Texas Legislature CHAPTER 7 Flashcards

Flashcards for Texas Legislature Review

Bicameralism

The principle that the Texas legislature is composed of two chambers or houses.

Regular Session

A 140-day period that occurs on a biennial schedule, in odd-numbered years only.

Special Sessions

Sessions called by the governor to address legislative items not completed during the regular session, lasting no more than 30 days each.

Legislative Staff

Paid staff and interns that assist legislators with daily business.

Single-Member District

A district in which one official is elected rather than multiple officials.

Constituent Services

Legislative and nonlegislative activities through which legislators represent constituents, like writing letters or giving speeches.

Redistricting

The process of redrawing election districts and redistributing legislative representatives.

One-Person, One-Vote

The principle requiring each district to be roughly equal in population.

Legislative Redistricting Board (LRB)

A five-member board that convenes to complete redistricting if the legislature fails to do so.

Bills

Proposed laws sponsored by a member of the legislature and submitted to the clerk of the House or Senate.

Local Bills

Bills that affect only units of local government.

Special Bills

Bills that give individuals or corporations an exemption from state law.

General Bills

Bills that apply to all people and/or property in the state.

Resolutions

The expression of an opinion on an issue by a legislative body.

Concurrent Resolutions

Resolutions involving issues of interest to both chambers, requiring passage in both the House and Senate and the governor’s approval.

Joint Resolutions

Resolutions that commonly propose amendments to the Texas Constitution or ratify an amendment to the U.S. Constitution, requiring passage in each chamber but not the governor’s approval.

Simple Resolutions

Resolutions concerning only the House or Senate, such as the adoption of a rule, and not requiring the governor’s approval.

Electoral Powers

The legislature’s mandated role in counting returns in the elections for governor and lieutenant governor.

Investigative Powers

The power, exercised by the House, the Senate, or both chambers jointly, to investigate problems facing the state.

Directive and Supervisory Powers

The legislature’s power over the executive branch, generally exerted through its budgetary power.

Judicial Powers

The power of impeachment, or the formal charge by a majority of the House that may lead to the removal of a state official following a trial in the Senate.

Standing Committee

Permanent committee that has the power to propose and write legislation that covers a particular subject.

Chubbing

A tactic used to delay a vote, especially in the House.

Filibuster

A tactic used to prevent action on legislation by speaking continuously on the floor.

Veto

The governor’s power to turn down legislation, which may be overridden by a two-thirds vote in both chambers.

Post-Adjournment Veto

A veto that occurs at the end of the session and cannot be overturned.

Line-Item Veto

A special veto that may veto specific items from the state’s omnibus appropriations bill.

Speaker

The presiding officer of the Texas House of Representatives.

Lieutenant Governor

Serves as president of the Senate, has control over committee appointments, influences the legislative agenda, and is the second-highest elected statewide official.

Power of Recognition

Gives the Speaker and the lieutenant governor the power to control floor debate.

Appointment Power

The ability of the Speaker and lieutenant governor to assign members to standing committees and appoint the chairs of those committees.