Standing committees
act as screening mechanisms to filter out bad bills or bills that have little or no political support.
When a committee chair pigeonholes a bill what happens?
In the Texas legislature, when a committee chair “pigeonholes” a bill, what happens?
The bill is set aside before it is ever discussed in committee.
Which of the following rules applies to the filibuster in the Texas Senate quizlet?
Which of the following rules applies to the filibuster in the Texas Senate?
The senator who has control of the floor must always speak in an audible voice, so that he or she can be heard and understood.
Why is the comptroller of public accounts so important to the legislature quizlet?
Why is the comptroller of public accounts so important to the legislature?
The comptroller informs the legislature how much money it has to spend on the budget
. … The regular legislative sessions lasts 140 days every two years. The Texas legislature takes office in January.
What is a special session of the Texas legislature quizlet?
A session of the legislature called
by the Governor to address issues of the his or her choosing
. Special sessions are separate from the regular legislative sessions and may last a maximum of thirty days. Also called ‘permanent’ committees.
What happens after a subcommittee decides to consider a bill?
When a committee or subcommittee decides to consider a measure, it usually takes four actions. … The committee works to perfect the measure by amending the bill or resolution. Once the language is agreed upon, the committee sends the measure back to the full Senate.
Why is the House Rules Committee so powerful?
“What makes the Rules Committee so important is that it sets the agenda for the flow of legislation in the House and ensures that the place runs smoothly and doesn’t get bogged down.” “The Rules Committee is an agent of the leadership.
What is the most important role the Governor of Texas plays in the judicial process quizlet?
Judicial elections in Texas are nonpartisan. What is the most important role the governor of Texas plays in the judicial process?
The governor has the power to appoint judges to fill any vacancies on the bench for the time period before elections are held
.
Which is the most important bill that applies to all people and property throughout the state quizlet?
It declared the constitutional principle of “one person, one vote.” Which is the most important bill that applies to all people and property throughout the state?
House of Representatives
.
Who has the main responsibility for redistricting in Texas quizlet?
The secretary of state in Texas
is responsible for redrawing legislative districts every ten years. If the Texas legislature fails to redistrict, the task of redistricting then falls to the federal district court.
What is the most important power of the state comptroller?
In Texas, what is the most important power of the state comptroller? He
directs the collection of taxes and other revenues and estimates revenues for the budgeting process
.
What is the importance of the Supreme Court case Reynolds v Sims quizlet?
What is the importance of the Supreme Court case Reynolds v. Sims and Baker v. Carr?
the decisions established that legislatures must be apportioned according to the one-person, one-vote standard
.
What power does the speaker of the House have regarding members debating a bill quizlet?
the
speaker maintains order during floor debate
, recognizing legislators who wish to speak and ruling on procedural matters. The constitution also requires the speaker to sign all bills and joint resolutions passed by the legislature.
Can the Legislature call for a special session?
In 36 states,
either the legislature or governor can call a special session
. These sessions can take place whenever, but for the most part they are limited in their scope — the legislature may only debate the specific legislative priorities outlined when the special session was called.
What do some argue is the one advantage of a plural executive in Texas?
What do some argue is the one advantage of a plural executive in Texas?
It constrains the power of executive officials and makes them more accountable to the public
. Members of the plural executive are elected by the people of Texas; this means members are accountable not to the governor but to the voters.
WHO calls and sets the agenda for special legislative sessions in Texas quizlet?
Who calls for a special session & sets the agenda?
The governor
; Special sessions last no more than 30 days, but there is no limit to the number of special sessions a governor can call, and the governor sets their agenda.
