Opin­ions

Pursuant to section 418.012 of the Government Code, executive orders issued by the Governor pursuant to his emergency powers under chapter 418 have the force and effect of law. The Penal Code defines “law” to include a rule authorized by and lawfully adopted under a statute. A court is therefore likely to conclude that executive orders authorized by and lawfully adopted pursuant to the Governor’s statutory emergency powers constitute “laws” for purposes of subsection 1.07(a)(30) of the Penal Code.

Addressing the responsibility of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to reimburse counties for the transportation of inmates from county jails to state jail facilities, including remedies if reimbursement is not made, or if inmates are not transferred by the statutory deadline.

To the extent a moratorium proposed by a county in relation to a commercial utility-scale solar-energy facility is adopted pursuant to Transportation Code provisions related to county authority over roads but is meant to reach activity other than that related to county roads, a court would likely find it invalid and unenforceable. And to the extent the moratorium is adopted pursuant to Health and Safety Code section 121.003 but does not seek to enforce a specific, preexisting public health law, a court would likely find it invalid and unenforceable.