A JOINT RESOLUTION
1-1 proposing a constitutional amendment to provide for the number of
1-2 precincts that certain counties must create for justices of the
1-3 peace and 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 50,000
1-8 [30,000] or more, according to the most recent federal census, from
1-9 time to time, for the convenience of the people, shall be divided
1-10 into not less than four and not more than eight precincts. Each
1-11 county in the State with a population of 18,000 or more but less
1-12 than 50,000 [30,000], according to the most recent federal census,
1-13 from time to time, for the convenience of the people, shall be
1-14 divided into not less than two and not more than eight [five]
1-15 precincts. Each county in the State with a population of less than
1-16 18,000, according to the most recent federal census, from time to
1-17 time, for the convenience of the people, shall be designated as a
1-18 single precinct or, if the Commissioners Court determines that the
1-19 county needs more than one precinct, shall be divided into not more
1-20 than four precincts. Notwithstanding the population requirements
1-21 of this subsection, Chambers County and Randall County, from time
1-22 to time, for the convenience of the people, shall be divided into
1-23 not less than two and not more than six precincts. A division or
1-24 designation under this subsection shall be made by the
2-1 Commissioners Court provided for by this Constitution. Except as
2-2 provided by [Subsection (e) of] this section, in each such precinct
2-3 there shall be elected one Justice of the Peace and one Constable,
2-4 each of whom shall hold his office for four years and until his
2-5 successor shall be elected and qualified; provided that in a county
2-6 with a population of less than 150,000, according to the most
2-7 recent federal census, in any precinct in which there may be a city
2-8 of 18,000 or more inhabitants, there shall be elected two Justices
2-9 of 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. Notwithstanding
2-12 the population requirements of this subsection, any county that is
2-13 divided into four or more precincts on November 2, 1999, shall
2-14 continue to be divided into not less than four precincts.
2-15 SECTION 2. This proposed constitutional amendment shall be
2-16 submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 2, 1999.
2-17 The ballot shall be printed to permit voting for or against the
2-18 proposition: "The constitutional amendment to provide that certain
2-19 counties shall be divided into a specific number of precincts."
_______________________________ _______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.J.R. No. 71 was passed by the House on April
29, 1999, by the following vote: Yeas 144, Nays 0, 1 present, not
voting; and that the House concurred in Senate amendments to
H.J.R. No. 71 on May 20, 1999, by the following vote: Yeas 145,
Nays 1, 1 present, not voting.
_______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.J.R. No. 71 was passed by the Senate, with
amendments, on May 18, 1999, by the following vote: Yeas 29, Nays
1.
_______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
RECEIVED: _____________________
Date
_____________________
Secretary of State