The Secretary of State calls the House to order, and presides over the chamber until a speaker is elected.

The Texas Constitution requires the House of Representatives, each time a new legislature convenes, to choose one of its own members to serve as Speaker.

[1] As presiding officer, the Speaker maintains order during floor debate, recognizing legislators who wish to speak and ruling on procedural matters.

The constitution also requires the Speaker to sign all bills and joint resolutions passed by the legislature.

The other duties and responsibilities of the Speaker are determined by the members of the house in the House Rules of Procedure, which are adopted by a majority vote of the members at the beginning of each regular session of the legislature.