Overview: Texas 4-H Congress is a four-day mock legislative experience for 4-H members in grades 9th to 12th for the 2021-2022 school year. During this time, 4-H members assume the roles of senators, representatives, lobbyists, press corps, and special interest groups to gain a first-hand understanding of how the legislative process works. Bills that are written and sponsored by 4-H members focus on issues concerning Texas and Texas youth. These bills are assigned to the appropriate committee, debated in committee meetings, and then on the floor of the House or Senate. If a bill is successful in negotiation and the legislative debate in all three stages, it is delivered to the Governor of Texas 4-H Congress for his or her signature or veto. Copies of all the bills that are signed into law during Texas 4-H Congress are provided to the Office of the Governor for review.
Age Eligibility: Official grades for Texas 4-H Congress are 9th grade to 12th grade (at the time of event). This is a prestigious event reserved for older 4-H members. Because of the number of 4-H members allowed to attend, counties should make it a priority to select older 4-H members for the House and Senate that have never attended prior.
CHANGE FOR 2022: Any 4-H member may submit a Texas 4-H Congress bill for consideration and debate. Participating in Congress is not a requirement. Writing and submitting a bill provides each 4- H member the opportunity to participate in an exercise in civic engagement.
All participants in Texas 4-H Congress must submit a COMPLETE bill for consideration. “All” includes Texas 4-H Council and Technology Ambassadors. To accomplish the writing and submission of legislative bills, it is recommended that the County Extension Agent, or a volunteer, assist the youth in learning what a quality bill includes, how to write one, and then submitting the bill on-line. Refer to the Texas 4-H publication entitled “Understanding the Texas Legislative Process, A Guide for Participating in Texas 4-H Congress.” This publication is located on the Texas 4-H website. 4-H members from the same county, or other counties, are not al-lowed to submit the same bill for meeting this requirement. This information can be found at the following page on the Texas 4-H website:
http://texas4-h.tamu.edu/events/congress/
Participant Quotas: The District 8 delegate quota will be 20 House/Senate members. E-mail Sheryl Long at Sheryl.Long@ag.tamu.edu if you want to be added to the list!
If a 4-H member is selected to attend Texas 4-H Congress as a Lobbyist or Press Corps member (see additional information below), the state office should notify everyone by March 30. After counties submit the County Nomination Form on April 6, the District Office will make selections for the delegates to participate in Texas 4-H Congress prior to early bird registration closing on 4-H Connect on April 30, 2022. A list of alternate dele-gates will be kept and they will be notified as soon as an opening comes available.

Location

701 E 11th St, Austin, TX 78701, USA