SRC-JJJ H.B. 770 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 770
By: Davis, Yvonne (West)
Intergovernmental Relations
5/11/1999
Engrossed


DIGEST 

Currently, a constable's scope of power is not limited to the jurisdiction
in which the constable is elected.  There have been complaints from
municipalities regarding constables crossing into neighboring counties and
exercising power that is beyond the scope of their duties.  H.B. 770 would
establish conditions regarding a request for assistance from a municipality
before a constable can go beyond the jurisdiction to which the constable
was elected. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 770 establishes conditions regarding a municipaly's
request of assistance from a constable. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Chapter 341Z, Local Government Code, by adding Section
341.906, as follows: 

Sec. 341.906.  ASSISTANCE FROM CONSTABLES.  Requires a municipality to
request in writing, to protect the public interest, assistance from any
constables in a county in which any part of the municipality is located.
Requires a municipality to request the constable's assistance in performing
any function that the municipality is authorized to perform. 
 
SECTION 2.  Emergency clause.
  Effective date: upon passage.