HBA-NLM H.J.R. 34 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.J.R. 34 By: Chisum County Affairs 2/19/1999 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The Hall County Commissioners Court has proposed by resolution to eliminate the office of constable in that county and to allow the duties of that office to be performed by the sheriff's office. As proposed, H.J.R. 34 requires the submission to the voters of a constitutional amendment abolishing the office of constable in Hall County. 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) Provides an exception under the provisions of this section, rather than under the provisions of Subsection (e) of this section. (h) Abolishes the office of constable in Hall County and transfers the functions of the office to the county sheriff. Provides for the abolishment of the office of constable under this section only if, at the statewide election at which that question is put before the voters, a majority of the voters of Hall County favor the constitutional amendment which provides for the abolition of the constable's office in Hall County. SECTION 2. Adds a temporary provision to the Texas Constitution, as follows: TEMPORARY PROVISION. Sets forth that the abolition of the office of constable in Hall 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.