<Tr> <Th> Formation </Th> <Td> Texas Constitution </Td> </Tr> <P> The Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives is the presiding officer of the Texas House of Representatives . The Speaker's main duties are to conduct meetings of the House, appoint committees, and enforce the Rules of the House . The current speaker is Joe Straus, a Republican from San Antonio, who was first elected Speaker on January 13, 2009 . </P> <P> The speaker is elected from the legislature of Texas, by a vote of its fellow members . On the first day of each regular session, the members may nominate a fellow member, and a record vote is held to determine who the speaker will be . The Secretary of State calls the House to order, and presides over the chamber until a speaker is elected . </P> <P> The speaker is the presiding officer of the house of representatives . 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 . </P>

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