GOVT exam 3

Bicameralism

2 chamber legislature, house and senate

Regular session

Meets every 2yr 140 days

Special session

Called by Governor to address specific issues, lasts up to 30 days

Texas House

150 members, 2yr term

Texas Senate

31 members, 4yr terms

Qualifications for house

21+ yrs, TX resident 2 yrs, 2yr term

Qualifications for senate

26+, TX resident 5 yrs, 4-yr term

Reapportionment

Adjusting seats based on population after census

Redistricting

Drawing district boundaries within state

Reynolds v Sims

Established “one person, one vote” principle

Leadership in house

Speaker

Leadership in senate

Lieutenant governor

Standing committees

Permanent committees for specific topics

Select committees

Temporary for special issues

Join committees

Members from both chambers

Conference commitees

Resolves differences in House & Senate versions of a bill

Interim commitees

Meets between sessions

Local bills

Affect specific areas or cites

Special bills

Benefit specific ppl or organizations

General bills

Apply statewide

Concurrent resolutions

Both chambers agree, not law

Joint resolutions

Requires Governor approval, often for amendments

Simple resolutions

Passed by one chamber, not law

Constituent powers

Help citizens with requests or problems

Electoral powers

Approve state officials, electoral duties

Supervisory powers

Oversee state agencies

Investigative powers

Conduct hearings and investigations

Judicial powers

Impeach and discipline

Process of a Bill Becoming Law

Draft → Committee → Debate → Vote → Other chamber → Governor

Post adjournment veto

Governor rejects after session ends

Line item veto

Reject specific parts of budget

Qualifications of the Governor

• Requirements: 30+ years old, U.S. citizen, Texas resident 5+ years

• Purpose: Ensures experience & connection to state

Impeachment and Removal of the President

• Impeachment: House charges president with misconduct

• Removal: Senate holds trial; 2/3 vote removes

• Purpose: Holds leaders accountable

Line of Succession to the Governor

• Order: Lieutenant Governor → President Pro Tempore of Senate → Speaker of House → Other officials

• Purpose: Ensures government continues if governor can’t serve

Senatorial courtesy

• Definition: Governor asks home-state senators before appointing officials

• Purpose: Maintains cooperation with legislature

Removal Power of the Governor

• Definition: Governor can remove appointed officials (sometimes with legislative approval)

• Purpose: Keeps appointed officials accountable

Military & Police Powers of the Governor

• Definition: Commander-in-Chief of state military (National Guard) & oversees law enforcement in emergencies

• Purpose: Protects state & maintains order

Message Power of the Governor

• Definition: Governor can communicate priorities or suggest legislation to the legislature

• Purpose: Influences lawmaking

State of the State Message

• Definition: Annual speech outlining state’s condition and legislative priorities

• Purpose: Updates public & legislature

Clemency Powers of the Governor

• Definition: Can grant pardons, paroles, or reprieves (sometimes with board approval)

• Purpose: Provides mercy in criminal justice

Lieutenant Governor

• Definition: Elected official, presides over Texas Senate, next in line if governor can’t serve

• Purpose: Legislative leader + succession

Attorney General

• Definition: State’s chief lawyer, enforces law & represents Texas in court

• Purpose: Legal advisor & enforcer

Comptroller of Public Accounts

• Definition: Oversees state finances, taxes, and revenue

• Purpose: Ensures state has money to operate

Commissioner of the General Land Office

• Definition: Manages state lands and natural resources

• Purpose: Protects and generates revenue from state land

Commissioner of Agriculture

• Definition: Regulates farming, food safety, and agriculture policies

• Purpose: Supports Texas agriculture & consumers

Texas Railroad Commission

• Definition: Regulates oil, gas, pipelines, and mining

• Purpose: Oversees energy & natural resource industries

Ex-Officio Boards

• Definition: Officials serve on boards because of their office

• Purpose: Connects executive officials to multiple state agencies

Civil law

• Disputes between people or organizations → usually money or agreements

Criminal law

• Crimes against society → punishable by jail, fines, or death

Beyond reasonable doubt

• Criminal cases → almost certain standard for conviction

Preponderance of evidence

• Civil cases → more likely than not

TX Supreme Court

• Definition: Highest court for civil & juvenile cases

• Purpose: Final say in civil law disputes

Texas Court of Criminal Appeals

• Definition: Highest court for criminal cases

• Purpose: Final say in criminal law disputes

District courts

Major civil and criminal cases

County/statutory courts

Minor criminal and civil cases

Justice of the peace

Small claims, misdemeanors, traffic

Municipal courts

City ordinance violations, traffic

Judicial Elections in Texas

• Definition: Judges are elected by voters in partisan elections

• Purpose: Public selects who interprets laws

Alternative Methods of Judicial Selection

• Definition: Appointment or merit selection (sometimes used for vacancies)

• Purpose: Provides flexibility in filling judicial positions