Opinion ID: 2834621
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Standing by Statute

Text: The Constitution requires standing to maintain suit. Williams v. Lara , 52 S.W.3d 171, 178 (Tex. 2001). A party suing under a statute must establish standing, or the right to make a claim, under that statute. See id. ; Scott v. Bd. of Adjustment , 405 S.W.2d 55, 56 (Tex. 1966). In these cases, the statute itself provides the framework for the standing analysis. See Williams , 52 S.W.3d at 178–79 ; Scott , 405 S.W.2d at 56. We do not imply a right of enforcement just because a party has suffered harm from the violation of a statute; we look to the intent of the Legislature as expressed in the language of the statute. See Brown v. De la Cruz , 156 S.W.3d 560, 567 (Tex. 2004). Here, we analyze section 85.321 to determine if the Legislature intended to confer standing upon a party in Emerald’s position. See Tex. Dep’t of Protective & Regulatory Servs . v. Sherry , 46 S.W.3d 857, 861 (Tex. 2001).