Arizona Constitution Practice Test

For the Legislature to pass an emergency measure or a bill dealing with increasing state revenues, what is required?

1. A simple majority vote in both houses is required

2. The conference committee presents the bill and it is immediately voted on in the House and then in the Senate

3. Only the Senate's involvement is necessary

4. A majority vote of two-thirds of both houses is required

The correct answer is: A majority vote of two-thirds of both houses is required

To pass an emergency measure or a bill related to increasing state revenues, a majority vote of two-thirds of both houses is necessary. This requirement is in place to ensure that significant changes to the state's financial structure or urgent legislative actions receive broad support from the elected representatives. It reflects the importance of financial matters and emergencies, necessitating a higher threshold than a simple majority. This two-thirds requirement serves as a safeguard, promoting thorough examination and robust debate regarding critical state matters. It ensures that any legislation with potential widespread implications for the state's budget or emergency responses has substantial bipartisan backing, thus fostering responsible governance. In contrast, a simple majority would allow significant legislation to pass with minimal consensus, potentially leading to instability or hasty decisions. The involvement of only the Senate or the presentation by a conference committee that leads to immediate voting doesn't apply in this context, as both houses must participate in the process, particularly for revenue-related legislation.