Formal and informal, mainly during the appropriations process. The main interaction between the Legislature and MDOT occurs during the annual appropriations process. Most budget communications are channeled through the House and Senate fiscal agencies and the Appropriations Subcommittee chairs on the legislative side, and the director and budget officers on the MDOT side. MDOT tracks the budget bill and communicates MDOT's position on line item appropriations and related boilerplate sections. MDOT has a dedicated governmental affairs office. This office is less involved in the budget and more involved in tracking and testifying on transportation policy bills as well as fielding questions or concerns from legislators. In some cases, bills are introduced at MDOT's request, by legislative sponsors identified through the governor's office. When bills are passed over MDOT's objections, MDOT may ask the governor to veto the bill or particular items.