The Texas Attorney General provides a comprehensive look at the Open Meetings Act.

What are the duties of a Texas Attorney General? Can state agencies make their own rules? This primer from the West’s Nutshell Series summarizes the main functions of the Texas executive branch, answering these questions and more.

"This Nutshell provides a succinct and thorough description of the law governing elections, the right to vote, and the political process in the United States. The topics addressed include “one person, one vote,” gerrymandering, minority voting rights, ballot access, voter identification, recounts, direct democracy, and campaign finance. The Nutshell covers U.S. constitutional law in these areas, as well as the Voting Rights Act, Federal Election Campaign Act, and other essential statutes. It includes Evenwel v. Abbott, McDonnell v. United States, and other cases from the 2015-16 Supreme Court Term." - publisher's description

Eminent domain has a long and distinguished legal history, dating from the first limits on sovereign power in the Magna Carta. Just compensation is a newer concept, and court decisions such as Kelo v. New London make the exercise of eminent domain controversial. Can government condemn property to increase its tax base? Can the state transfer property from one private owner to another for incidental public benefit, and does this constitute "public use"? While eminent domain traditionally was used to acquire property for roads, waterways, defense installations, government and public buildings, and the interstate highway system, it has recently been a favored tool in developing urban areas, creating shopping malls, and building big-box retail stores. Eminent Domain: A Handbook of Condemnation Law is written by leaders in the field and will introduce general practitioners working for condemnors and property owners alike to the many intricacies of condemnation practice.

A single resource for eminent domain practitioners, this guide is a reference for questions about eminent domain and condemnation procedure in every state and the District of Columbia. Each state outline is organized in the following manner: • Who is Eligible to Condemn? • What can be Condemned? • The Condemnation Proceedings • Procedure to Challenge Condemnation • Inverse Condemnation • Just Compensation Issues • How are Various Ownership Interests Treated? • Abandonment • Attorney's Fees and Costs William G. Blake, Editor Casey Pipes, and Robert J. Will, Committee Co-Chairs

An extensive, 18-volume treatise on the governmental power to take private property for public use.

Best Practices in the Acquisition of a Government Contractor, Second Edition identifies key transactional issues that arise in transactions involving government contractors across corporate, antitrust, political, foreign investment and other areas of law. Readers will receive targeted, and most importantly, useful advice from practitioners who have been involved in hundreds of transactions (often on opposite sides of each other). Readers will also learn from their hard-earned experience in the form of bold "Best Practice Tips" and this volume's highly structured, easy to reference format. Each page is designed to allow a reader to quickly grasp a key issue to readily deploy in their practice. This volume also includes detailed appendices and forms that will help practitioners to supplement their existing forms, gather key documents and perform comprehensive government contracts due diligence. Topics include: The Due Diligence Process Scope of Government Contracts Review Cost Issues Particular to Government Contracts Claims, Disputes, and Bid Protests Adequacy of the Target's Compliance Program Other Risk Areas Acquisition Documents and Pre-Closing Activities Antitrust Requirements CFIUS Approval for Foreign Ownership and Investment Existing Contracts – Dealing with the Anti-Assignment Statues Issues for the Combined Company<

Starting with a historical overview of how bid protests arose in the first place and the jurisdictional authority behind each of the various protest forums, the book discusses the various considerations involved in deciding whether and in which forum to protest. The book delves into the various procedural requirements associated with each forum, the differences between pre-award and post-award protests, and examine the types of protest grounds that succeed and those that do not. The History of Protest Jurisdiction Comparing Protest Forums Who May Protest, and When, and Whether to Do So Stays, Overrides, and Injunctions Protective Orders Grounds of Protest What Lies Ahead

The fourth edition of Government Contract Law is a comprehensive, step by step guide through all aspects of federal government contracting and incorporates numerous significant changes in procurement since the Third Edition was published. Based on the Contract Attorney's course of The Judge Advocate General's Law Center and School, this valuable deskbook is designed to help you safely navigate the entire federal contracting process — from pre-bidding through award, and on to protest and litigation — with the least risk to your client or company. Since the last edition, there have been many changes in government contract law. The executive branch has implemented several policy initiatives through the power of federal contracting, including revised labor policies. Similarly, Congress has implemented changes, including regulation of contractor business systems, trafficking in persons, and provisions addressing problems that have been identified in the past decade such as perceived misuse of commercial items. What has not changed is the basic system of acquiring goods and services. This fourth edition of the ABA's revisions to the Judge Advocate General's Legal Center and School's Contract Law Deskbook , includes updates to references, new chapters (which do not appear in the JAG School's version) as well as chapter revisions that include material that is useful to contractor attorneys and the private bar. This edition has been expanded and can be used by military attorneys as well as practitioners who are not a part of the military. This Deskbook has been cited by the U.S. Supreme Court, served as a foundation for numerous continuing legal education materials, and is used daily by hundreds of attorneys.

