Laws of Texas Inaccessible

RECEIVED Wed., Oct. 1, 2003

I recently became aware that there currently is no publicly available source to be able to read the current laws of Texas.
   The "Texas Legislature Online" Web site at www.capitol.state.tx.us/statutes/statutes.html states, "Changes enacted by the 78th Legislature are not expected to be received from the West Group until June 2004, after which this site will be updated. Until then the Index to Sections Affected can be used to identify these changes."
   Can lawmakers expect Texans to understand and follow the law when there isn't an accurate copy available for approximately one year out of every two? It's ludicrous that in today's high tech world, Texas will not have an accurate version of its laws available online until sometime after June 2004.
   However, the more serious problem is the potentially dangerous trap Texas sets for the unwary. It would be very easy for a visitor to the "Texas Legislature Online" Web site to miss the fact that they are reading "old" laws. New laws have been added, other laws have been deleted, and many laws have been modified. Yet, only a single unobtrusive sentence gives any notice. At the very least, the Web site should include prominent warnings at every location where a change to the law has taken place.
Sincerely,
Tim Colvin
Attorney at Law
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