The first publication of the Texas Register was in 1976. It is compiled by the Texas Secretary of State and published weekly on Friday afternoons. It serves as the journal of state agency rulemaking for Texas.
The Texas Register includes:
*Unlike the Federal Register, if there are no changes to a proposed rule, then the full text of the rule is not reprinted and one has to page back to notice of proposed rule.
Like the Fed. Reg, the Texas Register is a current awareness tool and, at the same time, a source of regulatory history. To keep current, you can look for the latest issue on a weekly basis for new ("Adopted Rules" section) and proposed regulations.
The Texas Register has content in the searchable database prior to print publication. This feature may be useful to preview proposed rules, adopted rules, and emergency rules prior to its print publication.
Electronic Availability
*Be sure to check currency when searching commercial databases.
Print Availability
The Texas Register is available in print at Tarlton on the 2nd floor.
Ways to research regulations:
As usual, both Lexis, Westlaw, and Bloomberg have the additional options of natural language and terms and connectors searching.
Lexis and Westlaw may be more familiar to the typical researcher, but in terms of currency, the free government sources are better. Searching by citation will not work in Westlaw for older rules.