78R2352 AKH-D

By:  Moreno of Harris                                           H.J.R. No. 99 



A JOINT RESOLUTION

proposing a constitutional amendment requiring eight justice of the 
peace precincts in Harris County, with at least two justices of the 
peace and at least one constable to be elected in each of those 
precincts.
	BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                       
	SECTION 1.  Section 18(a), Article V, Texas Constitution, is 
amended to read as follows:
	(a)  Each county in the State with a population of 50,000 or 
more, according to the most recent federal census, from time to 
time, for the convenience of the people, shall be divided into not 
less than four and not more than eight precincts, except that Harris 
County shall be divided into eight precincts.  Each county in the 
State with a population of 18,000 or more but less than 50,000, 
according to the most recent federal census, from time to time, for 
the convenience of the people, shall be divided into not less than 
two and not more than eight precincts.  Each county in the State 
with a population of less than 18,000, according to the most recent 
federal census, from time to time, for the convenience of the 
people, shall be designated as a single precinct or, if the 
Commissioners Court determines that the county needs more than one 
precinct, shall be divided into not more than four precincts.  
Notwithstanding the population requirements of this subsection, 
Chambers County and Randall County, from time to time, for the 
convenience of the people, shall be divided into not less than two 
and not more than six precincts.  A division or designation under 
this subsection shall be made by the Commissioners Court provided 
for by this Constitution.  Except as provided by this section, in 
each such precinct there shall be elected one Justice of the Peace 
and one Constable, each of whom shall hold his office for four years 
and until his successor shall be elected and qualified.  In[; 
provided that in] a county with a population of less than 150,000, 
according to the most recent federal census, in any precinct in 
which there may be a city of 18,000 or more inhabitants, there shall 
be elected two Justices of the Peace.  In[, and in] a county with a 
population of 150,000 or more, according to the most recent federal 
census, each precinct may contain more than one Justice of the Peace 
Court, except that in Harris County there shall be elected at least 
two Justices of the Peace and at least one Constable in each 
precinct.  Notwithstanding the population requirements of this 
subsection, any county that is divided into four or more precincts 
on November 2, 1999, shall continue to be divided into not less than 
four precincts.
	SECTION 2.  This proposed constitutional amendment shall be 
submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 4, 2003.  
The ballot shall be printed to permit voting for or against the 
proposition: "The constitutional amendment to require eight 
justice of the peace precincts in Harris County, with at least two 
justices of the peace and at least one constable to be elected in 
each of those precincts."