Principle Criteria
Free Enterprise
Property Rights
Personal Responsibility
Limited Government
Individual Liberty
Digest
SB 1796 makes significant changes to statutory interpretation in Texas. It removes courts' ability to consider legislative intent when interpreting laws, requiring judges to enforce statutes based strictly on their text as written. The bill explicitly prohibits courts from using legislative history, including statements from bill sponsors, committee reports, and floor debates. It also strengthens severability provisions, ensuring that even if one part of a statute is found invalid, the remaining portions remain enforceable​.
Author
Mayes Middleton
Contact the Author
Sen. Mayes Middleton
Capitol Phone:
(512) 463-0111
Capitol Office:
EXT E1.706
E-Mail:
