In Texas, who is responsible for initiating legislative action?

In Texas, any state representative or senator has the authority to initiate legislative action. This means that both members of the House of Representatives and the Senate can introduce bills, propose resolutions, and take the first steps toward shaping legislation. This decentralized approach empowers numerous elected officials to participate in the law-making process, ensuring that a diverse range of issues can be addressed and that various interests within the state have a voice.

The role of the Governor, while significant in influencing legislation, primarily involves the ability to propose priorities or call special sessions, but does not include the direct initiation of bills in the legislature. Similarly, while the Speaker of the House and the Lieutenant Governor hold important leadership positions within their respective chambers, their functions are more about guiding and managing proceedings rather than creating legislative proposals themselves.