Oregon is the latest state to switch to annual legislative sessions. Last month, its voters approved a constitutional amendment enabling the Legislative Assembly to meet yearly, but for only 35 days and 160 days in even- and odd-numbered years, respectively. Arkansas changed to annual sessions this year after voters approved a constitutional amendment in 2008.

Texas has not always embraced the biennial approach. The state waffled in the early days: the 1836 Constitution did not address the issue but stated that House members should be elected yearly  and the Republic’s Congress soon allowed annual sessions. The Constitution of 1845, however  the year Texas became a state  specified biennial sessions. In 1869, yet another constitution opted for annual sessions, but that changed in 1876, when the Constitution that is still in effect specified biennial sessions.

To switch to an annual system would require a constitutional amendment. That has been done 467 times since 1876, but one key phrase has survived: “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.” A 1960 constitutional amendment added this refinement: “No regular session shall be of longer duration than one hundred and forty (140) days.”

Some Texas politicians say that even as other states move to annual sessions, Texas will continue to stand against the tide.

“The citizens of Texas inherently don’t trust government,” said Kip Averitt, who until recently served as a Republican state senator from Waco. He added, “I don’t think the public perceives it as a problem.”

Indeed, between 1949 and 1975 Texas voters rejected five constitutional amendments calling for a switch to an annual session. Legislative pay increases were also on those ballots in four of those instances. Last session, Mr. Raymond introduced legislation to add a session in even-numbered years dedicated to the budget, lasting up to 60 days, or 90 if a majority of lawmakers approve. He said he thought the recession might spur action. But after billions of dollars in federal stimulus money got marked for Texas in 2009, Mr. Raymond said, lawmakers quickly lost interest in the idea.

Even if the Legislature passed Mr. Raymond’s proposal, which he has already reintroduced for the coming session, the change would then need to be approved by Texas voters.