Legislative Services

The Texas Association of Counties has highlighted recent attorney general opinions and requests for opinions of interest to counties. Summaries below are republished directly from opinion letters issued by the Office of the Attorney General without substantive editing.

Attorney General Opinions

KP-0520: Considers whether an amusement machine is considered a gambling device under the Texas Penal Code when the machine offers both chance-based and skill-based game modes (RQ-0637-KP). The opinion finds an amusement machine that offers both a chance-based game mode as well as a skill-based mode is a gambling device under Penal Code Chapter 47 so long as chance plays any role in determining whether the player receives something of value, regardless of the presence of skill.

Requests for an Attorney General Opinion

RQ-0646-KP: Senate Committee on Business and Commerce. Questions municipal authority to regulate residential energy backup systems under Sections 229.102 and 214.211of the Local Government Code as amended by 89R SB1252.

RQ-0647-KP: House Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs. Questions whether a county treasurer may receive compensation as appointed legal counsel in the county in which he or she serves as county treasurer.