Texas

The state of Texas is the second largest in the US by area, and population. With nearly 270,000 sq.miles in area, and over 28 million residents living in the state, the south-central state shares borders with Louisiana, Arkansas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma. It is also bordered by Mexican states and the Gulf of Mexico. Houston is the state’s most populous city and 4th most populous city in the country. It was admitted as the 28th state into the union on December 29, 1845.

Texas’ economy was driven by four-prominent industries prior to WWII including cattling, timber, oil, and cotton. The discovery of oil deposits in the state led to the economic boom and was the main driving force in the state throughout the 20th century. Since 2002 Texas has been the leading state in the US in exports, and maintains the second highest GDP in the nation. Today the state is a leading producer in oil, is one of the leading states in government jobs in the tech industry, and has one of the largest economies throughout the US and worldwide.

The government of Texas was set up by the Texas Constitution, and consists of a unitary democratic state government operating under a presidential system that uses the Dillon Rule, as well as governments at the county and municipal levels.  The Dillon Rule is  a legal principle that local governments have limited authority, and can pass ordinances only in areas where they have been granted authority by the larger state government.  The executive branch of the Texas state government includes the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Comptroller of Public Accounts, Land Commissioner, Attorney General, Agriculture Commissioner, the three-member Texas Railroad Commission, the State Board of Education, and the Secretary of State.   The system in Texas limits the power of the Governor, as each executive branch member (with the exception of the Secretary of State) are elected independently.

Much like the federal government, the legislature of Texas has two houses-the Texas House of Representatives and the Senate.  Again, like the federal government, the Speaker of the House leads the House of Representatives, and the Lieutenant Governor leads the Senate. 

Texas boasts one of the most complicated judicial systems in the country.  The system is described in Article 5 of the Texas Constitution and is further defined by statute, in particular the Texas Government Code and the Texas Probate Code.  The system is complicated by multiple levels and overlapping jurisdictions, with different courts often sharing courthouses.  The court levels are: The Supreme Court, Court of Criminal Appeals, Courts of Appeals, District Courts, Probate Courts, Constitutional County Courts, Statutory County Courts at Law, Municipal Courts and the Justice of the Peace Courts.

The National Law Review covers several stories from the state of Texas and the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals. Cases and stories related to telemedicine and healthcare in the state, data and cybersecurity laws, labor and employment laws, paid sick leave, insurance law, bankruptcy and tax cases, are among the different areas of law visitors will find, as they relate to Texas, on the National Law Review site.

