About Texas 4-H Congress
Texas 4-H Congress is a four-day mock legislative experience for 4-H members in grades 9th to 12th. During this time, 4-H members assume the roles of legislators, lobbyists, and press corps to gain a first-hand understanding of how the legislative process works.
Dates to Remember
2 04 2026 – Bill submission opens
3 03 2026 – Lobbyist application opens on 4HOnline
3 03 2026 – Press Corps application opens on 4HOnline
3 31 2026 – Lobbyist application closes
3 31 2026 – Press Corps application closes
4 01 2026 – Early Bird Registration opens on 4HOnline
4 15 2026 – Lobbyist and Press Corps notification
4 30 2026 – Early Bird Registration closes on 4HOnline
5 01 2026 – Registration continues on 4HOnline at an increased fee
5 28 2026 – Bill submission closes
5 28 2026 – Registration closes on 4HOnline
7 01 2026 – Delegate Letters distributed
7 01 2026 – Bill Book posted online
7 19 2026 – Congress Delegates and Chaperones arrive
7 22 2026 – All Participants depart
Youth Leadership Team
At Texas 4-H Congress we have a Youth Leadership Team that who serves in the various Legislative Roles at Congress, including but not limited to: Governor, Speaker of the House, Lieutenant Governor, and Floor Leaders. This year, the opportunity to serve in one of these leadership roles is being opened to Texas 4-H members who have or are currently serving on one (or more) of the following groups:
- Texas 4-H Council
- District Council Officers (High School Aged)
- Equine Ambassadors
- Fashion & Interior Design Ambassadors
- Healthy Texas Youth Ambassadors
- Livestock Ambassadors
- Poultry Ambassadors
- Photography Ambassadors
- Shooting Sports Ambassadors
- STEM Ambassadors
- Water Ambassadors
Applications will open on 4HOnline on October 2, 2025, and will close on November 5, 2025. Application can be found under the event titled “2026 Texas 4-H Congress Leadership Team Application.” There will be no late applications accepted.
Applicants will need to be able to provide additional information on past leadership roles, select the top four roles they would like to serve in, and provide a YouTube video for the committee to review. The Leadership Team will be announced in December 2025. When announced youth will only be informed of being selected to serve on the team, they will not know their final role until after Texas 4-H Roundup in June. Youth selected will be expected to arrive in Austin on July 17th and will remain there until the completion of the event on the 22nd.
Bill Submissions
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 Leadership Team, Lobbyists, Press Corps, and District Delegates. 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 online. Refer to the Texas 4-H publication entitled “Preparing a Legislative Bill for Texas 4-H Congress.” 4-H members from the same county, or other counties, are not allowed to submit the same bill for meeting this requirement.
- Submit A Bill Online – Bill submission closes May 28, 2026
- Preparing a Legislative Bill for Texas 4-H Congress
- View Previous Bill Books: 2018 | 2020 | 2022 | 2024
Press Corp
Members of the Press Corps have the responsibility of reporting the actions of different areas of the Texas 4-H Legislative in a daily newspaper. They also prepare the daily newspaper. Furthermore, Press Corps members will work jointly with STEM Ambassadors to get information, photographs, and updates posted to the Texas 4-H Congress website in a timely manner. Press Corps members are not considered members of the legislature. Therefore, during the sessions, they will not have access to the floor.
Applications are now open for Lobbyist and Press Corps positions at the 2026 Texas 4-H Congress. Press Corps and Lobbyist applications are due March 31st. Applications for the youth to attend as a delegate (not serving on press corps or lobbyist team) should be obtained through your district 4-H office/specialist.
Press Corps and Lobbyist applications are due March 31st, 2026
APPLY THROUGH 4ONLINELobbyist
Lobbyists serve an important role in the direction of bills during Texas 4-H Congress. As a group, Lobbyists will select certain bills to lobby for their passage or failure during Texas 4-H Congress. In addition, by explaining the positives and negatives of particular bills through communication with members, messages to the members, the lobbyists’ reception, and individual conversations, the Lobbyist will persuade members to vote in certain directions.
Applications are now open for Lobbyist and Press Corps positions at the 2026 Texas 4-H Congress. Press Corps and Lobbyist applications are due March 31st. Applications for the youth to attend as a delegate (not serving on press corps or lobbyist team) should be obtained through your district 4-H office/specialist.
Press Corps and Lobbyist applications are due March 31st, 2026
APPLY THROUGH 4ONLINE