Question 1

What is the name of the procedure by which the legislature may require reports from state agencies?
A) Auditing
B) Consultation
C) Oversight
D) Gerrymandering
E) Filibustering

Accepted Answer

The procedure by which the legislature may require reports from state agencies is called oversight. Oversight is an important function of the legislative branch, as it allows legislators to keep an eye on how state agencies are functioning and ensure that they are carrying out their duties in an efficient and effective manner. Through oversight, legislators can identify areas of improvement and work with state agencies to implement changes that benefit the citizens they serve.

Question 2

Adopting the guitar as the state musical instrument required that the legislature use which type of resolution?
A) Simple resolution
B) Concurrent resolution
C) Joint resolution
D) Appropriations resolution
E) Standing resolution

Accepted Answer

A concurrent resolution is used for matters affecting both houses of the legislature but not requiring the governor's signature, such as adopting a state symbol or instrument.

Question 3

Compared to other states,how well are Texas legislators compensated?
A) They receive low pay,low allowances,and meager retirements.
B) They receive average pay,high allowances,and meager retirements.
C) They receive low pay,reasonable allowances,and generous retirements.
D) They receive high pay,low allowances,and generous retirements.
E) They receive high pay,high allowances,and generous retirements.

Accepted Answer

Texas legislators receive a base salary of $7,200 per year, which is one of the lowest in the country. However, they do receive reasonable allowances for expenses such as travel and per diems for days spent in session. In addition, they are eligible for a generous retirement plan, which includes a pension and health insurance benefits for life after 8 years of service. Overall, while their base salary is low, the combination of allowances and benefits make their compensation package reasonable compared to other states.

Question 4

What is one way a governor can legitimately influence a legislator's vote on a particular bill?
A) The governor can suspend a legislator's pay for up to 30 days for voting "incorrectly."
B) The governor can have a legislator removed from office for voting "incorrectly."
C) The governor can prohibit lobbyists from consulting with that legislator.
D) The governor can signal that he or she will veto the bill if passed.
E) The governor can remove the legislator from all committee assignments.

Accepted Answer

The governor can legitimately influence a legislator's vote on a particular bill by signaling that he or she will veto the bill if passed. This allows the governor to use their veto power as a bargaining tool to sway legislators to vote in line with their desired outcome. This is a common tactic used in the legislative process. The other options listed are not legitimate or ethical means of influencing a legislator's vote.

Question 5

What type of bill makes an exception to general laws for the benefit of a specific individual?
A) A concurrent bill
B) A special bill
C) A general bill
D) A local bill
E) A non-binding bill

Accepted Answer

A special bill is a type of legislation that makes an exception to general laws for the benefit of a specific individual or entity. It is sometimes referred to as a private bill, and is usually introduced at the request of the person or group that would be affected by the law. Special bills are relatively rare and are typically used in cases where an individual or organization needs relief from some aspect of the law that would otherwise create a hardship or injustice.

Question 6

Why did some people challenge the legislative redistricting maps approved by the 82nd Texas Legislature in 2011?
A) They appeared to discriminate against the election of historical minority groups.
B) They appeared to favor the election of Republicans.
C) They appeared to favor the election of incumbents.
D) They appeared to discriminate against the election of blue-collar candidates.
E) They were drawn by a consortium of out-of-state lobbyists.

Accepted Answer

The legislative redistricting maps approved by the 82nd Texas Legislature in 2011 appeared to discriminate against the election of historical minority groups. This led to legal challenges and court rulings against the maps, citing violations of the Voting Rights Act.

Question 7

Which of the following statements regarding the Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives is true?
A) He or she is selected by direct popular vote in a general election.
B) He or she may appoint all committee chairs.
C) He or she refers only spending bills to standing committees.
D) He or she also serves as the president of the Senate.
E) He or she has veto power over any legislation passed by the Texas Senate.

