Texas House Bill HB3832

Texas 2021 - 87th Regular

Caption

Relating to municipalities and counties that adopt budgets that defund law enforcement agencies.

Impact

The bill establishes that areas disannexed from a defunding municipality will be released from its extraterritorial jurisdiction. It allows residents in those areas to petition to be included in the jurisdiction of another eligible municipality. If an area is disannexed, the previous municipality is barred from trying to annex it again for ten years unless they can show they have reversed budget reductions in law enforcement spending. Additionally, municipalities must conduct elections regarding disannexation without using public resources for informational campaigns, further emphasizing transparency in the decision-making process surrounding public safety and municipal governance.

Summary

House Bill 3832 seeks to amend the Local Government Code to address municipalities and counties that adopt budgets reducing funding to law enforcement agencies. The bill specifically defines a 'defunding municipality' as a home-rule municipality or county that decreases its law enforcement budget or personnel relative to previous fiscal periods. The bill emphasizes that such a determination will be made by the criminal justice division of the governor's office, which will issue written findings on whether a local government meets this defunding criteria. This legislation is aimed at ensuring accountability among local governments regarding their commitments to public safety.

Contention

There are notable points of contention surrounding the bill, such as the implications of defunding law enforcement on community safety and local governance. Opponents of the bill might argue that it restricts local governments' autonomy in budget allocation, potentially preventing them from addressing community needs effectively. Critics could express concerns that the bill may discourage necessary budget reforms aimed at reallocating funds to address systemic issues within law enforcement agencies. Nonetheless, supporters may contend that the legislation promotes fiscal responsibility and encourages municipalities to prioritize public safety in their financial planning.