By Keffer H.J.R. No. 77
75R5835 CAG-D
A JOINT RESOLUTION
1-1 proposing a constitutional amendment to abolish the office of
1-2 constable in Shackelford 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 Subsections [Subsection] (e)
2-2 and (g) of this section, in each such precinct there shall be
2-3 elected one Justice of the Peace and one Constable, each of whom
2-4 shall hold his office for four years and until his successor shall
2-5 be elected and qualified; provided that in a county with a
2-6 population of less than 150,000, according to the most recent
2-7 federal census, in any precinct in which there may be a city of
2-8 18,000 or more inhabitants, there shall be elected two Justices of
2-9 the Peace, and in a county with a population of 150,000 or more,
2-10 according to the most recent federal census, each precinct may
2-11 contain more than one Justice of the Peace Court.
2-12 (g) The office of Constable in Shackelford County is
2-13 abolished. The powers, duties, and records of the office are
2-14 transferred to the County Sheriff.
2-15 SECTION 2. The following temporary provision is added to the
2-16 Texas Constitution:
2-17 TEMPORARY PROVISION. The abolition of the office of
2-18 constable in Shackelford County under the constitutional amendment
2-19 proposed by the 75th Legislature, Regular Session, 1997, providing
2-20 for the abolition of the office in that county takes effect January
2-21 1, 1998. This provision expires January 2, 1998.
2-22 SECTION 3. This proposed constitutional amendment shall be
2-23 submitted to the voters at an election to be held on November 4,
2-24 1997. The ballot shall be printed to permit voting for or against
2-25 the proposition: "The constitutional amendment providing for the
2-26 abolition of the office of constable in Shackelford County."