ATTORNEY GENERAL Under provisions set out in the Texas Constitution, the Texas Government Code, Title 4, 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. Open Records Decision (ORD-644)(ORQ-6). Request from Honorable Ken Oden County Attorney, County of Travis, P.O. Box 1748, Austin, Texas 78767, concerning whether in light of the repeal of sec.51.14 of the Family Code, juvenile law enforcement records maintained by law enforcement agencies remain confidential as of January 1, 1996, and related questions. Summary of Decision. Section 58.007 of the Family Code does not make confidential juvenile law enforcement records concerning conduct occurring on or after January 1, 1996, that are maintained by law enforcement agencies. Other statutory provisions and exceptions to disclosure may apply to this information. Law enforcement records concerning conduct that occurred before January 1, 1996, are governed by former sec.51.14(d) of the Family Code, which is continued in effect for that purpose. (ORD-645) (ORQ-8) Request from Ms. Gail Fenter, Assistant City Attorney, City of Midland, P.O. Box 1152, Midland, Texas 79702- 1152; Mr. Steven C. Hilbig, Bexar County Criminal District Attorney, 300 Dolorosa, Suite 5072, San Antonio, Texas 78205-3030; Mr. Thomas Myers, Attorney for Hurst-Euless-Bedford I.S.D., Rohne Hoodenpyle, Lobert Myers and Scott, P.C., P.O. Box 13010, Arlington, Texas 76094-0010; Ms. Lynn Rossi Scott, Attorney for Grapevine-Colleyville, Azle, and Burleson Independent School Districts, Rohne Hoodenpyle Lobert Myers and Scott, P.C., P.O. Box 13010, Arlington, Texas 76094-0010; Mr. Paul F. Wieneskie, Attorney for City of Richland Hills Cribbs and McFarland, P.O. Box 13060, Arlington, Texas 76094-0060; concerning duties and responsibilities of local law enforcement agencies and school districts to release public information under the sex offender registration statute, Texas Civil Statutes, Article 6252-13c.1, and related questions. Summary of Decision. Under article 6252-13c.1, V.T.C.S., all information contained in either an adult's or juvenile's sex offender registration form and subsequently entered into the Department of Public Safety data base is public information and must be released upon written request except for the registrant's photograph, social security number, driver's license number, numeric street address and telephone number, and any information that on its face would directly reveal the identity of the victim. Local law enforcement authorities are required under article 6252-13c.1 to provide school district officials with "any information the authority determines is necessary to protect the public" regarding adult sex offenders. Upon receiving a written request for such information, the school district must release or withhold the requested information it receives in accordance with section 5 of article 6252-13c.1 or other law, including the Open Records Act. Neither school district officials nor the general public are authorized to receive from local law enforcement authorities sex offender registration information pertaining to individuals whose reportable convictions or adjudication occurred prior to September 1, 1995. Issued in Austin, Texas on June 10, 1996. TRD-9608127 Suzanne Marshall Special Assistant Office of the Attorney General Request for Opinions RQ-ID# 38709. Requested by: The Honorable Tim Cone Criminal District Attorney Upshur County Justice Center 405 North Titus Street Gilmer, Texas 75644 Re: Whether a commissioners court may decline to permit a particular individual to speak at a public meeting. RQ-ID# 38710 Requested by: The Honorable Tim Cone Criminal District Attorney Upshur County Justice Center 405 North Titus Street Gilmer, Texas 75644 Re: Whether a member of the board of an appraisal district is thereby "interested" in a real estate contract between the county and the district . RQ-ID# 38712 Requested by: The Honorable Tim Cone Criminal District Attorney Upshur County Justice Center 405 North Titus Street Gilmer, Texas 75644 Re: Whether a tax assessor-collector may refuse to issue a certificate of title if the applicant refuses to divulge his social security number . RQ-ID# 38716 Requested by: The Honorable Tom Craddick Chair, House Ways and Means Committee Texas House of Representatives P.O. Box 2910 Austin, Texas 78768-2910 Whether a member of the board of an appraisal district may simultaneously serve as an election judge in a municipal election, and related questions . RQ-ID# 38724 Requested by: The Honorable Mike Driscoll Harris County Attorney 1001 Preston, Suite 634 Houston, Texas 77002-1891 Maximum amount of funds a county clerk may hold in trust for a subject creditor under Section 887, Probate Code. RQ-ID# 38726 Requested by: Mr. T. Beck Gipson Vice-President, Board of Directors Upper Guadalupe River Authority P.O. Box 1278 Kerrville, Texas 78029-1278 Re: Whether the Upper Guadalupe River Authority may retain as counsel a law firm in which a shareholder is a brother of a board member of the Authority. RQ-ID# 38732 Requested by: The Honorable Lee Haney District Attorney 35th Judicial District of Texas Courthouse Brownwood, Texas 76801 Re: Duty of a justice of the peace to prepare a transcript for appeal in a civil case. RQ-ID# 38750 Requested by: Mr. William Treacy Executive Director Texas State Board of Public Accountancy 333 Guadalupe, Tower III, Suite 900 Austin, Texas 78701-3900 Re: Whether constructive enforcement volunteers in the service of the Board of Public Accountancy may assert a privilege barring a civil action in defamation . RQ-ID# 38757 Requested by: Mr. Kenneth Ashworth Commissioner Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board P.O. Box 12788 Austin, Texas 78711 Whether a reservist called to temporary active duty and subsequently granted an "honorable separation" may be deemed "honorably discharged" for purposes of Section 54.203, Education Code, which provides exemption from payment of fee and tuition at state institutions of higher education. Issued in Austin, Texas on June 10, 1996. TRD-9608126 Suzanne Marshall Special Assistant Office of the Attorney General