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Apr
6
2013
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) Proposes Partially Delisting Texas City from Air Pollutant Watch List Beveridge & Diamond PC
Jul
29
2013
San Antonio Water System Negotiates $1.1 Billion Clean Water Act Settlement Beveridge & Diamond PC
Aug
30
2013
Section 185 Fee Baseline Amount Submittal Deadline for Houston Area Sources Beveridge & Diamond PC
Jun
18
2015
Texas Supreme Court Holds Plaintiffs Must Prove Lack of Consent in Trespass Suits Beveridge & Diamond PC
Mar
2
2021
Top Ten Tips for Seeking Enforcement Discretion and Preserving a Weather Disaster Force Majeure Affirmative Defense before the TCEQ Beveridge & Diamond PC
Apr
8
2013
Upcoming Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) Meetings and Events Beveridge & Diamond PC
Jul
31
2013
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) Plans Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Permitting Takeover as DC Circuit Dismisses Texas’ GHG Permitting Challenge Beveridge & Diamond PC
Aug
30
2013
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Acts Regarding Central Texas Species Beveridge & Diamond PC
Dec
12
2023
It’s Not Your Imagination: It’s Getting Even Harder to Permit Your Project In Texas Beveridge & Diamond PC
Jul
31
2013
Texas Among States Alleging EPA Noncompliance with Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Regarding Records of Negotiation/Settlement with Nongovernmental Organizations (NGOs) Beveridge & Diamond PC
Oct
21
2013
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) Releases Draft Rules for Taking Over Texas Greenhouse Gas Permitting from EPA Region 6 Beveridge & Diamond PC
Jul
2
2015
Texas Supreme Court Rules that CERCLA PRP Letters and Enforcement Proceedings Are “Suits” Subject to the Duty to Defend Under Standard CGL Insurance Policies Beveridge & Diamond PC
Sep
11
2017
Texas Supreme Court Upholds $22.7M Award in Gas Production Contamination Case Beveridge & Diamond PC
Jul
31
2013
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) Approves New Mechanism to Authorize Maintenance, Startup and Shutdown Emissions at Oil & Gas Facilities Beveridge & Diamond PC
Sep
10
2013
Fifth Circuit Seeks Texas Supreme Court Input in Deepwater Horizon Insurance Coverage Dispute Beveridge & Diamond PC
Feb
5
2019
Texas Supreme Court Holds Energy Company Can Recover Substantial Defense Costs Under Insurance Policy Covering Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Beveridge & Diamond PC
Nov
4
2020
TCEQ Initiates Temporary Permian Basin “Find It and Fix It” Program for Air Compliance Beveridge & Diamond PC
Aug
1
2013
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) Toxicology News Beveridge & Diamond PC
Oct
29
2013
Texas Jury Declines to Award Damages in $10B Toxic Flaring Case Beveridge & Diamond PC
Oct
20
2016
EPA & DOJ Follow Through on Worker Endangerment Initiative: “Oh The Times . . . They are A-Changing” Beveridge & Diamond PC
Nov
4
2020
Upcoming: Free Online TCEQ Air Compliance Workshops for Oil and Gas Operations Beveridge & Diamond PC
May
1
2013
New Hydraulic Fracturing Water Recycling Rules Published in Texas Register Beveridge & Diamond PC
Aug
1
2013
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Makes Critical Habitat Designations for Six West Texas Aquatic Invertebrate Species Beveridge & Diamond PC
Aug
2
2022
EPA Announces Permian Emissions Monitoring Flyovers in Texas and New Mexico Beveridge & Diamond PC
May
1
2013
Supreme Court Invites Solicitor General to File Brief Expressing United States Views on Texas-New Mexico Water Dispute Beveridge & Diamond PC
Aug
1
2013
Texas Railroad Commission Well-Plugging Program Audited Beveridge & Diamond PC
Mar
19
2020
TCEQ Issues Guidance for Submitting Enforcement Discretion Requests During COVID-19 Pandemic Beveridge & Diamond PC
Oct
8
2020
In Wake of Industrial Accidents, TCEQ Seeks Revisions to Penalty Policy and Compliance History Rules Beveridge & Diamond PC
Feb
16
2021
TCEQ Issues Revised Penalty Policy Beveridge & Diamond PC
May
1
2013
U.S. Supreme Court Rejects Petition to Hear Regulatory Takings Case Against State of Texas Beveridge & Diamond PC
May
1
2013
Texas State Implementation Plan Update Beveridge & Diamond PC
Oct
1
2013
Texas Audit Policy Act Guidance Updated Beveridge & Diamond PC
Nov
10
2015
Texas Court Requires Expert Testimony to Support Toxic Tort Personal Injury Claims Beveridge & Diamond PC
May
1
2013
Environmental Groups Request Probe Into Startup, Shutdown, Malfunction and Maintenance Events Beveridge & Diamond PC
Jun
28
2013
U.S. Supreme Court Sides with Oklahoma In Dispute with Texas Water District Beveridge & Diamond PC
Apr
6
2020
Top Ten Tips for Seeking Enforcement Discretion and Preserving a COVID-19 Force Majeure Affirmative Defense before the TCEQ Beveridge & Diamond PC
May
2
2013
Texas Emissions Reduction Plan (TERP) Program Rebate Grants Available Beveridge & Diamond PC
Oct
1
2013
Proposal to Remove Port Arthur from Air Pollution Watch List Beveridge & Diamond PC
May
3
2013
Texas is Among States Filing Petition for Cert with U.S. Supreme Court on Greenhouse Gas Emissions Rules Beveridge & Diamond PC
Jun
29
2013
2013 Texas Environmental Legislation Summary Beveridge & Diamond PC
Aug
29
2013
Insurer Required to Defend Waste Disposal Well Operator in Lawsuits Arising from Sinkhole Collapse Beveridge & Diamond PC
Oct
1
2013
Houston Air Ordinance Upheld by Texas Appeals Court Beveridge & Diamond PC
May
3
2013
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and Environmental Protection Agency Reach Agreement re Greenhouse Gas Emissions Permitting Beveridge & Diamond PC
Jun
29
2013
Texas Supreme Court Declines to Reconsider Clean Air Act Preemption Decision Beveridge & Diamond PC
Aug
29
2013
Latest Development on Brazos River Senior Water Rights Call Beveridge & Diamond PC
Oct
2
2013
Texas State Implementation Plan (SIP) Update Beveridge & Diamond PC
Apr
3
2013
Ruling in Endangered Species Act Whooping Crane Lawsuit Stayed by Fifth Circuit Beveridge & Diamond PC
May
4
2013
Texas Federal Court Dismisses Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) Contribution Claimed Based on Alleged “Re-Contamination” of Former Superfund Site Beveridge & Diamond PC
Jun
30
2013
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) Approves Proposal of Haze Reduction Progress Report Beveridge & Diamond PC
Aug
29
2013
Application for Advanced Review of Environmental Compliance History Due August 31 Beveridge & Diamond PC
 

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