Constitution Stewards Network
Know the Constitution.
Strengthen our community.
Bringing neighbors together around constitutional principles, individual liberties, and peaceful civic participation.
I’m interested in joiningA community initiative with Heart of Refuge
Our purpose
Constitution Stewards Network is being developed to help people better understand the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights, and to encourage informed, respectful participation in their communities.
What we do
Share knowledge. Make information about constitutional principles, rights, and civic responsibilities easier to explore.
Encourage participation. Support peaceful engagement through community conversations, public meetings, and the right to petition.
Connect communities. Begin in Galveston County and work toward sharing resources and ideas with neighbors in other counties and states.
Constitution Stewards Learning Center
Know your rights. Understand your government.
Start with the foundations, then explore public meetings, peaceful civic oversight, and interactions with law enforcement.
Lesson 1
The Constitution: the foundation
The U.S. Constitution establishes the federal government, divides its powers, and places limits on government. It was signed in 1787 and took effect in 1789. Its seven articles set out the framework of government; amendments change or add to it. The Constitution now has 27 amendments.
The Constitution protects people from certain government actions. The Fourteenth Amendment includes due process and equal protection guarantees that apply to states. Texas also has its own constitution and laws, which can provide additional protections.
Lesson 2
The Bill of Rights, in plain language
The first ten amendments were ratified in 1791. These short descriptions are starting points; the text and court decisions determine how a right applies.
- First: Religion, speech, press, peaceful assembly, and petitioning the government.
- Second: The right to keep and bear arms, subject to applicable laws and court interpretation.
- Third: Limits on housing soldiers in private homes.
- Fourth: Protection against unreasonable searches and seizures; warrants must meet constitutional requirements.
- Fifth: Due process and protection against compelled self-incrimination, among other safeguards.
- Sixth: Rights in criminal prosecutions, including counsel and a speedy, public trial.
- Seventh: A jury trial in certain federal civil cases.
- Eighth: Limits on excessive bail and fines, and cruel and unusual punishments.
- Ninth: Listing certain rights does not mean people have no other rights.
- Tenth: Powers not delegated to the United States or prohibited to the states are reserved to the states or the people.
Lesson 3
Government 101
The federal government has three branches. Each has distinct responsibilities and ways to check the others.
Congress—the House and Senate—makes federal laws.
The president and executive agencies carry out and enforce federal laws.
Federal courts decide cases and interpret laws and the Constitution.
Federalism: Power is shared between the federal government and the states. Texas has its own state government; counties and cities perform duties and exercise powers provided by state law. Rules can differ by place.
Get involved: Attend a public meeting, read an agenda, contact your representatives, vote when eligible, or submit a public-information request. Learn about federal courts.
Community guide · Texas
Your voice at a city council meeting
Public meetings let neighbors listen, ask questions, and share concerns about local government. Texas City calls its governing body the City Commission; other cities may call it the city council. This guide separates state law, local procedures, and helpful suggestions.
1. What Texas law generally requires
Notice and open meetings. Government bodies generally must give written notice of a meeting’s date, time, place, and subjects and conduct their meetings openly. The general notice rule is at least three business days; statutory exceptions exist, including certain emergencies. Some discussions may be held in a lawful closed session.
Comment on agenda items. For an open meeting of a city council or commission, Texas Government Code § 551.007 generally requires an opportunity for each member of the public who wants to address an item on that meeting’s agenda to do so before or during the body’s consideration of that item. The body may adopt reasonable rules, including time limits.
Criticism. Section 551.007 generally prohibits a governmental body from banning public criticism of the body, including criticism of its actions, omissions, policies, programs, and services. The statute does not protect criticism that is otherwise prohibited by law. A speaker’s viewpoint alone is not a valid reason to silence protected speech.
Recording. A person attending an open meeting may record it under § 551.023. The body may adopt reasonable rules about where recording equipment is placed and how recording is conducted. A lawful closed session is different.
Read the Texas Open Meetings Act: §§ 551.007, 551.023, 551.041–.043 →
2. When is it your turn to speak?
Before the vote: A city can hold one public-comment period near the beginning of a meeting for agenda items. It is not necessarily required to call for public comment immediately before each individual vote if it has already provided the required opportunity. Listen for the public-comment portion and follow reasonable sign-up procedures.
Issues not on the agenda: Section 551.007’s specific speaking requirement covers agenda items. A city may also provide a general comment period for other matters under its local rules; check the current agenda. When a person raises an unposted subject, § 551.042 allows a specific factual response or a statement of existing policy, but generally limits deliberation or a decision to proposing that the issue be placed on a future agenda. Do not assume an official is forbidden to give any response at all.
