TITLE attorney-general

Opinions

Opinion No. JC-0342

The Honorable Florence Shapiro, Chair, State Affairs Committee, Texas State Senate, P.O. Box 12068, Austin, Texas 78711

Re: Whether the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners is authorized to adopt rules that prohibit all physician advertising containing testimonials (RQ-0265-JC)

S U M M A R Y

The Texas Legislature has authorized the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners to adopt rules that prohibit use of all testimonials in physician advertising by deeming any health profession advertising containing a testimonial to be false, deceptive, or misleading advertising in section 101.201(b)(4) of the Occupations Code. Such a legislative ban, however, will only withstand constitutional challenge if the state provides evidence supporting the assertion that testimonials are inherently misleading or otherwise deserving of being banned. This office cannot predict whether a court would find section 101.201(b)(4) constitutional under this test.

Opinion No. JC-0343

The Honorable Clyde Alexander, Chairman, Committee on Transportation, Texas House of Representatives, P.O. Box 2910 Austin, Texas 78768-2910

Re: Applicability of the weight limits in chapters 621 and 622 of the Transportation Code to ready-mixed concrete trucks (RQ-0285-JC)

S U M M A R Y

Pursuant to section 622.012 of the Transportation Code, properly bonded ready-mixed concrete trucks with a gross load not heavier than 69,000 pounds may be operated on public highways unless the particular highway or bridge in question is subject to a lower maximum weight set by order of the Texas Transportation Commission in accordance with section 621.102 of the Transportation Code.

Opinion No. JC-0344

Mr. John P. Maline, Executive Director, Executive Council of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Examiners, 333 Guadalupe, Suite 2-510, Austin, Texas 78701-3942

Re: Whether an applicant for a physical therapist license or a physical therapist assistant license may submit the examination fee directly to the exam provider (RQ-0287-JC)

S U M M A R Y

Under section 453.202 of the Occupations Code, an applicant for a physical therapist license or physical therapist assistant license must submit the required examination fee directly to the Board of Physical Therapy Examiners along with the written application for a license. See Tex. Occ. Code Ann. § 453.202 (Vernon 2001). An applicant may not submit the examination fee directly to the entity that administers the examination which is not the Board with the registration to take the examination. See id.

For further information, please call (512) 463-2110

TRD-200101066

Susan D. Gusky

Assistant Attorney General

Office of the Attorney General

Filed: February 21, 2001


Withdrawal of Open Records Request

NOTICE: The following request for decision has been withdrawn by the Dallas County District Attorney's Office, the requesting governmental body. Therefore, no formal open records decision will be rendered on the following request:

ORQ-13 (ID# 039829) Re: Whether a criminal justice agency may release criminal history record information to a criminal court judge or a criminal defense attorney under subchapter F of chapter 411 of the Government Code, and related questions.

For more information, please contact Michael Garbarino at (512) 936-6736.

TRD-200101045

Susan Gusky

Assistant Attorney General

Office of the Attorney General

Filed: February 20, 2001


Withdrawal of Open Records Request

NOTICE: The following request for decision has been withdrawn by the Potter County Attorney's Office, the requesting governmental body. Therefore, no formal open records decision will be rendered on the following request:

ORQ-21 (ID# 104307) Re: Whether a public employee commits an offense under section 552.351 of the Government Code by consciously updating computer records, and related questions.

For more information, please contact Michael Garbarino at (512) 936-6736.

TRD-200101046

Susan Gusky

Assistant Attorney General

Office of the Attorney General

Filed: February 20, 2001


Withdrawal of Open Records Request

NOTICE: The following request for decision has been withdrawn by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, the requesting governmental body. Therefore, no formal open records decision will be rendered on the following request:

ORQ-27 (ID# 114181) Re: Whether section 552.101 or 552.110 of the Government Code excepts from disclosure information required to be filed with the Comptroller by entities subject to certain fees under section 161.123(a) of the Health and Safety Code for placing outdoor advertisements for cigarettes and tobacco products.

For more information, please contact Michael Garbarino at (512) 936-6736.

TRD-200101047

Susan Gusky

Assistant Attorney General

Office of the Attorney General

Filed: February 20, 2001