What defines supply/tax bills?

Supply or tax bills are fundamentally defined by their purpose, which is to impose taxes or authorize government spending. This reflects the essential function of such bills within the legislative process, as they are crucial for funding government operations and programs. Specifically, supply bills relate to the allocation of funds necessary for the government to provide public services, while tax bills establish the financial framework for how much citizens and entities are required to contribute through taxes.

The other options do not accurately characterize these types of bills. For instance, supply or tax bills typically originate in the lower house of a bicameral legislature, countering the notion that they start in the upper house. The requirement for a public referendum is not standard for such bills, as they usually undergo parliamentary deliberation and approval without direct public voting. Additionally, parliamentary debate is a vital component of the legislative process, and supply or tax bills certainly require thorough consideration and discussion before being passed. Thus, recognizing that supply/tax bills are critically about imposing taxation and managing government expenditure provides clarity on their defining characteristics.