ATTORNEY GENERAL
Under provisions set out in the Texas Constitution, the Texas Government Code, 
Title 4, sec.402.042 and numerous statutes, the attorney general is authorized 
to write advisory opinions for state and local officials. These advisory 
opinions are requested by agencies or officials when they are confronted with 
unique or unusually difficult legal questions. The attorney general also 
determines, under authority of the Texas Open Records Act, whether information 
requested for release from governmental agencies may be held from public 
disclosure. Requests for opinions, opinions, and open record decisions are 
summarized for publication in the Texas Register. The Attorney General responds 
to many requests for opinions and open records decisions with letter opinions. A 
letter opinion has the same force and effect as a formal Attorney General 
Opinion, and represents the opinion of the Attorney General unless and until it 
is modified or overruled by a subsequent letter opinion, a formal Attorney 
General Opinion, or a decision of a court of record. To request copies of 
opinions, phone (512) 462-0011. To inquire about pending requests for opinions, 
phone (512) 463-2110.
Request for Opinions
RQ-875-DM. Request from the Honorable Ken Armbrister, Chair Committee on State 
Affairs, Texas State Senate, P.O. Box 12068 Austin, Texas 78711, concerning 
whether the federal government may convert patented state lands to another 
purpose, and related questions.
RQ-876-DM. Request from the Honorable James W. Carr, Lavaca County, Attorney, 
Box 576, Second Floor Courthouse, Hallettsville, Texas 77964, concerning whether 
a county clerk must file a judgment issued by a "common law court".
TRD-9604330