Texas Laws
119 articles · page 2 of 2
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Texas Knife Laws (2026): Carry, Location-Restricted Knives
Texas has no general knife-length limit; a 2017 law replaced the named-knife-type ban with a 5.5-inch rule for restricted places and minors only.
Texas Landlord-Tenant Laws (2026): Deposits, Notice, and Tenant Rights
Texas security deposit rules, return deadline, landlord entry notice, repair-and-deduct rights, and statewide rent-control preemption explained for 2026.
Texas Lemon Law (2026): How to Qualify and Get a Refund
Texas lemon law covers new vehicles under Occupations Code Chapter 2301. Learn the 4/2/30-day tests, mileage offset formula, and how to file with TxDMV.
Texas License Plate Reader Laws (2026)
Texas has no general ALPR statute. See toll plate limits in Transp. Code 372.051, records rules, the Fifth Circuit Porter ruling, Austin and bills.
Texas Manslaughter Laws: Reckless, Negligent and Intoxication (2026)
Texas manslaughter (Penal Code 19.04) is a second-degree felony, 2 to 20 years. Learn criminally negligent homicide, intoxication manslaughter and 2025 changes.
Texas Marriage & Divorce Records: How to Get a Copy (2026)
Texas issues $20 verification letters, not certified copies. Learn where certified marriage licenses and divorce decrees come from, and what the index covers.
Texas Marriage License Requirements 2026: Fees, 72-Hour Wait
How to get a Texas marriage license in 2026: county fees, the 72-hour wait and its exceptions, the Twogether discount, ID, officiants and the 90-day expiry.
Texas Medical Records Retention Laws (2026 Guide)
Texas medical records retention laws require physicians to keep records 7 years and hospitals 10 years. Learn about SB 1188 EHR storage rules effective 2026.
Texas Minimum Wage 2026: $7.25 an Hour Under State and Federal Law
Texas's minimum wage is $7.25 per hour because state law adopts the federal rate. See who the state act covers, the tipped wage, local preemption and how to file.
Texas Motorcycle Accident Laws (2026): Deadlines & Helmets
Texas motorcycle accident law: the 2-year deadline to sue, the 51 percent fault bar, the partial helmet law for riders 21 and up, and no lane splitting.
Texas Name Change Laws: How to Legally Change Your Name
How to legally change your name in Texas under Family Code ch. 45: the fingerprint-card rule, felony/sex-offender restrictions, and divorce name restoration.
Texas Noise Ordinance Laws (2026): Quiet Hours, 85 dB Rule, Fines
Texas noise laws: unreasonable noise is a Class C misdemeanor up to $500, the 85 dB presumption applies only after notice, and cities set quiet hours.
Texas Non-Compete Laws (2026): Are Non-Competes Enforceable?
Texas enforces reasonable non-competes under Bus. & Com. Code 15.50. See how courts reform broad ones and the 2025 limits for doctors, dentists, nurses and PAs.
Texas Nursing Home Camera Laws: Chapter 242, Subchapter R Electronic Monitoring
Texas lets nursing home residents install room cameras under Health & Safety Code Ch. 242, Subch. R. Covers assisted living, roommate consent, cost, and penalties.
Texas Open Container Law (2026): Penal Code 49.031 Explained
Texas bans open containers for drivers and passengers under Penal Code 49.031, moving, stopped, or parked. Read the rule, exemptions, and Class C penalty.
Texas Pepper Spray and Stun Gun Laws (2026)
Texas excludes small personal pepper spray from its weapons ban by definition; its prohibited-weapons statute never names a stun gun. See the felony line.
Texas Police Bodycam Laws: Public Access Rules 2026
Texas has no statewide bodycam mandate. See Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 2B.0101 et seq. (recodified 2025), the 90-day retention floor, and public access rules.
Texas Police Report: How to Get a Crash Report from CRIS, an Incident Report, or Bodycam Footage
How to buy a Texas crash report through TxDOT’s CRIS system, request a local incident report, and how bodycam footage and report corrections work.
Texas Pornography Laws (2026): Age Verification, FSC v. Paxton, and Penalties
Is porn legal in Texas? How the age-verification law works after FSC v. Paxton, CSAM and revenge-porn penalties, and why Pornhub blocks Texas.
