By:  Wilson                                           H.J.R. No. 65
       73R5617 CAG-D
                                  A JOINT RESOLUTION
    1-1  proposing a constitutional amendment to authorize the legislature
    1-2  to establish the number of county commissioners and to establish
    1-3  commissioners precincts in Harris County.
    1-4        BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
    1-5        SECTION 1.  Article V, Section 18, of the Texas Constitution
    1-6  is amended by amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (e) to
    1-7  read as follows:
    1-8        (b)  Unless the legislature increases the number of precincts
    1-9  under Subsection (e) of this section, each  <Each> county shall, in
   1-10  the manner provided for justice of the peace and constable
   1-11  precincts, be divided into four commissioners precincts in each of
   1-12  which there shall be elected by the qualified voters thereof one
   1-13  County Commissioner, who shall hold his office for four years and
   1-14  until his successor shall be elected and qualified.  The County
   1-15  Commissioners so chosen, with the County Judge as presiding
   1-16  officer, shall compose the County Commissioners Court, which shall
   1-17  exercise such powers and jurisdiction over all county business, as
   1-18  is conferred by this Constitution and the laws of the State, or as
   1-19  may be hereafter prescribed.
   1-20        (e)  The legislature may provide that Harris County be
   1-21  divided into more than four commissioners precincts and may
   1-22  establish the boundaries of those precincts by statute.  If the
   1-23  legislature provides for more than four commissioners precincts in
   1-24  Harris County, it may determine the years in which each
    2-1  commissioner's term begins to provide for staggered commissioners
    2-2  terms.  The legislature may provide that Subsection (d) of this
    2-3  section does not apply to Harris County if the boundaries of the
    2-4  commissioners precincts are changed to increase the number of
    2-5  precincts in the county.   If the legislature establishes the
    2-6  boundaries of the commissioners precincts in Harris County, the
    2-7  commissioners court may not change those boundaries.
    2-8        SECTION 2.  This proposed constitutional amendment shall be
    2-9  submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 2, 1993.
   2-10  The ballot shall be printed to provide for voting for or against
   2-11  the proposition:  "The constitutional amendment to authorize the
   2-12  legislature to establish the number of county commissioners and to
   2-13  establish commissioners precincts in Harris County."