Opinions
Opinion No. GA-0086
The Honorable Eugene D. Taylor
Williamson County Attorney
Williamson County Courthouse Annex, Second Floor
405 Martin Luther King, Box 3
Georgetown, Texas 78626
Re: Whether the Hutto Economic Development Corporation may pay for construction
of a hippopotamus statue as a promotional purpose (RQ-0038-GA)
S U M M A R Y
Whether a hippopotamus statue would serve a Hutto Economic Development
Corporation ("HEDC") promotional purpose is a question of fact for the HEDC
board of directors to resolve in the first instance, subject to judicial review
and the supervisory authority of the Hutto City Council. The City Council
may disapprove an HEDC expenditure for the statue. The HEDC may not spend
more than ten percent of its current annual revenues for promotional purposes
in any given year. In addition, unexpended revenues specifically set aside
for promotional purposes in past years may be expended for such purposes.
Opinion No. GA-0087
The Honorable Eddie Lucio, Jr.
Chair, Senate Committee on
International Relations and Trade
Texas State Senate
P.O. Box 12068
Austin, Texas 78711
Re: Whether a legislator may engage in a business providing consulting,
marketing, and public relation services to business clients that have dealings
with local and federal officials and local governmental bodies (RQ-0016-GA)
S U M M A R Y
Constitutional and statutory standards of conduct for public officials
do not categorically prohibit a state legislator from representing a client's
interests before local and federal officials, and local governmental bodies.
Whether a particular transaction or communication would violate constitutional
or statutory standards of conduct depends on the specific facts of the case.
Opinion No. GA-0088
The Honorable Ronald D. Hankins
Somervell County Attorney
P.O. Box 1335
Glen Rose, Texas 76043
Re: Authority of a county commissioners court partially to close or, alternatively,
limit truck traffic on a county road (RQ-0018-GA)
S U M M A R Y
A commissioners court may not impose additional regulations with regard
to weight on trucks granted an overweight certificate by the Texas Department
of Transportation, but may ban all through truck traffic on a portion of a
county road. A commissioners court may not discontinue a public road until
a road designated to replace that to be discontinued is ready to replace it.
However, the court may abandon or vacate such a road without replacing it.
For further information, please access the website
at www.oag.state.tx.us.
or call the Opinion
Committee at 512/ 463-2110.
TRD-200304293
Nancy S. Fuller
Assistant Attorney General
Office of the Attorney General
Filed: July 15, 2003
RQ-0074-GA
Requestors:
Mr. Jose Montemayor
Commissioner of Insurance
Texas Department of Insurance
P.O. Box 149104
Austin, Texas 78714-9104
The Honorable Rodney Ellis
Chair, Government Organization Committee
Texas State Senate
P.O. Box 12068
Austin, Texas 78711-2068
Re: Constitutionality of sections 2A and 2B of article 21.74, Insurance
Code, which establishes a "Holocaust Registry" within the Texas Department
of Insurance, and requires insurers who sold policies to "holocaust victims"
to file certain information with, or make certification to, the Department
(Request No. 0074-GA)
Briefs requested by August 11, 2003
RQ-0075-GA
Requestor:
The Honorable David K. Walker
Montgomery County Attorney
210 West Davis, Suite 400
Conroe, Texas 77301
Re: Whether a bail bond licensee may operate under one or more assumed
names, and whether a bail bond board may regulate the number of names under
which a licensee operates (Request No. 0075-GA)
Briefs requested by August 11, 2003
RQ-0076-GA
Requestor:
The Honorable Joe F. Grubbs
Ellis County and District Attorney
Temporary Administration Building
1201 North Highway 77, Suite B
Waxahachie, Texas 75165-5140
Re: Whether a mayor may simultaneously serve as a county purchasing agent
(Request No. 0076-GA)
Briefs requested by August 15, 2003
For further information, please access the website
at www.oag.state.tx.us.
or call the Opinion
Committee at 512/463-2110.
TRD-200304292
Nancy S. Fuller
Assistant Attorney General
Office of the Attorney General
Filed: July 15, 2003
Request for Opinions