Texas Legislation: 1991-2009

by Matt Stiles
September 21, 2010

This interactive chart visualizes the roughly 90,000 bills and resolutions introduced by members of the Texas House and Texas Senate since 1991. Click through the tabs to see visualizations of legislation that was introduced, was passed by both chambers or was vetoed by Govs. Ann Richards, George W. Bush and Rick Perry. The colors in the charts represent the various types of legislation (HB=House Bills; HR=House Resolution, etc. — See Data/Glossary for more information). Share this on Twitter — and follow @TribData for updates.

Visualization for Bar Chart
Visualization for Bar Chart
Visualization for Bar Chart

Filed - Increased 72% since 1991

Year HB HR HCR HJR SB SR SCR SJR
1991 2,906 1,100 258 114 1,618 902 164 46
1993 2,876 909 189 125 1,504 1,209 112 55
1995 3,237 1,266 253 132 1,720 1,338 180 56
1997 3,610 1,394 343 123 1,951 1,014 116 43
1999 3,855 1,379 320 97 1,911 1,224 90 45
2001 3,701 1,453 335 114 1,843 1,269 78 54
2003 3,636 2,030 306 100 1,956 1,068 75 61
2005 3,592 2,316 250 102 1,892 1,109 43 43
2007 4,140 2,994 294 108 2,050 1,250 90 64
2009 4,836 3,140 285 140 2,583 1,117 87 50

Passed - Increased 86% since 1991

Year HB HR HCR HJR SB SR SCR SJR
1991 528 1,058 137 1 432 890 120 10
1993 632 832 119 7 443 1,195 64 11
1995 597 1,229 159 9 491 1,325 125 5
1997 870 1,362 242 8 617 1,007 76 7
1999 960 1,349 237 11 662 1,209 66 6
2001 992 1,430 258 13 609 1,268 54 7
2003 825 1,988 230 15 559 1,056 45 6
2005 876 2,269 171 5 513 1,105 27 4
2007 956 2,840 200 10 526 1,244 59 7
2009 867 3,073 203 9 592 1,111 55 0

Vetoed - Decreased 6% since 1991

Year HB HR HCR HJR SB SR SCR SJR
1991 30 0 0 0 6 0 0 0
1993 15 0 2 0 9 0 0 0
1995 14 0 0 0 10 0 1 0
1997 19 0 0 0 17 0 1 0
1999 24 0 1 0 7 0 1 0
2001 60 0 0 0 22 0 0 0
2003 31 0 0 0 17 0 0 0
2005 8 0 0 0 11 0 0 0
2007 43 0 3 0 8 0 0 0
2009 20 0 2 0 15 0 1 0

Glossary

This application visualizes bills — legislative measures that must be passed by both chambers of the Legislature, often with later action by the governor. Bills are used to create and change state laws. Bill types include Senate and House bills, Senate and House joint resolutions, Senate and House concurrent resolutions, and Senate and House resolutions.

HB & SB

House and Senate bills requires passage by both chambers of the Legislature and action by the governor. A bill is the primary means used to create and change the laws of the state. Bill types include Senate and House bills, Senate and House joint resolutions, Senate and House concurrent resolutions, and Senate and House resolutions.

HR & SR

House and Senate resolutions, which are formal expressions of opinion or decision, other than a proposed law, may be offered for approval to one or both houses of the Legislature by a member of the House or Senate.

HCR & SCR

House and Senate concurrent resolutions require passage by both chambers of the Legislature and generally require action by the governor. A concurrent resolution is used to convey the sentiment of the Legislature and may offer a commendation, a memorial, a statement of congratulations, a welcome or a request for action by another governmental entity. (Concurrent resolutions are used also for administrative matters that require the concurrence of both chambers such as providing for adjournment or a joint session. These types of concurrent resolutions do not require action by the governor.)

HJR & SJR

House and Senate joint resolutiuons require passage by both chambers of the Legislature but do not require action by the governor. A joint resolution is used to propose amendments to the Texas Constitution, to ratify amendments to the U.S. Constitution or to request a convention to propose amendments to the U.S. Constitution. Before becoming effective, the provisions of joint resolutions proposing amendments to the Texas Constitution must be approved by the voters of Texas.

Source: Texas Legislative Information Glossary

 

 

Source: Texas Legislature Online | Download .csv, Terms | Created with Many Eyes