GOV 310L Exam 2 Questions and All
Correct Answers 2026 Updated.
How often does Texas go through redistricting? - Answer Every 10 years
What's the purpose of staggering terms of office for senators? - Answer It prevents the
disruption that a political or economic upheaval might bring if the entire chamber were
replaced in a single election cycle
What is an effect of having "citizen legislators" who maintain careers outside of their jobs as
public officials? - Answer The system creates potential conflicts of interest in which legislators
may advocate for measures that benefit their own business interests. May lobby for their own
outside interests within the capitol's halls
What has lead to the increasing diversity of the TX legislature? - Answer Diversification of the
state's economy, growth of cities, and national political party transformation
What are the requirements for serving in TX senate & house? - Answer House:
-at least 21
-legal residents of TX for 2 yrs
-residents of elected district for 1 yr
-US citizen
Senate:
-at least 26
-residents of district for 1 yr
-resident of TX for 5 yrs
-US citizen
What made it easier for minorities to participate in politics and drove many conservative, white
Texans to join the Republican party? - Answer The federal voting rights act of 1965
What's a factor that causes incumbents to be reelected at such high rates? - Answer Voters
tend to select candidates whose names they recognize
Why were incumbents defeated more than normal during 2010? - Answer The rise of the tea
party
,Principal power of the legislature? - Answer Power to make laws
What are the 3 types of bills that may be introduced and how do they differ? - Answer
General: applies to all individuals in TX
Special: exceptions of general bills for specific individuals
Local: Only for a limited geographical location
How does a concurrent resolution differ from a law? What's a joint resolution and simple
resolution? - Answer A concurrent resolution is a formal statement of opinion but does not
carry the force of law, it also requires governor action, offer commendation. Joint resolution:
propose amendments, voters, must approve. Simple resolution: not bill, no approval needed-
formal statement of opinion or decision
Which branch impeaches, and which tries the case? Also define impeachment - Answer
Impeachment: a formal process in which an official is accused of unlawful activity
The house of representatives may impeach, and the senate tries the case
What does it mean that legislators have certain "immunities"? - Answer They cannot be sued
for slander or otherwise held accountable for statements made during legislative proceedings.
What is the primary purpose of redistricting? - Answer To balance the population and voting
power among districts?
Who is responsible for redrawing congressional and legislative districts? - Answer the state
legislature
What explains why the legislature takes redistricting seriously? - Answer The success or
failure of a redistricting plan can have a great impact on legislators' reelection prospects
Which of the following makes the lieutenant governor such a powerful figure in the legislature?
- Answer The lieutenant governor can assign bills to specific committees. HE"S THE MOST
POWERFUL IN TEXAS GOV.
What is one reason that the position of lieutenant governor has lost some power in recent
years? - Answer Governor Rick Perry's long tenure gave him unprecedented control over the
executive branch, weakening the office of the lieutenant governor
How is the speaker of the house selected? - Answer The house votes to elect the speaker
from among its members
, What are the duties of the speaker of the house? - Answer Must maintain order during
debate on the floor; recognizing legislators who wish to speak. Must also sign all bills and joint
resolutions passed by legislature
What does pro tempore mean? - Answer For the time being
What is the difference between a senate standing committee and special committee? And are
these committees in the senate or house? - Answer A standing committee is a permanent
committee, while a special committee is a subcommittee of a standing committee and are also
established to study important areas. SENATE
Of the temporary committees in both houses, which one tends to play the largest role in
affecting legislation? - Answer Conference committees because they're joint committees and
are formed to resolve differences between bills passed by each house that deal with the same
issue
How are incumbents affected by committee membership? - Answer Committee membership
advantages incumbents because they can shape legislation in order to collect campaign
contributions from interest groups
Committees in the house - Answer Substantive committees: similar to standing committees,
deal with substantive public policy like energy, environment or insurance
Procedural committees: permanent; dedicated to regulating operations an functioning of the
house itself.
Temporary committees - Answer Conference: joint that are formed to resolve differences
between bills with each issue
Interim: formed to consider bills when legislature is not in session, can prep for next session
Ad hoc: study specific issues
What is the size of the members in both houses? - Answer 150 members in the house, senate
has 31 in senate
Who can formally introduce a bill for consideration in the legislature? - Answer Only
members of the legislature
What is the practice referred to as "voting the district"? - Answer Legislators, knowing what
issues matter to their constituents, cast votes in line with those preferences
Correct Answers 2026 Updated.
