FrankGoortani/open-us-law huggingface dataset:
Tex. Const. art. 1, § 5 — Article 1 / Section 5
Texas Constitution Article 1, Section 5
Status: in_force

WITNESSES NOT DISQUALIFIED BY RELIGIOUS BELIEFS; OATHS AND AFFIRMATIONS. No person shall be disqualified to give evidence in any of the Courts of this State on account of his religious opinions, or for the want of any religious belief, but all oaths or affirmations shall be administered in the mode most binding upon the conscience, and shall be taken subject to the pains and penalties of perjury. (Feb. 15, 1876.)
Tex. Const. art. 3, § 50b-4 — Article 3 / Section 50b-4
Texas Constitution Article 3, Section 50b-4
Status: in_force

ADDITIONAL STUDENT LOANS. (a) The legislature by general law may authorize the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board or its successor or successors to issue and sell general obligation bonds of the State of Texas in an amount authorized by constitutional amendment or by a debt proposition under Section 49 of this article to finance educational loans to students who have been admitted to attend an institution of higher education within the State of Texas, public or private, which is recognized or accredited under terms and conditions prescribed by the Legislature. (b) The bonds shall be executed in the form, on the terms, and in the denominations, bear interest, and be issued in installments as prescribed by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board or its successor or successors. (c) The maximum net effective interest rate to be borne by bonds issued under this section must be set by law. (d) The legislature may provide for the investment of bond proceeds and may establish and provide for the investment of an interest and sinking fund to pay the bonds. Income from the investment shall be used for the purposes prescribed by the legislature. (e) While any of the bonds issued under this section or interest on the bonds is outstanding and unpaid, there is appropriated out of the first money coming into the treasury in each fiscal year, not otherwise appropriated by this constitution, the amount sufficient to pay the principal of and interest on the bonds that mature or become due during the fiscal year, less any amount in an interest and sinking fund established under this section at the end of the preceding fiscal year that is pledged to the payment of the bonds or interest. (f) Bonds issued under this section, after approval by the attorney general, registration by the comptroller of public accounts, and delivery to the purchasers, are incontestable. (Added Nov. 7, 1995; Subsec. (a) amended Nov. 2, 1999.) (TEMPORARY TRANSITION PROVISIONS for Sec. 50b-4: See Appendix, Note 1.)
Tex. Const. art. 7, § 1 — Article 7 / Section 1
Texas Constitution Article 7, Section 1
Status: in_force

SUPPORT AND MAINTENANCE OF SYSTEM OF PUBLIC FREE SCHOOLS. A general diffusion of knowledge being essential to the preservation of the liberties and rights of the people, it shall be the duty of the Legislature of the State to establish and make suitable provision for the support and maintenance of an efficient system of public free schools. (Feb. 15, 1876.)
Tex. Const. art. 8, § 26 — Article 8 / Section 26
Texas Constitution Article 8, Section 26
Status: in_force

DEATH TAX AND TAX ON TRANSFER OF ESTATE, INHERITANCE, LEGACY, SUCCESSION, OR GIFT PROHIBITED. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b) of this section, the legislature may not: (1) impose a state tax on the property of a deceased individualâs estate because of the death of the individual, including an estate, inheritance, or death tax; (2) impose a state tax on the transfer of an estate, inheritance, legacy, succession, or gift from an individual, family, estate, or trust to another individual, family, estate, or trust, including a tax on a generation-skipping transfer, if the tax was not in effect on January 1, 2025; or (3) increase the rate or expand the applicability of a state tax described by Subdivision (2) of this subsection that was in effect on January 1, 2025, beyond the rate or applicability of the tax that was in effect on that date. (b) This section does not prohibit the imposition or change in the rate or applicability of: (1) a tax described by Section 29(b) of this article; (2) a tax applicable to the transfer of a motor vehicle by gift; or (3) an ad valorem tax on property. (Added Nov. 4, 2025.)
Tex. Const. art. 4, § 16 — Article 4 / Section 16
Texas Constitution Article 4, Section 16
Status: in_force

