TX HB4477

Requires county commissioners courts to directly employ adequate staff to support the civil service commission, rather than merely providing funds for the commission to employ staff

Allows sheriffs in counties with population of 3.3 million or less to designate grant-funded positions as exempt from the civil service system, in addition to existing exemptions for chief deputy, four major deputies, legal counsel, and up to 10 additional positions

Allows sheriffs in counties with population over 3.3 million to designate grant-funded positions as exempt from the civil service system, in addition to existing exemptions for chief deputy, legal counsel, and up to 25 administrative/supervisory positions

Maintains existing protections that sheriffs in large counties cannot exempt positions at captain rank or below, and exempt position designations cannot reduce the number of lower-ranked positions

Takes effect September 1, 2025