TexasLarge-county sheriffs and constables may contract for law enforcement services
In counties with more than 3.3 million people, sheriffs and constables may make law enforcement contracts with local groups, associations, or landowners.
What it does
In counties with more than 3.3 million people, sheriffs may contract with local groups, property owners’ associations, or landowners to provide law enforcement services in and near their areas.
In counties with more than 3.3 million people, constables may contract with local groups, property owners’ associations, or landowners to provide law enforcement services in their precincts.
Argument forThese contracts could provide extra law enforcement coverage near community facilities, managed areas, or private land when local officials and service providers agree.
Argument againstBecause commissioners courts could not block these contracts or their terms, the contracts might reduce local oversight of law enforcement arrangements.
More detail
A sheriff may contract with certain local groups or landowners to provide law enforcement services. This applies only in a county with more than 3.3 million people. Services may cover areas managed by a local government or property owners’ association, land owned by the contracting owner, and people who live in or visit those areas. Eligible contracting parties include counties, cities, municipal utility districts, school districts, junior college districts, other political subdivisions, property owners’ associations, and landowners. The county commissioners court may not prohibit or restrict the sheriff from making the contract. The sheriff may set the contract terms even if the commissioners court does not approve the contract or its terms. The provision takes effect on the 91st day after the last day of the legislative session.
A constable may contract with certain local groups or landowners to provide law enforcement services. This applies only in a county with more than 3.3 million people. Services may cover areas managed by a local government or property owners’ association, land owned by the contracting owner, and people who live in or visit those areas within the constable’s precinct. Eligible contracting parties include counties, cities, municipal utility districts, school districts, junior college districts, other political subdivisions, property owners’ associations, and landowners. The county commissioners court may not prohibit or restrict the constable from making the contract. The constable may set the contract terms even if the commissioners court does not approve the contract or its terms. The provision takes effect on the 91st day after the last day of the legislative session.
Where do you stand?
Choose your position
Tell your reps
Take a position to see your representatives and ways to contact them.
Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2025
- Sep 17Effective on . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Latest
- Sep 17Signed by the Governor Greg AbbottBecame Law
- Aug 28Sent to the GovernorTo Governor
- Aug 28Signed in the SenateMajor
- Aug 28Signed in the HouseMajor
- Aug 28Reported enrolledMinor
- Aug 28Senate passage reportedMajor
- Aug 27Record vote
- Vote recorded passage. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded passage. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded adoption of amendment. Result: fail.Upper
- Vote recorded passage. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded final passage. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that HB 26 be placed on its third reading and final passage. Result: pass.Upper
- Aug 27PassedPassed Senate
- Aug 27Read 3rd timeMinor
- Aug 27Record vote
- Aug 27Three day rule suspended
- Aug 27Record vote
- Aug 27Passed to 3rd reading
- Aug 27Record vote
- Aug 27Amendment fails of adoptionMinor
- Aug 27Amendment(s) offeredMinor
- Aug 27Read 2nd timeMinor
- Aug 27Record vote
- Aug 27Rules suspended-Regular order of business
- Aug 27Co-sponsor authorized
- Aug 27Ordered not printed
- Aug 27Printing rule suspended
- Aug 27Reported favorably w/o amendmentsMinor
- Aug 27Vote taken in committee
- Aug 27Considered in public hearing
- Aug 27Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
- Aug 27Posting rule suspended
- Aug 27Referred to FinanceMinor
- Aug 27Read first timeMinor
- Aug 27Received from the HouseMinor
- Aug 27Reported engrossed
- Aug 27Reason for vote recorded in Journal
- Aug 27Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
- Aug 27Record vote
- Aug 27PassedPassed House
- Aug 27Read 3rd timeMinor
- Aug 27Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
- Aug 27Record vote
- Aug 27Passed to engrossment
- Aug 27Read 2nd timeMinor
- Aug 27Placed on General State Calendar
- Aug 26Considered in Calendars
- Aug 26Committee report sent to Calendars
- Aug 25Committee report distributed
- Aug 25Comte report filed with Committee CoordinatorMinor
- Aug 25Reported favorably as substitutedMinor
- Aug 25Committee substitute considered in committeeMajor
- Aug 25Vote reconsidered in committee
- Aug 25Considered in formal meeting
- Aug 22Reported favorably as substitutedMinor
- Aug 22Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee
- Aug 22Committee substitute considered in committeeMajor
- Aug 22Considered in public hearing
- Aug 20Referred to Intergovernmental AffairsMinor
- Aug 20Read first timeMinor
- Aug 18FiledIntroduced
Public SafetyGovernment & EthicsCivil Rights & Voting