The Office of the Speaker Print E-mail
Speaker Tom Craddick is the presiding officer of the Texas House of Representatives. Unlike the Governor and the Lieutenant Governor of Texas who are statewide elected officials chosen by citizens from across the state of Texas, the Texas Constitution requires the 150 members of the Texas House of Representatives, each time a new legislature convenes, to choose one of its own members to serve as Speaker.  

For more than 35 years, the people in District 82 have chosen Tom Craddick to serve as their State Representative.   Since the 78th Legislative Session, the members of the Texas House have overwhelmingly elected Tom Craddick as their first Republican Speaker in 130 years.

As presiding officer, Speaker Craddick is charged with maintaining order during a 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. Although Speaker Craddick traditionally does not vote on legislation before the House, he retains the right to do so as a member of the Texas House of Representatives.

The other duties and responsibilities of Speaker Craddick are determined by the members of the House.  At the beginning of each legislative session, House members draft and adopt the House Rules of Procedure.

In the House Rules, the members give Speaker Craddick the authority to appoint the membership of each standing House committee - subject to rules on seniority - and to designate the chair and vice chair for each committee.

Speaker Craddick is responsible for referring all proposed legislation to each House committee, subject to the committee jurisdictions set forth in the rules. The rules also allow the speaker to appoint conference committees, to create select committees, and to direct committees to conduct interim studies when the legislature is not in session.
Last Updated ( Saturday, 15 December 2007 )
Accomplishments
Under Speaker Craddick’s leadership, the Texas Legislature has much to be proud of. See the legislature’s past accomplishments.
The Speaker’s Apartment
Learn about the only Speaker’s apartment in the entire United States.
About Speaker Craddick
Read about Craddick's first campaign to the day he was sworn in as speaker.