defunding cities can’t buy private security for officials

The text as introduced · 394 words

89R4445 SCL-F

By: Harris Davila
H.B. No. 652

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to prohibited uses of public money by certain

municipalities and counties that reduce or reallocate funding or

resources for certain law enforcement agencies.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 101, Local Government

Code, is amended by adding Section 101.024 to read as follows:

Sec. 101.024. PROHIBITED USES OF PUBLIC MONEY FOR DEFUNDING

MUNICIPALITIES. (a) In this section, "defunding municipality"

means a home-rule municipality that is considered to be a defunding

municipality under Chapter 109.

(b) A defunding municipality may not use public money to

provide private security to an elected official of the

municipality.

(c) A contract entered into in violation of this section is

void as against public policy.

SECTION 2. Chapter 120, Local Government Code, is amended

by adding Section 120.008 to read as follows:

Sec. 120.008. PROHIBITED USES OF PUBLIC MONEY FOR COUNTIES

VIOLATING CHAPTER. (a) This section applies only to a county the

comptroller determines under Section 120.007 implemented a

proposed reduction or reallocation described by Section 120.002(a)

without the required voter approval.

(b) A county subject to this section may not use public

money to provide private security to an elected official of the

county until the earlier of:

(1) the date the comptroller issues a written

determination that the county has, as applicable:

(A) reversed each funding reduction, adjusted

for inflation, and personnel reduction that was a subject of the

determination; or

(B) restored all reallocated funding and

resources that were subjects of the determination to the original

law enforcement agency; or

(2) the date on which each reduction and reallocation

that was a subject of the determination has been approved in an

election held in accordance with this chapter.

(c) A contract entered into in violation of this section is

void as against public policy.

SECTION 3. The changes in law made by this Act apply only to

a contract entered into on or after the effective date of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives

a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as

provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this

Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this

Act takes effect September 1, 2025.