Ch 7 Terms Flashcards
Dividing the population into districts for purposes of election and representation.
apportionment
JOINT COMMITTEE of HOURSE AND SENATE MEMBERS whose purpose is to IRON OUT THE DIFFERENCES between house and senate VERSIONS OF A BILL.
conference committee
the PRACTICE OF DELAYING OR KILLING A BILL by TALKING AT GREAT LENGTH; GROWS OUT of the SENATE RULE allowing UNLIMITED DEBATE.
filibustering
the ACT OF DRAWING REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICTS in order TO HELP OR HINDER A PERSON, OR POLITICAL PARTY from WINNING AN ELECTION.
gerrymandering
a SPECIAL COMMITTEE formed to study a topic or problem BETWEEN SESSIONS of the LEGISLATURE.
interim committee
a BODY made up of MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE AND SENATE, including the TWO PRESIDING OFFICERS, which OVERSEES A STAFF responsible for PREPARING THE BASIC WORKING BUDGET for the LEGISLATURE’S CONSIDERATION.
Legislative Budget Board (LBB)
a METHOD OF COMMITTEE SELECTION used in the house that LIMITS THE SPEAKER to appointing HALF THE MEMBERS of MOST STANDING COMMITTEES (plus the CHAIRS); the OTHER MEMBERS gain their seats by SENIORITY.
limited seniority system
The act of setting aside a bill in committee and refusing to consider it, thereby “killing” it.
pigeonhole
the PROCESS OF REDRAWING DISTRICT LINES to MAINTAIN THE CONCEPT of “ONE PERSON, ONE VOTE.”
redistricting
the CONSTITUTIONALLY SCHEDULED, BIENNIAL SESSION of the legislature, LIMITED TO 140 DAYS.
regular session
a TEMPORARY COMMITTEE formed by the LEGISLATURE for LIMITED OR NON-ROUTINE PURPOSES.
special committee
a LEGISLATIVE SESSION, called by the GOVERNOR, OUTSIDE OF THE REGUALR SESSION.
special session
Deliberative bodies formed each time a legislature meets that deal with topics of recurring interest.
standing committees
a SENATE RULE that allows a senator to POSTPONE COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION of a bill for 48 hours in hopes of KILLING IT.
tagging
The legislature’s RESEARCH AND BILL-DRAFTING SERVICE.
Texas Legislative Council
