The Austin-American Statesman recently reported "Legislators filing fewer bills this session." Here is a look at the numbers in comparison to a similar period last session, 45 days into session, or, 3/4 of the way to the 60-day bill filing deadline (Friday, March 8 for the 83rd R.S.)
|
Bills & Joint Resolutions
|
82nd Regular Session
(Nov. 8, 2010-Feb. 24, 2011)
|
83rd Regular Session
(Nov. 12, 2012-Feb. 21, 2013)*
|
% change |
| House filed | 1,886 | 1,673 | -11.29% |
| Senate filed | 940 | 720 | -23.40% |
| Total filed | 2,826 | 2,393 | -15.32% |
| House referred to committee | 970 | 1,188 | 22.47% |
| Senate referred to committee | 745 | 588 | -21.07% |
| Total referred to committee | 1,715 | 1,776 | 3.56% |
| House scheduled for hearing | 19 | 78 | 310.5% |
| Senate scheduled for hearing | 34 | 109 | 220.59% |
| Total scheduled for hearing | 53 | 187 | 252.83% |
| House reported out of committee** | 7 | 1 | -85.71% |
| Senate reported out of committee | 16 | 33 | 106.25% |
| Total reported out of committee | 23 | 34 | 47.83% |
* As of 2pm on Feb. 21, 2013.
**According to Texas Constitution, Article 3, Section 5, during the first 60 days of the legislative session, only emergency matters and emergency appropriations can be considered on the House floor. During the 82nd Regular Session in 2011, Governor Rick Perry designated six emergency matters; this session there have been no emergency matters and there has been one emergency supplemental appropriations bill (HB 10).
