ATTORNEY GENERAL

Requests for Opinions

RQ-0632-KP

Requestor:

The Honorable Bob Hall

Chair, Senate Committee on Administration

Texas State Senate

Post Office Box 12068

Austin, Texas 78711-2068

Re: Regarding the legality of activities of election inspectors and poll watchers (RQ-0632-KP)

RQ-0633-KP

Requestor:

The Honorable Matthew A. Mills

Hood County Attorney

1200 West Pearl Street

Granbury, Texas 76048

Re: Whether Hood County may declare a moratorium on industrial development (RQ-0633-KP)

Briefs requested by March 26, 2026

RQ-0634-KP

Requestor:

The Honorable Edgar J. Garrett, Jr.

Delta County Attorney

Post Office Box 462

Cooper, Texas 75432

Re: County authority to impose moratoria on certain energy and data facilities (RQ-0634-KP)

Briefs requested by March 25, 2026

RQ-0635-KP

Requestor:

The Honorable Sarah Stogner

143rd Judicial District Attorney

Post Office Box 510

Monahans, Texas 79756

Re: Regarding voting residency of shift-work EMS personnel in Loving County (RQ-0635-KP)

Briefs requested by April 3, 2026

RQ-0636-KP

Requestor:

Mr. Patrick Kieschnick

San Patricio County Auditor

1301 East Sinton Street, Unit C

Sinton, Texas 78387

Re: Regarding what constitutes a "grave public necessity" under the Local Government Code to amend a county budget (RQ-0636-KP)

Briefs requested by April 13, 2026

For further information, please access the website at www.texasattorneygeneral.gov or call the Opinion Committee at (512) 463-2110.

TRD-202601279

Justin Gordon

General Counsel

Office of the Attorney General

Filed: March 17, 2026


Opinions

Opinion No. KP-0518

Mr. Darrel D. Spinks

Executive Director

Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council

1801 Congress Avenue, Suite 7.300

Austin, Texas 78701

Re: Interpretation of "health care provider" under Tex. Health & Safety Code §161.701(2) and associated issues (RQ-0605-KP)

S U M M A R Y

The definition of a "health care provider" in subsection 161.701(2) of the Health and Safety Code unambiguously encompasses the professions regulated by the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council. Any licensee that facilitates the provision of unlawful procedures or treatments that aim to transition a child's sex are thus forbidden from receiving public money in support of those efforts and, separately, risk revocation of their licenses to practice.

Opinion No. KP-0519

The Honorable Bob Hall

Chair, Senate Committee on Administration

Texas State Senate

Post Office Box 12068

Austin, Texas 78711-2068

Re: Regarding the legality of activities of election inspectors and poll watchers (RQ-0632-KP)

S U M M A R Y

State inspectors are not prohibited, as a matter of law, from taking photographs and videos while observing election activities. Neither are poll watchers prohibited, as a matter of law, from observing election activities related to mail-in ballots.

For further information, please access the website at www.texasattorneygeneral.gov or call the Opinion Committee at (512) 463-2110.

TRD-202601280

Justin Gordon

General Counsel

Office of the Attorney General

Filed: March 17, 2026