By: Place H.J.R. No. 88
73R2825 CAG-D
A JOINT RESOLUTION
1-1 proposing a constitutional amendment to limit the number of offices
1-2 of constable in Comanche County.
1-3 BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-4 SECTION 1. Article V, Section 18, of the Texas Constitution
1-5 is amended by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (e) to
1-6 read as follows:
1-7 (a) Each county in the State with a population of 30,000 or
1-8 more, according to the most recent federal census, from time to
1-9 time, for the convenience of the people, shall be divided into not
1-10 less than four and not more than eight precincts. Each county in
1-11 the State with a population of 18,000 or more but less than 30,000,
1-12 according to the most recent federal census, from time to time, for
1-13 the convenience of the people, shall be divided into not less than
1-14 two and not more than five precincts. Each county in the State
1-15 with a population of less than 18,000, according to the most recent
1-16 federal census, from time to time, for the convenience of the
1-17 people, shall be designated as a single precinct or, if the
1-18 Commissioners Court determines that the county needs more than one
1-19 precinct, shall be divided into not more than four precincts.
1-20 Notwithstanding the population requirements of this subsection,
1-21 Chambers County, from time to time, for the convenience of the
1-22 people, shall be divided into not less than two and not more than
1-23 six precincts. A division or designation under this subsection
1-24 shall be made by the Commissioners Court provided for by this
2-1 Constitution. Except as provided by Subsection (e) of this
2-2 section, in <In> each such precinct there shall be elected one
2-3 Justice of the Peace and one Constable, each of whom shall hold his
2-4 office for four years and until his successor shall be elected and
2-5 qualified; provided that in a county with a population of less than
2-6 150,000, according to the most recent federal census, in any
2-7 precinct in which there may be a city of 18,000 or more
2-8 inhabitants, there shall be elected two Justices of the Peace, and
2-9 in a county with a population of 150,000 or more, according to the
2-10 most recent federal census, each precinct may contain more than one
2-11 Justice of the Peace Court.
2-12 (e) In Comanche County, there shall be only one Constable to
2-13 serve and be elected from the county as a whole. However, the
2-14 office of Constable is limited to a single Constable under this
2-15 subsection only if, at the statewide election at which the
2-16 constitutional amendment providing for the abolition of the office
2-17 in that county is submitted to the voters, a majority of the voters
2-18 of that county voting on the question at that election favor the
2-19 amendment.
2-20 SECTION 2. The following temporary provision is added to the
2-21 Texas Constitution:
2-22 TEMPORARY PROVISION. The limitation of the number of
2-23 constables in Comanche County under the constitutional amendment
2-24 proposed by the 73rd Legislature, Regular Session, 1993, providing
2-25 for limiting the number of offices in that county takes effect
2-26 January 1, 1994, if the conditions of Article V, Section 18,
2-27 Subsection (e), as added by that constitutional amendment, are met.
3-1 This provision expires January 2, 1996. If the constitutional
3-2 amendment takes effect, the office of constable in the county is
3-3 vacant on January 1, 1994, and shall be filled as provided by law
3-4 for vacancies in the office of constable.
3-5 SECTION 3. This proposed constitutional amendment shall be
3-6 submitted to the voters at an election to be held on November 2,
3-7 1993. The ballot shall be printed to provide for voting for or
3-8 against the proposition: "The constitutional amendment providing
3-9 for a single constable in Comanche County."