Texas Power of Attorney Laws: Durable, Medical, and Financial POA (2026)
Learn Texas power of attorney laws: durable POA requires express durability language under Tex. Est. Code ch. 751, notarization required, 2017 fiduciary-duty amendments, hot powers, and the separate medical POA under Tex. Health & Safety Code ch. 166.
Texas Prenuptial Agreement Laws: Enforceability and Rules (2026)
Texas prenups fall under the Uniform Premarital Agreement Act. Learn the signing rules, the 4.006 enforceability test, support limits and how to amend an agreement.
Texas Probate and Intestate Succession: What Happens Without a Will (2026)
Texas probate explained: independent vs. dependent administration, the $75,000 small estate affidavit, and who inherits community property without a will.
Texas Property Records: How to Find Out Who Owns a Property (2026)
Texas property records are handled by the County Clerk in each of 254 counties. Learn how to search for free, get certified copies, and avoid deed scams.
Texas Public Information Act: How to Request Public Records
Texas Public Information Act requests explained. Section 552.221 requires prompt production, not a 10 day turnaround; that figure is the AG ruling deadline.
Texas Punitive (Exemplary) Damages: Cap, Proof and Rules (2026)
Texas exemplary damages need clear and convincing proof of fraud, malice or gross negligence and are generally capped by CPRC 41.008, with felony exceptions.
Texas Quitclaim Deed: Requirements, Recording and Homestead Rules
How a Texas quitclaim deed is signed and recorded with the county clerk, including the photo ID rule, homestead joinder, fees and the SB 16 deed fraud law.
Texas Reckless Driving Laws: Penalties, Racing and License Rules
Texas reckless driving (Transportation Code 545.401) is a misdemeanor: up to a $200 fine, 30 days in jail, or both. Racing, street takeovers and license rules.
Texas Recording Laws (2026): One-Party Consent Rules
Texas is a one-party consent state under Tex. Penal Code § 16.02. Recording without consent is a second-degree felony. Civil damages start at $10,000 per occurrence.
Texas Restraining Order Laws (2026): How to Get a Protective Order
Learn how to get a Protective Order in Texas. Covers temporary orders (20 days), MOEP at arrest, 2-year final orders, lifetime orders, firearms rules, and violation penalties.
Texas Ring Doorbell Laws: What You Need to Know in 2026
Texas Ring doorbell laws explained: one-party consent audio rules, CUBI biometric privacy restrictions on Familiar Faces, HOA protections, and penalties.
Texas Scam and Fraud Laws: Where to Report, Your Right to Sue (2026)
Texas scam victims who qualify as DTPA consumers can sue for economic damages, up to 3x if knowing, plus fees. Where to report in Texas, elder protections, and deadlines.
Texas Self-Defense Laws: Stand Your Ground & Castle Doctrine (2026)
Texas is a stand-your-ground state under Tex. Penal Code 9.32(c). Learn how castle doctrine, the 9.32(b) presumption, and civil immunity under CPRC 83.001 work in Texas (2026).
Texas Self-Driving Car Laws: SB 2807 and Robotaxi Rules (2026)
Texas lets driverless cars operate under SB 2807. Since May 28, 2026, driverless robotaxi and truck fleets need TxDMV authorization. Tickets and insurance.
Texas Severance Pay Laws (2026): Is Severance Required?
Texas does not require severance, but written severance promises are wages under the Payday Law, and severance can delay unemployment. Deadlines and rules.
Texas Sexting Laws: Legal Consequences and Penalties
Understand Texas's sexting laws: criminal penalties for adults and minors, revenge porn laws, and defenses available under Texas law.
Texas Slip and Fall Laws: Proving Premises Liability in the Lone Star State
Texas slip and fall law: open-and-obvious duty bar (Austin v. Kroger 2015), natural-accumulation no-duty for ice/snow, modified 51% comparative fault, 2-year SOL, and 90-day government notice rules.
Texas Small Claims Court: $20,000 Limit, Fees and How to File
Texas small claims cases go to justice court and can be for up to $20,000. Learn the $54 filing fee, who can file, service, appeals and collecting a judgment.
Texas Small Estate Affidavit: $75,000 Limit, Wait Time and Rules
Texas heirs may use a small estate affidavit for estates up to $75,000, excluding homestead, after 30 days. It must be filed in court and approved by a judge.
Texas Smart Glasses Recording Laws (2026)
Texas smart glasses recording laws explained: one-party consent under Penal Code § 16.02, CUBI biometric rules (up to $25,000/violation), and invasive visual recording statute § 21.15.
