TX HB2098

Raises the population threshold for mandatory civil service system applicability from 10,000 to 25,000 for municipalities with paid fire or police departments

Eliminates the requirement for municipalities to hold an election to adopt the civil service system; coverage now applies automatically based on population and having a paid department

Requires sheriff's departments in counties with populations of 250,000 or more to adopt a civil service system, lowering the previous threshold of 500,000 and removing the election requirement

Establishes that firefighters and police officers with more than six months of service when the chapter first becomes applicable automatically receive civil service employee status without competitive examination

Repeals existing provisions related to elections for adopting civil service systems (Sections 143.002(c), 143.004, 158.033, and 158.039), with an effective date of September 1, 2025