Opinions
Opinion No. KP-0504
The Honorable Gary Gates
Chair, House Committee on Land and Resource Management
Texas House of Representatives
Post Office Box 2910
Austin, Texas 78768-2910
Re: Commissioners Court authority to select a firm to assist with redrawing precinct lines pursuant to Chapter 42, Texas Elections Code (RQ-0597-KP)
S U M M A R Y
The Fort Bend Commissioners Court may hire an outside law firm of its own choice to assist it in fulfilling its redistricting duties under Chapter 42 of the Election Code without interfering with or usurping the Fort Bend County Attorney's statutory duties.
The County Attorney may not unilaterally contract with an outside law firm of her choice to assist the Commissioners Court in carrying out its redistricting duties under Chapter 42 of the Election Code.
For further information, please access the website at www.texasattorneygeneral.gov or call the Opinion Committee at (512) 463-2110.
TRD-202504271
Justin Gordon
General Counsel
Office of the Attorney General
Filed: November 20, 2025