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR. (a) There shall also be a Lieutenant Governor, who shall be chosen at every election for Governor by the same voters, in the same manner, continue in office for the same time, and possess the same qualifications. The voters shall distinguish for whom they vote as Governor and for whom as Lieutenant Governor. (b) The Lieutenant Governor shall by virtue of his office be President of the Senate, and shall have, when in Committee of the Whole, a right to debate and vote on all questions; and when the Senate is equally divided to give the casting vote. (c) In the case of the temporary inability or temporary disqualification of the Governor to serve, the impeachment of the Governor, or the absence of the Governor from the State, the Lieutenant Governor shall exercise the powers and authority appertaining to the office of Governor until the Governor becomes able or qualified to resume serving, is acquitted, or returns to the State. (d) If the Governor refuses to serve or becomes permanently unable to serve, or if the office of Governor becomes vacant, the Lieutenant Governor becomes Governor for the remainder of the term being served by the Governor who refused or became unable to serve or vacated the office. On becoming Governor, the person vacates the office of Lieutenant Governor, and the resulting vacancy in the office of Lieutenant Governor shall be filled in the manner provided by Section 9 , Article III, of this Constitution. (Feb. 15, 1876. Amended Nov. 2, 1999.) (TEMPORARY TRANSITION PROVISIONS for Sec. 16: See Appendix, Note 1.)
Tex. Const. art. 3, § 29 — Article 3 / Section 29
Texas Constitution Article 3, Section 29
Status: in_force

ENACTING CLAUSE OF LAWS. The enacting clause of all laws shall be: "Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Texas." (Feb. 15, 1876.)
Tex. Const. art. 16, § 5 — Article 16 / Section 5
Texas Constitution Article 16, Section 5
Status: in_force

DISQUALIFICATION FROM OFFICE FOR GIVING OR OFFERING BRIBE. Every person shall be disqualified from holding any office of profit, or trust, in this State, who shall have been convicted of having given or offered a bribe to procure his election or appointment. (Feb. 15, 1876.)
Tex. Const. art. 3, § 66 — Article 3 / Section 66
Texas Constitution Article 3, Section 66
Status: in_force

LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR NONECONOMIC DAMAGES. (a) In this section "economic damages" means compensatory damages for any pecuniary loss or damage. The term does not include any loss or damage, however characterized, for past, present, and future physical pain and suffering, mental anguish and suffering, loss of consortium, loss of companionship and society, disfigurement, or physical impairment. (b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this constitution, the legislature by statute may determine the limit of liability for all damages and losses, however characterized, other than economic damages, of a provider of medical or health care with respect to treatment, lack of treatment, or other claimed departure from an accepted standard of medical or health care or safety, however characterized, that is or is claimed to be a cause of, or that contributes or is claimed to contribute to, disease, injury, or death of a person. This subsection applies without regard to whether the claim or cause of action arises under or is derived from common law, a statute, or other law, including any claim or cause of action based or sounding in tort, contract, or any other theory or any combination of theories of liability. The claim or cause of action includes a medical or health care liability claim as defined by the legislature. (c) Notwithstanding any other provision of this constitution, after January 1, 2005, the legislature by statute may determine the limit of liability for all damages and losses, however characterized, other than economic damages, in a claim or cause of action not covered by Subsection (b) of this section. This subsection applies without regard to whether the claim or cause of action arises under or is derived from common law, a statute, or other law, including any claim or cause of action based or sounding in tort, contract, or any other theory or any combination of theories of liability. (d) Except as provided by Subsection (c) of this section, this section applies to a law enacted by the 78th Legislature, Regular Session, 2003, and to all subsequent regular or special sessions of the legislature. (e) A legislative exercise of authority under Subsection (c) of this section requires a three-fifths vote of all the members elected to each house and must include language citing this section. (Added Sept. 13, 2003.)
Tex. Const. art. 9, § 3 — Article 9 / Section 3
Texas Constitution Article 9, Section 3
Status: in_force

(Repealed Aug. 5, 1969.) HOSPITAL DISTRICTS
Tex. Const. art. 3, § 50 — Article 3 / Section 50
Texas Constitution Article 3, Section 50
Status: in_force

