What does the term "statutory law" refer to in Texas?

The term "statutory law" refers specifically to laws that are enacted by a legislative body, which in Texas is the Texas Legislature. These laws are formal statutes that have gone through the legislative process, including drafting, discussion, approval by both houses of the Legislature, and being signed into law by the Governor. Statutory laws are written and codified, providing clear guidelines and regulations that govern behavior within the state.

Common law, which is based on judicial decisions and precedents rather than written statutes, does not qualify as statutory law. Regulations established by state agencies, while also important to Texas law, are typically subordinate to statutory laws as they derive their authority from statutes and provide detailed implementation guidelines. National laws apply universally across all states but are separate from state statutory law, which focuses specifically on laws created within the state of Texas.