2004 Formal Opinions

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• Gerald D. Farrell, Jr., Chairman , State Marshal Commission , 2004-005 Formal Opinion, Attorney General of Connecticut

  In separate letters to us you requested our advice on two questions concerning indemnification of state marshals. Your first question seeks our opinion on whether state marshals serving capias warrants on behalf of Support Enforcement Services are entitled to indemnification by the State of Connecticut. Your second question asks whether state marshals who train new appointees would be indemnified under Connecticut General Statutes § 4-165.

• The Honorable Linda Schwartz, Department of Veterans' Affairs, 2004-021 Formal Opinion, Attorney General of Connecticut

  You have raised several questions concerning the statutes governing the establishment and activities of the Soldiers', Sailors' and Marines' Fund (&quo;Fund"), as well as the current operation of the Fund. In particular, you have inquired whether: i) these statutes' apparent delegation of public functions to a private agency, in this instance the American Legion, violates constitutional principles; ii) whether current law restricts expending Fund assets for administrative expenses; and iii) whether the law would permit the Department of Veterans' Affairs ("DVA") to conduct the intake and processing of veterans' applications for benefits from the Fund.

• Susan G. Townsley, Division of Special Revenue, 2004-007 Formal Opinion, Attorney General of Connecticut

  This is in response to your request for an opinion on whether your agency, consistent with the law, can approve a proposal by the Connecticut Lottery Corporation ("CLC") to launch a new lottery game with a "Treasure Island" theme featuring a novel second chance drawing feature.

• Diane Goss Farrell & Kenneth M. McKeever, Esq. , Town of Westport & Town of Lyme , 2004-006 Formal Opinion, Attorney General of Connecticut

  I write in response to your letters, which request my interpretation of Connecticut's General Statutes as they pertain to the legality of same sex marriages in our state. Specifically, you wish to know whether local officials may issue marriage licenses to, or perform marriage ceremonies for, same sex couples.

• The Honorable Kevin B. Sullivan, Connecticut General Assembly, 2004-003 Formal Opinion, Attorney General of Connecticut

  You have asked for a formal legal opinion regarding the recommendation by the Judicial Selection Commission of Joseph Mengacci for nomination as a judge. You ask specifically what actions constitute "consideration" of a candidate's application by the Judicial Selection Commission (hereinafter "Commission"). As you set forth in your letter, Conn. Gen. Stat. § 51-44a(l) prohibits a former Commission member from being "considered for recommendation to the governor for nomination as a judge" for two years after termination of his tenure on the Commission.