The Harris County Robert W. Hainsworth Law Library joins the Houston Bar Association and other legal organizations across the state in celebrating Law Week 2026. This year’s theme, “The Texas Constitution and the Rule of Law,” carries special significance, as 2026 marks the 150th anniversary of the current Texas Constitution, which took effect on February 15, 1876.
Read moreLegislative Special Sessions in Texas
The Texas Legislature meets for five months once every two years. With that being said, if laws need to be added, changed, or removed outside of this five month period, the governor can call a special session. The governor is the only person who can call for this special session and he also “has unilateral authority to decide what type of policies are in play for the special session.” Special sessions are quite common. In fact, one has just been called by Governor Abbott after the completion of the regular legislative session in May.
Read moreOn the Ballot: Texas Constitutional Amendments 2019
Ten proposed constitutional amendments will be on the November ballot. The Texas League of Women Voters has compiled a nice list of the amendments along with important voting deadlines. Compare the pros and cons of each proposed amendment, and prepare to cast your vote on Election Day, November 5, 2019.
Proposed Constitutional Amendments
For additional information and resources for voting in Texas, visit VoteTexas.gov And, for a brief history lesson on why the Texas Constitution is so long, with so many amendments, read this article at the Texas Tribune. Finally, for all your Texas statutory and Constitutional law research needs, the Texas Legislative Reference Library is your best free online resource.