How often does Texas go through redistricting? - Answer Every 10 years
What's the purpose of staggering terms of office for senators? - Answer It prevents the
disruption that a political or economic upheaval might bring if the entire chamber were
replaced in a single election cycle
What is an effect of having "citizen legislators" who maintain careers outside of their jobs as
public officials? - Answer The system creates potential conflicts of interest in which legislators
may advocate for measures that benefit their own business interests. May lobby for their own
outside interests within the capitol's halls
What has lead to the increasing diversity of the TX legislature? - Answer Diversification of the
state's economy, growth of cities, and national political party transformation
What are the requirements for serving in TX senate & house? - Answer House:
-at least 21
-legal residents of TX for 2 yrs
-residents of elected district for 1 yr
-US citizen
Senate:
-at least 26
-residents of district for 1 yr
-resident of TX for 5 yrs
-US citizen
What made it easier for minorities to participate in politics and drove many conservative, white
Texans to join the Republican party? - Answer The federal voting rights act of 1965
What's a factor that causes incumbents to be reelected at such high rates? - Answer Voters
tend to select candidates whose names they recognize
Why were incumbents defeated more than normal during 2010? - Answer The rise of the tea
party
,Principal power of the legislature? - Answer Power to make laws
What are the 3 types of bills that may be introduced and how do they differ? - Answer
General: applies to all individuals in TX
Special: exceptions of general bills for specific individuals
Local: Only for a limited geographical location
How does a concurrent resolution differ from a law? What's a joint resolution and simple
resolution? - Answer A concurrent resolution is a formal statement of opinion but does not
carry the force of law, it also requires governor action, offer commendation. Joint resolution:
propose amendments, voters, must approve. Simple resolution: not bill, no approval needed-
formal statement of opinion or decision
Which branch impeaches, and which tries the case? Also define impeachment - Answer
Impeachment: a formal process in which an official is accused of unlawful activity
The house of representatives may impeach, and the senate tries the case
What does it mean that legislators have certain "immunities"? - Answer They cannot be sued
for slander or otherwise held accountable for statements made during legislative proceedings.
What is the primary purpose of redistricting? - Answer To balance the population and voting
power among districts?
Who is responsible for redrawing congressional and legislative districts? - Answer the state
legislature
What explains why the legislature takes redistricting seriously? - Answer The success or
failure of a redistricting plan can have a great impact on legislators' reelection prospects
Which of the following makes the lieutenant governor such a powerful figure in the legislature?
- Answer The lieutenant governor can assign bills to specific committees. HE"S THE MOST
POWERFUL IN TEXAS GOV.
What is one reason that the position of lieutenant governor has lost some power in recent
years? - Answer Governor Rick Perry's long tenure gave him unprecedented control over the
executive branch, weakening the office of the lieutenant governor
How is the speaker of the house selected? - Answer The house votes to elect the speaker
from among its members
, What are the duties of the speaker of the house? - Answer Must maintain order during
debate on the floor; recognizing legislators who wish to speak. Must also sign all bills and joint
resolutions passed by legislature
What does pro tempore mean? - Answer For the time being
What is the difference between a senate standing committee and special committee? And are
these committees in the senate or house? - Answer A standing committee is a permanent
committee, while a special committee is a subcommittee of a standing committee and are also
established to study important areas. SENATE
Of the temporary committees in both houses, which one tends to play the largest role in
affecting legislation? - Answer Conference committees because they're joint committees and
are formed to resolve differences between bills passed by each house that deal with the same
issue
How are incumbents affected by committee membership? - Answer Committee membership
advantages incumbents because they can shape legislation in order to collect campaign
contributions from interest groups
Committees in the house - Answer Substantive committees: similar to standing committees,
deal with substantive public policy like energy, environment or insurance
Procedural committees: permanent; dedicated to regulating operations an functioning of the
house itself.
Temporary committees - Answer Conference: joint that are formed to resolve differences
between bills with each issue
Interim: formed to consider bills when legislature is not in session, can prep for next session
Ad hoc: study specific issues
What is the size of the members in both houses? - Answer 150 members in the house, senate
has 31 in senate
Who can formally introduce a bill for consideration in the legislature? - Answer Only
members of the legislature
What is the practice referred to as "voting the district"? - Answer Legislators, knowing what
issues matter to their constituents, cast votes in line with those preferences