LOAN OR PLEDGE OF CREDIT OF THE STATE. The Legislature shall have no power to give or to lend, or to authorize the giving or lending, of the credit of the State in aid of, or to any person, association or corporation, whether municipal or other, or to pledge the credit of the State in any manner whatsoever, for the payment of the liabilities, present or prospective, of any individual, association of individuals, municipal or other corporation whatsoever. (Feb. 15, 1876.)
Tex. Const. art. 3, § 59 — Article 3 / Section 59
Texas Constitution Article 3, Section 59
Status: in_force

WORKERS' COMPENSATION INSURANCE FOR STATE EMPLOYEES. The Legislature shall have power to pass such laws as may be necessary to provide for Workers' Compensation Insurance for such State employees, as in its judgment is necessary or required; and to provide for the payment of all costs, charges, and premiums on such policies of insurance; providing the State shall never be required to purchase insurance for any employee. (Added Nov. 3, 1936; amended Nov. 6, 2001.) (TEMPORARY TRANSITION PROVISION for Sec. 59: See Appendix, Note 3.)
Tex. Const. art. 1, § 37 — Article 1 / Section 37
Texas Constitution Article 1, Section 37
Status: in_force

PARENTAL RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES. To enshrine truths that are deeply rooted in this nation's history and traditions, the people of Texas hereby affirm that a parent has the responsibility to nurture and protect the parent's child and the corresponding fundamental right to exercise care, custody, and control of the parent's child, including the right to make decisions concerning the child's upbringing. (Added Nov. 4, 2025.)
Tex. Const. art. 1, § 6 — Article 1 / Section 6
Texas Constitution Article 1, Section 6
Status: in_force

FREEDOM OF WORSHIP. All men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own consciences. No man shall be compelled to attend, erect or support any place of worship, or to maintain any ministry against his consent. No human authority ought, in any case whatever, to control or interfere with the rights of conscience in matters of religion, and no preference shall ever be given by law to any religious society or mode of worship. But it shall be the duty of the Legislature to pass such laws as may be necessary to protect equally every religious denomination in the peaceable enjoyment of its own mode of public worship. (Feb. 15, 1876.) Sec. 6-a. RELIGIOUS SERVICE PROTECTIONS. This state or a political subdivision of this state may not enact, adopt, or issue a statute, order, proclamation, decision, or rule that prohibits or limits religious services, including religious services conducted in churches, congregations, and places of worship, in this state by a religious organization established to support and serve the propagation of a sincerely held religious belief. (Added Nov. 2, 2021.)
Tex. Const. art. 8, § 16 — Article 8 / Section 16
Texas Constitution Article 8, Section 16
Status: in_force

(Repealed Nov. 6, 2001.) (TEMPORARY TRANSITION PROVISION for Sec. 16: See Appendix, Note 3.)
Tex. Const. art. 8, § 19a — Article 8 / Section 19a
Texas Constitution Article 8, Section 19a
Status: in_force

EXEMPTION FROM AD VALOREM TAXATION OF IMPLEMENTS OF HUSBANDRY. Implements of husbandry that are used in the production of farm or ranch products are exempt from ad valorem taxation. (Added Nov. 2, 1982.)
Tex. Const. art. 10, § 8 — Article 10 / Section 8
Texas Constitution Article 10, Section 8
Status: in_force

(Repealed Aug. 5, 1969.)
Tex. Const. art. 5, § 24 — Article 5 / Section 24
Texas Constitution Article 5, Section 24
Status: in_force

REMOVAL OF COUNTY OFFICERS. County judges, county attorneys, clerks of the district and county courts, justices of the peace, constables, and other county officers, may be removed by the judges of the district courts for incompetency, official misconduct, habitual drunkenness, or other causes defined by law, upon the cause therefor being set forth in writing and the finding of its truth by a jury. (Feb. 15, 1876.)
Tex. Const. art. 4, § 20 — Article 4 / Section 20
Texas Constitution Article 4, Section 20
Status: in_force

