ULTRA VIRES LOGIC — SIMPLE EXPLANATION BLOCK

Ultra vires means “beyond lawful authority.”

Government officials only have the power the law gives them — no more.

In Texas:

          •        The Chief Appraiser must follow market value, equal & uniform, and statutory standards.

          •        The ARB must provide a lawful hearing and consider required evidence.

          •        The Tax Assessor-Collector may only collect taxes authorized by law.

When officials:

          •        ignore FEMA flood-zone evidence,

          •        reject homestead rights without basis,

          •        use unlawful appraisal methods,

          •        impose valuations far above market value,

          •        or deny a fair hearing,

they step outside the legal authority the Legislature gave them.

When an official acts outside that authority, Texas law calls it ultra vires, and:

Government immunity does NOT protect them.

Courts CAN order them to stop.

Courts CAN issue corrections and refunds.

The Texas Supreme Court said this clearly in:

City of El Paso v. Heinrich (2009)

“If an official acts without legal authority, immunity does not bar a suit to compel compliance with the law.”

This is why your case is strong:

I am not suing the government for money.

I am suing officials to follow the law.

That is exactly what ultra vires law allows.