Our standard is simple: every legal statement on this site must trace back to the law itself. This page explains where our information comes from, how a guide is made, and how we keep it current.
Where our information comes from
We build guides from primary sources, the documents that actually make or interpret the law:
- The Texas Constitution and the Texas codes, such as the Penal Code, Health and Safety Code, Transportation Code and Family Code
- Bill text, effective dates and history from the Texas Legislature
- The Texas Administrative Code and official guidance from state agencies such as the Department of Public Safety, the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission and the Texas Workforce Commission
- Decisions of Texas courts and opinions of the Texas Attorney General
- Federal law where it applies alongside Texas law, such as firearms and controlled substances rules
News reports can tell us that something has changed, but they are never the source of a legal claim. We confirm every change in the official text before a guide says it.
How a guide is made
- Start with the real question. We write each guide around what people in Texas actually search for and ask.
- Read the law. We identify every statute and rule that governs the topic and read the current text, not a summary of it.
- Check what changed. We look for recent bills, effective dates, court rulings and agency actions that affect the answer.
- Write the short answer first. The opening of every guide answers the question directly, then the rest explains conditions, exceptions and penalties.
- Cite and verify. Each legal statement names its source section and is checked against that source before the guide is published.
Keeping guides current
The date shown on each guide is the date it was last checked against current law. Guides on fast-changing topics, including hemp and THC products, sports betting, abortion, firearms and new laws, are rechecked at least monthly and after every legislative session. Other guides are reviewed at least twice a year, and immediately when we learn of a change.
Tools we use
We use research and drafting tools to work efficiently. They never replace the check against the law: every legal statement is verified against its source before a guide is published, and the editor is responsible for everything on this site.
Corrections
If we get something wrong, we fix it and say so. Our corrections policy explains how to report an error and what happens next.