Bill > HB2176

This bill modifies the composition and duties of court security committees in Texas, making several key changes. The bill expands the membership of these committees to include a representative from a constable's office and adds a justice of the peace as a potential committee member, while explicitly excluding municipal court judges. It clarifies that the local administrative district judge (or their designee) will serve as the committee's presiding officer and can include other necessary members. The bill also specifies that these committees must meet at least once annually and can develop and submit recommendations to the county commissioners court regarding courthouse security resources and expenditures, though they cannot directly assign resources or dictate spending. Importantly, the bill stipulates that these court security committees are not considered governmental bodies for the purposes of open meetings and public information laws, which may provide some flexibility in their operations. Additionally, the bill requires commissioners courts to consider the recommendations provided by court security committees when administering or directing funds related to court security. The legislation will take effect immediately if it receives a two-thirds vote in the Texas Legislature, or otherwise on September 1, 2025.

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https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB2176