Chapter 5 – The Texas Legislature

Vocabulary flashcards summarizing key terms, roles, rules, and processes of the Texas Legislature as covered in Chapter 5 lecture notes.

Texas Legislature

The most powerful branch of Texas government, possessing the “power of the purse” to tax and spend.

Power of the Purse

Legislative authority to raise revenue and decide how state funds are spent.

Regular Legislative Session

A 140-day meeting held every odd-numbered year beginning the second Tuesday in January, during which any subject may be considered.

Special Session

A 30-day session called only by the governor, limited to topics designated by the governor.

Bicameral

A legislature composed of two chambers—the Texas House of Representatives and the Texas Senate.

Institutionalism (Legislative)

The long-term process of structural change and adaptation within the legislature’s organization and operations.

Enacting Laws

The legislative function of creating statutes that govern Texans’ behavior and allocate resources.

Budgeting and Taxes

Legislative responsibility for setting state spending priorities and determining tax policy.

Oversight

Legislative monitoring of state agencies through hearings, audits, and confirmations to ensure proper implementation of laws.

Educating the Public

Lawmakers’ efforts to inform citizens about legislative actions via speeches, newsletters, and media.

Representation

The duty of legislators to act on behalf of constituents, providing legitimacy to governmental actions.

House Term Length

Two years for members of the Texas House of Representatives.

Senate Term Length

Four years, staggered, for members of the Texas Senate.

House Qualifications

At least 21 years old, qualified voter, Texas resident for 2 years, district resident for 1 year.

Senate Qualifications

At least 26 years old, qualified voter, Texas resident for 5 years, district resident for 1 year.

Legislative Pay

Base salary of $7,200 per year plus $190 per-diem when in session; unchanged since 1975 unless voters approve an increase.

Redistricting

Redrawing political boundaries every 10 years to reflect population changes.

Gerrymandering

Manipulating district lines to favor a political party or racial group.

Speaker of the House

Presiding officer of the Texas House; votes mainly to break ties or signal support.

Lieutenant Governor

Presiding officer of the Texas Senate; can vote only to break a tie and succeeds the governor if necessary.

Committee System

The backbone of lawmaking where bills are studied, amended, and often blocked.

Standing Committee

Permanent committee specializing in specific policy areas; must approve a bill before floor consideration.

Calendars Committee

House committee that schedules approved bills for floor debate, wielding significant agenda power.

Conference Committee

Temporary panel of House members and Senators that reconciles differences between chamber versions of a bill.

Select Committee

Temporary committee, often including citizens, formed to study a specific issue and recommend action.

First Reading

Introduction of a bill and referral to committee.

Second Reading

Initial floor debate and amendment of a bill after committee approval.

Third Reading

Final presentation and vote on a bill before the full chamber.

Veto

Governor’s power to reject an entire bill passed by the legislature.

Line-Item Veto

Governor’s authority to strike specific spending items from an appropriations bill without vetoing the entire measure.

Appropriations Bill

Legislation that authorizes state spending; the biennial general appropriations bill serves as the state budget.

Three-Fifths Rule

Current Senate rule requiring approval of 60% of senators to bring a bill to floor debate (replacing the former two-thirds rule).

Tag

Senate rule letting one senator delay a committee hearing on a bill for 48 hours.

Filibuster

Extended Senate speech intended to delay or block a vote on a bill.

Local and Consent Calendar

Agenda reserved for noncontroversial or local bills to expedite passage.

Record Vote

A floor vote where each legislator’s position is permanently recorded.

Norm

An unwritten rule of behavior that supports legislative stability and effectiveness.

Caucus

A group of legislators organized around party, ideology, ethnicity, or geography to pursue common goals.

Sharpstown Stock-Fraud Scandal

1970s corruption case that spurred major ethics reforms in Texas politics.

Texas Ethics Commission

Agency created in 1991 to enforce lobbying and ethics laws and investigate complaints against public officials.