The constitution of the r epublic of texas 1836, the first angloamerican constitution to govern texas, was drafted by a convention of fiftynine delegates who assembled at washingtononthebrazos on march 1, 1836 see convention of 1836. Amendments to the texas constitution since 1876 for more information. Texas constitution and statutes outside source searchable index of all state codes and the texas constitution. The web site for the legislative reference library lrl has a constitutional amendment search and the texas legislative council offers a table of constitutional amendments since 1876 pdf, arranged numerically by article and section.
We, the people of texas, in order to form a government, establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defence and general welfare. Introduction constitution of texas 1869 tarlton law. Separation of powers under the texas constitution law school. For each proposed amendment that will appear on the november 5, 2019, ballot, analyses of proposed constitutional amendments contains the ballot language, an analysis, and the text of the joint resolution proposing the amendment. The original version of this 1876 constitution is viewable online on the university of texas school of law tarlton law library website at. Texas constitution is one of the largest state constitutions in the u. Art 1 sec 15a article 1 bill of rights section 15a commitment of persons of unsound mind no person shall be committed as a person of unsound mind except on competent medical or psychiatric testimony. The texas constitution sets out the general requirements for truthintaxation. All legislative powers herein granted shall be vested in a congress of the united states, which shall consist of a senate and house of representatives. It is the seventh constitution in the states history and the fifth constitution since texas achieved statehood. Constitution of the state of coahuila and texas 1827 spanish text. The texas constitution preamble humbly invoking the blessings.
Article i compact with the united states all provisions of the enabling act of congress approved february 22,1889,25 stat. Those which are legislative to one, those which are executive to another, and those which are judicial to another. The 1876 texas constitution, the fifth since statehood, had 289 sections organized into 17 articles. Seven basic principles preserving liberty the texas constitution constitutional principles explanation examples of how and where it is achieved federalism texas is a state within the federal system of government of the united states where power is divided between the national government and the governments of the individual states. The the texas judicial system texas judicial system. Jan 29, 2020 text of the 1869 constitution of the state of texas, with original document scans. The constitution of the state of texas is the document that establishes the structure and.
Introduction the annexation of texas was by any standard a pivotal moment in the political history of the united states. Part of the tarlton law libraryjamail center for legal researchs texas constitutions 18241876 digital collection. The current document was adopted on february 15, 1876, and is the seventh constitution in texas history including the mexican constitution. Highly restrictive and antigovernment, this constitution places strict limitations on the powers of the governor, the legislature, and other state officials. The house of representatives shall be composed of members chosen every second year by the people of the several. Constitution of the republic of texas 1836 tarlton law library. Download the pdf version of the text click the image to view full size. The constitutions of california and the united states with.
Texas is a free and independent state, subject only to the constitution of the united states, and the maintenance of our free institutions and the perpetuity of the union depend upon the preservation of the right of local selfgovernment, unimpaired to all the states. Text of the constitutions and foundational documents of the state of texas, with original document scans. From 1876 through january 2015, the texas state legislature proposed 666 amendments to the state. Ray, director of the texas advisory commission on intergovernmental relations, states that the principal reason for the publication was to make the information available to the public. Texas is a free and independent state, subject only to the constitution of the united states. On march 2, 1836, texas declared itself an independent republic due to a lack of support from the united states in their revolutionary movement. In contrast, the texas constitution is relatively easy to amend. Every citizen of this state owes paramount allegiance to the constitution and government of the united states, and no law or ordinance of the state in contravention or subversion thereof can have any binding force. The legislative, executive, and supreme judicial powers of the state government shall be. Texas is a free and independent state, subject only to the constitution of the. The constitution and the annexation of texas earl m. It focuses on the texas constitution, its history, and how it.
The declaration of independence was written by george childress and modeled after the united states constitution. The texas constitution preamble humbly invoking the blessings of almighty god, the people of the state of texas, do ordain and establish this constitution. The fundamental legal rights which all residents of the state possesssuch as the right to trial. The following text is a transcription of the constitution as it was inscribed by jacob shallus on parchment the document on display in the rotunda at the national archives museum. Article iii constitution of the state of texas 1869. The legislative reference library offers an archive of analyses going back to 1960. It applies to most educational institutions that are supported in whole or part by state tax funds. Constitution of the state of coahuila and texas 1827 english text. Portable document format pdf, plain text, and microsoft word versions are available.
The structure of the current constitution of texas constitution of 1876 is a preamble, 17 articles, and 491 amendments since 2015 2. The purpose of this club shall be to promote interest in amateur radio in the t texas. Constitution or form of government of the state of texas 1833 declaration of the people of texas 1835 english text. Bill of rights that the general, great and essential principles of liberty and free government may be recognized and established, we declare. Browse constitutions of texas constitutions of texas. Texas is a free and independent state, subject only to the constitution of the united states, and. Texas shall be located in sugar land, fort bend county, texas. The current texas constitution is the seventh constitution in texas. Printed at the news steam book and job establishment. Section 3 a copy of this constitution and bylaws shall at all times be kept by the church clerk and another copy shall be kept in the church office. George braden, the constitution of the state of texas full text. In 2018 the section headings to the constitution, which are not officially part of the text of the constitution, were revised to reflect amendments and to modernize the language.