Translation: When a time limit is used and the body does not use simultaneous translation equipment that allows it to hear the translation at the same time, § 551.007(d) requires at least twice the usual speaking time for a person speaking through a translator. Ask the city about translation or disability accommodations in advance when possible.
Texas Attorney General: timing and reasonable limits · ADA guidance for state and local government
3. Law, local rules, and suggestions
The applicable Constitution and statutes set public-meeting and speaking protections. A local rule cannot override them.
A city may adopt reasonable sign-up, recognition, time, and order rules. Check the current written policy and agenda; a three-minute limit is not a universal state-law requirement.
Arrive early, prepare notes, identify the agenda item, and speak clearly. Courtesy and preparation can help convey your point; those suggestions are not themselves statewide legal requirements.
Robert’s Rules: Parliamentary procedures can help a meeting run smoothly, but they are not automatically state law for every Texas city. Ask which rules your particular body has adopted, along with its charter, ordinances, and current meeting procedures.
4. Questions and restrictions: what may raise concerns?
A mayor or commissioner asking a question is not automatically a constitutional violation. The concern is often whether an official conditions, stops, or penalizes your protected speech because of your viewpoint, belief, or lawful criticism. Whether a particular incident is unlawful depends on the facts.
“You can speak only if you support the mayor.” Conditioning a public-comment opportunity on agreement, or cutting off a speaker solely for opposing an official’s position, raises serious First Amendment concerns.
“You cannot criticize the commission or this policy.” Texas law protects public criticism of the governmental body, subject to speech otherwise prohibited by law. Broad rules that silence criticism of officials can raise constitutional concerns. In Merriott v. City of Bossier City, the Fifth Circuit allowed challenges to certain broad restrictions on public comments to proceed; the case did not make every meeting rule unlawful.
“You must tell us who you voted for or affirm our political position before you may speak.” A demand to reveal or endorse a political belief as a condition of a comment opportunity can raise First Amendment concerns. A voluntary question and a compulsory condition are different.
“You must join the prayer before you can speak.” A meeting may begin with an invocation or pledge, but forcing a person to participate in religious exercise or affirm a belief as a condition of speaking raises constitutional concerns.
“What is your name and address?” Cities may use sign-up rules and request identifying information. The legality and privacy implications of a particular requirement depend on its wording and application; do not assume that every request is unlawful or that every refusal is protected. If you have a safety or privacy concern, ask the secretary whether an alternative is available and request the written rule.
A city can maintain order with reasonable, lawful rules. Officials may apply a neutral time limit or address actual disruption; disagreement or offense alone is not the same thing as disruption. Threats and other speech prohibited by law are treated differently from protected criticism.
Fifth Circuit: Merriott v. City of Bossier City · U.S. Supreme Court: Town of Greece v. Galloway
5. Prepare, speak, and follow up
- Before: Read the posted agenda and ask the city secretary for the current speaker form, deadline, speaking time, and procedures for your topic. Request an accommodation if needed.
- At the meeting: Complete any applicable reasonable sign-up process and listen for your turn. Identify the agenda item, say what concerns you, and explain what you would like the body to consider.
- If interrupted: You may ask, “Which rule applies?” or “May I finish my comment on the agenda item?” Ask whether time will be restored if appropriate; a question is not a guarantee of extra time. Avoid physically resisting or disrupting the meeting.
- After: Note the date, item, exact words, and witnesses. Preserve your own recording. Request the public meeting minutes or any available recording, ask for the written rules, and seek advice from a qualified attorney if you believe your rights were violated.
“I would like to comment on agenda item [number]. I am concerned about [issue] because [reason]. I ask the commission to consider [specific action]. Thank you.”
Texas open-government questions: the Attorney General’s Open Government Hotline is 877-673-6839. It provides information about open-government laws, not individual legal representation. Sources checked November 2026.
Community guide · Texas counties
Your voice at a county meeting
In Texas, the commissioners court is the county’s governing body. The county judge and four precinct commissioners make decisions about county budgets and operations. This guide concerns their public governing meetings; judicial hearings have different rules.
What the law provides
Open meetings and notice. The county generally must post written notice of the meeting’s date, time, place, and subjects and meet openly, subject to lawful exceptions. The general notice rule is at least three business days; statutory exceptions apply. A lawful closed session is different from an open meeting.
Your chance to speak on an agenda item. Texas Government Code § 551.007 generally requires a commissioners court to allow each person who wishes to address an item on the agenda for an open meeting to do so before or during the court’s consideration of that item. The court may adopt reasonable rules, including time limits.
Criticism and recording. Section 551.007 generally prohibits the body from banning public criticism of its actions, omissions, policies, programs, or services, subject to speech otherwise prohibited by law. A person attending an open meeting may record it under § 551.023, subject to reasonable rules on recording that do not unreasonably impair that right.
