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.

—Attorney Steve Smith

Recent Decisions

None.

Historic Decisions

• Bass v. Allbright, 59 S.W.2d 891, 89? (Tex.Civ.App.–Texarkana 1933, ref'd) (" ... .")

Library Resources

• Vernon's Annotated Constitution of the State of Texas (this multi-volume and up-to-date resource is available at all law libraries and many municipal libraries)

• The Texas State Constitution: A Reference Guide (this one-volume resource is available at most law libraries and some municipal libraries)

• The Constitution of the State of Texas: An Annotated and Comparative Analysis (this two-volume resource is available at most law libraries and some municipal libraries)

Online Resources

• Constitution of the State of Texas (1876) (this resource is published and maintained by the University of Texas School of Law)

• Amendments to the Texas Constitution Since 1876 (this resource is published and regularly updated by the Legislative Council)

• Reports Analyzing Proposed Amendments (this resource is published and regularly updated by the Legislative Reference Library)