What powers does the Texas Legislature have in terms of administrative functions?

The Texas Legislature has the power to approve state agency budgets, which is a fundamental aspect of its role in overseeing and managing the state's financial resources. This authority allows the Legislature to ensure that funds are allocated properly to various state agencies, reflecting the priorities of the state government as established through legislative processes.

By reviewing and approving budgets, the Legislature exercises its oversight function, scrutinizing how state agencies plan to use taxpayer dollars. This process involves detailed examination and adjustments, enabling the Legislature to hold agencies accountable for their spending and operational effectiveness. This budgeting authority is critical because it not only influences state agency operations but also reflects the Legislature's power to shape policy through fiscal means.

Other options, such as creating international treaties, overriding judicial decisions, or conducting federal audits, fall outside the purview of the Texas Legislature. The power to make international treaties is reserved for the federal government, judicial decisions are binding and not subject to legislative override, and federal audits are conducted at the federal level, typically by agencies such as the Government Accountability Office (GAO). This distinction highlights the specific and important role that the Legislature plays in managing the state's administrative affairs through budget approval.