Established october 31, 1783 to take effect june 2, 1784 as subsequently amended and in force january 2019. Constitution of the s tate of texas, adopted by the constitutional convention, begun and held at the city of austin, on the sixth day of september, 1875. Constitution of the state of texas 1876 tarlton law library. The texas education code includes all laws and rules passed by the state legislature. Every male person who shall have attained the age of twentyone years, and who shall be or who shall have declared his intentions to become a citizen of the united states, or who is, at the time of the acceptance of this constitution by the congress of the united states, a citizen of texas, and shall have resided in the state one year next.
The constitution of the confederate states of america, the ordinances of the texas convention, and an address to the people of texas. The legislative power of this state shall be vested in a senate and house of representatives, which together shall be styled the legislature of the state of texas. The current texas state constitution took effect in 1876. The texas constitution is current through the amendments approved by voters in november 2019. Feb 11, 2020 text of the constitutions and foundational documents of the state of texas, with original document scans. The constitution of the republic of texas was the supreme law of texas from 1836 to 1845. Text of the 1869 constitution of the state of texas, with original document scans. The membership of the church shall have full power and authority to relocate or have multiple campuses as it sees fit. The new charter was brief, composed of less than 6,500 words. The deci sion to add texas to the union was either directly or indirectly responsible for the acquisition of all of the territory of the. Any railroad corporation or association, organized under the law for the purpose, shall have the right to construct and operate a railroad between any points within this state, and to connect at the state line with railroads of other states.
Article xi constitution of the state of texas 1869. The current texas constitution is the seventh constitution in texas history. This constitution is dedicated to the principles that all persons have a natural right to life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness, and the enjoyment of the rewards of their own industry. The constitution of the state of texas is the document that establishes the structure and function of the government of the u. The texas legislative council publishes a comprehensive pdf list of all proposed amendments here, as well as detailed analyses of proposed amendments going back to 2001. Oct 24, 2019 the texas legislative council publishes a comprehensive pdf list of all proposed amendments here, as well as detailed analyses of proposed amendments going back to 2001.
The texas legislative council publishes a comprehensive pdf list of all. Texas constitution researchers, then and now, find this publication an invaluable resource. The texas constitution reflects a remarkable historical link to its 19th century origins. Constitution is exceedingly difficult to amend, but the documents structure makes frequent amendment unnecessary. Six constitutions over texas y1836 constitution of the republic of texas y1845 constitution adopted hen teas joined the union and constitution adopted when texas joined the union and became a state y1861 constitution adopted when texas became a member of the confederate states y1866 first reconstruction constitution rejected by u. Constitution of the state of texas, library of congress.
Texas is a free and independent state, subject only to the constitution of the united states, and the maintenance of our free. Article i bill of rights that the general, great and essential principles of liberty and free government may be recognized and established, we declare. Introduction to the texas judicial system the texas constitution the basic law of the state of texas is set out in the constitution of the state of texas, a document adopted by the voters of the state in 1876 and amended by them many times since then. Unless it is restrictive to religious freedoms protected by the constitution of the. Seven basic principles preserving liberty the texas constitution. Constitution, therefore making it the second longest state constitution in america 2nd only to alabamas. The framers of our constitution envisioned a democracy that protected fundamental freedoms and rights. Analysis and interpretation popularly known as the constitution annotated contains legal analysis and interpretation of the united states constitution, based primarily on supreme court case law the constitution of the united states of america, s. Over time, these freedoms and rights have evolved to embrace a more diverse and inclusive society. Introduction constitution of texas 1876 tarlton law. Humbly invoking the blessings of almighty god, the people of the. Based on a strong skepticism of big government, it purposely fragments and limits state governmental power.
Despite its massive page count and numerous amendments, all attempts to rewrite the texas constitution. The texas constitution is the basic governing document of the state of texas. Article 1 bill of rights that the general, great and essential principles of liberty and free government may be recognized and established, we declare. This is a book written for university political science classes. The republic of texas constitution, 1836 because of escalating tensions between texas and mexico, texas declared its independence in 1836, established the republic of texas, and adopted a new constitution. More information on the constitution of the state of texas 1876 may be found at the texas constitutions 18241876 project of the tarlton law library, jamail center for legal research at the university of texas school of law, the university of texas at austin. The texas constitution of 1836 lifted major portions from the u. Each house shall be the judge of the elections, qualifications, and returns of its own. The powers of the government of the state of texas shall be divided into three distinct departments, each of which shall be confided to a separate body of magistracy. Texas constitution texas legislative council texas. As referenced we, the people of texas, in order to form a government, establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defence and general welfare. A constitution was adopted by the convention fifteen days later and ratified by a vote of the people of. Constitution has only been amended 27 times and 10 of those amendments the bill of rights were part of the founding document.
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