Bicameral
(of a legislative body) having two branches or chambers
The "General Assembly" consists of what 2 bodies?
Senate and House of Representatives
Are State Legislators full-time or part-time lawmakers?
part-time
What is the primary function of the General Assembly?
Lawmaking
What is the total number of House members that serve?
99
How many Senate members serve?
33
Who chooses the Secretary of State, Comptroller of the treasury, and the
Treasurer?
A joint convention of the House and Senate, meeting in the chamber of the House of
Representatives and presided by the lieutenant governor
Once organized, the Legislature is limited to how many "legislative days"?
90
Where does legislation originate?
Legislation may originate in either the House or the Senate but may be amended,
rejected, or ignored by the other body.
What is another name for "legislation"?
lawmaking
What US Presidents formerly served in the Tennessee legislature?
James K. Polk and Andrew Johnson
Which house is the "upper house"?
Senate
Tennessee consists of how many senatorial districts?
33
How many years does a Senate term consist?
4
What is the minimum age for serving in the Tennessee Senate?
30
What is the residential requirement before being elected to the Senate?
"...he shall be a citizen of the United States...and shall have resided three years in this
state, and one year in the county or district, immediately preceding the election."
The leader of the Senate is given two names. What are they?
Speaker of Senate or Lieutenant Governor
Who currently serves as the Speaker of the Senate?
Randy McNally
What is the member called that serves in the absence of the Speaker?
speaker pro tempore
What is the name for the "lower house" of the General Assembly?
House of Representatives
, How many districts constitute the House of Representatives?
99
How many years define the term of a member of the House of Representatives?
2
What is the minimum age for serving in the House of Representatives?
21
What is the residential requirement before being elected to the House?
"...he shall be a citizen of the United States...and shall have been a citizen of this state
for three years, and a resident in the county he represents one year, immediately
preceding the election."
What does the speaker of the House do? What is a "speaker pro tempore"?
The speaker of the House presides over the House, appoints members to all House
committees, is a voting member of all standing committees of the House, serves as co-
chairperson of the Joint Legislative Services Committee and must approve, in
concurrence with the speaker of the Senate, the directors of other various offices, is a
member of several special committees, has important administrative responsibilities
during the formal sessions of the General Assembly, signs all acts, proceedings, or
orders of the House, and is in charge of all facilities, professional and clerical staffs,
custodians, and security personnel of the House. A speaker pro tempore acts during the
absence of the speaker of the House. The speaker pro tempore is a voting member of
all committees of the House. In the event of an interim vacancy or a disability of the
speaker, the speaker pro tempore conducts the necessary business of the House until
an election can be held in the House to fill the vacancy.
Who appoints all House committees?
Speaker of the House
Which political party currently holds the majority in the House?
Republican
Who currently serves as Speaker of the House? Speaker Pro Tempore?
Cameron Sexton- Speaker, Bill Dunn- Speaker Pro Tempore
Who directs the administrative divisions of the State Government?
the governor and the governor's appointees
The Tennessee Constitution places the "Supreme Executive Power" into whose
hands?
governor
How many people are employed in the executive branch of government? Approx.
more than 39,000
How many Cabinet-level departments and other agencies exist in Tennessee?
22
Who is the 50th Governor of Tennessee?
Bill Lee
What are the administrative priorities of the current Governor?
The governor is responsible for the enforcement of laws, the collection of taxes, and the
general well-being of citizens. These responsibilities are entrusted to a Cabinet that
includes the commissioners of the various departments and the governor's staff.
What is the primary responsibility of the Governor?