By Turner of Coleman H.J.R. No. 2
75R8349 CAG-D
A JOINT RESOLUTION
1-1 proposing a constitutional amendment to abolish two justice
1-2 precincts in Brown County.
1-3 BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-4 SECTION 1. Section 18, Article V, Texas Constitution, is
1-5 amended by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (g) 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 each such precinct there shall be elected one Justice
2-3 of the Peace and one Constable, each of whom shall hold his office
2-4 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 (g) Before January 1, 1999, the Commissioners Court of Brown
2-13 County shall divide the county into two justice precincts to take
2-14 effect on that date. If the Commissioners Court does not divide
2-15 the county into precincts as required by this subsection:
2-16 (1) justice precincts one and three for Brown County,
2-17 as they exist on January 1, 1999, are combined and designated as
2-18 justice precinct one; and
2-19 (2) justice precincts two and four for Brown County,
2-20 as they exist on January 1, 1999, are combined and designated as
2-21 justice precinct two.
2-22 However, this subsection applies to Brown County only if, at
2-23 the statewide election at which the amendment adding this
2-24 subsection to the Constitution is submitted to the voters, a
2-25 majority of the voters of Brown County voting on the question at
2-26 that election favor the amendment.
2-27 SECTION 2. This proposed constitutional amendment shall be
3-1 submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 4, 1997.
3-2 The ballot shall be printed to permit voting for or against the
3-3 proposition: "The constitutional amendment abolishing two justice
3-4 precincts in Brown County."