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.

Request for Opinions

RQ-1001. Requested from the Honorable Bruce
 Isaacks, Criminal District Attorney, Carroll Courts Building, 5th Floor,
 P.O. Box 2344, Denton, Texas 76202, concerning whether a release that obligates
 a county to indemnify a third party only for damages arising from acts of
 the county and does not expand the countys liability beyond its liability
 under existing law creates a debt within the meaning of article XI, section
 7 of the Texas Constitution.


RQ-1002. Requested from the Honorable Steven
 D. Wolens, Chair, Committee on State Affairs, Texas House of Representatives,
 P.O. Box 2910, Austin, Texas 78768-2910, concerning whether Harris County
 must hold a referendum election before imposing certain taxes authorized
 by House Bill 92, Acts 1997, 75th Legislataure, Chapter 551, at 1929.


RQ-1003. Requested from the Honorable Jose
 R. Rodreguez, El Paso County Attorney, 500 East San Antonio, Room 203, El
 Paso, Texas 79901, concerning whether Article 37.122, Education Code, prohibits
 the sale of alcoholic beverages for nonschool events held at a student 
activities
 complex owned by an independent school district.


RQ-1004. Requested from the Honorable Jerry
 Patterson, Chair, Committee on Veteran Affairs and Military Installations
 Texas House of Representatives, P.O. Box 12068, Austin, Texas 78711-2068,
 concerning whether a person who has served a probated sentence and whose
 civil rights have been restored is eligible for a pardon.


RQ-1005. Requested from the Honorable Lawrence
 E. Heffington, Henderson County Attorney, Courthouse Square, Athens, Texas
 75751, concerning whether the judge of the 392nd District Court is a member
 of the Henderson County Juvenile Board, and related question.


RQ-1006. Requested from the Honorable John
 Whitmire, Chair, Criminal Justice Committee, Texas State Senate, P.O. Box
 12068, Austin, Texas 78711-2068, concerning Remedy for clerical errors made
 in connection with individual accounts in the Texas Municipal Retirement
 System, and related questions.


RQ-1007. Requested from the Honorable Jerome
 Aldrich, Brazoria County Criminal District Attorney, 111 East Locust, Room
 408A, Angleton, Texas 77515, concerning whether the City of Freeport may
 exercise certain zoning powers in man-made canals below high tide, under
 the provisions of Chapter 211, Local Government Code.


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