HBA-MPA H.J.R. 47 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.J.R. 47 By: Chisum County Affairs 2/23/1999 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The Lipscomb County Commissioners Court has requested that the issue of the elimination of the Office of the Constable in that county be put before the state's voters. The salary for the Lipscomb County constable has been set at $1 per year since 1980, and the county has not had the position filled since 1947. The duties of the constable have been handled since that time through the sheriff's office. As proposed, H.J.R. 47 requires the submission to the voters of a constitutional amendment abolishing the office of Constable in Lipscomb 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 adding Subsection (h), as follows: (a) Makes a conforming change. (h) Abolishes the office of Constable in Lipscomb County, and transfers its functions to the county sheriff. Provides that this change will only take place if, at the statewide election providing for the abolition of the Lipscomb County constable's office, the majority of the voters in Lipscomb County voting on the question at that election favor the amendment. SECTION 2. Amends the Texas Constitution, by adding a temporary provision, as follows: TEMPORARY PROVISION. Provides that the constitutional amendment abolishing the office of Constable in Lipscomb County takes effect January 1, 2000, if the requirement is met that the majority of Lipscomb County voters approve this amendment. 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.