By Stiles H.B. No. 1650
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
1-1 AN ACT
1-2 relating to the qualifications of sheriffs.
1-3 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-4 SECTION 1. Section 85.0011, Local Government Code, is
1-5 amended to read as follows:
1-6 Sec. 85.0011. QUALIFICATIONS. (a) A person is not eligible
1-7 to serve as sheriff unless the person:
1-8 (1) has a high school diploma or a high school
1-9 equivalency certificate; <and>
1-10 (2) is eligible to be licensed under Section 415.058
1-11 and 415.059, Government Code; and
1-12 (3) has completed the training required for licensing
1-13 as a peace officer under Chapter 415, Government Code.
1-14 (b) Subsection (a)(3) does not apply to the eligibility
1-15 requirements to serve as the sheriff of a county with a population
1-16 of less than 30,000.
1-17 SECTION 2. The change in law made by Section 1 of this Act
1-18 applies only to a person first elected or appointed to the office
1-19 of sheriff on or after the effective date of this Act. A person
1-20 elected or appointed to the office of sheriff before the effective
1-21 date of this Act is covered, for the remainder of the term for
1-22 which the person was elected or appointed, or for any subsequent
1-23 term for which the person serves as sheriff, by the law relating to
1-24 qualifications and continuing education in effect when the person
2-1 was first elected or appointed, and the former law is continued in
2-2 effect for that purpose.
2-3 SECTION 3. The importance of this legislation and the
2-4 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
2-5 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
2-6 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
2-7 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.