(TEMPORARY TRANSITION PROVISION for Sec. The Legislative Reference Library is located on the second floor of the State Capitol building in Room 2N.3. 49-d-6. Branch of the State Legislature. It is a bicameral body composed of a 31-member Senate and a 150-member House of Representatives. Understand the speech and debate immunities granted Texas legislators; Understand the arrrest immunities granted Texas legislators; Introduction. The proceeds from the sale of bonds deposited in the Texas Water Development Fund may be used by the Texas Water Development Board, under such provisions as the Legislature may prescribe by General Law, including the requirement of a permit for storage or beneficial use, for the additional purposes of acquiring and developing storage facilities, and any system or works necessary for the filtration, treatment and transportation of water or waste water, or for any one or more of such purposes or methods, whether or not such a system or works is connected with a reservoir in which the state has a financial interest; provided, however, the Texas Water Development Fund or any other state fund provided for water development, transmission, transfer or filtration shall not be used to finance any project which contemplates or results in the removal from the basin of origin of any surface water necessary to supply the reasonably foreseeable future water requirements for the next ensuing fifty-year period within the river basin of origin, except on a temporary, interim basis. BOND INSURANCE PROGRAM FOR WATER PROJECTS. Sec. (b) Notes issued or a loan obtained under this section may not have a term of more than two years. (c) Money in the fund may also be used to provide participation by the state in the payment of a portion of the costs of constructing and providing publicly owned toll roads and other public transportation projects in accordance with the procedures, standards, and limitations established by law. SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. (f) The Veterans' Housing Assistance Fund shall be administered by the Veterans' Land Board and shall be used for the purpose of making home mortgage loans to veterans for housing within the State of Texas in such quantities, on such terms, at such rates of interest, and under such rules and regulations as may be authorized by law. PRIVILEGE FROM ARREST DURING LEGISLATIVE SESSION. (TEMPORARY TRANSITION PROVISIONS for Sec. 50b-6. No person shall be a Senator, unless he be a citizen of the United States, and, at the time of his election a qualified voter of this State, and shall have been a resident of this State five years next preceding his election, and the last year thereof a resident of the district for which he shall be chosen, and shall have attained the age of twenty-six years. Statutes, written and passed by the Legislature, include such things as the law (d) amended and redesignated Subsec. Sec. Notwithstanding the rate of interest specified by any other provision of this constitution, revenue bonds shall bear a rate or rates of interest the Board determines. SALE OF REAL PROPERTY ACQUIRED THROUGH EMINENT DOMAIN. Sec. The main difference between these two leaders is how they get their job. (b) Proceeds from the sale of the bonds shall be deposited in a separate fund or account within the state treasury created by the comptroller for this purpose. On Saturday, October 10th, we'll be doing some maintenance on Quizlet to keep things running smoothly. The bonds shall be called "Texas Water Development Bonds," shall be executed in such form, denominations and upon such terms as may be prescribed by law, and may be issued in such installments as the Board finds feasible and practical in accomplishing the purpose set forth herein. PROGRAMS AND LOANS OR GRANTS OF PUBLIC MONEY FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. 20. (c) added Nov. 7, 1989; Subsec. 13. The comptroller shall retain the remaining 25 percent of the difference as general revenue. (3) the games are conducted, promoted, and administered by members of the church, synagogue, religious society, volunteer fire department, nonprofit veterans organization, fraternal organization, or nonprofit organization supporting medical research or treatment programs. (c) When such a period of emergency or the immediate threat of enemy attack exists, the Governor, after consulting with the Lieutenant Governor and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, may suspend the constitutional requirement that the Legislature hold its sessions in Austin, the seat of government. 58. If the government doesn't have enough money to cover the expenses of the annual budget, Congress has the power to authorize the government to borrow money. (s) amended and (w) added Nov. 6, 2001; Subsecs. 2.). POWER OF COURTS TO CHANGE VENUE. (g) During each fiscal biennium, the amount in the economic stabilization fund may not exceed an amount equal to 10 percent of the total amount, excluding investment income, interest income, and amounts borrowed from special funds, deposited in general revenue during the preceding biennium. (w) The Veterans' Land Board may provide for, issue, and sell general obligation bonds of the state for the purpose of selling land to veterans of the state or providing home or land mortgage loans to veterans of the state in a principal amount of outstanding bonds that must at all times be equal to or less than the aggregate principal amount of state general obligation bonds previously authorized for those purposes by prior constitutional amendments. Money received from any sale, transfer, or lease of such facilities or water shall be credited to the account established within the Texas Water Development Fund II for the purpose of administering proceedings related to the purposes described in Section 49-d of this article. (h) Proceedings authorizing obligations and related credit agreements to be issued and executed under the authority of this section shall be submitted to the