Explaining what a law says

There are several ways to refer to what a law says. Look at the following sentences:

The law stipulates that corporations must have three governing bodies.
The law provides that a witness must be present.
The patent law specifies that the subject matter must be "useful".

These verbs can also be used to express what a law says:
The law states / sets forth / determines / lays down / prescribes that...

Amy Krois-Linder, International Legal English, Professional English, Cambridge.