TBM H.J.R. 29 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.J.R. 29 By: Jones, Delwin Constitutional Revision, Select 3/2/2001 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Under Texas law, constables are peace officers elected by the voting public of each county and licensed by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education. Constables provide process service for all courts in the state of Texas, as well as the same services and duties provided by all other police agencies. Some citizens think that the duties of a constable could be performed as efficiently and effectively, if not better, by the sheriff's office, a change that would eliminate the duplication of work in some cases. House Joint Resolution 29 authorizes a county to call an election on whether the office of constable should be abolished. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this resolution does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. ANALYSIS House Joint Resolution 29 amends the Texas Constitution to authorize the commissioners court of a county to call an election on the question of whether the office of constable in the county should be abolished. If a majority of the voters of the county approve the proposition, the office of constable is abolished and the powers, duties, and records of the office are transferred to the county sheriff. FOR ELECTION This proposed constitutional amendment shall be submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 6, 2001.