Note: Included opinions are from September 1, 2023, through September 30, 2023.
AC-005 (Governor’s Emergency Powers): 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.