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Bill

HB 3319

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

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by John Bryant and 6 co-sponsors

HB 3319 creates merit-based civil service employment systems for constable departments in select Texas counties and establishes a new criminal offense.

Placed on General State Calendar
#constables(s2357) #countygovernment--employees/officers(i0095) #courts--judges(i0140) #crimes--miscellaneous(i0200) #elections--general(i0310) #lawenforcement(i0510)
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 3319

Legislative bill overview

HB 3319 establishes a civil service system for constable departments in certain Texas counties, likely creating standardized hiring, promotion, and employment procedures. The bill also creates a new criminal offense, though the specific nature of that offense is not detailed in the available information.

Why is this important

Civil service systems typically replace patronage-based hiring with merit-based employment practices, affecting how law enforcement positions are filled and managed. This could impact constable department operations, hiring practices, and accountability across multiple counties in Texas.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope and applicability: Which counties are "certain counties"—the bill may apply selectively, potentially creating inconsistencies across the state or benefiting specific regions
  • Implementation costs: Establishing civil service infrastructure requires administrative resources, potentially straining county budgets or shifting financial burdens
  • Existing employee impact: Transition to civil service systems may affect current constable department staff through new evaluation standards, job classifications, or employment status changes
  • Criminal offense provisions: Without clarity on what offense is created, the public cannot assess whether penalties are proportionate or if enforcement could affect legitimate activities

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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