Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

A)   simple resolution passed by a two-thirds vote in both chambers.
B)   joint resolution requiring a simple majority vote in each body.
C)   joint resolution passed by both houses and a popular referendum.
D)   concurrent resolution passed by a three-fifths vote and signed by the governor.E) B) and C)
F) A) and B)

Question 2

The number of senators in the Texas legislature is

Accepted Answer

A)  31.
B)  40.
C)  150.
D)  400.E) C) and D)
F) All of the above

Question 3

The U.S. Supreme Court found in Reynolds v. Sims (1964)  that

Accepted Answer

A)   legislative districts of bicameral state legislatures must have substantially equal populations.
B)   only the lower house of state legislatures must have substantially equal populations.
C)   all states must have bicameral legislatures.
D)   some term limits for members of Congress violates the U.S. Constitution.E) A) and B)
F) None of the above

Question 4

The redistricting practice of drawing legislative districts to favor one group or party is called

Accepted Answer

A)   electioneering.
B)   packing.
C)   gerrymandering.
D)   filibustering.E) A) and B)
F) A) and C)

Question 5

Describe the various functions and duties of the Texas legislature. Identify those responsibilities that are unique to each chamber of the body. Identify any actions that must be initiated in one particular chamber.

Accepted Answer

The Texas Legislature is responsible for...

Question 6

Which of the following groups dominates the membership of the Texas legislature?

Accepted Answer

A)   Anglo Protestant men
B)   Hispanic Catholic men
C)   African American Protestant men
D)   Anglo Catholic womenE) None of the above
F) B) and C)

Question 7

Which of the following is not correct regarding the lieutenant governor of Texas?

Accepted Answer

A)   He or she is chosen by direct popular vote.
B)   He or she is the presiding officer of the Texas Senate.
C)   He or she is first in line of succession to fill a governorship vacancy.
D)   He or she receives a constitutional salary of $46,000 per year.E) All of the above
F) B) and C)

Question 8

Educationally, most members of the Texas legislature have

Accepted Answer

A)   attended institutions of higher learning.
B)   only completed high school.
C)   received post-graduate degrees.
D)   attended private, not public school.E) A) and B)
F) B) and D)

Question 9

To enact a law applying specifically to Collin county, the Texas legislature would pass a

Accepted Answer

A)   special bill.
B)   local bill.
C)   joint resolution.
D)   concurrent resolution.E) A) and B)
F) A) and C)

Question 10

In Texas, the second 30 days of the legislative session are mainly reserved for

Accepted Answer

A)   any non-legislative duties.
B)   introduction of new legislation.
C)   action on concurrent resolutions.
D)   standing committee action on bills.E) A) and D)
F) A) and C)

Question 11

Which of the following is not a power accorded to the lieutenant governor by the Texas Constitution or Senate rules?

Accepted Answer

A)   Voting on all bills before the Senate
B)   Recognizing senators who wish to speak
C)   Appointing the chairs of all Senate committees
D)   Referring all bills to standing committeesE) A) and D)
F) A) and C)

Question 12

Regular sessions of the Texas legislature meet for

Accepted Answer

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) All of the above
F) B) and C)

Question 13

The primary function of the state auditor is to

Accepted Answer

A)   determine if there are sufficient funds to pay legislative appropriations.
B)   determine if state funds have been spent by the state agencies in accordance with law.
C)   determine how state revenues are to be invested.
D)   authorize the payment from the Treasury to all persons with claims against the state.E) A) and C)
F) None of the above

Question 14

After its first reading in the House of Representatives, a bill is

Accepted Answer

A)   debated and voted upon.
B)   referred to the appropriate committee.
C)   forwarded to the Senate for its action.
D)   referred to the House Rules Committee.E) B) and C)
F) A) and D)

Question 15

Representatives occasionally engage in lengthy debates on bills, including bills that they do not oppose. This delaying action is called

Accepted Answer

A)   a filibuster.
B)   cloture.
C)   chubbing.
D)   politics as usual.E) A) and C)
F) B) and D)

Question 16

The federal court case that applied the doctrine of "one-man, one-vote" to Texas was

Accepted Answer

A)   Reynolds v. Sims (1964) .
B)   Lells v. Kavenaugh (1991) .
C)   Kilgarlin v. Martin (1965) .
D)   Ruiz v. Estelle (1980) .E) C) and D)
F) A) and C)

Question 17

A member of the Texas legislature would be immune from adverse judicial action if he

Accepted Answer

A)   libels a citizen during a speech at his hometown Rotary Club.
B)   is arrested for intoxicated driving while the legislature is in session.
C)   is arrested for causing an automobile accident during the session.
D)   slanders in a speech during a legislative proceeding.E) B) and C)
F) C) and D)

Question 18

Describe the selection, duties, title, and tools of influence of the lieutenant governor in the legislative process. Explain why this position possesses considerable legislative power.

Accepted Answer

The lieutenant governor is an elected of...

Question 19

A two-thirds vote on the floor of the Texas Senate is required for any bill to be considered due to the use of a

Accepted Answer

A)   blocking bill.
B)   discharge petition.
C)   super quorum.
D)   friendly filibuster.E) B) and C)
F) All of the above

Question 20

A senator can attempt to delay or impede a bill's passage by speaking on the floor as long as physically possible, which is called

Accepted Answer

A)   filibustering.
B)   gerrymandering.
C)   invoking cloture.
D)   senatorial privilege.E) C) and D)
F) B) and C)

Exam 8: The Legislative Branch

Which of the following is not a power accorded to the lieutenant governor by the Texas Constitution or Senate rules?

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To enact a law applying specifically to Collin county, the Texas legislature would pass a

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Describe the selection, duties, title, and tools of influence of the lieutenant governor in the legislative process. Explain why this position possesses considerable legislative power.

Correct AnswerAnswered by ExamLex AIThe lieutenant governor is an elected of...View AnswerShow Answer

A senator can attempt to delay or impede a bill's passage by speaking on the floor as long as physically possible, which is called

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The U.S. Supreme Court found in Reynolds v. Sims (1964) that

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A two-thirds vote on the floor of the Texas Senate is required for any bill to be considered due to the use of a

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The primary function of the state auditor is to

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Educationally, most members of the Texas legislature have

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which of the following is not correct regarding the lieutenant governor of Texas?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Describe the various functions and duties of the Texas legislature. Identify those responsibilities that are unique to each chamber of the body. Identify any actions that must be initiated in one particular chamber.

Correct AnswerAnswered by ExamLex AIThe Texas Legislature is responsible for...View AnswerShow Answer

In Texas, the second 30 days of the legislative session are mainly reserved for

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The number of senators in the Texas legislature is

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The redistricting practice of drawing legislative districts to favor one group or party is called

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

A member of the Texas legislature would be immune from adverse judicial action if he

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Regular sessions of the Texas legislature meet for

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which of the following groups dominates the membership of the Texas legislature?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The federal court case that applied the doctrine of "one-man, one-vote" to Texas was

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

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

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

After its first reading in the House of Representatives, a bill is

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Representatives occasionally engage in lengthy debates on bills, including bills that they do not oppose. This delaying action is called

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

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The lieutenant governor is an elected of...
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The Texas Legislature is responsible for...
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