BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.J.R. 134
88R127 SGM-F	By: Bonnen et al. (Middleton)
	Local Government
	5/11/2023
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

The current Treasurer of Galveston County ran against the previous treasurer on the notion he would abolish the office if elected. Galveston County elected him by a large margin of the vote, and is now asking to put the question to a formal vote.

H.J.R. 134 would create a constitutional amendment to abolish the office of Treasurer in Galveston County. The duties of the Treasurer will be contracted to a qualified individual or designated to another county officer by the Commissioners Court of Galveston County. In order for the amendment to go into effect both the statewide election and a Galveston County election would have to receive a majority of the voters.

H.J.R. 134 proposes a constitutional amendment to abolish the office of county treasurer of Galveston County.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

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

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 44, Article XVI, Texas Constitution, by adding Subsection (d), as follows:

(d) Abolishes the office of County Treasurer in Galveston County. Authorizes the Commissioners Court of Galveston County to employ or contract with a qualified person or to designate another county officer to perform any of the functions that would have been performed by the County Treasurer if the office had not been abolished.

SECTION 2. Provides that the following temporary provision is added to the Texas Constitution:

TEMPORARY PROVISION. (a) Provides that the constitutional amendment proposed by the 88th Legislature, Regular Session, 2023, abolishing the office of County Treasurer in Galveston County takes effect only if, at the statewide election at which the amendment is submitted to and approved by the voters, a majority of the voters of Galveston County voting on the question at that election also favor the amendment. Provides that the amendment takes effect January 1, 2024, if the conditions of this subsection are met.

(b) Provides that this temporary provision expires January 2, 2024.

SECTION 3. Requires that the proposed constitutional amendment be submitted to the voters at an election to be held on November 7, 2023. Sets forth the required language of the ballot.