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, please fax your request to (512) 462-0548 or call (512) 936-1730. To 
inquire about pending requests for opinions, phone (512) 463-2110.

Letter of Opinions
LO 98-051 (RQ-1084).The Honorable Eddie Lucio, Chair, Intergovernmental 
Relations Committee, Texas State Senate, P.O. Box 12068, Austin, Texas 78711, 
concerning whether the mayor or the city manager of the City of Brownsville may 
remove a municipal housing authority commissioner.
SUMMARY It is for the city commission of the City of Brownsville to determine, 
consistent with its city charter provisions, whether the mayor or the city 
manager is authorized to remove a public housing commissioner.
LO 98-052 (RQ-1033). The Honorable Pete P. Gallego, Chair, Committee on General 
Investigating, Texas House of Representatives, P.O. Box 2910, Austin, Texas 
78768-2910, concerning whether a Dallas City Council member whose spouse is 
employed by American Airlines may participate in matters involving the use of 
Love Field.  
SUMMARY A Dallas City Council member whose spouse has a substantial interest in 
American Airlines under chapter 171 of the Local Government Code is also deemed 
to have a "substantial interest" in American Airlines. It is a fact question 
whether particular actions by the Dallas City Council with respect to Love Field 
would have a special economic effect on American Airlines distinguishable from 
the effect on the public. However, the city council member would be well-advised 
to err on the side of avoiding conflicts of interest and recuse herself from 
city council actions affecting matters on which American Airlines has taken a 
stand in litigation against the City of Dallas, as well as other matters that 
would have a special economic effect on American Airlines distinguishable from 
the effect on the public. 
TRD-9811518

Request for Opinions
RQ-1158. Request from the Honorable Marcus D. Taylor, Wood County Criminal 
District Attorney, P.O. Box 689, Quitman, Texas 75783, concerning whether a 
member of the Wood County Industrial Commission may receive reimbursement for 
expenses incurred at a bed-and-breakfast owned by another member of the 
Commission.
RQ-1159. Request from the Honorable Alberto R. Gonzales, Secretary of State, 
Office of the Secretary of State, Executive Division, P.O. Box 12697, Austin, 
Texas 78711-2697, concerning whether a business corporation may convert to a 
non-profit corporation under the provisions of article 5.17, Texas Business 
Corporation Act, and related questions.
RQ-1160. Request from the Honorable Judith Zaffirini, Chair, Health and Human 
Services Committee, Texas Senate, P.O. Box 12068, Austin, Texas 78711, 
concerning whether the Laredo Police Department may purchase vehicles using 
funds forfeited from seizures of contraband.
RQ-1161. Request from the Honorable Kim Brimer, Chair, Business and Industry 
Committee, Texas House of Representatives, P.O. Box 2910, Austin, Texas 78768-
2910, concerning construction of the Contest and Gift Giveaway Act, Finance 
Code, Chapter 40.
TRD-9811519