Accepted Answer

The Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives is elected by members of the house, not by direct popular vote. The Speaker has the power to appoint committee chairs and members, but not all committee chairs as this statement implies. The Speaker refers all bills to standing committees, not just spending bills. The Speaker does not serve as the president of the Senate. Finally, the Speaker does not have veto power over legislation passed by the Texas Senate.

Question 8

How long do regular sessions of the Texas legislature meet?
A) 140 days,in odd-numbered years
B) 150 days,every single year
C) 140 days in even-numbered years
D) 150 days,every four years
E) 200 days,every single year

Accepted Answer

Regular sessions of the Texas legislature meet for 140 days in odd-numbered years.

Question 9

Representatives in the House occasionally engage in lengthy debates on bills,including bills that they do not oppose.What is this delaying action called?
A) Filibustering
B) Cloture
C) Chubbing
D) Ghost voting
E) The three-fifths rule

Accepted Answer

This delaying action is called "Chubbing". Filibustering is a similar tactic but it is used in the Senate, not the House. Cloture is the procedure used to end a filibuster in the Senate. Ghost voting and the three-fifths rule are not related to this specific delaying tactic.

Question 10

The lieutenant governor,Speaker of the House,and other members of the legislature authorize special research projects to help in the drafting of bills through which group?
A) Legislative Budget Board
B) Senate Research Center
C) House Research Organization
D) Texas Legislative Council
E) Texas Supreme Court

Accepted Answer

The Texas Legislative Council is responsible for conducting research and providing assistance to the lieutenant governor, speaker of the house, and other members of the legislature in drafting bills. The Legislative Budget Board is responsible for budgetary matters, the Senate Research Center focuses on research for the Senate, and the House Research Organization is responsible for research for the House. The Texas Supreme Court is a separate branch of government that is responsible for interpreting the law.

Question 11

Members of which occupation are especially likely to belong to the Texas legislature?
A) Editor
B) Insurance agent
C) Professor
D) Attorney
E) Farmer

Accepted Answer

Attorneys are especially likely to belong to the Texas legislature due to their understanding of the legal system and experience in analyzing and crafting legislation. It is not common for editors, insurance agents, professors, or farmers to hold political office in Texas at the same frequency as attorneys.

Question 12

What is the name given to the redistricting practice of drawing legislative districts to favor one group?
A) Electioneering
B) Packing
C) Gerrymandering
D) Filibustering
E) Lobbying

Accepted Answer

Gerrymandering is the practice of drawing legislative districts in a way that gives an advantage to one political or demographic group. Electioneering refers to campaigning, packing refers to grouping certain voters together in a district, filibustering refers to delaying political action, and lobbying refers to attempting to influence the government or legislature.

Question 13

Which religious denomination is most represented in the Texas legislature?
A) Church of Christ
B) Presbyterian
C) Catholic
D) Baptist
E) Mormon

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which religious denomination is most represented in...

Question 14

What happens to a bill after its first reading in the House of Representatives?
A) The bill is debated and voted upon.
B) The bill is referred to the appropriate committee.
C) The bill is forwarded to the Senate for its action.
D) The bill is referred to the House Rules Committee.
E) The bill is sent to the governor for signing.

Accepted Answer

After the first reading in the House of Representatives, the bill is referred to an appropriate committee for further study and discussion. The committee may hold hearings, make revisions, and recommend amendments before the bill is presented to the full House for debate and voting. Therefore, option B is the correct answer.

Question 15

Which of the following statements regarding women in the Texas legislature is true?
A) The percentage of women in the state legislature is equal to the percentage of women in the general population.
B) In recent elections,the number of women elected to the state legislature has increased.
C) In recent elections,the number of women elected to the state legislature has declined.
D) Female legislators have always been treated with respect and dignity by their male colleagues.
E) There are far more Latino and African American women than Anglo women in the Texas legislature.

Accepted Answer

In recent elections, the number of women elected to the state legislature has increased. While women still make up a minority of the Texas legislature, the trend in recent years has been towards more female representation.