COMMISSIONS. All commissions shall be in the name and by the authority of the State of Texas, sealed with the State seal, signed by the Governor and attested by the Secretary of State. (Feb. 15, 1876.)
Tex. Const. art. 3, § 52k — Article 3 / Section 52k
Texas Constitution Article 3, Section 52k
Status: in_force

COUNTY OR MUNICIPAL BONDS OR NOTES TO ACQUIRE LAND ADJACENT TO MILITARY INSTALLATIONS. The legislature by general law may authorize a municipality or county to issue bonds or notes to finance the acquisition of buffer areas or open spaces adjacent to a military installation for the prevention of encroachment or for the construction of roadways, utilities, or other infrastructure to protect or promote the mission of the military installation. The municipality or county may pledge increases in ad valorem tax revenues imposed in the area by the municipality, county, or other political subdivisions for repayment of the bonds or notes. (Added Nov. 3, 2009.)
Tex. Const. art. 8, § 16a — Article 8 / Section 16a
Texas Constitution Article 8, Section 16a
Status: in_force

(Repealed Nov. 6, 2001.) (TEMPORARY TRANSITION PROVISIONS for Sec. 16a: See Appendix, Notes 1 and 3.)
Tex. Const. art. 7, § 11 — Article 7 / Section 11
Texas Constitution Article 7, Section 11
Status: in_force

ESTABLISHMENT OF PERMANENT UNIVERSITY FUND; INVESTMENT IN GOVERNMENT BONDS. In order to enable the Legislature to perform the duties set forth in the foregoing Section, it is hereby declared all lands and other property heretofore set apart and appropriated for the establishment and maintenance of the University of Texas, together with all the proceeds of sales of the same, heretofore made or hereafter to be made, and all grants, donations and appropriations that may hereafter be made by the State of Texas, or from any other source, except donations limited to specific purposes, shall constitute and become a Permanent University Fund. And the same as realized and received into the Treasury of the State (together with such sums belonging to the Fund, as may now be in the Treasury), shall be invested in bonds of the United States, the State of Texas, or counties of said State, or in School Bonds ofâ municipalities, or in bonds of any city of this State, or in bonds issued under and by virtue of the Federal Farm Loan Act approved by the President of the United States, July 17, 1916, and amendments thereto; and the interest accruing thereon shall be subject to appropriation by the Legislature to accomplish the purpose declared in the foregoing Section; provided, that the one-tenth of the alternate Sectionsâ of the lands granted to railroads, reserved by the State, which were set apart and appropriated to the establishment of the University of Texas, by an Act of the Legislature of February 11, 1858, entitled, "An Act to establish the University of Texas", shall not be included in, or constitute a part of, the Permanent University Fund. (Feb. 15, 1876. Amended Nov. 4, 1930, and Nov. 8, 1932.) â The language of this provision is identical to the language of the official legislative measure that originally proposed the provision. A digital image of the original text of the official enrolled measure can be found here .
Tex. Const. art. 4, § 13 — Article 4 / Section 13
Texas Constitution Article 4, Section 13
Status: in_force

RESIDENCE OF GOVERNOR. During the session of the Legislature the Governor shall reside where its sessions are held, and at all other times at the seat of Government, except when by act of the Legislature, he may be required or authorized to reside elsewhere. (Feb. 15, 1876.)
Tex. Const. art. 16, § 21 — Article 16 / Section 21
Texas Constitution Article 16, Section 21
Status: in_force

CONTRACTS FOR PUBLIC PRINTING AND BINDING AND FOR REPAIRS AND FURNISHINGS OF LEGISLATIVE FACILITIES. All stationery, printing, fuel used in the legislature and departments of the government other than the judicial department, printing and binding of the laws, journals, and department reports, and all other printing and binding and the repairing and furnishing of the halls and rooms used during meetings of the legislature and in committees, except proclamations and such products and services as may be done by handicapped individuals employed in nonprofit rehabilitation facilities providing sheltered employment to the handicapped in Texas, shall be performed under contract, to be given to the lowest responsible bidder, below such maximum price and under such regulations as shall be prescribed by law. No member or officer of any department of the government shall in any way have a financial interest in such contracts, and all such contracts or programs involving the state use of the products and services of handicapped individuals shall be subject to such requirements as might be established by the legislature. (Feb. 15, 1876. Amended Nov. 7, 1978.)
Tex. Const. art. 3, § 11 — Article 3 / Section 11
Texas Constitution Article 3, Section 11
Status: in_force

