By Homer                                              H.J.R. No. 65
         76R7851 MRB-D                           
                                 A JOINT RESOLUTION
 1-1     proposing a constitutional amendment authorizing Hopkins County to
 1-2     be divided into two to six precincts for justices of the peace and
 1-3     constables.
 1-4           BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-5           SECTION 1.  Section 18(a), Article V, Texas Constitution, is
 1-6     amended to 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 and Hopkins County, from time to time, for the
1-22     convenience of the people, shall be divided  into not less than two
1-23     and not more than six precincts.  A division or designation under
1-24     this subsection shall be made by the Commissioners Court provided
 2-1     for by this Constitution.  Except as provided by [Subsection (e)
 2-2     of] this section, in each such precinct there shall be elected one
 2-3     Justice of the Peace and one Constable, each of whom shall hold his
 2-4     office for four years and until his successor shall be elected and
 2-5     qualified;  provided that in a county with a population of less
 2-6     than 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           SECTION 2.  This proposed constitutional amendment shall be
2-13     submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 2, 1999.
2-14     The ballot shall be printed to permit voting for or against the
2-15     proposition:  "The constitutional amendment authorizing Hopkins
2-16     County to be divided into two to six precincts for justices of the
2-17     peace and constables."