The Office of Lieutenant Governor is part of executive and legislative branches. The office assumes the powers and duties of the governor when he is absent from the state. It is governed by the state of Texas. The Office of Lieutenant Governor decides various parliamentary questions and makes standing and special committees. In addition, the office appoints committee chairpersons and individual members. It derives other powers and responsibilities from the state statute. The Office of Lieutenant Governor also recommends budget at the beginning of every session. The office makes rules that are adopted by a majority of senators at the beginning of each legislative session.