Texas Government Code - GOV'T § 316.022. Committee Hearings

(a) Hearings on the appropriations bills prepared by the director of the Legislative Budget Board and by the governor shall be conducted by the House Appropriations Committee and the Senate Finance Committee.

(b) The committees may begin preliminary hearings on the budget after receiving the bill prepared by the director without waiting for submission of the bill prepared by the governor.

(c) Each head of a government department, institution, or other agency requesting an appropriation is entitled to appear before either committee in behalf of the requested appropriation.  A state taxpayer is entitled to appear and to be heard at any hearing on a proposed appropriation.