Translation. If a speaker uses a translator and a time limit applies, § 551.007 generally requires at least twice the usual time, unless the body uses qualifying simultaneous interpretation equipment. Ask about accessibility and interpretation when planning your visit.
Read the Texas Open Meetings Act →
When to speak and what to expect
Agenda items: Find the item number, follow reasonable sign-up procedures, and listen for the public-comment period. The opportunity may be offered earlier in the meeting instead of immediately before the vote. If the court is about to consider your item and you have not had an opportunity, you may ask the presiding officer when your comment can be heard.
Topics not on the agenda: The specific speaking requirement in § 551.007 covers agenda items. A county may also offer a general comment period; check its current rules. If an unposted topic is raised, officials can give a specific factual response or state existing policy, but § 551.042 generally limits deliberation or decisions about it to proposing a future agenda item.
Law, local rules, and practical tips
Protects the agenda-item comment opportunity and public criticism as described above; it permits reasonable rules.
The court’s current agenda or rules may describe sign-in, order of speakers, and time limits. Three minutes is not a universal state-law requirement.
Arrive early, bring notes, identify the item, and ask the clerk about accommodations. These are practical tips, not blanket statewide requirements.
Words to practice: “I would like to comment on agenda item [number]. I am concerned about [issue] because [reason]. I ask the court to consider [specific action].” If interrupted, you can ask, “Which rule applies?” Afterward, note the date and exact words, preserve any recording, and request the written rules and public minutes.
Community guide · Texas state government
Your voice at a Texas state meeting
State participation can mean attending a Texas House or Senate committee hearing, watching a legislative floor session, or joining a state agency board meeting. Their rules differ. The county agenda-item comment requirement in § 551.007 should not be assumed to apply in the same way to the Legislature or to state agencies.
Legislative hearings: where can the public speak?
House public hearing: A committee may hear public testimony on bills or other matters. Read the hearing notice, identify the measure, register as instructed, and wait to be recognized.
House formal meeting or work session: A formal meeting may include discussion and official action without public testimony. A work session is for discussion without formal action. Being open to observation does not mean every meeting offers a chance to speak.
Senate committees: Testimony may be heard and action may be taken at committee meetings; check the particular hearing notice and ask the committee clerk how to register. House and Senate procedures differ. Observing a floor session from the gallery does not give a visitor a right to address the chamber on demand.
Texas House: how committees and bills work · Texas Senate hearings and events
Prepare to testify at a hearing
- Find the hearing. Use Texas Legislature Online to search for the bill, committee, and meeting notice. Confirm the date, time, location, subject, and whether testimony is being accepted; schedules can change.
- Follow the registration instructions. For House hearings at the Capitol, the House describes kiosks in the Capitol Extension and mobile registration through the Capitol public Wi-Fi. You may create a profile in advance, but you still register for the specific item on-site. The committee clerk controls registration availability. For Senate or meetings away from the Capitol, consult that notice or clerk rather than assuming the House process applies.
- Give your testimony when recognized. Identify yourself and whether you speak for yourself or an organization you are authorized to represent. State the bill number, your position, your reason, and the action you are requesting. Follow the applicable time and order rules.
- Ask about other options. Check the notice or ask the clerk whether written, electronic, or remote participation is available for that meeting. The House public-comment form accepts comments from Texas residents on measures included in public hearing notices, subject to its instructions. Comments can become public. Ask about disability accommodations in advance when possible.
House witness registration instructions →
State agencies and boards
State agencies and boards may hold open meetings or rulemaking hearings. Their public-comment opportunities depend on the agency’s authority and the type of proceeding. Section 551.007’s county and city agenda-item speaking requirement does not automatically cover state agencies described in § 551.001(3)(A); other laws, rules, and constitutional protections may apply. Review the agency’s notice and instructions before attending or submitting comments.
Find state and regional agency meeting notices →
Questions, criticism, and concerns
Officials may use lawful rules governing testimony and order, and a question by a chair is not automatically a violation. Refusing or cutting off otherwise protected testimony solely because a person supports or opposes an idea can raise First Amendment concerns; the forum, applicable rules, and facts matter. You can ask the clerk for the written rule, note the date and what happened, and consult a qualified attorney if you believe your rights were violated.
Lesson 4
What is a public audit?
In this context, a public or First Amendment audit is a person observing, recording, asking questions, or requesting records to learn how government operates. Calling yourself an auditor does not give you official authority or extra access.
In Texas, the federal Fifth Circuit recognizes a First Amendment right to record police performing their duties in public from a lawful vantage point, subject to reasonable restrictions. Recording while you are personally detained may raise different issues; do not assume you may hold or operate a device throughout your own traffic stop.
