HBA-NLM H.J.R. 68 76(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.J.R. 68
By: Hardcastle
County Affairs
4/19/1999
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Currently, there is concern that continuation of the office of constable in
Hardeman County may not be cost effective.  The abolishment of the office
proposes to save the county approximately $14,000. As proposed, H.J.R. 68
requires the submission to the voters of a constitutional amendment
providing that the office of constable in Hardeman County is abolished and
transferring the duties of that office to the county sheriff.   

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 18, Article V, Texas Constitution, by amending
Subsection (a) and by adding Subsection (h), as follows: 

(a) Deletes the exception provided by Subsection (e) of this section.

(h) Provides that the office of constable in Hardeman County is abolished.
Transfers the functions of the office to the county sheriff.  Provides that
the office of constable is abolished under this subsection only if, at the
statewide election at which the constitutional amendment providing for the
abolition of the office in Hardeman County is submitted to the voters, a
majority of the voters of the county voting on the question at that
election favor the amendment. 

SECTION 2.  TEMPORARY PROVISION.  Provides that the abolition of the office
of constable in Hardeman County under the constitutional amendment proposed
by the 76th Legislature, Regular Session, 1999, providing for the abolition
of the office in that county takes effect January 1, 2000, if the
conditions of Section 18(h), Article V, as added by that constitutional
amendment, are met. Provides that this provision expires January 2, 2000. 

SECTION 3.  Requires this proposed constitutional amendment to be submitted
to the voters at an election to be held November 2, 1999.  Sets forth the
required language for the ballot.