The House can't hold committee hearings until committee assignments are completed, which typically doesn't happen until around February 1.Papa_Tiger wrote:Let's see... Texas Legislature meets for 140 days every two years.
The 85th Legislature officially began on January 10, 2017.
Since then, there have been 3 concurrent resolutions filed granting permission for the legislature to adjourn for more than 3 days.
SCR 7 Author: Whitmire Sponsor: Kuempel
Last Action: 01/18/2017 S Signed in the Senate
Caption Version: Introduced
Caption: Granting the legislature permission to adjourn for more than three days during the period beginning on Wednesday, January 11, 2017, and ending on Tuesday, January 17, 2017.
HCR 47 Author: Geren Sponsor: Whitmire
Last Action: 01/18/2017 S Adopted
Caption Version: Introduced
Caption: Granting the legislature permission to adjourn for more than three days during the period beginning on Wednesday, January 18, 2017, and ending on Tuesday, January 24, 2017.
SCR 10 Author: Whitmire
Last Action: 01/24/2017 S Filed
Caption Version: Introduced
Caption: Granting the legislature permission to adjourn for more than three days during the period beginning on Wednesday, January 25, 2017, and ending on Monday, January 30, 2017.
When are they actually planning on doing any work this session?
SMH
Per the Texas Constitution, most bills can't receive a floor vote before the 60th day of the session (that's why both chambers are currently only voting on concurrent resolutions). The governor's emergency items can receive a vote prior to that, but those won't be announced until Gov. Abbott's State of the State Address on Jan 31.
Basically, this is the way things work. If you want things to work faster, you're gong to have to amend the Texas Constitution.