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| a session of the TX Legislature that begins on the second Tuesday in Jan. of odd-numbered years and lasts for a max. of 140 days. |
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Term
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| a legislative session called by the governor and limited to not more than 30 days. |
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| How many years make a full term for a representative? |
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| Does the Texas Legislature divides the state into congressional districts after the federal census? |
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Term
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| title of the lieutenant governor in his/her role as presiding officer for the TX Senate. |
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| the state representative elected by House members to serve as the presiding officer for that chamber. |
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Term
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| appointed by the House speaker, a substantive committee considers bills and resolutions related to the subject identified by its name and may recommend passage of proposed legislation to the appropriate calendars committee. |
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Term
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| these House committees consider bills and resolutions relating primarily to procedural legislative matters. |
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Term
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| created independently by the speaker, a select committee may consider legislation that crosses committee jurisdictional lines or may conduct special studies. |
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| a Senate committee appointed by the lieutenant governor for the purpose of considering proposed bills and resolutions before possible floor debate and voting by senators. |
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| Special interim committee |
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Definition
| a Senate committee appointed by the lieutenant governor to study an important policy issue between regular sessions. |
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Term
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Definition
| an organization of legislators who seek to maximize their influence over issues in which they have a common interest. |
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Term
| What is the min. age for a state representative as specified the TX Constitution? |
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Definition
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Term
| Who submits the salary increase for legislator? |
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Definition
| To the state's voters for approval or disapproval. |
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Term
| Can the speaker of the HoR vote on bills or resolutions? |
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Term
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| a resolution that requires action by one legislative chamber only and is not acted on by the governor. |
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Term
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| a resolution adopted by House and Senate majorities and then approved by the governor. |
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Term
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Definition
| must pass by a majority vote in each house when used to ratify an amendment to the US Constitution. As a proposal for an amendment to the TX Constitution, a joint resolution requires a two-thirds majority vote in each house. |
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Term
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Definition
| the legislature requires reports from state agencies concerning their operations, and the state auditor provides info on their use of state funds. |
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Term
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Definition
| before making an appointment, the governor is expected to obtain approval from the state senator in whose district the prospective appointee resides; failure to obtain such approval will probably cause the Senate to bust the appointee. |
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Term
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| an expert on rules of order who sits at the left of the presiding officer in the House or Senate and is ever ready to give advice on procedural questions. |
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Term
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Definition
| filed in one house but identical or similar to a bill filed in the other chamber, a companion bill speeds passage because committee consideration may take place simultaneously in both houses. |
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Term
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Definition
| a prohibited practice whereby one representative pressess the voting button of another House member who is absent. |
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Term
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Definition
| a practice whereby supporters of a bill engage in lengthy debate for the purpose of using time and thus preventing floor action on another bill that they oppose. |
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Definition
| a committee composed of representatives and senators appointed to reach agreement on a disputed bill and recommend changes acceptable to both chambers. |
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Term
| What term describes a Senate committee appointed to study an important policy issue between sessions? |
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Definition
| a special interim committee. |
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Term
| What legislative measure is abbreviated as HJR? |
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Definition
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| When does the reading clerk read aloud the full text of a House bill? |
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Definition
| before it's referred to a committee. |
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Term
| How is the House Research Organization governed? |
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Definition
| by a bipartisan steering committee. |
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Term
| What members sit on the Legislative Redistricting Board? |
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Definition
1. Lieutenant Governor
2. Speaker of the House of Rep.
3. Attorney general
4. Comptroller of Public Accounts
5. Commissioner of the General Land Office |
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Term
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Definition
| states that seats in both houses of a bicameral state legislature must be apportioned on a population. |
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Term
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Definition
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| Why are all representatives elected on a single-member district basis? |
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Definition
| because it reduces campaign costs and increase s the probability that more African American and Latino candidates will elected. |
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Term
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Definition
| Democrats challenged the constitutionality of mid-term congressional redistricting. |
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Term
| Why does the federal Voting Rights Act require that redistricting plans be precleared in Washington? |
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Definition
| Because TX has a history of discrimination against Latinos and blacks. |
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Term
| What are some qualifications for elected legislative officials? |
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Definition
1. Citizens of the US
2. Qualified TX voters
3. Residents of the districts for one year after a general election |
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| What are some qualifications for House candidates? |
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Definition
1. Must reside in TX for two years before being elected.
2. Must be at least 21 years old. |
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| What are some qualifications for Senate candidates? |
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Definition
1. Must have 5 years of state residence.
2. Must be at least 26 years old. |
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Term
| What are some powers of legislators? |
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Definition
| control government spending, which makes state agencies and personnel and units of local government dependent upon them. |
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Term
| What are the three categories that bills fall into? |
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Definition
1. Special
2. General
3. Local |
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Term
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Definition
| a bill that makes an exception to general laws for the benefit of a specific individual, class, or corporation. |
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Term
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Definition
| a bill that applies to all people or property in all parts of TX. |
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Term
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Definition
| a bill that creates or affects a single unit of local government. |
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