Large counties would need voter approval for law enforcement funding changes

A county with more than 3.3 million people would have to hold an election before carrying out certain law enforcement funding reductions or reallocations. The rule covers budget changes that reduce law enforcement funding, move unspent law enforcement money, or move money assigned to a specific law enforcement job to another agency. The county could not carry out the covered reduction or reallocation until voters approve it. The county could order the election for the 30th day after the election order. The Act would take effect on the 91st day after the last day of the legislative session.

Residents could file complaints, and the comptroller would review whether a county carried out a covered funding change without voter approval. The process applies to covered reductions or reallocations under the listed county funding rules, including the rules for counties with more than 3.3 million people. The comptroller would act at the request of the governor's criminal justice division. If the comptroller found a violation, the county's property tax rate could not exceed its no-new-revenue tax rate. That limit would end when the county restored the affected funding or personnel reductions, or voters approved the changes. The tax-rate limit would apply until the comptroller confirms restoration or until each affected reduction or reallocation receives voter approval.

A county would be barred from moving certain sheriff or constable funds to other county accounts or blocking their lawful use. The restrictions apply only in counties with more than 3.3 million people and cover money appropriated to the sheriff's or constable's office. The restriction applies when the county auditor or treasurer determines that the money is available to the office. Contract money received for specified sheriff or constable services would have to be credited to that office. The county could not reduce the office's appropriation by the amount of that contract money. These requirements would take effect on the 91st day after the last day of the legislative session.