Texas Legislative Process

Choose a study mode

Play Quiz
Study Flashcards
Spaced Repetition
Chat to Lesson

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson
Download our mobile app to listen on the go
Get App

Questions and Answers

What initial action begins the legislative process for a bill in Texas?

  • A two-thirds vote in both legislative chambers.
  • The Governor's signature.
  • Introduction of the bill in either the House or Senate. (correct)
  • A conference committee review.

During the committee review stage, what primary actions are taken regarding a proposed bill?

  • The bill is immediately sent to the other legislative chamber.
  • The committee studies the bill, holds hearings, and may propose amendments. (correct)
  • The bill is signed into law by the Governor.
  • The bill is vetoed by the Governor.

What happens after a bill is approved by a committee in its originating chamber?

  • It goes to the full House or Senate for debate and voting. (correct)
  • It is sent directly to the Governor for approval.
  • It is discarded if any amendments were made.
  • It is enacted into law.

What is the role of a conference committee in the Texas legislative process?

<p>To resolve differences between versions of a bill passed by the House and Senate. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What options does the Governor of Texas have once a bill reaches their desk?

<p>The Governor can sign the bill into law, veto it, or allow it to become law without a signature. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Under what circumstances can the Texas Legislature override a Governor's veto?

<p>With a two-thirds vote in both the House and Senate. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

If the House and Senate pass the same bill with different amendments, what is the next step in the legislative process?

<p>A conference committee is formed to reconcile the differences. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happens to a bill if the Governor neither signs nor vetoes it?

<p>It automatically becomes law after a specified period. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In which legislative body can a bill be initially introduced?

<p>Either in the House of Representatives or the Senate. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the 'floor debate' stage in the legislative process?

<p>To allow lawmakers to debate, amend, and vote on the bill. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which action allows a bill to bypass the Governor's approval and become law?

<p>The Governor taking no action within a specified period. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of amendments during the legislative process?

<p>Amendments allow for changes and revisions to the bill. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who sponsors a bill when it is first introduced?

<p>A lawmaker. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the final formal step for a bill to pass the legislature?

<p>Approval of the final version by both the House and Senate. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why might a bill be sent to a 'conference committee'?

<p>Because the House and Senate versions differ. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the 'other chamber' process a bill it receives?

<p>It follows the same steps: committee review, floor debate, and vote. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following actions can a committee take during its review of a bill?

<p>Hold hearings, study the bill, and propose amendments. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the Texas legislative process, what vote threshold is required in both chambers to override a Governor's veto?

<p>A two-thirds vote. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role does public opinion play in the formal steps of a bill becoming a law in Texas, based on the information provided?

<p>The information doesn't specify a direct role for public opinion in the formal process. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which event marks the point where the legislative process ends and the bill formally becomes a law?

<p>The Governor signing the bill, or taking no action within a specified period. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Texas House or Senate

A bill can be introduced in either of these.

Bill Sponsor

A lawmaker who proposes a bill.

Committee

A group that studies a bill, holds hearings, and suggests changes.

Amendments

Changes made to a bill during committee review or floor debate.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Floor Debate

A session where the full House or Senate debates and votes on a bill.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Other Chamber

The second legislative body to review a bill after it passes the first chamber.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Conference Committee

A committee that resolves differences between House and Senate versions of a bill.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Final Vote

The final approval needed from both legislative bodies after conference committee changes.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Governor's Approval

The chief executive's options regarding a passed bill.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Veto

The rejection of a bill by the Governor.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Passage Without Signature

What happens if the Governor doesn't act on a bill within 10 days.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Override a Veto

The legislative process to overturn a Governor's veto.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Two-Thirds Vote

The percentage of votes required in each chamber to override a Governor's veto.

Signup and view all the flashcards

Study Notes

  • The Texas legislative process outlines the steps for a bill to become a law.

Introduction

  • A bill is introduced in either the Texas House of Representatives or the Senate.
  • A lawmaker sponsors the bill.
  • Sponsored bills can relate to any topic.

Committee Review

  • The bill is sent to a committee in the chamber where it was introduced.
  • The committee studies the bill.
  • Hearings regarding the bill may be held.
  • The committee can make changes or amendments to the bill.

Floor Debate

  • If the committee approves the bill, it goes to the full House or Senate.
  • The bill is debated before a vote.
  • Lawmakers can further debate and amend the bill before voting.

Other Chamber

  • If the bill passes in the first chamber, it goes to the other chamber, where the process repeats.
  • The bill goes through committee review, floor debate, and a vote in the other chamber.

Conference Committee

  • If the two chambers pass different versions of the bill, a conference committee is formed.
  • The conference committee includes members from both chambers.
  • The committee works out the differences between the versions of the bill.

Final Vote

  • Both the House and Senate must approve the final version of the bill.
  • The final vote occurs after the conference committee's changes.

Governor's Approval

  • Once both chambers approve the bill, it goes to the Governor.
  • The Governor can sign the bill into law.
  • The Governor can veto the bill, thus rejecting it.
  • The Governor can let the bill become law without a signature by not taking action within 10 days.

Overriding a Veto

  • If the Governor vetoes the bill, the Legislature can override the veto.
  • Overriding a veto requires a two-thirds vote in both chambers.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Quiz Team

More Like This

Use Quizgecko on...
Browser
Open
Browser
Browser