Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Texas Senate Bill SB2109

Voted on by Senate
 
Out of House Committee
 
Voted on by House
 
Governor Action
 
Bill Becomes Law
 

Caption

Relating to the appointment of deputy constables.

Impact

If passed, SB 2109 would standardize the appointment procedure for deputy constables across Texas, potentially enhancing the efficiency and oversight of deputy constable positions. By requiring written applications and the confirmation of appointments by the commissioners court, the bill aims to mitigate the risks associated with unregulated appointments within the constable's office. This could lead to more rigorous vetting of deputies, ensuring that elected constables can adequately manage their responsibilities while adhering to formal procedures.

Summary

Senate Bill 2109 seeks to amend the Local Government Code regarding the appointment of deputy constables in Texas. The bill specifies that the appointment of a deputy constable must be in writing and requires approval from the commissioners court. This process is intended to ensure that constables demonstrate a necessary need for deputies to manage the duties originating from their precincts effectively. Furthermore, it mandates that the appointment and the official oath of the deputy be recorded with the county clerk's office, promoting accountability and transparency in local law enforcement appointments.

Contention

While there are no significant points of contention highlighted in the provided documents, the amendment may elicit discussion concerning the balance of authority between elected constables and the commissioners court. Some may argue that increased oversight could hinder the ability of constables to respond swiftly to operational needs, while others might endorse these changes as necessary for increased accountability in local law enforcement. Nonetheless, the prevailing theme surrounding the discussion appears to center on promoting more structured and lawful employment practices within constable offices.

Texas Constitutional Statutes Affected

Local Government Code

  • Chapter 86. Constable
    • Section: New Section

Companion Bills

TX HB3394

Identical Relating to the appointment of deputy constables.

Previously Filed As

TX HB1308

Relating to the establishment of a constable's department civil service system in certain counties; creating a criminal offense.

TX HB2351

Relating to renewal of an appointment as a volunteer deputy registrar.

TX HB4030

Relating to the appointment of election judges.

TX SB22

Relating to the establishment of grant programs to provide financial assistance to qualified sheriff's offices, constable's offices, and prosecutor's offices in rural counties.

TX HB486

Relating to the appointment of volunteer deputy voter registrars.

TX HB101

Relating to the rural constable's office salary assistance grant program.

TX HB60

Relating to the selection of the chief appraiser of an appraisal district; authorizing a fee.

TX HB102

Relating to the selection of the chief appraiser of an appraisal district; authorizing a fee.

TX HB63

Relating to the selection of the chief appraiser of an appraisal district; authorizing a fee.

TX HR1525

Congratulating former Harris County Sheriff and Precinct 4 Constable Ron Hickman on his receipt of the inaugural Living Legend Award from the Justices of the Peace and Constables Association of Texas.

Similar Bills

PA HB1579

In constables, further providing for townships, providing for bond, further providing for police officers, providing for bail bond enforcement agent, for professional bondsman, for debt collection, for other incompatible employment, for disqualification and for nepotism, further providing for conduct and insurance, for program established, for program contents, for restricted account and for general imposition of duties and grant of powers, providing for constabulary badge and uniform, repealing provisions relating to arrest of offenders against forest laws, further providing for executions, for arrest in boroughs, for fees and for specific fees, repealing provisions relating to impounding, selling and viewing fees, further providing for seizure fees, for election notice in certain areas, for incompetence and for compensation violation, repealing provisions relating to failure to serve in a township and providing for oversight; authorizing county constabulary review boards; imposing duties on the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency; and imposing penalties.

LA HB1289

Provides for the appointment of a deputy constable

LA SB232

Provides relative to deputy constables. (8/1/14)

AZ SB1231

Training; newly elected constables

NV SB381

Revises provisions relating to governmental administration. (BDR 20-1076)

AZ SB1335

Deputy constable appointments; website notification

AZ SB1239

Deputy constable appointments; website notification

LA HB239

Authorizes each elected constable of a justice of the peace court in Tangipahoa Parish to appoint a deputy constable (EG SEE FISC NOTE LF EX)