BILL ANALYSIS H.J.R. 80 By: Black 5-3-95 Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND Since the office of county constable is and has been unfilled and not needed for the fiscal, social, and governmental welfare of Mills County, House Joint Resolution 80 has been filed to abolish the office of county constable as required by the Texas Constitution. In interest of cost savings, the Mills County Commissioner's Court unanimously passed a resolution in support of the county constable office being abolished. PURPOSE House Joint Resolution 80 allows for the abolition of the office of County Constable in Mills County, if approved by the voters. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency or institution. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1 Amends Article V, Section 18, of the Texas Constitution by adding subsection (e) which provides that the office of county constable is abolished in Mills County and transfers the powers, duties, and records of the office to the office of County Sheriff. Subsection (a) is amended to make conforming changes. SECTION 2 Adds temporary provisions to the Texas Constitution that should the constitutional amendment be approved by the voters abolishing the Mills County Office of Constable, that it take effect on January 1, 1996. SECTION 3 Sets forth ballot provisions. SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION HJR 80 was considered by the County Affairs Committee in a public hearing on 4/12/95. HJR 80 was referred directly to a subcommittee consisting of Representatives Chisum, chr., R. Lewis and Longoria. HJR 80 was considered in the County Affairs Committee in a public hearing on 4/19/95. HJR 80 was recalled from subcommittee and left pending. HJR 80 was considered by the County Affairs Committee in a formal meeting on 5/3/95. HJR 80 was reported favorably with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed, by the record vote of 5 ayes, 0 nays, 1 pnv, 3 absent.