OPINION NUMBER 97-157

Michael Robichaux, M.D.

Attorney General of Louisiana — Opinion
MAY 21, 1997

109 — State — Employees Departments 62-A — Legislature — Members of State departments may institute a policy acquiring prior review and approval of office correspondence from their employees and members.

Michael Robichaux, M.D. State of Louisiana State Senator, District 20 P.O. Box 45 Mathews, LA 70375

RICHARD P. IEYOUB

Dear Dr. Robichaux:

In your opinion request dated March 18, 1997, you ask whether the assistant secretary of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (Department) may require that all correspondence prepared by members of the Department be approved by the assistant secretary prior to forwarding. The memorandum issued by Assistant Secretary Johnnie Tarver mandating this policy, in pertinent part, reads:

From this date forward, all correspondence prepared by you sent to non-departmental entities as a representative of this department especially to elected officials including State Legislators, U.S. Congressmen from Office of Wildlife personnel shall be reviewed and approved by the Assistant Secretary prior to forwarding or mailing.

This intradepartmental edict is not prohibited by state statute or jurisprudence. Therefore, it is the opinion of this office that state department heads may institute a policy requiring prior review and approval of external correspondence from their offices.

Yours very truly,