Preamble to the Texas Constitution
Adopted February 15, 1876:
Humbly invoking the blessings of Almighty God, the people of the State of Texas, do ordain and establish this Constitution.
Editor Comments
This introductory provision has no independent legal effect.
However, the reference to "Almighty God" may inform the interpretation of Article I, Section 6.
That section and Sections 4, 5, 6-a and 7 of the same article concern religion.
Recent Decisions
None.
Historic Decisions
- Bass v. Albright, 59 S.W.2d 891, 895 (Tex.Civ.App.–Texarkana 1933, ref'd) ("As a method of legislation, in order to avoid unnecessary verbiage, express reference may be made to laws . . . . Therefore as the Constitution was adopted by vote of the people and as the ordinance was an integral part of it, such ordinance must be considered as legally adopted by vote of the people upon its submission to them. As a consequence the execution in evidence would then be existing and valid at the date of the levy and the sale. The Constitution became effective on April 18, 1876, at which date the execution was not functus officio but valid.")
Library Resources
- Vernon's Annotated Constitution of the State of Texas (multi-volume and up-to-date resource available at all law and many municipal libraries)
- The Texas State Constitution: A Reference Guide (one-volume resource available at most law and some municipal libraries)
- The Constitution of the State of Texas: An Annotated and Comparative Analysis (two-volume resource available at most law and some municipal libraries)
Online Resources
- Constitution of the State of Texas (1876) (resource published online and maintained by the University of Texas School of Law)
- Amendments to the Texas Constitution Since 1876 (resource published online and regularly updated by the Legislative Council)
- Reports Analyzing Proposed Amendments (resource published online and regularly updated by the Legislative Reference Library)