The 79th Texas Legislature met from 11 January to 30 May 2005 in regular session, and in consecutive called sessions from 21 June to 20 July (First called session) and 21 July to 19 August 2005 (Second called session). It met again in 2006 from 17 April to 16 May. Most of the members of the House of Representatives and 15 members of the Senate were elected in the 2004 general election; the other House members were elected in special elections held in 2006.

Sessions 79th Regular session: 11 January 2005 – 30 May 2005 79th First called session: 21 June 2005 – 20 July 2005 To consider legislation that addresses educator compensation, benefits and certification.

To consider legislation that provides for public school financial accountability and that increases transparency in school district financial reporting.

To consider legislation that provides for performance-based incentives to educators and schools that attain higher levels of student achievement.

To consider legislation that funds textbooks and that creates the instructional materials allotment for public schools.

To consider legislation that provides for charter school funding and reform.

To consider legislation that provides for modifications to the recapture provisions of the public school finance system.

To consider legislation that provides for November elections for public school boards of trustees.

To consider legislation providing funding for the public school finance system and the continuation of the Texas Education Agency.

To consider legislation providing for end-of-course examinations to be used in public schools.

To consider legislation that provides for increased accountability and intervention for schools failing to meet state standards.

To consider legislation that provides for local property tax rate compression and voter approval of local property tax rates.

To consider legislation that establishes indicators of college readiness and higher levels of student achievement in the public school accountability system.

Legislation relating to limiting the use of eminent domain to take private property for private parties or economic development purposes. 79th Second called session: 21 July 2005 – 19 August 2005 To consider legislation to limit the ad valorem tax appraisals and rates of certain taxing units.

To consider legislation that provides ad valorem tax relief and protects taxpayers.

To consider legislation to increase the homestead ad valorem tax exemption.

Legislation that addresses educator compensation, benefits, and certification.

Legislation that provides for public school financial accountability and that increases transparency in school district financial reporting.

Legislation that provides for performance-based incentives to educators and schools that attain higher levels of student achievement.

Legislation that funds textbooks and that creates the instructional materials allotment for public schools.

Legislation that provides for charter school funding and reform.

Legislation that provides for modifications to the recapture provisions of the public school finance system.

Legislation that provides for November elections for public school boards of trustees.

Legislation providing funding for the public school finance system and the continuation of the Texas Education Agency.

Legislation providing for end-of-course examinations to be used in public schools.

Legislation that provides for increased accountability and intervention for schools failing to meet state standards.

Legislation that provides for local property tax rate compression and voter approval of local property tax rates.

Legislation that establishes indicators of college readiness and higher levels of student achievement in the public school accountability system.

Legislation relating to the authorization, issuance, and funding of tuition revenue bonds.

Legislation relating to an increase in the compensation of judges, including salary and retirement benefits.

Legislation related to further competition in the telecommunications market.

Legislation related to the provision of broadband over powerlines.

Legislation related to the issuance of state-issued certificate of franchise authority for cable and video services.

79th Third called session: 17 April 2006

Party summary

Senate Affiliation Members Note   Republican Party 19   Democratic Party 12 'Total' 31

House of Representatives Affiliation Members Note   Republican Party 86   Democratic Party 64 'Total' 150

Officers

Senate Lieutenant Governor: David Dewhurst, Republican President Pro Tempore: 'Regular Session': Florence Shapiro, Republican 'Ad Interim' (30 May 2005-16 April 2006): Frank Madla, Democrat 'Ad Interim' (17 April 2006-8 January 2007): Royce West, Democrat

House of Representatives Speaker of the House: Tom Craddick, Republican

Members Members of the Seventy-ninth Texas Legislature at the beginning of the regular session, 11 January 2005:

