FOUR-YEAR TERM. THE TEXAS SENATE HAS 31 MEMBERS FROM SEPARATE DISTRICTS ACROSS THE STATE. WITH THE TEXAS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, THE TEXAS SENATE: ENACTS AND AMENDS LAWS; PASSES THE STATE BUDGET AND RAISES OR LOWERS TAXES; PASSES PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE TEXAS CONSTITUTION; AND REDRAWS CONGRESSIONAL AND LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT MAPS EVERY TEN YEARS. THE TEXAS SENATE HAS THE EXCLUSIVE POWER TO APPROVE OR REJECT APPOINTMENTS MADE BY THE GOVERNOR TO FILL VACANCIES IN STATE OR DISTRICT OFFICES AND TO HOLD TRIAL FOR OFFICIALS IMPEACHED BY THE TEXAS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
