A biennium is a two-year period. In Texas, the term may refer to the two-year budget cycle, or to the state’s two-year legislative cycle or election cycle.
The fiscal biennium runs from September 1 of an odd-numbered year through August 31 of the next odd-numbered year.
The state’s budget planning and appropriations processes are conducted on a biennial basis. Every two years the legislature passes a General Appropriations Act covering a two-year period.
Legislative terms also operate on a biennial basis. In the Texas House or Representatives, the term of a member is two years. The term of a senator is typically four years, that is, two bienniums. The senators’ terms are staggered, such that “half of the Senators shall be chosen biennially,” according to the Texas Constitution (Art. 3, Sec. 3).
The legislature meets in regular session every two years for a period of 140 days, generally from early or mid January through late May.
The Texas Constitution states, “The Legislature shall meet every two years at such time as may be provided by law and at other times when convened by the Governor” (Art. 3, Sec. 5).
