1. Judicial Branch – Texas -court cases involving criminal and civil cases -judges preside over the courtroom and sometimes decide cases; lawyers argue cases; juries decide cases -criminal trials involve punishing or freeing suspects of criminal activity -civil cases involve disputes between private individuals, businesses, or organizations -courts also decide what state laws mean: they interpret and apply the law in court cases -City, county and district courts work at the local level -Texas has two “Supreme Courts” -Texas Supreme Court deals with appeals in civil cases -Court of Criminal Appeals deals with appeals in criminal cases

2. Legislative Branch – Texas -makes laws; laws start as “bills” which become “laws” when they are passed by the Senate and the House and signed into law by the Governor -2 chambers or rooms -Senate – 31 members – led by Lt. Governor (elected independently) -House of Representatives - 150 members – led by the Speaker of the House (elected by other representatives in the House) -meets every two years -elections for House and Senate every two years -committees in both for special areas like education, the environment, public health, businesses and jobs, and agriculture -the Senate approves appointments of the Governor to boards and commissions -2/3 majority vote of both chambers needed to amend (change) the Constitution of Texas

3. Executive Branch – Texas -enforces and carries out the law -headed by the Governor-elected for 4 years -Governor appoints people to boards and commissions (e.g. Univ. of Texas Governing Board) -Governor removes these people from office at times -Governor vetoes (rejects bills) -Governor is Commander-in-Chief of the Texas Guard (military) -Can call a special (extra) session of the legislature -Grants pardons (when someone is let go from prison) -Other elected Executive Branch officials – elected every four years -Comptroller: collects taxes -Land Commissioner: manages state owned land and minerals -Agriculture Commissioner : sets rules for and assists farms and ranches -Railroad Commissioner: sets rules for (regulates) oil and gas companies -Secretary of State: sets rules for and oversees elections -Attorney General: top lawyer for Texas and represents Texas in court cases