JOINT AUTHOR—In the house of representatives, a member authorized by the primary author of a bill to join in the authorship of a bill or resolution and have his or her name shown following the primary author's name on official printings of the measure, on calendars, and in the journal. The primary author may authorize up to four joint authors.

JOINT COMMITTEE—A committee composed of members from each house appointed by the respective presiding officers. Joint committees normally are created by special proclamation issued by the speaker and lieutenant governor for the purpose of studying a particular issue or group of issues when the legislature is not in session. Joint committees rarely, if ever, are created during a session, and house and senate rules do not permit bills and resolutions to be referred to a joint committee.

JOINT RESOLUTION—A type of legislative measure that requires passage by both chambers of the legislature but does not require action by the governor. A joint resolution is used to propose amendments to the Texas Constitution, to ratify amendments to the U.S. Constitution, or to request a convention to propose amendments to the U.S. Constitution. Before becoming effective, the provisions of joint resolutions proposing amendments to the Texas Constitution must be approved by the voters of Texas.

JOURNAL—The official publication that records the legislative proceedings of each chamber, including record vote information. The journal of each house is printed daily in pamphlet form and subsequently compiled and indexed for publication in bound volumes after the conclusion of a regular or special session of the legislature.