RESOLUTION ANALYSIS

H.J.R. 134

By: Bonnen

County Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The citizens of Friendswood and Galveston County desire efficient and effective government and elected a county treasurer who campaigned for a referendum vote to eliminate that local office. According to the Chief Financial Officer of Galveston County, consolidating the duties of the county treasurer into other full-time offices to allow the abolition of the elected treasurer office would save taxpayers approximately $450,000 annually and reduce the risk of the misappropriated funds as was experienced in 2018. H.J.R. 134 seeks to bring this issue to a decision by allowing the voters of Galveston County to vote on whether to remove the office of county treasurer in the county.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this resolution does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this resolution does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.J.R. 134 proposes an amendment to the Texas Constitution to abolish the office of county treasurer of Galveston County and to authorize 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 treasurer if the office had not been abolished. The resolution adds a temporary provision set to expire January 2, 2024, establishing that the constitutional amendment proposed by the resolution takes effect January 1, 2024, 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.

ELECTION DATE

The constitutional amendment proposed by this joint resolution will be submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 7, 2023.