POLS ch. 8

All bills that produce revenue must originate...

in the House

The Texas Senate's president pro tempore presides when the...

lieutenant governor is absent or disabled

During a special session, the legislature may consider only those matters...

placed before it by the governor.

A Texas legislator's expense allowance can be used for...

staff salaries.

Traditionally, which occupation has been typical of a Texas legislator?

Attorney

Who is the most powerful legislative officer in the Texas because of the powers granted to him or her by Senate rules?

Lieutenant governor

The Legislative Black Caucus is an example of what category of caucus?

Racial/Ethnic

What is true regarding the annual salary of Texas legislators?

Senators and representatives receive low pay but a generous retirement pension.

Who controls all proceedings in the Texas House?

Speaker of the House

What are the three categories of bills?

Special, general, and local

What type of committee considers bills and resolutions relating to the subject identified by a committee's name, such as agriculture or public health?

Substantive committees

What is one of the legal restrictions that members of the Texas legislature must meet?

He or she may not hold another government office

Which department is responsible for producing the Daily Floor Report for each day the legislature is in session?

House Research Organization

When must the Texas legislature draw new boundaries for the state's U.S. congressional districts?

In the year after a federal census

While the legislature is in session, what happens to a bill if it remains unsigned by the governor for 10 days?

It becomes law.

Which research group has been accused of acting as the "in-house think tank of the state's current Republican leadership"?

Texas Public Policy Foundation

Which independent Texas research organization is accused by critics of having a liberal bias?

The Center for Public Policy Priorities

Texas has a bicameral legislature. What is the larger chamber called?

The House of Representatives

What is needed for a bill to pass the Senate?

A simple majority

Which type of resolution involves action by one legislative chamber only and is NOT sent to the governor?

A simple resolution

How does a Texas House member introduce a bill?

Filing electronically with the chief clerk

When does legislative redistricting occur for both the Texas House and the Senate?

The first odd-numbered year in a decade