HBA-NLM H.J.R. 50 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.J.R. 50 By: Hupp County Affairs 2/26/1999 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE McCulloch County has a population of less than 10,000 people, and its law enforcement needs are adequately served by its sheriff. Elimination of the office of constable in that county will allow the duties of that office to be officially performed by the sheriff's office. As proposed, H.J.R. 50 requires the submission to the voters of a constitutional amendment abolishing the office of constable in McCulloch 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 McCulloch 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 McCulloch County favor the constitutional amendment which provides for the abolition of the constable's office in McCulloch 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 McCulloch 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.