Texas law on any date › Government Code
Government Code §311.016
In force on May 23, 1997 · this text took effect May 23, 1997 · same as today's text
"MAY," "SHALL," "MUST," ETC. The following constructions apply unless the context in which the word or phrase appears necessarily requires a different construction or unless a different construction is expressly provided by statute:
(1) "May" creates discretionary authority or grants permission or a power.
(2) "Shall" imposes a duty.
(3) "Must" creates or recognizes a condition precedent.
(4) "Is entitled to" creates or recognizes a right.
(5) "May not" imposes a prohibition and is synonymous with "shall not."
(6) "Is not entitled to" negates a right.
(7) "Is not required to" negates a duty or condition precedent.
History: Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 220, Sec. 1, eff. May 23, 1997.
Source: the Legislature's file server, seen Oct 18, 2019 to Nov 08, 2026.
Every version on file
- Effective May 23, 1997 · seen Oct 2019–Nov 2026
A research copy. The official text is the Legislature's (statutes), the Secretary of State's (Texas Administrative Code) or eCFR's (federal rules). Not legal advice.