KEN PAXTON
ATTORNEY GENERAL OF TEXAS
September 28, 2015
The Texas Constitution and sections 402.042 and 402.043 of the Government Code grant the
attorney general authority to issue attorney general opinions. An attorney general opinion is a
written interpretation of existing law. The development of an attorney general opinion is an
involved and thorough process involving many layers of comprehensive review. Attorney general
opinions do not necessarily reflect the attorney general's personal views, nor does the attorney
general in any way "rule" on what the law should say. As have those that have come before it,
thi.s administration strives to craft opinions with the greatest level of legal accuracy and without
any hint of impropriety.
By its very nature, the. attorney general opinion process invites a variety of legal issues to be
brought before our office for analysis and review. The questions asked are outside the scope of
this office's control, and some of the questions to be addressed may raise actual or perceived
conflicts of interest' for the Attorney General and his staff. Consistent with applicable statutes and
rules, staff members involved in the opinion process must recuse themselves from matters in which
there may exist an actual or perceived conflict of interest. Accordingly, pursuant to section
402.001 of the Government Code, I delegate my signature authority in the attorney general opinion
process to the First Assistant Attorney General, Charles E. Roy, for those opinions in which I may
have an actual or perceived conflict of interest or in which my involvement gives even the
appearance of impropriety. Any such opinion signed by the First Assistant under this delegation
carries the full force of an attorney gen1:1ral opinion.
Very truly yours,
~?~
KEN PAXTON
Attorney General of Texas
October 19, 2015
The Honorable Jim Murphy
Chair, Committee on Corrections
Texas House of Representatives
Post Office Box 2910
Austin, Texas 78768-2910
Dear Representative Murphy:
In the process of reviewing this matter, this office concludes there could be an actual or
perceived conflict of interest such that the Attorney General has recused himself fr