Note The library cannot tell you what the law means for your situation.
The Texas Legislature creates agencies and commissions to help administer the law. The statutes that create the agencies describe their responsibilities and often give them rulemaking powers.
For example, the Department of Public Safety (DPS) is responsible for administering driver licenses. These responsibilities are outlined in Chapter 521 of the Transportation Code. DPS creates rules that address specific details like what kinds of identification they will accept. These rules are in the Administrative Code.
The rulemaking process is set out in Chapter 2001 of the Government Code. This chapter is known as the Administrative Procedure Act.
Agency rules are compiled and organized by subject matter by the Texas Secretary of State as the Texas Administrative Code. It is updated annually.
The library has print copies of the Texas Administrative Code dating back to 1979. These are available for public viewing during our normal business hours. If you are unable to visit the library in person, Ask a Librarian by phone or e-mail for assistance.
Changes to the Administrative Code are published in the Texas Register, which serves as the journal of state agency rulemaking in Texas. The library has a complete print collection of the Texas Register since it was first published.
The information published in the Texas Register includes proposed, adopted, withdrawn and emergency rule actions; notices of state agency review of agency rules; governor's appointments; attorney general opinions; and miscellaneous documents such as requests for proposals.
Previous issues of the Texas Register are on the secretary of state's website. All previous issues are online at the Portal to Texas History from the University of North Texas.
The online version of the code allows you to search for a rule as it existed on a particular date going back to January 1, 1999.
The library has print copies of the Texas Administrative Code dating back to 1979. These are available for public viewing during our normal business hours. If you are unable to visit the library in person, Ask a Librarian by phone or e-mail for assistance.
Visit our Historical Administrative Rules guide to learn about accessing older editions of rules.
For rules created before that time, reach out to the agency directly.
In some cases, agency records may have been transferred to the Texas State Library and Archives. Contact their reference desk for assistance locating archived agency records.
Note The library cannot tell you what the law means for your situation.