The Legislature Flashcards
What is a bicameral legislature?
A legislative body with two houses/chambers
What is a general law?
A law that potentially affects all Texans
What is a local law?
A law that only affects units of government at the local level
What is a special law?
A law that exempts businesses or individuals from state laws
What is a resolution?
Conveys the will of the chamber
Joint resolutions:
Used to propose or to ratify proposed amendments
Concurrent resolutions:
Passed separately but simultaneously by both chambers, used to direct state agencies
Simple resolutions:
Passed by a single chamber, used for adopting or changing rules of procedure
Texas House:
150 members, 2 year term
Texas Senate:
31 members, 4 year term
House
Headed up by Speaker of the House
-Leader of majority party
-Assigns legislation to committees
-Resolves procedural
-Has the power of recognition
-Assigns committee chairs
-Assigns half of committee members
Senate
Headed up by Lt. gov
-Full committee assignment power
What is case work?
Assistance to constituents in their district with specific requests
What is a trustee?
Voting in accordance with their interpretation of what their district would want
What is a delegate?
A mouthpiece for the wishes of their constituenc
What is credit claiming?
Legislators point out positive things they have done while in office
How long is a regular session of Texas legislature?
140 days, every other year (odd # years)
What is a special session?
Governor calls to discuss any issue, limited to 30 days
High turnover rates lead to a loss of:
Institutional memory
What is institutional memory?
Understanding of how a complex organization works
What is a committee?
Small group of legislators who investigate, Craft, assess, and take action on legislation before considered
What is a standing committee?
