What percentage of the Texas Legislature must approve a bill for it to pass?

A bill in the Texas Legislature must be approved by a simple majority of members present and voting in each chamber—either the House of Representatives or the Senate—for it to pass. This means that more than half of the lawmakers who are present and casting votes must agree on the bill.

In Texas, the House is composed of 150 members, so a simple majority would require at least 76 votes. The Senate, with 31 members, would need at least 16 votes for a bill to pass.

This straightforward process allows for efficiency in legislative action, as it does not impose stringent thresholds like a supermajority, which could slow down the legislative process significantly. Understanding this basic majority requirement is crucial for grasping how laws are made in Texas and the dynamics of legislative approval.