81st Legislative Dates of Interest

In accordance with the Texas Constitution, the legislature meets in a regular legislative session in Austin every two years. By statute, the legislature convenes in a regular session on the second Tuesday in January of every odd-numbered year. These biennial sessions are limited to 140 days' duration. The constitution also allows the governor to call additional special sessions as necessary. During a called session, which cannot exceed 30 days, the legislature may consider legislation only on matters specified in proclamations issued by the governor.

Monday, November 10, 2008
Prefiling of legislation for the 81st Legislature begins
[House Rule 8, Sec. 7, and Senate Rule 7.04(a)]  

Tuesday, January 13, 2009 (1st day)
81st Legislature convenes at noon
[Government Code, Sec. 301.001] 

Friday, March 13, 2009 (60th day)
Deadline for filing bills and joint resolutions other than local bills, emergency appropriations, and bills that have been declared an emergency by the governor
[Sec. 5(b), Art. III, Texas Constitution; House Rule 8, Sec. 8; Senate Rule 7.07(b)] 

Monday, June 1, 2009 (140th day)
Last day of 81st Regular Session
[Sec. 24(b), Art. III, Texas Constitution] 

Sunday, June 21, 2009 (20th day following final adjournment)
Last day governor can sign or veto bills passed during the previous legislative session
[Sec. 14, Art. IV, Texas Constitution] 

Monday, August 31, 2009 (91st day following final adjournment)
Date bills without specific effective dates (that could not be effective immediately) become law.
[Sec. 39, Art. III, Texas Constitution]

This page was last updated on 02/19/08