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.
Requests for Opinions
(RQ-814). Requested by Tracy R. Briggs, Assistant City Attorney, City of 
Houston, P.O. Box 1562, Houston, Texas 77251-1562, concerning whether 
arbitration proceedings before a municipal civil service commission constitutes 
"litigation" for purposes of the Open Records Act, Chapter 552, Government Code, 
and related questions.
(RQ-815). Requested by Detra G. Hill, Assistant City Attorney Criminal Law and 
Police Division, Office of the City Attorney, 501 Police and Courts Building, 
Dallas, Texas 75201. Annette Jones, Police Legal Advisor Legal Services, P.O. 
Box 2570, Waco, Texas 76702-2570, concerning whether the applications of persons 
who apply for the purchase of a handgun under the federal Brady Handgun Violence 
Prevention Act, 18 United States Code, sec.922 (1993), but whose applications 
are rejected, are available to the public under the Open Records Act.
(RQ-816). Requested by Edward H. Perry, Assistant City Attorney, City of Dallas 
Office of the City Attorney, City Hall, Dallas, Texas 75201, whether fire alarm 
and fire sprinkler system permits issued by a municipality are excepted from 
disclosure under the Open Records Act.
(RQ-817). Requested by Honorable Fred Hill, Chair, Committee on Urban Affairs, 
House of Representatives, P.O. Box 2910, Austin, Texas 78768-2910, concerning 
whether a municipality which withdraws from a transit authority under the terms 
of Texas Civil Statutes, Article 1118y, may subsequently levy a sales tax under 
Tax Code, Chapter 321, or under Texas Civil Statutes, Article 5190.6, sec.4A or 
sec.4B.
(RQ-818). Requested by Honorable Steve Holzheauser, Chairman, Energy Resources 
Committee, House of Representatives, P.O. Box 2910, Austin, Texas 78768-2910, 
concerning whether a judge may use public resources, including public employees, 
in performing a marriage
ceremony for which the
judge receives a fee.
(RQ-819). Requested by Vernon M. Arrell, Commissioner, Texas Rehabilitation
Commission, Legal Services, 4900 North Lamar Boulevard, Austin, Texas 78751-
2399, concerning whether information created, compiled and maintained by the 
Management Audit Division of the Texas Rehabilitation Commission is excepted 
from disclosure under the Government Code, sec.552.101 and sec.552.108.
(RQ-820). Requested by Honorable Robert Newsom, Hopkins County Attorney, 110 
Main Street, Sulphur Springs, Texas 75482, concering whether there is an 
irreconcilable conflict between Texas Constitution,
Article XVI, sec.65 (the "resign to run" provision) and Article XVI, sec.17 (the 
"holdover" provision, and related questions.
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