Texas Social Security Disability: Rates & Wait Times
Social Security disability in Texas: no state SSI supplement, automatic Medicaid on SSI approval, initial approval odds, and how long an ALJ hearing takes.
Texas Squatters Rights and Adverse Possession Laws (2026)
Texas adverse possession requires 10 years under § 16.026, or 5 years with a deed and taxes paid, or 3 years with color of title. Learn how to remove squatters via Justice Court.
Texas Statute of Limitations: Filing Deadlines by Case Type
Texas statute of limitations for civil and criminal cases. Filing deadlines for personal injury, contracts, fraud, medical malpractice, and criminal charges.
Texas Surveillance Camera Laws (2026 Guide)
Texas surveillance camera laws: home security, workplace cameras, neighbor disputes, audio recording rules.
Texas Theft Laws: Felony Threshold, Penalties and Shoplifting (2026)
Texas theft becomes a state jail felony at $2,500 under Penal Code 31.03. See every value tier, repeat-offense rules, organized retail theft and civil liability.
Texas Trade Secret Laws: UTSA, Remedies & Deadlines
Texas Uniform Trade Secrets Act (Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code §§ 134A.001-134A.008): definitions, reasonable royalty damages, the 3-year deadline, and DTSA overlap.
Texas Unclaimed Property: How to Search & Claim Your Money (2026)
Texas is holding over $9 billion in unclaimed money. Learn how to search ClaimItTexas.gov and file a free claim with the Texas Comptroller's office.
Texas Unemployment Benefits 2026: $619 Max, Eligibility, How to File
Texas unemployment pays $76 to $619 a week for up to 26 weeks. See TWC eligibility rules, the waiting week, work search by county, how to file and how to appeal.
Texas Warrant Search: How to Check If You Have a Warrant (2026)
Texas has no single statewide warrant database. Learn how to check if you have a warrant in Texas using re:SearchTX, county clerks, and Sheriff's Offices.
Texas Whistleblower Laws: Protections and How to Report
Learn about Texas whistleblower laws including the Whistleblower Act for public employees, Medicaid fraud qui tam provisions, and key filing deadlines.
Texas Will and Trust Laws: Witnesses, Holographic Wills (2026)
A Texas will needs 2 credible witnesses at least 14 years old, and no notary. A will written wholly in the testator's handwriting needs no witnesses.
Texas Window Tint Laws (2026): Legal VLT Limits
Texas window tint laws: 25% VLT minimum on front side windows, any darkness on back and rear. Red, blue, and amber films banned on the windshield. Medical exemptions available.
Texas Windshield Mounting Laws (2026 Guide)
Texas windshield mounting laws: restrictions, penalties, and exemptions. Complete guide.
Texas Workers' Compensation Laws: Benefits, Deadlines, and the Non-Subscriber Risk
Texas is the only state where workers' comp is optional for private employers. Learn TIBs benefits, the 1-year claim deadline, non-subscriber liability, and doctor choice rules.
Texas Workplace Harassment Laws: Sexual Harassment 1-Employee Rule
Texas sexual harassment law covers employers with one employee; other harassment needs a private employer with 15 or more. Sexual harassment complaints: 300 days.
Texas Wrongful Death Laws (2026): Deadlines & Who Can Sue
Texas wrongful death claims: the 2-year deadline, who can sue under CPRC 71.004, the separate survival action, damages, the exemplary damages cap, and fault.
Truck Accident Laws in Texas (2026): Deadlines & Liability
Texas gives truck-crash victims 2 years to sue. Learn the 51% proportionate-responsibility bar, FMCSA rules, the $750k insurance floor, and who can be liable.
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Weird Laws in Texas: Which Are Still on the Books?
Encyclopedias with beer recipes, milking a neighbor's cow, wire cutters and honking in El Paso: 7 claims about weird Texas laws checked against the code.
What Is the TDPSA? Texas Data Privacy and Security Act
The TDPSA (Tex. Bus. & Com. Code ch. 541) took effect July 1, 2024. Learn who it covers, consumer rights, and up to $7,500 per-violation AG enforcement.
Wrongful Termination in Texas (2026): Laws, Deadlines, How to File
Texas is at-will, but the Texas Commission on Human Rights Act, Sabine Pilot and retaliation laws bar some firings. See each claim, its deadline and how to file.