Texas Lawmakers will convene in Austin January 8th for the 86th Texas Legislature and during the course of the 140-day session, legislators will tackle several issues.
Before the session begins, the Texas Constitution requires the Comptroller of Public Accounts to provide an estimate of the revenue that the state of Texas expects to receive through the next two-year budget period. The Biennial Revenue Estimate (BRE) forms the basis of Texas’ budget by setting out a limit on revenue available for general-purpose spending.
One of the first items of business for the Texas House of Representatives will be to elect a successor to Speaker Joe Strauss.
Strauss served five terms in that leadership role but did not seek re-election to the House in November.
Some important dates to be aware of during the session include Jan. 15th, when the Legislative Budget Board (LBB) general appropriations bill is delivered to the governor and the 86th Legislature.
March 8th is the deadline for the unrestricted filing of bills and joint resolutions other than local bills, emergency appropriations and emergency matters submitted by the governor.
The last day of the 86th Legislature is May 27th.
Following that, June 16 is the last day the governor may sign or veto bills passed during the regular session.
Then, bills without specific dates, other than those with immediate effect, will become law on August 26th.
For more information about the Texas Legislature, visit online at capitol.texas.gov
