Untitled Texas Attorney General Opinion ( 1987 )

January 26. 1987 Ms. Louise Sanders, R.N. Opinion No.JM-625 Acting Executive Secretary Board of Nurse Examiners Re: Whether the Board of Nurse 1300 E. Anderson Lane Examiners may expend funds for Building C, Suite 225 liability insurance required to Austin. Texas 78752 rent convention center Dear Ms. Sanders: You have requested our opinion about the authority of the Board of Nurse Examiners to purchase liability insurance. The board is required to give the licensing examination for nurses in "various cities throughout the State." V.T.C.S. art. 4519. You have chosen several sites for the February 1987 examination. You explain, however, that the owner of one facility you would like to use rgquires that anyone who rents.the facility must carry liability insurance. You ask whether the board may purchase liability insurance in order to rent the facility. Specific statutory authority is necessary to authorize state agencies to purchase liability insurance. Attorney General Opinion H-1318 (1978). State agencies do have statutory authority to purchase insurance policies protecting against claims arising under the Tort Claims Act. Civ. Prac. and Rem. Code P101.027. However, the General Appropriation Bill for the current fiscal year contains the following provision: None of the funds appropriated in this Act may be expended for the purpose of purchasing policies of insurance covering claims arising under the Texas Tort Claims Act. General Appropriations Act, Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 980, art. V, 556, at V-62. Therefore, the board may not use appropriated funds to purchase liability insurance in order to rent a convention center. Attorney General Opinions m-551 (1986); M-1215 (1972); M-559 (1970). See also V.T.C.S. art. 4527 (fees received by Board of Nurse Examiners to be placed in state treasury to be expended as specified by Appropriations Act); General Appropriations Act, Acts 1985. 69th Leg., ch. 980, art. I, at I-137 (appropriation for Board of Nurse Examiners). p. 2821 Ms. Louise Sanders - Page 2 (X4-625) SUMKARY The Board of Nurse Examiners may not use appropriated funds to purchase liability insurance. JIM MATTOX Attorney General of Texas JACK HIGHTOWER First Assistant Attorney General MARY KELLER Executive Assistant Attorney General RICK GILPIN Chainuan, Opinion Committee Prepared by Sarah Woelk Assistant Attorney General p. 2822