives elected from and by the membership of the house at the beginning of each regular session. The Speaker's main duties are to conduct meetings of the House, appoint committees, and enforce the Rules of the House.