Senate

Senator Party District Home Town Took office Kevin Eltife Republican 1 Tyler 2004 Bob Deuell Republican 2 Greenville 2003 Todd Staples Republican 3 Palestine 2000 Tommy Williams Republican 4 The Woodlands 2003 Steve Ogden Republican 5 Bryan 1997 Mario Gallegos, Jr. Democratic 6 Houston 1995 Jon Lindsay Republican 7 Houston 1997 Florence Shapiro Republican 8 Plano 1993 Chris Harris Republican 9 Arlington 1991 Kim Brimer Republican 10 Fort Worth 2003 Mike Jackson Republican 11 La Porte 1999 Jane Nelson Republican 12 Lewisville 1993 Rodney Ellis Democratic 13 Houston 1990 Gonzalo Barrientos Democratic 14 Austin 1985 John Whitmire Democratic 15 Houston 1983 John Carona Republican 16 Dallas 1996 Kyle Janek Republican 17 Houston 2002 Kenneth L. Armbrister Democratic 18 Katy 1987 Frank L. Madla Democratic 19 San Antonio 1993 Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa Democratic 20 Mission 2002 Judith Zaffirini Democratic 21 Laredo 1987 Kip Averitt Republican 22 Waco 2002 Royce West Democratic 23 Dallas 1993 Troy Fraser Republican 24 Horseshoe Bay 1997 Jeff Wentworth Republican 25 San Antonio 1993 Leticia R. Van de Putte Democratic 26 San Antonio 1999 Eddie Lucio, Jr. Democratic 27 Brownsville 1991 Robert L. Duncan Republican 28 Lubbock 1997 Eliot Shapleigh Democratic 29 El Paso 1997 Craig Estes Republican 30 Wichita Falls 2001 Kel Seliger Republican 31 Amarillo 2004

