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AN ACT
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relating to contracting with law enforcement agencies in certain |
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counties. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 85, Local Government Code, |
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is amended by adding Section 85.025 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 85.025. AUTHORITY TO ENTER INTO CONTRACT TO PROVIDE |
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LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICES IN CERTAIN COUNTIES. (a) In this section: |
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(1) "Local government" means a county, municipality, |
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municipal utility district, school district, junior college |
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district, or other political subdivision of this state. |
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(2) "Property owners' association" has the meaning |
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assigned by Section 202.001, Property Code. |
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(b) This section applies only to a county with a population |
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of more than 3.3 million. |
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(c) A sheriff may enter into a contract with a local |
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government, a property owners' association, or an owner of land to |
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provide law enforcement services in the sheriff's county: |
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(1) in and near the area managed or regulated by the |
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local government or the association or the area owned by the owner; |
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and |
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(2) to the persons residing in or visiting an area |
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described by Subdivision (1). |
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(d) The commissioners court of the sheriff's county may not |
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prohibit or otherwise restrict the sheriff from entering into a |
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contract under this section. The sheriff may enter into the |
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contract and determine the terms of the contract, regardless of |
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whether the commissioners court approves of the contract or the |
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terms. |
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SECTION 2. Subchapter C, Chapter 86, Local Government Code, |
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is amended by adding Section 86.026 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 86.026. AUTHORITY TO ENTER INTO CONTRACT TO PROVIDE |
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LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICES IN CERTAIN COUNTIES. (a) In this section: |
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(1) "Local government" means a county, municipality, |
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municipal utility district, school district, junior college |
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district, or other political subdivision of this state. |
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(2) "Property owners' association" has the meaning |
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assigned by Section 202.001, Property Code. |
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(b) This section applies only to a county with a population |
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of more than 3.3 million. |
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(c) A constable may enter into a contract with a local |
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government, a property owners' association, or an owner of land to |
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provide law enforcement services in the constable's precinct: |
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(1) in and near the area managed or regulated by the |
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local government or the association or the area owned by the owner; |
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and |
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(2) to the persons residing in or visiting an area |
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described by Subdivision (1). |
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(d) The commissioners court of a constable's county may not |
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prohibit or otherwise restrict the constable from entering into a |
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contract under this section. The constable may enter into the |
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contract and determine the terms of the contract, regardless of |
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whether the commissioners court approves of the contract or the |
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terms. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect on the 91st day after the |
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last day of the legislative session. |
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______________________________ |
______________________________ |
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President of the Senate |
Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.B. No. 26 was passed by the House on August |
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27, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 88, Nays 49, 1 present, not |
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voting. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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I certify that H.B. No. 26 was passed by the Senate on August |
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27, 2025, by the following vote: Yeas 21, Nays 5. |
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______________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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APPROVED: _____________________ |
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Date |
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_____________________ |
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Governor |