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The Texas State Legislature is a unicameral body, meaning it has only one legislative chamber.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Texas State Legislature is a bicameral body, consisting of a 31-member Senate and a 150-member House of Representatives.
The Texas State Capitol building, located in Austin, is the designated meeting place for the Texas State Legislature.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Texas State Legislature meets at the Texas State Capitol building in Austin, the capital city of Texas.
The Texas Legislature was founded in 1836, succeeding the Congress of the Republic of Texas.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Texas Legislature is the constitutional successor to the Congress of the Republic of Texas (1836-1845), but the current Texas State Legislature was founded on May 13, 1846.
The first regular session of the Texas Legislature commenced in February 1846 and concluded in May of the same year.
Answer: True
Explanation: The first regular session of the Texas Legislature was held from February 16 to May 13, 1846.
What is the total number of members in the Texas State Legislature?
Answer: 31 Senators and 150 Representatives
Explanation: The Texas Legislature has a total of 181 seats, comprising 31 Senators and 150 Representatives.
In which city does the Texas State Legislature convene its sessions?
Answer: Austin
Explanation: The Texas State Legislature meets at the Texas State Capitol building, which is located in Austin, the capital city of Texas.
When was the current Texas State Legislature founded?
Answer: 1846
Explanation: The current Texas State Legislature was founded on May 13, 1846, following Texas's entrance into the United States Union.
Texas is one of the few states that holds annual legislative sessions.
Answer: False
Explanation: Texas is notable as one of only four states that does not hold annual legislative sessions, meeting instead in regular session on the second Tuesday in January of each odd-numbered year.
The Texas Constitution limits regular legislative sessions to 120 calendar days.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Texas Constitution limits the regular session of the Legislature to 140 calendar days.
The Texas Legislature can call itself into special sessions if a majority of members agree.
Answer: False
Explanation: Only the Governor of Texas may call the Legislature into special sessions; the legislature itself does not have the power to convene a special session.
Special sessions of the Texas Legislature are limited to 30 days, and lawmakers can only consider issues designated by the governor.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Texas Constitution limits the duration of each special session to 30 days, and lawmakers are restricted to considering only those issues specifically designated by the Governor in their 'call' or proclamation.
Most bills passed by the Texas Legislature take effect immediately upon passage.
Answer: False
Explanation: Any bill passed by the Legislature generally takes effect 90 days after its passage, unless two-thirds of each house votes to give the bill either immediate effect or an earlier effective date, or a later effective date is specified.
Bills HB1 and SB1 are reserved for the state's budget and spending authority, known as the General Appropriations Act.
Answer: True
Explanation: Bills HB1 (House Bill 1) and SB1 (Senate Bill 1) are specifically reserved for each chamber's version of the General Appropriations Act, which constitutes the state's budget and spending authority.
How often does the Texas Legislature hold its regular sessions?
Answer: Every two years in odd-numbered years
Explanation: The Texas Legislature meets in regular session on the second Tuesday in January of each odd-numbered year.
What is the constitutional limit for the duration of a regular session of the Texas Legislature?
Answer: 140 calendar days
Explanation: The Texas Constitution limits the regular session of the Legislature to 140 calendar days.
Who has the sole authority to call special sessions of the Texas Legislature?
Answer: The Governor of Texas
Explanation: Only the Governor of Texas may call the Legislature into special sessions; the legislature itself does not have this power.
What is the maximum duration for a special session of the Texas Legislature?
Answer: 30 days
Explanation: The Texas Constitution limits the duration of each special session to 30 days.
When do most bills passed by the Texas Legislature typically become effective, unless otherwise specified?
Answer: 90 days after passage
Explanation: Any bill passed by the Legislature generally takes effect 90 days after its passage, unless two-thirds of each house votes to give the bill either immediate effect or an earlier effective date, or a later effective date is specified.
What is the common effective date for most bills in odd-numbered years under current legislative practice?
Answer: September 1
Explanation: Under current legislative practice, most bills are given an effective date of September 1 in odd-numbered years, which marks the beginning of the state's fiscal year.
The 'power of the purse' is a significant factor contributing to the Texas Legislature's influence, allowing it to control state government finances.
Answer: True
Explanation: The 'power of the purse' refers to the Texas Legislature's constitutional authority to control and direct the financial activities of the state government, including approving the state budget and allocating funds, which is a fundamental aspect of legislative oversight and influence.
The Lieutenant Governor of Texas is elected statewide and presides over the Senate, potentially belonging to a different political party than the governor.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Lieutenant Governor of Texas is elected statewide, separately from the Governor, and presides over the Senate, which means they may belong to a different political party than the Governor.
Both the Lieutenant Governor and the Speaker of the House have significant power in choosing committee membership, influencing lawmaking.
Answer: True
Explanation: Both the Lieutenant Governor and the Speaker of the House possess broad authority in choosing committee membership within their respective chambers, significantly impacting the legislative process and the direction of lawmaking in the state.
