The following are opinions published by California’s Attorney General about open government issues. How authoritative is a published opinion of the Attorney General — how seriously will a court take it?

These comments by courts in recent cases are typical:

“Although an official interpretation of a statute by the Attorney General is not controlling, it is entitled to great respect.”(Thorning v. Hollister School Dist. (1992) 11 Cal.App.4th 1598, 1604.)

“Opinions of the Attorney General, while not binding, are entitled to great weight. [Citations.] In the absence of controlling authority, these opinions are persuasive ‘since the legislature is presumed to be cognizant of that construction of the statute.’ [Citation.]“(Napa Valley Educators’ Assn. v. Napa Valley Unified School Dist. (1987) 194 Cal.App.3rd 243, 251.)

75 Ops. Cal. Atty. Gen. 14 Local Board Can Use Closed Session to Discuss Litigation Settlement (1992)

Office of the Attorney General State of California 75 Ops. Cal. Atty. Gen. 14 Opinion No. 91-803 February 5, 1992 THE HONORABLE MICHAEL D. BRADBURY DISTRICT ATTORNEY VENTURA COUNTY THE HONORABLE MICHAEL D. BRADBURY, DISTRICT ATTORNEY, VENTURA COUNTY, has requested an opinion on the following question May a local agency such as a county board [...]

75 Ops. Cal. Atty. Gen. 263 Citizen Task Force Not Subject to Opem Meetings Law (1992)

Office of the Attorney General State of California 75 Ops. Cal. Atty. Gen. 263 Opinion No. 92-804 November 12, 1992 THE HONORABLE JOHN R. LEWIS MEMBER OF THE CALIFORNIA SENATE THE HONORABLE JOHN R. LEWIS, MEMBER OF THE CALIFORNIA SENATE, has requested an opinion on the following question: Are the meetings of a task force [...]

75 Ops. Cal. Atty. Gen. 89 Local Boards May Place Time Limit on Speech for Specific Agenda Item (1992)

CA-AG (California Attorney General Opinions) 75 Ops. Cal. Atty. Gen. 89 Office of the Attorney General State of California Opinion No. 92-212 May 7, 1992 THE HONORABLE PATRICK JOHNSTON MEMBER, CALIFORNIA STATE SENATE THE HONORABLE PATRICK JOHNSTON, MEMBER, CALIFORNIA STATE SENATE, has requested an opinion on the following question: May the legislative body of a [...]

79 Ops. Cal. Atty. Gen. 58 Rules for Media Access to Schools (1996)

Office of the Attorney General State of California 79 Ops. Cal. Atty. Gen. 58 Opinion No. 95-509 June 10, 1996 THE HONORABLE CATHIE WRIGHT MEMBER OF THE CALIFORNIA STATE SENATE THE HONORABLE CATHIE WRIGHT, MEMBER OF THE CALIFORNIA STATE SENATE, has requested an opinion on the following questions: 1. May school administrators require members of [...]

80 Ops. Cal. Atty. Gen. 308 School Superintendent Hiring Committee Not Subject to Open Meeting Law (1997)

Office of the Attorney General State of California 80 Ops. Cal. Atty. Gen. 308 Opinion No. 97-414 November 10, 1997 THE HONORABLE MIKE THOMPSON MEMBER OF THE CALIFORNIA STATE SENATE THE HONORABLE MIKE THOMPSON, MEMBER OF THE CALIFORNIA STATE SENATE, has requested an opinion on the following question: Where the board of trustees of a [...]

AG Opinion #98-901 Senior Citizen Property Tax Exemptions Subject to Disclosure (1998)

TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE OFFICIAL REPORTS OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL State of California DANIEL E. LUNGREN Attorney General ______________________________________ DANIEL E. LUNGREN Attorney General CLAYTON P. ROCHE Deputy Attorney General ______________________________________________________________________ THE HONORABLE THOMAS F. CASEY, III, COUNTY COUNSEL, SAN MATEO COUNTY, has requested an opinion on the following question: Are claims for [...]

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