Texas House Bill HB3674

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

• Filed: 3/4/25

Caption

Relating to the persons who may request an attorney general opinion.

Impact

If enacted, HB3674 is expected to impact various state officials, including the governor, the lieutenant governor, heads of state departments, and other designated authorities. By specifying who can request an opinion, the bill may improve the standardization of legal inquiries made to the Attorney General, potentially leading to more timely responses and greater consistency in the legal interpretations provided by the state. This change may also aid in reducing ambiguity surrounding the authority of various officials in matters that require legal interpretation.

Summary

House Bill 3674 proposes changes to the Government Code regarding who may request an opinion from the Attorney General of Texas. This bill amends Section 402.042(b) to define and potentially expand the list of individuals and entities that are authorized to seek legal opinions. The stated aim of the bill is to clarify and streamline the process for obtaining legal guidance from the Attorney General's office, thereby enhancing government transparency and accountability. This change reflects a recognition of the importance of legal clarity for state officials and departments in carrying out their duties.

Contention

While the bill is primarily a technical amendment to improve the legal framework, there may be points of contention related to who is included or excluded from the list of those eligible to request legal opinions. Stakeholders could raise concerns regarding the accessibility of legal resources for certain state entities or the implications of selectively permitting requests by certain officials. Furthermore, discussions may evolve around the effectiveness of this bill in addressing the broader needs for legal support among various state institutions.

Texas Constitutional Statutes Affected

Government Code

• Chapter 402. Attorney General
  • Section: New Section