attorney general for approval as to their legality. If a Conference Committee is successfully called, and the committee has time to successfully report a compromise back to the two chambers, both chambers must finally pass the compromise bill. LIMIT ON STATE DEBT PAYABLE FROM GENERAL REVENUE FUND. (Added Nov. 6, 1962; Subsec. Retrieved 13 September 2009. ADDITIONAL STUDENT LOANS. The bonds shall be called "Farm and Ranch Loan Security Bonds" and shall be executed in such form, denominations, and on such terms as may be prescribed by law. Just like the U.S. Congress, Texas has a House and a Senate. The money received from any sale, transfer or lease of facilities shall be used to pay principal and interest on state bonds issued or contractual obligations incurred by the Texas Water Development Board, provided that when moneys are sufficient to pay the full amount of indebtedness then outstanding and the full amount of interest to accrue thereon, any further sums received from the sale, transfer or lease of such facilities shall be deposited and used as provided by law. A vacancy on the commission shall be filled for the unexpired portion of the term in the same manner as the original appointment. A 1960 revision to the Texas constitution limited regular sessions to 140 days and special sessions to 30 days. (Subsecs. Bonds or lease purchase agreements that pledge the full faith and credit of the state are considered to be reasonably expected to be paid from other revenue sources if they are designed to receive revenues other than state general revenues sufficient to cover their debt service over the life of the bonds or agreement. (b) The legislature by general law may authorize the Texas Water Development Board or that board's successor in function to enter into bond enhancement agreements to provide additional security for general obligation bonds or revenue bonds of the Texas Water Development Board or that board's successor in function, the proceeds of which are used to finance state water plan projects. (d) If in the preceding year the state received from oil production taxes a net amount greater than the net amount of oil production taxes received by the state in the fiscal year ending August 31, 1987, the comptroller shall transfer under Subsection (c) of this section and allocate in accordance with Subsections (c-1) and (c-2) of this section an amount equal to 75 percent of the difference between those amounts. The Texas Public Finance Authority may not issue more than $300 million in bonds authorized by this subsection in a year. 49-n. GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS AND NOTES FOR MILITARY VALUE REVOLVING LOAN ACCOUNT. (TEMPORARY TRANSITION PROVISIONS for Sec. (a) For the purposes of providing surety for the Texas grain warehouse self-insurance fund, the legislature by general law may establish or provide for a guarantee of the fund not to exceed $5 million. (TEMPORARY TRANSITION PROVISIONS for Sec. The county may levy and collect taxes to pay the interest on the bonds as it becomes due and to provide a sinking fund for redemption of the bonds. 52: See Appendix, Note 1.). While any of the bonds or notes or interest on the bonds or notes is outstanding and unpaid, there is appropriated out of the first money coming into the treasury in each fiscal year, not otherwise appropriated by this constitution, the amount sufficient to pay the principal of and interest on the bonds or notes that mature or become due during the fiscal year, including an amount sufficient to make payments under a related credit agreement, less any amounts in the interest and sinking accounts at the close of the preceding fiscal year that are pledged to payment of the bonds or notes or interest. The Legislative Branch. Sec. 35. The enacting clause of all laws shall be: "Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Texas.". Sec. (e) The commission may recommend the salary of the members of the legislature and may recommend that the salary of the speaker of the house of representatives and the lieutenant governor be set at an amount higher than that of other members. Sec. 79.). Sec. Sec. 52e. On the south steps of the Texas Capitol Tuesday, State Rep. Kyle Biedermann (R–Fredericksburg) held a press conference touting recently filed legislation which would put a potential constitutional amendment for term limits for statewide officers and state legislators to the voters during the next election. (4) two members of different political parties appointed by the lieutenant governor from a list of at least 10 names submitted by the members of the senate from each political party required by law to hold a primary. The Texas Legislature meets in regular session for only 140 days every two years. (Added Nov. 5, 1985; Subsec. The chambers consist of the Senate and the House of Representatives just like the National Legislative Branch. MINIMUM SALARIES OF CERTAIN STATE OFFICERS. 49-b: See Appendix, Note 1.). Senators have no say in the choice for Lt. (e) The legislature may enact all laws necessary or appropriate to implement the authority granted by a proposition that is approved as provided by Subsection (b) of this section. (d) The legislature may provide for the investment of money available in the Farm and Ranch Loan Security Fund and the interest and sinking fund established for the payment of bonds issued by the commissioner of agriculture. Sec. Sec. 63: See Appendix, Note 3.). (f) Except on a two-thirds vote of the members elected to each house of the legislature, the state agency administering the bond insurance program may not authorize bond insurance coverage under the program in any state fiscal year that exceeds a total of $100 million. Sec. The limitation in Section 49-d-8 of this article that the Texas Water Development Board may not issue bonds in excess of the aggregate principal amount of previously authorized bonds does not apply to the bonds authorized by and issued under this section. Sec. The Legislature shall