"Summarizes the Federal Acquisition Regulation System (FARS), improper business practices and personal conflicts of interest, publicizing contract actions, outsourcing/privatization, and competition requirements. Addresses acquisition plans, contractor qualifications, contract delivery, and performance. Explains socio-economic policies, commercial items, options, sealed bidding, and negotiation. Reviews general contracting requirements, intellectual property, cost accounting standards, cost principles, financing, protests, disputes, and appeals. Explores research and development contracting, construction and architect-engineer contracts, inspection and warranty, value engineering, delays, suspension of work, modifications, subcontracting, and government contract termination." - publisher

With each state having its own procurement statutes, regulations, and policies, there are similarities as well as important differences in the legal frameworks that have developed over the years, making it difficult and time-consuming for suppliers who provide products to multiple states. Now fully updated, this useful, single-volume resource contains a summary of purchasing laws and processes for all 50 States. Each chapter is written by individuals knowledgeable in each state's' laws and processes, and includes: A listing of purchasing laws and regulations Descriptions of purchasing methods An explanation of: Bid protest procedures Contract claims processes, and Administrative and judicial review Those involved in state procurement — government officials, contract administrators, attorneys, and contractors — will find the information in this Guide to be invaluable.

State and local government procurement has become complex, dynamic, and the constant subject of reform efforts. The goal of government procurement is to meet the user's needs by delivering products or services of the best value while ensuring the highest standards of integrity in order to maintain the public's trust. State and Local Government Procurement offers more than mere citations to state codes and cases; rather, it guides readers through the analysis and reasoning of specific topics and presents a firm analytic foundation for those who need to conduct in-depth research.

A brief overview of different types of cities in Texas and the lawmaking powers granted to them by the state.

This guide is a compilation of statutes affecting the administration and operation of the principal county offices.

"This new edition continues the emphasis of prior editions on such topics as the relationship of local governments to state and federal governments; the needs of local governments for territory, for personnel, and for adequate financing; and the principal activities and possible liabilities of local government. There is increased attention to land use control, an area of growing activity on the part of institutions, ranging from the U.S. Supreme Court to local zoning boards. This includes material not found in some books in this field, on such important concepts as 'smart growth,' 'new urbanism,' and 'regulatory takings.'" - publisher's description

"Reliable source of local government law features added emphasis on finance, including special tax districts and the implications of the Civil Rights Act of 1991. Discusses taxation, borrowing, and updating in the area of 1983. A review of each rule is included, accompanied by expert explanation of its underlying concepts." - publisher's description

The Municipal Law Deskbook is an all-encompassing primer on the common legal issues that arise in local government law practice. This book will guide practitioners in where to direct their research, as well as provide resources and suggested approaches to issue resolution. Drawing from decades of municipal law experience, editor William Scheiderich and authors share best practices for analyzing and dealing with cutting-edge topics such as the use and multiple benefits of intergovernmental agreements; current legal and administrative issues at the state and federal level relevant to municipal finance powers; taxation and borrowing; municipal bankruptcy; and more.

"This guide is a fully updated summary of state and federal laws that pertain to public finance and taxation. It is a valuable supplement to law school courses on local government law and state and municipal finance, as well as course offerings on these topics in schools of business and public policy. The book places the technical legal rules it considers in the context of the broader public policy issues that those rules raise. It focuses on several past fiscal crises as a catalyst for, as well as a source of, doctrinal changes in these areas of the law." -publisher's description

This definitive one-volume work is a user-friendly guide through the unique procedural and substantive rules governing military criminal justice practice. It is designed to assist those who practice military justice, both civilian and military, as well as those studying the military justice system. Supported with cites to thousands of cases, statutory provisions, and regulations, the text covers virtually every aspect of military criminal law — from arrest to appeal, substantive crimes, and nonjudicial punishment.The eBook versions of this title feature links to Lexis Advance for further legal research options.

An overview of military law and procedure with added coverage on national security law.