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Texas Constitution:Article III, Section 56 (view source)
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Roughly three-fourths of state constitutions contain one or more provisions restricting the enactment of local laws and special laws. Some of the provisions are relatively simple and some, referred to as laundry lists, are rather lengthy. | Roughly three-fourths of state constitutions contain one or more provisions restricting the enactment of local laws and special laws. Some of the provisions are relatively simple and some, referred to as laundry lists, are rather lengthy. | ||
Such provisions serve a variety of purposes, including: (1) preventing the Legislature from usurping local government control over public policy matters normally handled locally (i.e., stopping the Legislature "from meddling in local matters"); and (2) | Such provisions serve a variety of purposes, including: (1) preventing the Legislature from usurping local government control over public policy matters normally handled locally (i.e., stopping the Legislature "from meddling in local matters"); and (2) reserving more time for the Legislature to study, debate and address public policy matters of statewide importance. | ||
The first broad prohibition on local and special laws to appear in a Texas constitution was added by amendment to the Texas Constitution of 1869. In January 1874, the provision was [https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth6731/m1/237/ ratified] by the Legislature and therefore became effective. It read: "The legislature shall not pass local or special laws in any of the following enumerated cases: that is to say, [1] for locating or changing county seats, [2] regulating county or town affairs, [3] regulating the practice in courts of justice, [4] regulating the duties and jurisdiction of justices of the peace and constables, [5] providing for changes of venue in civil and criminal causes, [6] incorporating cities and towns, or changing or amending the charter of any city or village, [7] providing for the management of common schools, [8] regulating the rates of interest on money, [9] remitting fines, penalties, or forfeitures, [10] changing the law of descent. In all other cases when a general law can be made applicable, no special law shall be enacted; or in any case when a general law can be made applicable, no special law shall be enacted. The legislature shall enact general laws providing for the cases before enumerated in this section, and for all other cases which, in its judgment, may be provided by general laws." | The first broad prohibition on local and special laws to appear in a Texas constitution was added by amendment to the Texas Constitution of 1869. In January 1874, the provision was [https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth6731/m1/237/ ratified] by the Legislature and therefore became effective. It read: "The legislature shall not pass local or special laws in any of the following enumerated cases: that is to say, [1] for locating or changing county seats, [2] regulating county or town affairs, [3] regulating the practice in courts of justice, [4] regulating the duties and jurisdiction of justices of the peace and constables, [5] providing for changes of venue in civil and criminal causes, [6] incorporating cities and towns, or changing or amending the charter of any city or village, [7] providing for the management of common schools, [8] regulating the rates of interest on money, [9] remitting fines, penalties, or forfeitures, [10] changing the law of descent. In all other cases when a general law can be made applicable, no special law shall be enacted; or in any case when a general law can be made applicable, no special law shall be enacted. The legislature shall enact general laws providing for the cases before enumerated in this section, and for all other cases which, in its judgment, may be provided by general laws." | ||