Bill Text: TX SR280 | 2023-2024 | 88th Legislature | Introduced
NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft
Bill Title: Recognizing the bicentennial of the Office of Constable.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 3-0)
Status: (Passed) 2023-03-07 - Reported enrolled [SR280 Detail]
Download: Texas-2023-SR280-Introduced.html
Bill Title: Recognizing the bicentennial of the Office of Constable.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 3-0)
Status: (Passed) 2023-03-07 - Reported enrolled [SR280 Detail]
Download: Texas-2023-SR280-Introduced.html
2023S0237-2 03/06/23 | ||
By: Birdwell, Hughes, Kolkhorst | S.R. No. 280 |
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WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to | ||
recognize the bicentennial of the establishment of the Office of | ||
Constable in Texas, which will be celebrated on March 7, 2023, at | ||
the State Capitol; and | ||
WHEREAS, The Office of Constable was first established in | ||
Texas in 1823 by Stephen F. Austin when Texas was still a part of | ||
Mexico, and both the Office of Constable and the Office of | ||
Justice of the Peace were authorized by the Texas Constitution; | ||
Texas Constables serve as the elected law enforcement officials | ||
of their precincts, and matters of law are brought before a | ||
precinct's Justice of the Peace, who serves as the local judicial | ||
representative; and | ||
WHEREAS, Constables serve as officers of the Justice of | ||
the Peace Court and are associate members of the Texas Department | ||
of Public Safety; they work closely alongside Texas State | ||
Troopers in the execution of their respective law enforcement | ||
duties, and both operate under the jurisdiction of the local | ||
Justice of the Peace Court, which serves as their primary court; | ||
Texas Constables are elected to four-year terms by the people of | ||
the county precinct they serve, and they fulfill their duties as | ||
officers of the court by serving as bailiffs, executing both | ||
civil and criminal processes issued by Texas courts, and | ||
enforcing criminal laws as certified peace officers; and | ||
WHEREAS, Constable offices across Texas manage a range of | ||
public service and law enforcement responsibilities and may | ||
operate traffic divisions, criminal investigation divisions, and | ||
patrol and special response teams according to the priorities of | ||
each precinct; constables have continuous jurisdiction within | ||
their county and contiguous counties and report only to the | ||
governor and the citizens that elect them to serve; today there | ||
are approximately 780 elected constables who serve the citizens | ||
of Texas; and | ||
WHEREAS, Considered to be the "Peoples' Police," | ||
constables' authority as law enforcement officers was provided | ||
for in the original Texas Constitution; the men and women elected | ||
to uphold the responsibilities of the Offices of Constable and | ||
Justice of the Peace perform their official duties with courage, | ||
integrity, and knowledge of the law, and they contribute | ||
immeasurably to the stability of our justice system, the safety | ||
of the citizens of Texas, and the peace and order of our society; | ||
and | ||
WHEREAS, In honor of the bicentennial of this | ||
distinguished office, it is indeed fitting that a special day be | ||
set aside to recognize the contributions to our state by these | ||
esteemed public officials and to demonstrate our appreciation | ||
for the important role they play in our state's judicial system | ||
and in the safety and well-being of Texas citizens; now, | ||
therefore, be it | ||
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 88th | ||
Legislature, hereby commend the exemplary Texans who uphold this | ||
vital and historic office and extend to all best wishes for an | ||
enjoyable visit to the State Capitol and for a memorable | ||
celebration of the bicentennial of the Office of Constable in | ||
Texas; and, be it further | ||
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared in | ||
honor of this special occasion. |