Texas Plural Executive

Article 4 of the Texas Constitution describes the executive department (branch) of Texas. Texas utilizes a “plural executive” which means the power of the Governor are limited and distributed amongst other executive officials. In other words, there is no one government official who is solely responsible for the Texas Executive Branch. Below are some of the members of the Texas Plural Executive and their roles:

• Lieutenant Governor: Serves as the presiding officer of the Texas Senate, first in line of succession for Governor, member of the Legislative Redistricting Board, Chair of the Legislative Budget Board, elected to 4-year terms by the public with no term limits. Dan Patrick is the current Texas Lieutenant Governor.^[1]
• Attorney General: Serves as the lawyer for the state of Texas, including representing the state on civil matters, and responsible for the interpretation of the constitutionality of laws. The Attorney General is elected by the people to 4-year terms with no term limits. The current Texas Attorney General is Ken Paxton. ^[2]
• Secretary of State: The Texas Secretary of State is appointed by the Texas Governor and confirmed by the Texas Senate. The Secretary of State serves as the chief elections officer (meaning the office ensures that county governments abide by election rules), officially attests the signature of the Texas Governor on official documents, and advises the Governor on Texas border and Mexican affairs. Rolando Pablos is the current Texas Secretary of State. ^[3]
• Commissioner of the General Land Office: The Commissioner is elected by the people to 4-year terms. George P. Bush (son of Jeb Bush) runs the Texas General Land Office, which manages and administers mineral leases and state lands. Even though this office is part of the Executive Branch, the Office of the Commissioner of the General Land Office is authorized by Article 14, Section 1 of the Texas Constitution.^[4]
• Comptroller of Public Accounts: The Comptroller serves as the chief tax collector and accounting officer. This office is also responsible for certifying the biennial budget of the state. Glenn Hegar currently serves as the Texas Comptroller and is elected by the people to 4-year terms with no term limits.^[5]
• Other members of the Texas Plural Executive include: Texas Railroad Commission, Commissioner of Agriculture, State Board of Education, and other elected/appointed Boards and Commissions as well as appointed Agency Directors.