Texas House Bill HB4170

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Relating to nonsubstantive additions to, revisions of, and corrections in enacted codes, to the nonsubstantive codification or disposition of various laws omitted from enacted codes, and to conforming codifications enacted by the 85th Legislature to other Acts of that legislature.

Impact

The bill's impact on state laws is substantial in terms of simplifying the legal text. By consolidating existing laws and removing redundancies, the bill seeks to reduce confusion for those interacting with the legal system, including law enforcement, attorneys, and citizens. It specifically targets changes made by the 85th Legislature, adapting previously passed laws into a more coherent structure, ensuring legal references are easily accessible and preventing the misapplication of outdated statutes.

Summary

House Bill 4170 focuses on nonsubstantive additions, revisions, and corrections in the enacted codes, aiming to streamline the state's legal framework while ensuring that various laws omitted from these codes are codified or handled appropriately. This bill is part of Texas's ongoing effort to refine its statutes and eliminate duplicative or outdated provisions, thereby enhancing the clarity and functionality of state laws. The intent is to ensure consistency across the statutes and provide better guidance for legal practitioners and state agencies.

Sentiment

General sentiment around HB 4170 appears to be positive, as it is recognized for its potential to improve statutory clarity and functioning. Supporters view the measure as a vital step in legislative housekeeping that can lead to more efficient governance. However, some concerns have been raised regarding the potential loss of nuances in the codification process. Critics argue that while nonsubstantive revisions streamline the legal framework, they must ensure that important specificities are not lost in the process.

Contention

Notable points of contention include discussions about the implications of removing statutes that may have been relevant under previous legislative contexts. Some stakeholders express concern that simplifying complex legal language might inadvertently obscure important provisions that exist to protect specific interests or rights. Furthermore, maintaining the balance between clarity and complexity in legal documents remains a central debate, as stakeholders strive to keep laws precise while enhancing their accessibility.