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      By: Harrison H.B. No. 606       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to de novo review and interpretation of state laws and   state agency rules by reviewing court judges and administrative law   judges.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subtitle A, Chapter 21, Government Code, is   amended by adding Section 21.013 to read as follows:           Sec.   21.013.     DE NOVO REVIEW OF STATE LAW PROVISION BY   REVIEWING COURT JUDGE; INTERPRETATION OF AMBIGUOUS STATE LAW   PROVISION.   (a)   In this section, "provision of state law" means:                 (1)  a state statute;                 (2)  a rule a state agency adopts; or                 (3)     an opinion letter, manual, or other guidance   document a state agency issues interpreting the meaning, scope, or   effect of a state statute or state agency rule.           (b)     In interpreting a provision of state law, a reviewing   court judge shall interpret the meaning and effect of the provision   de novo, without deference to a state agency's interpretation of   the provision.           (c)     In an action brought by or against a state agency   concerning an ambiguous provision of state law, after applying all   other rules and canons of interpretation, a reviewing court judge   shall resolve the ambiguity in favor of limiting state agency   authority.          SECTION 2.  Subchapter B, Chapter 2003, Government Code, is   amended by adding Section 2003.026 to read as follows:           Sec.   2003.026.     DE NOVO REVIEW OF STATE LAW PROVISION IN   ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING; INTERPRETATION OF AMBIGUOUS STATE LAW   PROVISION. (a) In this section, "provision of state law" means:                 (1)  a state statute;                 (2)  a rule a state agency adopts; or                 (3)     an opinion letter, manual, or other guidance   document a state agency issues interpreting the meaning, scope, or   effect of a state statute or state agency rule.           (b)     An administrative law judge who conducts a hearing that   requires the judge to interpret a provision of state law shall   interpret the meaning and effect of the provision de novo, without   deference to a state agency's interpretation of the provision.           (c)     An administrative law judge who conducts a hearing   brought by or against a state agency concerning an ambiguous   provision of state law, after applying all other rules and canons of   interpretation, shall resolve the ambiguity in favor of limiting   state agency authority.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives   a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as   provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this   Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this   Act takes effect on September 1, 2025.