Requesting records: The Texas Public Information Act provides a process for requesting existing government records. Agencies may need time to respond; some information may be withheld or redacted and copying charges may apply. Ask the agency for its public-information request process.
Fifth Circuit: recording police in public · Texas public-information guide
Lesson 5 · Texas examples
When an officer approaches
Know the difference: A consensual conversation, a temporary detention, and an arrest are different. You can calmly ask, “Am I free to leave?” If the answer is yes, you may leave. If detained, stay, avoid physical resistance, and follow lawful orders. A lawyer can later evaluate whether the detention was lawful.
Identification: Texas Penal Code § 38.02 requires a person who is lawfully arrested to provide their name, residence address, and date of birth when requested. It also prohibits giving false identifying information in specified encounters. Drivers have separate license and identification duties; other laws may apply in particular situations. Do not give false information.
Questions and searches: You can say, “I want to remain silent,” or “I do not consent to a search.” There are exceptions and different rules for required identification. An officer may have legal authority to search without consent, such as under a valid warrant or a recognized exception. Do not physically interfere. If arrested, clearly ask for a lawyer; the rules for questioning depend on the circumstances.
Example: An officer asks why you are filming from a sidewalk. You may calmly ask whether you are free to leave. If the officer says you are detained, do not walk away or resist; remember the details and ask for legal advice afterward.
Texas Penal Code § 38.02: identification · Texas State Law Library: encounters with police
Lesson 6 · Texas examples
Understanding a traffic stop
Start safely. Pull over in a safe place, keep your hands visible, and tell the officer before reaching for documents. Texas drivers are generally required to carry and display a driver’s license when requested. If a lawfully detained driver does not display a license, Texas law has additional identification requirements.
“Do I have to get out of the vehicle?”
During a lawful traffic stop, an officer may generally order the driver and passengers to exit for safety. Follow the order; stepping out does not by itself give consent to a search. If you disagree with the stop or order, challenge it later through a lawyer or complaint process.
“Must I roll the windows all the way down?”
There is no one-size-fits-all answer for every window and every stop. An officer’s safety instructions and their legality depend on the circumstances. Do not assume that a small opening is always enough—or that every window must always be fully lowered. You can ask, “What do you need me to do?” Follow lawful directions and raise a dispute afterward.
Texas Transportation Code § 521.025 · U.S. Supreme Court: Maryland v. Wilson · Texas DPS traffic-stop guidance
Lesson 7 · Texas examples
Roadside tests and breath or blood tests
These are different kinds of tests, with different legal rules and consequences.
Roadside coordination tests
An officer may ask you to walk, turn, stand on one leg, or follow an object with your eyes. You may ask, “Is this a request or an order?” Tell the officer about an injury, disability, or medical condition that affects your ability to perform. Do not physically resist.
The consequences of refusal depend on the facts. Refusal may be considered with other circumstances; Texas appellate courts have allowed officers to compel physical sobriety testing in certain lawful DWI investigations. Do not assume there is an unconditional right to refuse every test. Read Blackwell v. State.
Breath and blood specimens
Texas implied-consent rules apply in certain DWI investigations. After a qualifying arrest, refusing a requested breath or blood specimen can lead to an administrative license suspension, and the refusal may be used as evidence. A warrant or other legal authority may permit a blood draw despite refusal.
A license-suspension hearing has a short deadline: Texas DPS generally requires a request within 15 days after notice is served. Read your notice and seek legal advice promptly. These chemical-test consequences are not the same as the rules for roadside coordination tests. Texas DPS: license revocation and hearings · Texas Transportation Code, Chapter 724.
Example: You have a knee injury and are asked to perform a walk-and-turn test. Tell the officer about the injury and ask for clarification. The officer’s authority and the consequences of a refusal depend on the circumstances; a lawyer can help assess them afterward.
Lesson 8
If you believe your rights were violated
When it is safe, write down the date, time, location, what was said, and the officer’s name or identifying details if available. Preserve original video and the names of willing witnesses. You can ask the agency about its complaint process, request available records, and consult a lawyer about deadlines and options. Filing a complaint and pursuing a legal claim are separate processes.
“Am I free to leave?” “May I speak with a supervisor?” “I want to remain silent.” “I do not consent to a search.” “I want a lawyer.”
These examples do not replace legal advice, required identification, or lawful directions. Rights and obligations outside Texas may differ.
Interested in joining?
If you believe informed neighbors can make a difference, we would like to hear from you. Reach out to learn more about being part of the Network as it develops.
Apply to join →Or call 409-944-8080.
The Network is a nonpartisan community initiative. It supports peaceful, lawful civic participation and is not a government agency.