25 questions, 30 minutes - small extra credit at end of the exam

conference committees: they are formed when a bill passes in both houses, but with different ammendments. the conference committee, made up of ppl from both, debates these ammendments together and come to a compromise. after that, it’s voted again in both houses.

standing committees: permenant committees. ex: education

interim committees: the newest committee that has the special ability to meet between legislation sessions in order to listen to voters and discuss new ideas. however, it has no power to pass legislation.

civil cases: must have 50%+ of votes

criminal cases: decision has to be unaminous

Texas Supreme Court: appellate court that deals with constitutional stuff. doesn’t have to take every case.

Texas Court of Criminal Appeals: appellate court that deals with criminal appeals. has to take every case i think

Courts of Appeal: they decide whether the judge fucked up

grand jury: sole purpose decide if their was enough evidence that a trial jury should hear it

trial jury: regular jury duty people also known as petite. decides guilt

plural executive: people vote directly for the execuitives who have their own specialty. the government cannot appoint people for a cabinet, plural execuitive is their substitution.

cabinet governments: the president picks his cabinet, each person has their own specialty. not the case in texas.

original jurisdiction: the court that hears the trial

appellate jurisdiction: the court that decides whether the judge fucked up the trial.

consequences of biennial sessions: legis cant deal with issues, legis is only in session for 5/24 months which only gives exe of office 19 months to do whatever

redistricting: every 10 years they redo the lines to better represent the population

gerrymandering: party-biased redistricting that can over/under represent a demographic, in order to win further elections. drawing lines to the party in power, and the disadvantage of the not in power.

fragmentation of the executive branch: instead of gaving a cabinet, exe ppl are voted for. 135 boards and comms deal with pecific subjects. once they’re appointed, they’re relitively free.

veto power: tx governer has very powerful veto power

post adjournment veto: they can suspend the decision until it dies

role of and duties of the Lt. Governor: runs the senate

role and duties of the Speaker: they read the bill to the house, set the agenda, etc??

special session rules: gov has sole power. he sets agenda too. legis cannot talk about anything not approves

selection of the Speaker:

how a bill becomes a law:

the committee system:

tagging:

governor's term of office:

job of the Texas Railroad Commission: they currently regulate oil and gas in texas

line item veto: governers can cancel specific stuff in a bill without vetoing the whole legislative package

ethnic and gender makeup of the legislature: white men

when capital punishment can be administered: when a child 10 or younger is murdered, an officer of any kind is murdered, or murder and felony