By Noriega H.J.R. No. 24
77R2433 ATP-D
A JOINT RESOLUTION
1-1 proposing a constitutional amendment to increase the number of
1-2 county commissioners in Harris County.
1-3 BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-4 SECTION 1. Section 18(b), Article V, Texas Constitution, is
1-5 amended to read as follows:
1-6 (b) Each county shall, in the manner provided for justice of
1-7 the peace and constable precincts, be divided into four
1-8 commissioners precincts, except that Harris County shall be divided
1-9 into six commissioners precincts. In [in] each precinct [of which]
1-10 there shall be elected by the qualified voters thereof one County
1-11 Commissioner, who shall hold his office for four years and until
1-12 his successor shall be elected and qualified. The County
1-13 Commissioners so chosen, with the County Judge as presiding
1-14 officer, shall compose the County Commissioners Court, which shall
1-15 exercise such powers and jurisdiction over all county business, as
1-16 is conferred by this Constitution and the laws of the State, or as
1-17 may be hereafter prescribed.
1-18 SECTION 2. The following temporary provision is added to the
1-19 Texas Constitution:
1-20 TEMPORARY PROVISION. (a) This temporary provision applies to
1-21 the constitutional amendment proposed by the 77th Legislature,
1-22 Regular Session, 2001, to increase the number of county
1-23 commissioners in Harris County from four to six.
1-24 (b) Under that constitutional amendment, the Commissioners
2-1 Court of Harris County shall divide the county into six
2-2 commissioners precincts so that:
2-3 (1) the boundaries of the initial six precincts can
2-4 take effect on January 1, 2003; and
2-5 (2) the two additional offices of county commissioner
2-6 that initially result from the division of the county into six
2-7 commissioners precincts can be filled at the general election for
2-8 state and county officers held in November 2002.
2-9 (c) Of the persons elected to the two additional offices at
2-10 the election in November 2002, one serves an initial term expiring
2-11 January 1, 2005, and one serves an initial term expiring January 1,
2-12 2007.
2-13 SECTION 3. This proposed constitutional amendment shall be
2-14 submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 6, 2001.
2-15 The ballot shall be printed to permit voting for or against the
2-16 proposition: "The constitutional amendment to increase the number
2-17 of county commissioners in Harris County from four to six."