Ken Paxton

Application of the Texas Religious Freedom Restoration Act on an individual’s right of access to clergy due to the COVID-19 pandemic

Constitutionality of paying a one-time bonus to administrative staff of county’s justices of the peace

County judge’s brother’s candidacy for sheriff does not violate nepotism or conflict-of-interest statutes in described circumstances

Pursuant to subsection 38.001(f) of the Education Code, the Legislature provided that a student who has not received the immunizations required by law “for reasons of conscience, including because of the person’s religious beliefs, may be excluded from school in times of emergency or epidemic declared by the commissioner of public health.” Read in context, a court likely would conclude that this exception does not permit exclusion of students who lack vaccinations unrelated to an existing "epidemic" contemplated by subsection 38.001(f).

Determination of threshold point triggering bidding requirements of County Purchasing Act

Determining whether authority exists to prosecute in any specific situation requires multiple factual determinations, which are outside the scope of the opinion process of this office. 

The Sixth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and article 33.03 of the Code of Criminal Procedure establish a right of the accused to be present in the courtroom through the conclusion of trial proceedings.  Under article 33.03, an accused’s right to be present at his trial is unwaivable even by the accused until such a time as the jury has been selected.

Determination of boundary lines between water conservation districts

Local Government Code section 171.004(a) conflict-of-interest requirements do not apply to a city council member voting on a county matter even though the council member is married to the county tax assessor-collector.

Punishment for a violation of the maximum vehicle weight limit established under Transportation Code section 621.102

Physician supervision for acts delegated to certified registered nurse anesthetist