BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.J.R. 28
88R127 SGM-F	By: Middleton
	Local Government
	2/28/2023
	As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

The current treasurer was elected by Galveston County on the platform of abolishing the office. The Galveston County Treasurer and the people of Galveston County find that the duties of the treasurer can be absorbed by other offices within county government. The office of the treasurer is prescribed in the constitution, and requires a constitutional amendment to eliminate Galveston County's treasurer. Several counties, including large counties such as El Paso and Tarrant, have passed similar amendments to abolish the office in their county. Additionally, 10 of the 13 cities in Galveston county have passed resolutions in support of the joint resolution with the remaining three scheduled to do so in the coming weeks.

S.J.R. 28 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. S.J.R. 28 only has the power to abolish Galveston County's treasurer, and does not call for the abolition of any other office or county's officials.

S.J.R. 28 proposes a constitutional amendment to abolish the office of county treasurer in 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 November 7, 2023. Sets forth the required language of the ballot.