Courtney Read Hoffman, Owner, CRH Capitol Communications and Jason Sabo, Founder, Frontera Strategies

1. The Texas Legislative Process for HouseTexas and Resolutions
The Legislative Process in Bills
Diagram of Legislative Process
This diagram displays the sequential flow of a bill from the time it is introduced in the house of
This diagram displays the sequential final of a bill from the time it is introduced in the House of Representatives to final passage and transmittal
representatives to flow passage and transmittal to the governor.
to the Governor. A bill introduced in the Senate would follow the same procedure in reverse.
HOUSE SENATE
Bill introduced, numbered, read 1st time, and Engrossed bill received, read 1st time, and
referred to committee by Speaker referred to committee by Lt. Governor
Committee studies bill, posts notice of hearing, holds Committee studies bill, posts notice of public hearing,
public hearing or acts in formal meeting resulting in holds public hearing resulting in
Favorable report with Unfavorable report Unfavorable report Favorable report with
Bill may be revived Bill may be revived by
Substitute by minority report minority report on Substitute No
No or
or Amendment on motion adopted by motion adopted by Amendment
Amendment majority vote of House majority vote of Senate Amendment
Bill printed on committee report and distributed
(1st printing)
Bill printed
and distributed
Bill goes to Calendars Committee for assignment to a calendar
Bill brought up for consideration on floor
by 2/3 vote of Senate to suspend rules
Second reading, debate, amendment by majority vote
and passage to third reading
Second reading, debate, amendment by majority
vote and passage to third reading
Third reading, debate, amendment by 2/3 vote
and final passage by House
Third reading, amendment by 2/3 vote
and final passage by Senate
Amendments are engrossed into text of bill
If amended, returned If not amended
to House as amended
House engrossed text with Senate amendments
printed and distributed (2nd printing)
House refuses to concur, House concurs in Senate
requests appointment of amendment on motion
Conference Committee adopted by majority vote
Senate grants request for
Conference Committee
(committee consists of 5
members from each house)
Conference Committee report
filed and adopted without
change by each house (report
limited to matters in
disagreement between the
two houses)
Bill Enrolled
Signed by Speaker Signed by Lt. Governor
in presence of House in presence of Senate
Sent to Governor
Governor Governor Governor
signs refuses to vetoes
bill sign bill bill
Bill Veto overridden by Bill does
becomes 2/3 vote of House not become
law and Senate law