Overall Summary & Analysis – Committee Chairmen

Texas Senate

In the 75th Legislative Session of 1997, control of the Texas Senate shifted from the Democrats to the Republicans. This session marked the final term under a Democratic Lieutenant Governor, Bob Bullock, who managed the Senate’s operations. It wasn’t until the next legislative session in 1999, during the 76th Legislature, that the majority of committee chairmen in the Texas Senate aligned with the new majority party.

Key Takeaways

  • Since gaining majority control, the Republicans in the Texas Senate have consistently appointed at least one member of the minority party as a committee chair. However, the number of committees led by minority party members has gradually decreased over time.
  • The 72nd Legislative Session (1991) marked the final occasion where all committee chairs in the session were members of a single political party. In that session, the overall political makeup of the Texas Senate was that of 22 Democrats (73.33%) versus only 8 Republicans (26.67%) at the start of that legislative session.

Roles of Texas Senate Committee Chairmen

In the Texas Senate, committee chairmen are primarily responsible for:

  • Presiding Over Committee Meetings: Chairs are responsible for presiding over meetings of their respective committees. They manage the discussion, call for votes, and ensure that proceedings follow the Texas Senate Rules of Procedure.
  • Setting Agendas: Chairs have the authority to set meeting agendas, deciding which bills and issues are considered during committee meetings.
  • Scheduling Hearings: Chairs are responsible for scheduling committee hearings and ensuring proper notice is given according to the Texas Senate Rules of Procedure. (Rule 11.10 & 11.19)
  • Maintaining Order: Chairs are tasked with maintaining order during committee meetings and have the authority to enforce decorum among members.
  • Reporting Bills: Chairs must ensure that all bills considered by the committee are reported out of the committee correctly and in a timely manner. (Rule 7.06, Rule 11.12)
  • Managing Committee Staff: Chairs oversee the work of committee clerks and other staff, ensuring that committee business is conducted efficiently and in accordance with established rules. (Rule 11.11(b))
  • Filing Committee Reports: Chairs are responsible for filing official committee reports with the Secretary of the Senate. These reports detail actions taken on bills and other matters within the committee. (Rule 11.12)

Reference: Texas Senate Rules

Legislative Session# of Republican Chairmen# of Democrat ChairmenOverall Senate
Partisan Split
Lt. GovernorGovernor
88th (2023)14 (93.33%)1 (6.67%)19R – 12DDan Patrick (R)Greg Abbott (R)
87th (2021)14 (93.33%)1 (6.67%)18R – 13DDan Patrick (R)Greg Abbott (R)
86th (2019)14 (87.50%)2 (12.50%)19R – 12DDan Patrick (R)Greg Abbott (R)
85th (2017)12 (85.71%)2 (14.29%)20R -11DDan Patrick (R)Greg Abbott (R)
84th (2015)12 (85.71%)2 (14.29%)20R -11DDan Patrick (R)Greg Abbott (R)
83rd (2013)12 (66.67%)6 (33.33%)19R – 11DDavid Dewhurst (R)Rick Perry (R)
82nd (2011)12 (66.67%)6 (33.33%)19R – 12DDavid Dewhurst (R)Rick Perry (R)
81st (2009)12 (66.67%)6 (33.33%)19R – 12DDavid Dewhurst (R)Rick Perry (R)
80th (2007)10 (66.67%)5 (33.33%)20R -11DDavid Dewhurst (R)Rick Perry (R)
79th (2005)9 (60.00%)6 (40.00%)19R – 12DDavid Dewhurst (R)Rick Perry (R)
78th (2003)9 (60.00%)6 (40.00%)19R – 12DDavid Dewhurst (R)Rick Perry (R)
77th (2001)5 (41.67%)7 (58.33%)16R – 15DBill Ratliff (R)Rick Perry (R)
76th (1999)8 (61.54%)5 (38.46%)16R – 15DRick Perry (R)George W. Bush (R)
75th (1997)5 (41.67%)7 (58.33%)16R – 14DBob Bullock (D)George W. Bush (R)
74th (1995)3 (33.33%)6 (66.67%)17D – 14RBob Bullock (D)George W. Bush (R)
73rd (1993)3 (30.00%)7 (70.00%)18D – 13RBob Bullock (D)Ann Richards (D)
72nd (1991)0 (0.00%)9 (100.00%)22D – 8RBob Bullock (D)Ann Richards (D)

*Overall Partisan Split represents the number of lawmakers from each political party at the time the legislative session began

Texas House of Representatives

In the 78th Legislative Session of 2003, control of the Texas House of Representatives shifted from the Democrats to the Republicans. This session marked the first term as Speaker of the House for State Rep. Tom Craddick (R-Midland) and when the majority of committee chairmen in the Texas House aligned with the new majority party.

