TX SB944

Courts are no longer required to give deference to state agency interpretations of statutes they administer, implement, or enforce

Reviewing courts must examine all questions of law de novo, including interpretations of constitutional provisions, statutes, and agency rules, without deferring to agency legal determinations

Courts may still give consideration to agency interpretations that are reasonable and do not conflict with the plain language of the statute

Future laws cannot exempt proceedings from these requirements unless they specifically reference the new Section 2001.1721

Applies only to judicial review petitions, declaratory judgment actions, contested cases, and other proceedings initiated on or after the effective date (immediately upon two-thirds vote or September 1, 2025)