Which statement about General Law City is true?

Which statement about General Law City is true?

• A. A General Law City may act only if authorized by state law.
• B. A General Law City may act without state authorization.
• C. A General Law City is governed by a charter.
• D. A General Law City can enact any ordinance regardless of state law.

Answer: (A)

General Law Cities only have the powers granted by state law, so they may act only when the state authorizes it. In Texas, these municipalities rely on statutes to define what they can do, and their ordinances must fall within that authority. That’s why they can’t enact anything simply because they want to; they’re limited to what the state allows. Home Rule cities, by contrast, operate under their own charter and can exercise broader powers as long as they stay within constitutional and statutory limits. So the statement that a General Law City may act only if authorized by state law is the true description.

General Law Cities only have the powers granted by state law, so they may act only when the state authorizes it. In Texas, these municipalities rely on statutes to define what they can do, and their ordinances must fall within that authority. That’s why they can’t enact anything simply because they want to; they’re limited to what the state allows. Home Rule cities, by contrast, operate under their own charter and can exercise broader powers as long as they stay within constitutional and statutory limits. So the statement that a General Law City may act only if authorized by state law is the true description.