extension chapter 7

What is redistricting?

Redrawing electoral district boundaries.

What principle requires districts to have roughly equal populations?

One person, one vote.

Why is redistricting important?

It determines which voters are grouped together in legislative districts.

What happens when Texas's population changes significantly?

Legislative district boundaries may need to be redrawn.

What is a standing committee?

A permanent committee that handles specific legislative subjects.

Why are standing committees called the legislature's workhorses?

They do much of the detailed work on bills.

Who assigns House bills to committees?

The Speaker of the House.

Who assigns Senate bills to committees?

The lieutenant governor.

How many times must a bill be read?

Three times.

Where must revenue bills originate?

In the House.

Where can most other bills originate?

In either chamber.

What happens to many bills in committee?

They die without reaching the floor.

What can a committee do to a bill?

Approve, amend, reject, or otherwise prevent it from advancing.

Why are bills amended in committee?

To change or improve their provisions before floor consideration.

What happens after a bill passes both chambers?

It goes to the governor.

What can the governor do with a bill?

Sign it, veto it, or allow it to become law under the applicable rules.

What is a veto?

The governor's rejection of a bill.

How can the legislature override a veto?

With a two-thirds vote in both chambers.

What is a line-item veto?

The governor's power to reject specific items in an appropriations bill.

What is the comptroller's role in the legislative process?

Provides revenue estimates that help determine available state funds.

Why is the comptroller important to budgeting?

The legislature must know how much revenue is available before spending.

How can the media affect the legislature?

By drawing attention to issues and influencing public awareness.

How can courts affect the legislature?

Court rulings can require legislative action or changes.

How can lobbyists affect legislation?

They provide information and advocate for particular interests.

How can citizens participate in the legislative process?

By contacting legislators, voting, lobbying, and expressing opinions.

Who is the Speaker of the Texas House?

The presiding officer of the House.

What is one important power of the Speaker?

Appointing House committee members and chairs.

What is another power of the Speaker?

Referring House bills to committees.

Why is the Speaker powerful?

Committee and procedural appointments give the Speaker influence over legislation.

Who presides over the Texas Senate?

The lieutenant governor.

What is one major legislative power of the lieutenant governor?

Appointing Senate committees and their chairs.

What is another power of the lieutenant governor?

Referring Senate bills to committees.

Why are committee appointments important?

They can affect which legislators influence bills.

What is partisanship?

Political activity or decision-making based strongly on party affiliation.

How can partisanship affect legislation?

It can shape voting, committee leadership, and legislative cooperation.

Why are committee chairs important?

They control much of the committee's agenda and work.

What is overlapping committee jurisdiction?

When more than one committee may have authority over related legislation.

Why can overlapping jurisdiction increase leadership influence?

Leadership can influence which committee handles a bill.

What is a conference committee?

A temporary House-Senate committee that resolves differences between versions of a bill.

Why are conference committee appointments important?

Members help determine the final wording of legislation.

What is a joint resolution?

A resolution involving both chambers, often used to propose constitutional amendments.

What vote is required for a Texas constitutional amendment proposal?

A two-thirds vote in both chambers.

Does the governor approve a proposed Texas constitutional amendment?

No; voters ultimately decide whether to approve it.

What are electoral powers?

Legislative powers involving formal election-related duties.

What is one electoral duty of the legislature?

Formally counting returns for certain executive elections.

What are investigative powers?

The legislature's power to investigate issues and government activity.

Who can conduct legislative investigations?

The House, Senate, or both chambers jointly.

What is a special investigative committee?

A committee created to investigate a particular issue.

How are special investigative committees created?

By simple resolution.

How does the legislature exercise control through appropriations?

It controls funding provided to government agencies.

What is Sunset review?

A review process used to evaluate state agencies.

How often are Texas agencies generally reviewed under Sunset?

Every 12 years.

What happens if a state agency is not continued through the process?

It may be abolished unless the legislature acts to continue it.

What is impeachment?

The formal process of charging a public official with misconduct.

Which chamber impeaches?

The House of Representatives.

Which chamber conducts the impeachment trial?

The Senate.

What vote is required in the Senate to convict after impeachment?

Two-thirds of senators present.

What can the legislature do with absent members?

Compel members to attend under legislative rules.

What is the legislature's role in nonlegislative activities?

It performs electoral, investigative, budgetary, supervisory, and judicial functions.

What is the purpose of legislative leadership?

To organize and guide the work of the chambers.

Why does legislative leadership have significant influence?

Leaders control appointments, referrals, scheduling, and other procedures.

What is a conference committee's final task?

Resolve differences between House and Senate versions of a bill.

What happens after a conference committee reaches an agreement?

Both chambers must consider the resulting version.

What happens if both chambers approve the conference report?

The bill can proceed toward the governor.

What happens if the chambers reject the conference report?

The bill does not proceed in that form.