How the Sausage is Made: The Ways a Bill Really Becomes Law in
Texas
Katherine Barillas, MSW, Ph.D.Director of Child Welfare Policy
One Voice Texas
It’s Not as Simple as it Looks
The Hard Earned 13%
Filed Passed Vetoed 0
2,000
4,000
6,000
8,000
10,000
12,000
10,630
1,436
26
The Build Up
Politics & Pre-filing
Primary Elections – March 2012 General Elections – November 2012
Pre-Filing begins
Lower the #
Higher chance
of success
Bill is Filed
Identify Problem
Interim Charges
Late Sept/Early Oct 2013
Vetting Issues
StakeholdersPolicy &
White Papers
Approach Legislators (authors & sponsors)
October 2013
Session Starts January 2013
Committees assigned (late January)
Early March (60 days in) – deadline for filing most bills
May: Deadlines for committees to report bills
(earlier for House than Senate) Last day to distribute calendars Last day to consider bills on 2nd and 3rd
readings
Companion Bills
Double the chance of success &
Double the work
Committee Hearing
Check on
feedback
Preparation of
material &
witnesses
Meet with
members & clerk
Results of Committee Hearing
Bill reported favorably Send thank you emails to staff and other supporters Follow up with organizations that opposed
Bill left pending Visit with staff to see if members have questions See if author wants to call a desk vote
No vote Motion to reconsider by majority of chamber
Calendar Committee
Meet with members of committee
Put in a card & get others to do so
Check in with clerk to see if there is a hold
If on LoCo (Local & Uncontested) check-in with members of committee
Set for the Floor
Hit key members
Be available for questions & possible last minute amendments
If necessary strategize working the whole chamber 150 members of the House 31 members of the Senate
2nd reading – amended by majority vote 3rd reading – amended by 2/3 vote
Repeat the process in the opposite chamber
Meet with committee members and clerk
Gather witnesses and amend testimony
Testify
Bill placed on Intent Calendar (Senate) Notation of Local & Uncontested
The legislation will be returned to the
House where they will have to concur or call a conference committee
Your job is to ensure author and others are agreeable to amendments
Amendments in the Opposite Chamber
Bill enrolled (passed by both chambers
and ready for signature) Signed by Lt. Governor and Speaker
Let things ride at this point unless you are aware of concerns from the Governor’s
office
Homestretch
Breath of Relief
June 2013 – last day for Governor to sign or veto
But…Work is Not Over
Send thank you letters to authors, sponsors and committee members
Connect with agency staff to inform rulemaking
Work with stakeholders to implement
How the Sausage is Made: The Ways a Bill Really Becomes Law in
Texas
RelationshipsTrust & expertiseKnow the processHustle What you don’t think will happen – will happen