First, while senators know what to expect with Lt. Gov Dan Patrick at the legislative body's helm, who controls the lower chamber will be decided on Tuesday in a full-floor vote. State representatives David Cook (R-Mansfield) and Dustin Burrows (R-Lubbock) have been campaigning neck-and-neck to secure the votes needed to become Texas House speaker.

The void is set to be filled by either Rep. Dustin Burrows of Lubbock or Rep. David Cook of Mansfield. Experts told KHOU 11 the choice could determine how the House — and the GOP in the chamber — moves forward this session. Either candidate would need 76 votes to secure control of the gavel.

Here’s a rundown of how legislation moves through the Capitol, the ways lawmakers operate and who the power players are.

A fight has been brewing over who will lead the Texas House as Speaker. Two Republicans are the leading candidates for Speaker: David Cook of Mansfield and Dustin Burrows of Lubbock.

The Texas Legislature meets every two years to introduce bills that it hopes will become law. Over 1,636 house bills have been submitted so far.

The state of Texas has a big budget surplus, nearly $24 billion. Some lawmakers want to focus on giving homeowners more property tax relief and others want to spend some of the surplus on the key infrastructure needs.