TX HB3319

Counties with a population over 3.3 million may create a civil service system for all constable's department employees, either through approval by majority vote of employees (triggered by 20% petition) or by commissioners court order

A civil service commission would be appointed with members selected by each constable, the commissioners court, and the district attorney, serving two-year terms and adopting rules on employee selection, promotions, disciplinary actions, grievances, and working conditions

Constables may temporarily suspend employees indicted for felonies or charged with Class A or B misdemeanors for up to 30 days after final disposition; felony conviction is cause for dismissal while misdemeanor conviction may be cause for disciplinary action

Commission members serve without compensation but receive expense reimbursement; the chair may issue subpoenas, and failure to appear when subpoenaed is a misdemeanor punishable by up to $1,000 fine and/or 30 days confinement

The system may be dissolved after one year through either a department employee election (requiring 20% petition and majority vote) or a countywide election (requiring 10% of registered voters petition and majority approval)