have the power to pass such laws as may be necessary to enable all counties, cities, towns, villages, and other political subdivisions of this State to provide Workers' Compensation Insurance, including the right of a political subdivision to provide its own insurance risk, for all employees of the political subdivision as in its judgment is necessary or required; and the Legislature shall provide suitable laws for the administration of such insurance in the counties, cities, towns, villages, or other political subdivisions of this State and for the payment of the costs, charges and premiums on such policies of insurance and the benefits to be paid thereunder. TDA is headed by the Texas Agriculture Commissioner, one of four heads of state agencies which is elected by statewide ballot … (j) The comptroller may transfer money from the economic stabilization fund to general revenue to prevent or eliminate a temporary cash deficiency in general revenue. (b) For purposes of this section, "state debt payable from the general revenue fund" means general obligation and revenue bonds, including authorized but unissued bonds, and lease-purchase agreements in an amount greater than $250,000, which bonds or lease purchase agreements are designed to be repaid with the general revenues of the state. The proceeds of the obligations must be deposited in the fund and used for one or more specific purposes authorized by law, including: (1) refunding obligations and related credit agreements authorized by this section; (2) creating reserves for payment of the obligations and related credit agreements; (4) paying interest on the obligations and related credit agreements for a period not longer than the maximum period established by law. (TEMPORARY TRANSITION PROVISIONS for Sec. (b)-(e) deleted Nov. 2, 1999.) 14: See Appendix, Note 1.). It contains: • Text of the Constitution of the United States of America • Text of the Constitution of the State of Texas • Rules of the House • Rules of the Senate (Added Aug. 25, 1945; amended Nov. 2, 1954, Nov. 5, 1957, Nov. 6, 1962, Nov. 9, 1963, Nov. 2, 1965, Aug. 5, 1969, Nov. 2, 1982, and Nov. 2, 1999.) REFERENCE TO COMMITTEE AND REPORT. (Amended Nov. 6, 2001.) The big difference between the House and Senate is the calendar process. (b) The Legislature may provide by General Law for medical care, rehabilitation and other similar services for needy persons. If those bonds or agreements, or any portion of the bonds or agreements, subsequently requires use of the state's general revenue for payment, the bonds or agreements, or portion of the bonds or agreements, is considered to be a "state debt payable from the general revenue fund" under this section, until: (1) the bonds or agreements are backed by insurance or another form of guarantee that ensures payment from a source other than general revenue; or. See more. Sec. Sec. (g) As provided by general law, each fiscal year the Texas Water Development Board or that board's successor in function shall set aside from amounts on deposit in the State Water Implementation Fund for Texas an amount that is sufficient to make payments under bond enhancement agreements that become due during that fiscal year. (d) Bonds issued under this section, after approval by the attorney general, registration by the comptroller of public accounts, and delivery to the purchasers, are incontestable and are general obligations of the State of Texas under this constitution. (Added Nov. 8, 1966; amended Aug. 5, 1969, and Nov. 6, 1984.). 23. Sec. Sec. WORKERS' COMPENSATION INSURANCE FOR EMPLOYEES OF POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS. (Amended Nov. 2, 1999.) COUNTY PAYMENT OF MEDICAL EXPENSES OF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS. (d) While any of the bonds or interest on the bonds authorized by this section is outstanding and unpaid, from the first money coming into the state treasury in each fiscal year not otherwise appropriated by this constitution, an amount sufficient to pay the principal and interest on bonds that mature or become due during the fiscal year and to make payments that become due under a related credit agreement during the fiscal year is appropriated, less the amount in the sinking fund at the close of the previous fiscal year. The Legislature shall have the power, by general law, to provide for the payment of assistance by the State of Texas to the surviving spouse, minor children, and surviving dependent parents, brothers, and sisters of officers, employees, and agents, including members of organized volunteer fire departments and members of organized police reserve or auxiliary units with authority to make an arrest, of the state or of any city, county, district, or other political subdivision who, because of the hazardous nature of their duties, suffer death in the course of the performance of those official duties. The Senate shall consist of thirty-one members. The Texas Legislature is bicameral.The Texas House of Representatives has 150 members, while the Texas Senate has 31. (c) Any dedication or appropriation of revenue to the credit of the state highway fund may not be modified so as to impair any outstanding bonds or other public securities secured by a pledge of that revenue unless provisions have been made for a full discharge of those securities. TEXAS RAIL RELOCATION AND IMPROVEMENT FUND. The Senate is comprised of 100 Senators, two from each state, who are elected to six-year terms. Sec. Type of paper. 49-d-14. But again, the Legislature is free to disregard the Governor's wishes. Otherwise, the Executive and Judicial branches do as they are instructed by the Legislature. 50b-1: See Appendix, Note 1. The only determination the executive gets to make in the actual law-making process is exercised by the Governor, who is restricted to vetoing bills he or she doesn't agree with. Texas Legislative Information (Revised) Prepared by the Research Division of the. 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