RULE Texas | Category Rules | Official Guidelines

[StateGigs]

Welcome to the Texas category. This section is designed for listings and discussions related to:

• FOR HIRE – Individuals or businesses offering their services
• HIRING – Employers looking to fill positions
• SERVICES – Professional, trade, or local service offerings
• LOCAL EVENT – Community gatherings, announcements, and public events

All posts, replies, and content shared within this category must strictly comply with:

1. Applicable Texas State Laws
2. Texas Labor & Employment Regulations
3. Texas Business & Commerce Codes
4. Google's Content & User-Contributed Policies

Our Commitment to Compliance​

We take legal and policy compliance seriously. Our platform is committed to operating in full accordance with Texas state regulations, Texas labor laws, and Google's community standards. Texas has a robust legal framework governing employment, business practices, and public postings, and we are dedicated to upholding them.

While we strive to keep our rules and references as accurate and up-to-date as possible, please note that laws and policies can change. The information and links provided here serve as our primary guidance and roadmap, but they may not reflect the absolute latest amendments.

We believe in transparency and accountability – for both our users and our team.

Official References​

To ensure clarity and eliminate excuses like "I didn't know" or "I couldn't find it," we strongly encourage all users to review the official sources directly:

Reference	Official Link
Texas Constitution and Statutes – Search all state laws, including labor, business, and commerce codes	https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/
Texas Labor Code – Employment laws, wage requirements, worker protections, and workplace safety	https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/?link=LA
Texas Business and Commerce Code – Business regulations, licensing, trade practices, and consumer protections	https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/?link=BC
Texas Payday Law (Chapter 61) – Wage payment rules, lawful deductions, final paycheck requirements, and employer obligations	https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/docs/LA/htm/LA.61.htm
Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) – Labor market information, unemployment, workplace rights, and compliance	https://www.twc.texas.gov/
TWC – Worker Classification Information – Employee vs. independent contractor guidelines and enforcement	https://www.twc.texas.gov/programs/unemployment-tax/classifying-employees-independent-contractors
Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) – Professional licensing requirements for electricians, HVAC, and other occupations	https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/
TDLR – License Search – Verify professional licenses and registrations online	https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/LicenseSearch/
Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE) – Licensing and regulations strictly for the plumbing trades	https://tsbpe.texas.gov/
Texas Secretary of State – Administrative Rules – Searchable database of state agency regulations	https://www.sos.state.tx.us/tac/index.shtml
Texas Attorney General – Consumer Protection – Consumer rights and business compliance resources	https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/consumer-protection
Google User-Contributed Content Policy – Spam, harassment, illegal content, and community standards	https://support.google.com/googleshopping/answer/10012515
Google Terms of Service – General platform rules and enforcement	https://policies.google.com/terms

These are the foundational documents we use to evaluate content and enforce our rules.

Texas Labor & Employment Laws – What You Need to Know​

Texas law sets clear standards for employers, workers, and service providers. All hiring and service posts must comply with the following:

• Minimum Wage: Texas adopts the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. There is no state-level legislation in Texas that sets a higher minimum wage; therefore, the federal rate remains the legal floor for all non-exempt employees in the state. The minimum cash wage for tipped employees is $2.13 per hour, with employers required to make up the difference if tips combined with the cash wage do not equal at least $7.25 per hour.
• Overtime Pay: Texas follows the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) standards exclusively, with no state-specific overtime laws. Non-exempt employees are entitled to 1.5x the regular rate after 40 hours in a workweek. The federal salary exemption threshold for executive, administrative, and professional employees is $1,128 per week ($58,656 per year).
• Texas Payday Law (Final Paychecks): Texas strictly regulates final pay timelines under Texas Labor Code Chapter 61. If an employee is laid off, discharged, or fired (involuntary separation), their final paycheck is due within six (6) calendar days. If an employee quits, retires, or resigns (voluntary separation), the final paycheck is due on the next regularly scheduled payday. Employers who fail to pay final wages in a timely manner may be liable for unpaid wages as well as a penalty of up to the lesser of 100% of the unpaid wages or $1,000.
• Worker Classification: The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) uses a strict 20-factor common-law test to determine if a worker is an employee or an independent contractor (1099). Factors include the degree of control, the worker's investment in equipment, the opportunity for profit or loss, and the permanency of the relationship, among others. Misclassifying an employee as an independent contractor to avoid paying unemployment taxes, workers' compensation, or benefits carries severe penalties, including back taxes, penalties, and interest. Employers found to have misclassified workers may also be subject to criminal prosecution.
• Workers' Compensation (Non-Subscribers): Texas is the only state where workers' compensation insurance is generally optional for private employers. Employers who opt out are known as "non-subscribers" but can still be sued directly by employees for workplace injuries. Non-subscribers must report work-related injuries and post notice of their workers' compensation status in the workplace. The TWC provides a benefit review process for injured employees of nonsubscribers.
• Licensing Requirements (No State GC License): Texas does not issue a state-level general contractor license. General construction contractors must register and pull permits at the local/city level (e.g., Houston, Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, Fort Worth). However, specific specialty trades require strict state-level licensing:
  • Electrical Contractors: Regulated by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). Electrical contractors must hold a TDLR license and employ a licensed master electrician or journeyman.
  • HVAC Contractors: Regulated by TDLR. HVAC contractors must hold a TDLR license and employ a licensed HVAC technician.
  • Plumbing Contractors: Regulated by the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (TSBPE). Plumbing contractors must hold a TSBPE license and employ a licensed master plumber.
  Additionally, Texas requires a Certificate of Registration for certain businesses operating in the state. Anyone posting professional services must verify they hold the appropriate state trade licenses or local city contractor registrations and will provide proof upon request.
• Workplace Rights: Texas law prohibits discrimination, retaliation, and unsafe working conditions. Workers have the right to file complaints with the Texas Workforce Commission Civil Rights Division or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Texas does not have a state OSHA program; federal OSHA covers workplace safety in Texas.
• Notice Requirements: Employers must display required labor law postings in the workplace, including information about workers' compensation status (if applicable), discrimination protections, minimum wage, and payday rights. The TWC provides free labor law posters for employers.

Enforcement & Penalties​

To maintain a safe, lawful, and respectful environment for everyone, we enforce the following:

• All posts and comments must comply with Texas state law, Texas labor regulations, Texas business codes, and Google policies.
• If a post or reply is reported and found to be in violation, we will:
  1. Investigate promptly – Our team reviews every report in a timely manner.
  2. Take immediate action – Content that violates our rules will be removed, edited, or hidden without prior notice.
  3. Apply penalties – The responsible user will receive:
     • A formal warning or notification
     • Penalty points added to their account
     • Repeat or severe violations may result in temporary suspension or permanent ban from the platform.

We reserve the right to take action against any content we deem inappropriate, even if it is not explicitly listed in this guideline.

Note: While our moderation team strives for consistency, all enforcement actions and interpretations of these rules are at the sole discretion of StateGigs Administration. Our decisions are final.

User Responsibility​

By posting in this Texas category, you agree that:

• You have reviewed and understood the referenced laws and policies.
• You are solely responsible for the accuracy and legality of your content.
• You will not use ignorance of the rules as a defense if a violation occurs.
• If you are offering professional services, you hold any required Texas state licenses (TDLR for electrical/HVAC, TSBPE for plumbing) or local city registrations and will provide proof upon request.

We are not legal experts, and this guidance is provided in good faith to help our community stay compliant. However, it is ultimately your responsibility to ensure your posts meet all current legal and policy requirements.

Questions or Concerns?​

If you're unsure whether your post complies, or if you need clarification on any rule, feel free to reach out to our moderation team before posting. We're here to help – but we're also here to enforce.

Disclaimer – Governing Law​

This platform and its operations are governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, regardless of the state-specific category in which content is posted. By using this site, you agree that any legal disputes or claims arising from your use of the platform shall be resolved exclusively under Delaware jurisdiction. While we strive to align our category rules with applicable local laws, our governing framework remains rooted in Delaware law, and all enforcement actions are taken accordingly.

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Thank you for being part of our community and for helping us keep this platform lawful, professional, and fair for everyone.

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StateGigs Administration