As of 2025, the Democratic Party holds a majority in both chambers of the Texas Legislature.
Answer: False
Explanation: As of 2025, a majority of the members in both the Texas Senate and the Texas House of Representatives are members of the Republican Party.
As of the 2024 election, the Texas Senate consists of 20 Republicans and 11 Democrats.
Answer: True
Explanation: As of the 2024 election, the Texas Senate's political composition consists of 20 members from the Republican Party and 11 members from the Democratic Party.
The Texas House of Representatives has 88 Republican members and 62 Democratic members as of the 2024 election.
Answer: True
Explanation: As of the 2024 election, the Texas House of Representatives' political composition consists of 88 members from the Republican Party and 62 members from the Democratic Party.
Dan Patrick serves as the Senate President for the 89th Texas Legislature.
Answer: True
Explanation: Dan Patrick, a Republican, serves as the Senate President for the 89th Texas Legislature, a position he has held since January 20, 2015.
The election of the Lieutenant Governor separately from the Governor ensures they are always from the same political party.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Lieutenant Governor is elected statewide and separately from the Governor, which can lead to situations where the two officials are from different political parties.
Which of the following is NOT listed as a factor contributing to the Texas Legislature's significant power?
Answer: The ability of the legislature to call special sessions at will
Explanation: Factors contributing to the Texas Legislature's power include its 'power of the purse,' strong constitutional connections with the Lieutenant Governor, and the state's plural executive system. The legislature does not have the ability to call special sessions at will; only the Governor can do so.
Who presides over the Texas Senate?
Answer: The Lieutenant Governor of Texas
Explanation: The Lieutenant Governor of Texas presides over the Senate, being elected statewide by the voters separately from the Governor.
As of 2025, which political party holds the majority in both the Texas Senate and the Texas House of Representatives?
Answer: Republican Party
Explanation: As of 2025, a majority of the members in both the Texas Senate and the Texas House of Representatives are members of the Republican Party.
Who serves as the Senate President pro tempore for the 89th Texas Legislature (2025)?
Answer: Charles Perry
Explanation: Charles Perry, a Republican, is the Senate President pro tempore for the 89th Texas Legislature, with his term beginning on June 2, 2025.
Who holds the position of House Speaker for the 89th Texas Legislature (2025)?
Answer: Dustin Burrows
Explanation: Dustin Burrows, a Republican, holds the position of House Speaker for the 89th Texas Legislature, having assumed the role on January 14, 2025.
How does the separate election of the Lieutenant Governor from the Governor impact the Texas Legislature?
Answer: It can lead to the Lieutenant Governor having significant independent influence over the legislative agenda.
Explanation: The Lieutenant Governor is elected statewide and separately from the Governor, which can lead to situations where the two officials are from different political parties, thereby creating a dynamic where the Lieutenant Governor holds significant independent influence over the legislative agenda and process.
A Texas State Senator must be at least 21 years old.
Answer: False
Explanation: To be eligible as a Texas State Senator, an individual must be at least 26 years of age.
Texas State Senators serve two-year terms, with all seats up for election every two years.
Answer: False
Explanation: Each Texas State Senator serves a four-year term. Typically, one-half of the Senate membership is elected every two years, but all seats are up for election after the decennial census to accommodate redistricting.
A Texas State Representative must have been a citizen of Texas for two years prior to the election.
Answer: True
Explanation: To be eligible as a Texas State Representative, a person must have been a citizen of Texas for two years prior to the election.
Texas State Representatives are elected for four-year terms.
Answer: False
Explanation: Texas State Representatives are elected for two-year terms and run for re-election in even-numbered years.
Individuals holding a 'lucrative office' under the United States, Texas, or a foreign government are disqualified from serving in the Texas Legislature.
Answer: True
Explanation: Any person holding a 'lucrative office' under the United States, Texas, or a foreign government cannot be a member of the Legislature while remaining in those offices.
The base annual salary for state legislators in Texas is $7,200.
Answer: True
Explanation: State legislators in Texas receive a base salary of $600 per month, which amounts to $7,200 per year.
Texas legislators receive a per diem allowance of $221 for every day they are in session.
Answer: True
Explanation: Texas legislators receive a per diem allowance of $221 for every day the Legislature is in session, which includes both regular and any special sessions.
A Texas legislator's total annual pay, including salary and per diem, for a 140-day regular session is $45,340.
Answer: False
Explanation: For a regular session lasting 140 days, the total annual pay for a Texas legislator, including their monthly salary and per diem, adds up to $38,140. The total compensation for a two-year term is $45,340.
Texas legislators become eligible for a pension after completing ten years of service.
Answer: False
Explanation: Texas legislators become eligible to receive a pension after completing eight years of service, with the pension starting at age 60.
The Texas Constitution requires all Senate seats to be up for election after each decennial census to reflect newly redrawn districts.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Texas Constitution mandates that all Senate seats are up for election for the first legislature following the decennial census (years ending in '2') to ensure that the Senate's composition accurately reflects the newly redrawn district boundaries based on population changes.