RULES OF PROCEDURE; PUNISHMENT OR EXPULSION OF MEMBER. Each House may determine the rules of its own proceedings, punish members for disorderly conduct, and, with the consent of two-thirds, expel a member, but not a second time for the same offenceâ . (Feb. 15, 1876.) â The language of this provision is identical to the language of the official legislative measure that originally proposed the provision. A digital image of the original text of the official enrolled measure can be found here .
Tex. Const. art. 3, § 9 — Article 3 / Section 9
Texas Constitution Article 3, Section 9
Status: in_force

PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE OF SENATE; LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR VACANCY; SPEAKER OF HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES; OTHER OFFICERS. (a) The Senate shall, at the beginning and close of each session, and at such other times as may be necessary, elect one of its members President pro tempore, who shall perform the duties of the Lieutenant Governor in any case of absence or temporary disability of that officer. If the office of Lieutenant Governor becomes vacant, the President pro tempore of the Senate shall convene the Committee of the Whole Senate within 30 days after the vacancy occurs. The Committee of the Whole shall elect one of its members to perform the duties of the Lieutenant Governor in addition to the member's duties as Senator until the next general election. If the Senator so elected ceases to be a Senator before the election of a new Lieutenant Governor, another Senator shall be elected in the same manner to perform the duties of the Lieutenant Governor until the next general election. Until the Committee of the Whole elects one of its members for this purpose, the President pro tempore shall perform the duties of the Lieutenant Governor as provided by this subsection. (b) The House of Representatives shall, when it first assembles, organize temporarily, and thereupon proceed to the election of a Speaker from its own members. (c) Each House shall choose its other officers. (Feb. 15, 1876. Amended Nov. 6, 1984; Subsec. (a) amended Nov. 2, 1999.)
Tex. Const. art. 11, § 12 — Article 11 / Section 12
Texas Constitution Article 11, Section 12
Status: in_force

EXPENDITURES FOR RELOCATION OR REPLACEMENT OF SANITATION SEWER OR WATER LATERALS ON PRIVATE PROPERTY. The legislature by general law may authorize a city or town to expend public funds for the relocation or replacement of sanitation sewer laterals or water laterals on private property if the relocation or replacement is done in conjunction with or immediately following the replacement or relocation of sanitation sewer mains or water mains serving the property. The law must authorize the city or town to affix, with the consent of the owner of the private property, a lien on the property for the cost of relocating or replacing the laterals on the property and must provide that the cost shall be assessed against the property with repayment by the property owner to be amortized over a period not to exceed five years at a rate of interest to be set as provided by the law. The lien may not be enforced until after five years have expired since the date the lien was affixed. (Added Nov. 8, 1983; amended Nov. 5, 1985.)
Tex. Const. art. 15, § 6 — Article 15 / Section 6
Texas Constitution Article 15, Section 6
Status: in_force

REMOVAL OF DISTRICT JUDGES BY SUPREME COURT. Any Judge of the District Courts of the State who is incompetent to discharge the duties of his office, or who shall be guilty of partiality, or oppression, or other official misconduct, or whose habits and conduct are such as to render him unfit to hold such office, or who shall negligently fail to perform his duties as Judge; or who shall fail to execute in a reasonable measure the business in his courts, may be removed by the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court shall have original jurisdiction to hear and determine the causes aforesaid when presented in writing upon the oaths taken before some Judge of a court of record of not less than ten lawyers, practicing in the courts held by such Judge, and licensed to practice in the Supreme Court; said presentment to be founded either upon the knowledge of the persons making it or upon the written oaths as to the facts of creditable witnesses. The Supreme Court may issue all needful process and prescribe all needful rules to give effect to this section. Causes of this kind shall have precedence and be tried as soon as practicable. (Feb. 15, 1876.)