{"data":{"id":"us-tx/tex.-government-code-311.016","jurisdiction":"us-tx","citation":"Tex. Government Code § 311.016","heading":"\"MAY,\" \"SHALL,\" \"MUST,\" ETC.","body":"The following constructions apply unless the context in which the word or phrase appears necessarily requires a different construction or unless a different construction is expressly provided by statute:\n(1) \"May\" creates discretionary authority or grants permission or a power.\n(2) \"Shall\" imposes a duty.\n(3) \"Must\" creates or recognizes a condition precedent.\n(4) \"Is entitled to\" creates or recognizes a right.\n(5) \"May not\" imposes a prohibition and is synonymous with \"shall not.\"\n(6) \"Is not entitled to\" negates a right.\n(7) \"Is not required to\" negates a duty or condition precedent.\nAdded by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 220, Sec. 1, eff. May 23, 1997.","path":["GOVERNMENT CODE","TITLE 3. LEGISLATIVE BRANCH","SUBTITLE B. LEGISLATION","CHAPTER 311. CODE CONSTRUCTION ACT","SUBCHAPTER B. CONSTRUCTION OF WORDS AND PHRASES"],"source_url":"https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/GV/htm/GV.311.htm#311.016","current_through":"89th 2nd Called Legislative Session, 2025","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-08-27T01:47:16Z","sha256":"6482287403c04e4f73285340329c619eea93f6fbf995bb47d21a8061708c3089","source_id":"us-tx","stale":false,"prev":"us-tx/tex.-government-code-311.015","next":"us-tx/tex.-government-code-311.021"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}