What is the minimum age requirement to be eligible as a Texas State Senator?
Answer: 26 years of age
Explanation: To be eligible as a Texas State Senator, an individual must be at least 26 years of age.
What is the term length for a Texas State Senator?
Answer: Four-year term
Explanation: Each Texas State Senator serves a four-year term.
What is the minimum age requirement to be eligible as a Texas State Representative?
Answer: 21 years of age
Explanation: To be eligible as a Texas State Representative, a person must be at least 21 years of age.
Which of the following conditions would NOT disqualify an individual from serving in the Texas Legislature?
Answer: Having served two previous terms as a state representative
Explanation: Holding a civil office created during their elected term, being a judge or a judge's clerk, or holding a 'lucrative office' under the United States are all listed as disqualifying conditions. There is no mention of term limits for state representatives as a disqualification.
What is the base monthly salary for state legislators in Texas?
Answer: $600
Explanation: State legislators in Texas receive a base salary of $600 per month.
What is the per diem allowance Texas legislators receive for every day the Legislature is in session?
Answer: $221
Explanation: Texas legislators receive a per diem allowance of $221 for every day the Legislature is in session, which includes both regular and any special sessions.
After how many years of service do Texas legislators become eligible for a pension?
Answer: Eight years
Explanation: Texas legislators become eligible to receive a pension after completing eight years of service, with the pension starting at age 60.
The Texas Legislative Budget Board is responsible for providing legal and bill drafting services to legislators.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Texas Legislative Budget Board is responsible for budget and fiscal policy analysis, while the Texas Legislative Council provides legal, research, and bill drafting services to legislators.
The Texas State Auditor is an agency within the executive branch responsible for auditing state agencies.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Texas State Auditor is a support agency within the *legislative* branch responsible for auditing state agencies to ensure accountability and proper use of public funds.
The Texas Sunset Advisory Commission periodically reviews state agencies to determine their continued necessity.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Texas Sunset Advisory Commission is a support agency of the Texas Legislature that periodically reviews state agencies to determine if they are still needed and if their functions should be continued, modified, or abolished.
Which of the following is NOT listed as one of the five support agencies that assist the Texas Legislature?
Answer: Texas Department of Justice
Explanation: The five support agencies that assist the Texas Legislature are the Texas Legislative Budget Board, the Texas Legislative Council, the Texas Legislative Reference Library, the Texas State Auditor, and the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission. The Texas Department of Justice is not listed among them.
What is the primary function of the Texas Legislative Council?
Answer: Offering legal, research, and bill drafting services to legislators
Explanation: The Texas Legislative Council is a support agency of the Texas Legislature that provides legal, research, and bill drafting services to legislators.
The 1971 Sharpstown scandal involved state officials receiving loans to purchase stock, leading to campaign finance reforms.
Answer: True
Explanation: The 1971 Sharpstown scandal involved Houston banker Frank Sharp granting $600,000 in loans to state officials, which they used to purchase stock for profit, ultimately leading to the implementation of campaign finance and open record reforms.
The 'Chickengate' scandal of 1989 resulted in the expulsion of several state senators for accepting bribes.
Answer: False
Explanation: The 'Chickengate' scandal involved the distribution of checks to senators before a vote on workers' compensation, which resulted in changes to the state's ethics laws, but did not lead to the expulsion of senators for accepting bribes.
Rep. Bryan Slaton resigned from the House before being expelled by a unanimous vote in 2023.
Answer: True
Explanation: Rep. Bryan Slaton resigned on May 8, 2023, but was subsequently expelled by a unanimous vote of 147–0 by the House on May 9, 2023.
The 1971 Sharpstown scandal primarily led to reforms in what area?
Answer: Campaign finance and open record laws
Explanation: The 1971 Sharpstown scandal, which implicated many statewide office holders and legislators, ultimately led to the implementation of campaign finance and open record reforms.
What was the central issue of the 'Chickengate' scandal of 1989?
Answer: Distribution of checks to senators before a vote on workers' compensation
Explanation: The 'Chickengate' scandal in 1989 involved Lonnie 'Bo' Pilgrim distributing $10,000 checks to nine state senators two days before a vote on a bill to significantly alter the state's workers' compensation system.
What was the primary allegation against Republican Rep. Bryan Slaton in 2023?
Answer: An 'inappropriate relationship' with an intern involving alcohol and sexual relations
Explanation: An investigation by the Texas House General Investigating Committee found that Rep. Bryan Slaton had provided alcohol to a 19-year-old legislative aide before engaging in sexual relations with her at his Austin apartment.
What information is conveyed by the image titled 'Senate Districts and Party Affiliation after the 2024 election'?
Answer: The geographical boundaries of Senate districts and the party affiliation of elected senators.
Explanation: The image titled 'Senate Districts and Party Affiliation after the 2024 election' visually represents the geographical boundaries of the Texas Senate districts and indicates the political party affiliation (Republican or Democratic) of the senators elected to represent those districts following the 2024 election.