Overview

• The Texas House voted to prohibit minority party members from chairing legislative committees, ending a practice in place since the 1970s.
• The new rules allow Democrats to serve as vice chairs, with expanded powers to designate bills for consideration and request research from legislative staff.
• The decision, backed by conservative Republicans, reflects long-standing efforts to limit Democratic influence on GOP legislative priorities.
• Some conservative lawmakers criticized the rules for not going far enough, arguing they still provide Democrats with too much power in the chamber.
• Speaker Dustin Burrows, elected with significant Democratic support, will appoint committee leaders in the coming weeks under the new structure.