The Legislature of the State of Texas is the state's lawmaking body. Its primary function is to enact laws to provide for the health, welfare, education, environment, and economic and general well-being of the citizens of Texas. It also establishes public policy through the passage of bills and resolutions and proposes amendments to the state constitution, which are then submitted to the voters for approval or disapproval.
Like most other states, Texas employs a bicameral system for its legislative branch of state government. The Texas Legislature consists of two separate chambers, a 31-member senate and a 150-member house of representatives. State senators and representatives are elected from single-member districts to serve four-year and two-year terms, respectively.