Key Takeaways

  • Since assuming majority control, the Republicans in the Texas House of Representatives have traditionally appointed a proportion of minority party chairmen, reflecting the overall minority representation within the House. However, this practice shifted in the most recent legislative session (88th, 2023). Despite Democrats comprising 42.67% of the House, only 8 Democratic lawmakers, or 23.53%, were appointed chairmen of the 34 standing committees.
  • Even during the 82nd Legislative Session in 2011, when Republicans held a supermajority in the Texas House of Representatives, they maintained a proportional representation of minority party committee chairmen. Of the 37 standing committees, 12 were chaired by members of the minority party, accounting for 32.43%, closely mirroring the 32.67% representation of minority party lawmakers in the overall Texas House.

Roles of Texas House Committee Chairmen

In the Texas House of Representatives, committee chairmen are primarily responsible for:

  • Responsibility for Effective Conduct: The chair is responsible for the effective conduct of the business of the committee. (Rule 4, Sec. 6(1))
  • Appointment of Subcommittees: Chairs appoint all subcommittees and determine the number of members to serve on each. (Rule 4, Sec. 6(2))
  • Scheduling and Work Organization: In consultation with committee members, chairs schedule the work of the committee and determine the order of consideration of bills, resolutions, and other matters. (Rule 4, Sec. 6(3))
  • Staff and Employee Supervision: Chairs have the authority to employ and discharge staff and employees authorized for the committee and have supervision and control over them. (Rule 4, Sec. 6(4))
  • Report Preparation: Chairs direct the preparation of all committee reports. No report is official until signed by the chair, or by the person acting as chair, or by a majority of the committee members. (Rule 4, Sec. 6(5))
  • Public Hearings and Notices: Chairs determine the necessity for public hearings, schedule them, and are responsible for directing the posting of notice of hearings as required by the House Rules of Procedure. (Rule 4, Sec. 6(6))
  • Presiding Over Meetings: Chairs preside at all meetings of the committee, controlling its deliberations and activities in accordance with acceptable parliamentary procedure. (Rule 4, Sec. 6(7))
  • Enforcement Authority: Chairs have the authority to direct the Sergeant-at-Arms to assist, where necessary, in enforcing the will of the committee. (Rule 4, Sec. 6(8))

Reference: Texas House Rules of Procedure

Legislative Session# of Republican Chairmen# of Democrat ChairmenOverall House
Partisan Split
Speaker of the HouseGovernor
88th (2023)26 (76.47%)8 (23.53%)86R – 64DDade Phelan (R)Greg Abbott (R)
87th (2021)21 (61.76%)13 (38.24%)82R – 67DDade Phelan (R)Greg Abbott (R)
86th (2019)22 (64.71%)12 (35.29%)83R – 64DDennis Bonnen (R)Greg Abbott (R)
85th (2017)25 (65.79%)13 (34.21%)95R – 55DJoe Straus (R)Greg Abbott (R)
84th (2015)25 (65.79%)13 (34.21%)97R – 51DJoe Straus (R)Greg Abbott (R)
83rd (2013)24 (63.16%)14 (36.84%)95R – 55DJoe Straus (R)Rick Perry (R)
82nd (2011)25 (67.57%)12 (32.43%)101R – 49DJoe Straus (R)Rick Perry (R)
81st (2009)18 (52.94%)16 (47.06%)76R – 74DJoe Straus (R)Rick Perry (R)
80th (2007)30 (75.00%)10 (25.00%)79R – 69DTom Craddick (R)Rick Perry (R)
79th (2005)30 (75.00%)10 (25.00%)86R – 64DTom Craddick (R)Rick Perry (R)
78th (2003)28 (70.00%)12 (30.00%)88R – 62DTom Craddick (R)Rick Perry (R)
77th (2001)13 (36.11%)23 (63.89%)77D – 71RPete Laney (D)Rick Perry (R)
76th (1999)13 (36.11%)23 (63.89%)78D – 72RPete Laney (D)George W. Bush (R)
75th (1997)13 (36.11%)23 (63.89%)82D – 67RPete Laney (D)George W. Bush (R)
74th (1995)11 (30.56%)25 (69.44%)88D – 61RPete Laney (D)George W. Bush (R)
73rd (1993)10 (32.26%)21 (67.74%)91D – 57RPete Laney (D)Ann Richards (D)
72nd (1991)8 (22.86%)27 (77.14%)92D – 57RGib Lewis (D)Ann Richards (D)

*Overall Partisan Split represents the number of lawmakers from each political party at the time the legislative session began

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