<P> The legislature convenes its regular sessions at noon on the second Tuesday in January of odd - numbered years . The maximum duration of a regular session is 140 days . The governor is given authority under the state constitution to convene the legislature at other times during the biennium . Such sessions are known as called or special sessions and are reserved for legislation that the governor deems critically important in the conduct of state affairs . Called sessions are limited to a period of 30 days, during which the legislature is permitted to pass laws only on subjects submitted by the governor in calling for the session . Its session laws are published in the official General and Special Laws; most, but not all, of these statutes are codified in the Revised Civil Statutes, Penal Code, and Code of Criminal Procedure (sometimes referred to as the Texas Statutes). </P> <P> The judicial system of Texas has a reputation as one of the most complex in the United States, with many layers and many overlapping jurisdictions . </P> <P> Texas has two courts of last resort: the Texas Supreme Court, which hears civil cases, and the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals . Except in the case of some municipal benches, partisan elections choose all of the judges at all levels of the judiciary; the governor fills vacancies by appointment . All members of the Texas Supreme Court and the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals are elected statewide . </P> <P> The Municipal Courts are the most active courts, with the County and District Courts handling most other cases and often sharing the same buildings . Administration is the responsibility of the Supreme Court, which is aided by the Texas Office of Court Administration, the Texas Judicial Council and the State Bar of Texas (the Texas Bar). </P>

The texas railroad commission has responsibility for all the following except