Question 16

What happens when the House and Senate pass a bill with different language in each version?
A) The bill will die because further action cannot occur until the two agree.
B) The bill will go to a House-Senate conference committee.
C) One chamber will have to accept the language of the other.
D) The governor will indicate a preference for one chamber's bill.
E) Both chambers will conduct a ghost vote on the bill.

Accepted Answer

When the House and Senate pass a bill with different language in each version, the bill will go to a House-Senate conference committee. The conference committee is composed of members from both chambers who work to resolve the differences between the two versions of the bill and create a single, unified piece of legislation that can be sent back to both chambers for approval.

Question 17

When an amendment to the U.S.Constitution is proposed by Congress,the Texas legislature may vote for ratification using which procedure?
A) A simple resolution passed by a two-thirds vote in both chambers
B) A joint resolution requiring a simple majority vote in each body
C) A joint resolution passed by both houses and a popular referendum
D) A concurrent resolution passed by a three-fifths vote and signed by the governor
E) A simple resolution requiring a unanimous vote in both chambers

Accepted Answer

The Texas legislature may vote for ratification using a joint resolution requiring a simple majority vote in each body. This is specified in Article V of the U.S. Constitution and in the Texas Constitution.

Question 18

Under what circumstance would a member of the Texas legislature be immune from adverse judicial action?
A) The lawmaker slanders a citizen during a speech at his hometown Rotary Club.
B) The lawmaker is arrested for intoxicated driving while the legislature is in session.
C) The lawmaker is arrested for causing an automobile accident during the session.
D) The lawmaker slanders in a speech during a legislative proceeding.
E) The lawmaker physically assaults a colleague during a heated debate in Senate chambers.

Accepted Answer

Under the Texas Constitution, Article III, Section 9, members of the legislature are immune from adverse judicial action for statements made during a legislative proceeding. This immunity applies to both civil and criminal actions. Therefore, if the lawmaker slanders someone during a speech made during a legislative proceeding, they would be immune from adverse judicial action.

Question 19

How many legislators serve in the Texas House of Representatives?
A) 31
B) 55
C) 150
D) 400
E) 435

Accepted Answer

The Texas House of Representatives has 150 legislators.

Question 20

Which of the following statements regarding members of the Texas Senate is true?
A) They usually serve terms of two years with no term limits.
B) They usually serve terms of two years with a limit of three terms.
C) They usually serve terms of four years with no term limits.
D) They usually serve terms of four years with a limit of three terms.
E) They usually serve terms of six years with no term limits.

Accepted Answer

Members of the Texas Senate serve four-year terms with no term limits, allowing them to serve an unlimited number of terms as long as they continue to be re-elected.

Quiz 8: The Legislative Branch

What is the name of the procedure by which the legislature may require reports from state agencies?

Adopting the guitar as the state musical instrument required that the legislature use which type of resolution?

Compared to other states,how well are Texas legislators compensated?

What is one way a governor can legitimately influence a legislator's vote on a particular bill?

What type of bill makes an exception to general laws for the benefit of a specific individual?

Why did some people challenge the legislative redistricting maps approved by the 82nd Texas Legislature in 2011?

Which of the following statements regarding the Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives is true?

How long do regular sessions of the Texas legislature meet?

Representatives in the House occasionally engage in lengthy debates on bills,including bills that they do not oppose.What is this delaying action called?

The lieutenant governor,Speaker of the House,and other members of the legislature authorize special research projects to help in the drafting of bills through which group?

Members of which occupation are especially likely to belong to the Texas legislature?

What is the name given to the redistricting practice of drawing legislative districts to favor one group?

Which religious denomination is most represented in the Texas legislature?

What happens to a bill after its first reading in the House of Representatives?

Which of the following statements regarding women in the Texas legislature is true?

What happens when the House and Senate pass a bill with different language in each version?

When an amendment to the U.S.Constitution is proposed by Congress,the Texas legislature may vote for ratification using which procedure?

Under what circumstance would a member of the Texas legislature be immune from adverse judicial action?

How many legislators serve in the Texas House of Representatives?

Which of the following statements regarding members of the Texas Senate is true?