House of Representatives District Representative Party Took office 1 Stephen James Frost Democrat January 11, 2005 2 Dan Flynn Republican 2003 3 Mark_S._Homer Democrat 1999 4 Betty Brown Republican 1999 5 Bryan Hughes Republican 2003 6 Leo Berman Republican 1999 7 Tommy Merritt Republican 1997 8 Byron Cook Republican 2003 9 Roy Blake, Jr. Republican 2005 10 Jim Pitts Republican 1993 11 Chuck Hopson Democrat 2001 12 Jim McReynolds Democrat 1997 13 Lois Kolkhorst Republican 2001 14 Fred Brown Republican 1999 15 Rob Eissler Republican 2003 16 Ruben Hope, Jr. Republican 1999 17 Robby Cook Democrat 1997 18 John Otto Democrat 2005 19 Tuffy Hamilton Republican 2003 20 Dan Gattis Republican 2003 21 Allan Ritter Democrat 1999 22 Joe Deshotel Democrat 1999 23 Craig Eiland Democrat 1995 24 Larry Taylor Republican 2003 25 Dennis Bonnen Republican 1997 26 Charles F. "Charlie" Howard Republican 1995 27 Dora Olivo Democrat 1997 28 Glenn Hegar Republican 2003 29 Glenda Dawson Republican 2003 30 Geanie W. Morrison Republican 1999 31 Ryan Guillen Democrat 2003 32 Gene Seaman Republican 1997 33 Vilma Luna Democrat 1993 34 Abel Herrero Democrat 2005 35 Yvonne Gonzalez Toureilles Democrat 2005 36 Kino Flores Democrat 1997 37 Rene O. Oliveira Democrat 1991 (first time: 1981–1987) 38 Jim Solis Democrat 1993 39 Mando Martinez Democrat 2005 40 Aaron Pena Democrat 2003 41 Veronica Gonzales Democrat 2005 42 Richard Raymond Democrat 2001 (first time: 1993–1999) 43 Juan Manuel Escobar Democrat 2003 44 Edmund Kuempel Republican 1983 45 Patrick Rose Democrat 2003 46 Dawnna Dukes Democrat 1995 47 Terry Keel Republican 1997 48 Todd Baxter Republican 2003 49 Elliott Naishtat Democrat 1991 50 Mark Strama Democrat 2005 51 Eddie Rodriguez Democrat 2003 52 Mike Krusee Republican 1993 53 Harvey Hilderbran Republican 1989 54 Suzanna Gratia Hupp Republican 1996 55 Dianne White Delisi Republican 1991 56 Doc Anderson Republican 2005 57 Jim Dunnam Democrat 1997 58 Rob Orr Republican 2005 59 Sid Miller Republican 2001 60 Jim Keffer Republican 1997 61 Phil King Republican 1999 62 Larry Phillips Republican 2003 63 Mary Denny Republican 1993 64 Myra Crownover Republican 2000 65 Burt Solomons Republican 1995 66 Brian McCall Republican 1991 67 Jerry Madden Republican 1993 68 Rick Hardcastle Republican 1999 69 David Farabee Democrat 1999 70 Ken Paxton Republican 2003 71 Bob Hunter Republican 1986 72 Scott Campbell Republican 2004 73 Carter Casteel Republican 2003 74 Pete P. Gallego Democrat 1991 75 Chente Quintanilla Democrat 2003 76 Norma Chavez Democrat 1997 77 Paul C. Moreno Democrat 1975 (first time: 1967–1973) 78 Pat Haggerty Republican 1989 79 Joe C. Pickett Democrat 1995 80 Tracy O. King Democrat 2005 81 Buddy West Republican 1993 82 Tom Craddick Republican 1969 83 Delwin Jones Republican 1989 (first time: 1965–1981) 84 Carl H. Isett Republican 1997 85 Pete Laney Democrat 1973 86 John T. Smithee Republican 1985 87 David Swinford Republican 1991 88 Warren Chisum Republican 1989 89 Jodie Laubenberg Republican 2003 90 Lon Burnam Democrat 1997 91 Bob E. Griggs Republican 2003 92 Todd Smith Republican 1997 93 Toby Goodman Republican 1991 94 Kent Grusendorf Republican 1987 95 Marc Veasey Democrat 2005 96 Bill Zedler Republican 2003 97 Anna Mowery Republican 1988 98 Vicki Truitt Republican 1999 99 Charlie Geren Republican 2001 100 Terri Hodge Democrat 1997 101 Elvira Reyna Republican 1993 102 Tony Goolsby Republican 1989 103 Rafael Anchia Democrat 2005 104 Roberto R. Alonzo Democrat 2003 (first time: 1993–1997) 105 Linda Harper-Brown Republican 2003 106 Ray Allen Republican 1993 107 Bill Keffer Republican 2002 108 Dan Branch Republican 2003 109 Helen Giddings Democrat 1993 110 Jesse W. Jones Democrat 1993 111 Yvonne Davis Democrat 1993 112 Fred Hill Republican 1989 113 Joe Driver Republican 1993 114 Will Ford Hartnett Republican 1991 115 Jim Jackson Republican 2005 116 Trey Martinez Fischer Democrat 2001 117 David McQuade Leibowitz Democrat 2005 118 Charlie Uresti Democrat 1997 119 Robert R. Puente Democrat 1991 120 Ruth Jones McClendon Democrat 1996 121 Vacant 122 Frank J. Corte, Jr. Republican 1993 123 Mike Villarreal Democrat 2000 124 Jose Menendez Democrat 2001 125 Joaquin Castro Democrat 2003 126 Peggy Hamric Republican 1991 127 Joe Crabb Republican 1993 128 Wayne Smith Republican 2003 129 John E. Davis Republican 1999 130 Corbin Van Arsdale Republican 2003 131 Alma A. Allen Democrat 2005 132 Bill Callegari Republican 2001 133 Joe Nixon Republican 1995 134 Martha Wong Republican 2003 135 Gary Elkins Republican 1995 136 Beverly Woolley Republican 1995 137 Scott Hochberg Democrat 1993 138 Dwayne Bohac Republican 2003 139 Sylvester Turner Democrat 1989 140 Kevin Bailey Democrat 1991 141 Senfronia Thompson Democrat 1973 142 Harold V. Dutton, Jr. Democrat 1985 143 Joe E. Moreno Democrat 1998 144 Robert E. Talton Republican 1993 145 Rick Noriega Democrat 1999 146 Al Edwards Democrat 1979 147 Garnet Coleman Democrat 1991 148 Jessica Farrar Democrat 1995 149 Hubert Vo Democrat 2005 150 Debbie Riddle Republican 2002

: In the 2004 General Election, Elizabeth Ames Jones won the District 121 seat but declined it, having received an appointment as a member of the Texas Railroad Commission.

Membership changes

Senate None

House of Representatives