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Texas 4-H

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Upcoming Events

Texas 4-H Congress

While we had to cancel our traditional means of Texas 4-H Congress, we can still learn virtually!

Click to view the 2020 Texas 4-H Congress virtual experience videos below.

Day 1: The 2020 Virtual Texas 4-H Congress kicked off with a workshop led by State Council members Shawn Earthman and Erik Deitrik discussing what a bill is and how to write a bill for Texas 4-H Congress. Zane Wanjura then discussed bills that had been submitted by 4-H’ers for the 2020 Congress.

Day 2: The 2020 Virtual Texas 4-H Congress kicked off with a workshop led by David White and Megan Parr discussing what a lobbyist does in the actual government and at Texas 4-H Congress. Brayden DeBorde then discussed bills that had been submitted by 4-H’ers for the 2020 Congress.

Day 3: The 2020 Virtual Texas 4-H Congress kicked off with a workshop led by Callie Cline and previous Pres Corps member Caroline Sexton discussing what role the press and media play in the actual government as well as the Press Corps Texas 4-H Congress. Victoria Richards then discussed bills that had been submitted by 4-H’ers for the 2020 Congress.

Texas 4-H Congress allows 4-H members to experience the law making process first hand by writing, submitting, and then serving as a member of the House of Representatives, the Senate, the Press, or as a Lobbyist. From these roles, the 4-H members determine the fate of each bill submitted.

 

 

 

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Location

Sheraton Austin Hotel at the Capitol in Austin, Texas.
Website | Map

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Event Dates and Schedule

Canceled

 

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Requirements

Senior 4-H Members

A select number of 4-H delegates will be allotted to each district.

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Costs

Varies – Contact County
Registration Information will be available in the Spring

 

Bill Submission Requirements

Any 4-H member, regardless of age or planning on attending Texas 4-H Congress, must submit a legislative bill for consideration.  Participation in the bill writing exercise allows 4-H members the opportunity to become engaged in the legislative process and the 4-H citizenship project. 4-H members attending Texas 4-H Congress will be required to submit at least one bill (this includes Texas 4-H Council, Tech Team, etc) prior to their registration to the event being accepted.

Committees are:

  • Agriculture and Livestock (AGL)
  • Education (EDU)
  • Energy and Environment (EEV)
  • Government, Finance, & Appropriations (GFA)
  • Homeland Security and Public Safety (HPS)
  • Judiciary and Juvenile Justice (JJJ)
  • Public Health & Welfare (PHW)

To learn more on how to write and submit a bill download the “Preparing a Legislative Bill for Texas 4-H Congress” as well as work with your county Extension agent or a volunteer.

Lobbyist

The Lobbyist group is designed for 4-H members who have attended Texas 4-H Congress previously.  The responsibility of the Lobbyist group is to identify certain bills and then lobby members of the House and Senate to either pass or defeat the bill. Lobbyists should be knowledgeable about Texas 4-H Congress and the schedule that it follows. Lobbyist members should be prepared to and be able to approach other 4-H members and persuade House and Senate members for support. The Lobbyist group will hold a private reception for certain House and Senate Members, along with Congress Leadership.

Press Corps

Texas 4-H Congress Press Corps members can be either first time or returning 4-H members. Individuals applying for the Press Corp should have strong skills in writing, word processing, interviewing, photography, and focused on making deadlines. The Press Corps is responsible for publishing a daily newspaper and helping maintain a web page/electronic communication.  Press Corps members may not be able to attend certain events because of publishing deadlines.

 

 

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