ARTICLE 1 - BILL OF RIGHTS
Sec. 4. RELIGIOUS TESTS. No religious test shall ever be required as a
qualification to any office, or public trust, in this State; nor shall any one
be excluded from holding office on account of his religious sentiments,
provided he acknowledge the existence of a Supreme Being.
Sec. 5. WITNESSES NOT DISQUALIFIED BY RELIGIOUS BELIEFS; OATHS AND
AFFIRMATIONS. No person shall be disqualified to give evidence in any of the
Courts of this State on account of his religious opinions, or for the want of
any religious belief, but all oaths or affirmations shall be administered in
the mode most binding upon the conscience, and shall be taken subject to the
pains and penalties of perjury.
ARTICLE 16 - GENERAL PROVISIONS
Sec. 1. OFFICIAL OATH. (a) Members of the Legislature, and all other
elected officers, before they enter upon the duties of their offices, shall
take the following Oath or Affirmation:
"I, _______________________, do solemnly swear (or affirm), that I will
faithfully execute the duties of the office of ___________________ of the
State of Texas, and will to the best of my ability preserve, protect, and
defend the Constitution and laws of the United States and of this State, so
help me God."
(b) Each member of the Legislature and all other elected officers,
before taking the Oath or Affirmation of office prescribed by this section and
entering upon the duties of office, shall subscribe to the following
statement:
"I, _______________________, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I have
not directly or indirectly paid, offered, promised to pay, contributed, or
promised to contribute any money or thing of value, or promised any public
office or employment for the giving or withholding of a vote at the election
at which I was elected so help me God."
(c) The Secretary of State, and all other appointed officers, before
entering upon the duties of their offices, shall take the following Oath or
Affirmation:
"I, _________________, do solemnly swear (or affirm), that I will
faithfully execute the duties of the office of ________________ of the State
of Texas, and will to the best of my ability preserve, protect, and defend the
Constitution and laws of the United States and of this State, so help me God."
(d) The Secretary of State, and all other appointed officers, before
taking the Oath or Affirmation of office prescribed by this section and
entering upon the duties of office, shall subscribe to the following
statement:
"I, _____________________, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I have
not directly or indirectly paid, offered, or promised to pay, contributed, or
promised to contribute any money, or valuable thing, or promised any public
office or employment, as a reward to secure my appointment or confirmation
thereof, so help me God."
(e) Members of the Legislature and all other elected officers shall
file the signed statement required by Subsection (b) of this section with the
Secretary of State before taking the Oath or Affirmation of office prescribed
by Subsection (a) of this section.
(f) The Secretary of State and all other appointed officers shall file
the signed statement required by Subsection (d) of this section with the
Secretary of State before taking the Oath or Affirmation of office prescribed
by Subsection (c) of this section. (Amended Nov. 8, 1938, and Nov. 6, 1956;
Subsecs. (a)-(c) amended and (d)-(f) added Nov. 7, 1989.)