1. The JPCA Legislative Process

2. We will be discussing the following
JPCA Legislative committees and JPCA platform
Authoring/filing/passing a bill from our original platform
Supporting a bill not originally on our platform
Opposing a bill
Monitoring or remaining neutral on a bill

3. JP & Constable Legislative Team
Each year, the JPCA President appoints a Chair and members to each legislative committee.
The JP Legislative Team was lead by Judge Bill Gravell (Williamson County)
The Constable Legislative Team was lead by Constable Carlos B. Lopez (Travis County)

4. The charge of the Legislative Committee
to work with the legislators to pass any bills that the association has put on our platform
Monitor bills filed to determine a position we may take
Take the necessary positions and actions on bills that may be filed

5. JPCA Platform
The teams work to develop a platform to present at the Texas Association of Counties (TAC) Legislative Work Session.
The JP and Constable teams platform is developed from discussions with the members, Board of Directors and finalized by the Executive Committee.

6. JPCA Platform Warrant execution recovery fee (warrant fee bill)
Clean up on existing Personal property retrieval
20 hour civil process for Constables bill
Additional funding for training center
JP inquest ??? (What else)

7. Additional duties of committee
Meet and greet the freshman legislators (breakfast)
Organize JPCA DAY and include a legislative reception
Acknowledge legislators that have assisted us in the past (appreciation and photo shoots, press release)

8. JP & Constable Legislative Team Cont.
The Legislative Team Chairs work together with TAC and the JPCA consultant to develop a strategy and identify members of the legislature (both House and Senate) to carry the JPCA bills.
They then meet with the members of the House and Senate to discuss the problem and how the bill will create a solution.

9. JPCA Introduced Bills of the 85th Legislature
Justice of the Peace: HB 799 (Rep. Murr)/SB 378 (Senator Perry) - Relating to the persons authorized to conduct an inquest in certain counties.
Constable: SB 920 (Senator Whitmire)/HB 2727 (Rep. Lucio III) - Relating to access to a residence or former residence to retrieve personal property, including access based on danger of family violence.

10. Bills of the 85th Legislature
During the 85th Legislative Session, over 10,672 bills (HB, HCR, HRJ, HR, SB, SCR, SJR, and SB) were filed.
Only 1,139 were passed. The lowest number in the previous 10 sessions. 50 bills were vetoed by the Governor.

11. Bills of the 85th Legislature Cont.
As you can imagine, reading and tracking this many bills is a monumental process.
JPCA maintained it’s focus on bills that were germane to our business and/or that would have a significant impact on to our business.

12. Bills of the 85th Legislature Cont.
Bills that are identified as bills that JPCA tracks are categorized into three areas, SUPPORT, OPPOSE, or MONITOR. Usually around 200 bills
Usually this list is sent out to our membership.
It becomes necessary to rely on our other LE partners (associations) to monitor all other bills that affect public safety issues.

13. Supporting/Opposing Bills
Supporting or opposing a bill needs to be weighed accordingly and decisively.
Example: Opposing a bill that is carried by a legislator who may be a deciding vote on one of our bills may have a negative impact.

14. Supporting/Opposing Bills Cont.
Time is of the essence at certain stages and the Chairs of each legislative committee usually make the determination after discussing with committee members or the President of JPCA
Sometimes, the Chair has to make a determination absent of other members’ availability.

15. Input requested by Legislators
Many times our association is called upon to provide input on a potential bill that has consideration for filing. Input is requested and many times is part of their diligence prior to filing seeking support or to see if there is opposition.

16. Input requested from Legislators
As examples: Abolishment of a Constable; The requirement of a candidate for Constable to be a certified peace officer; the process of the removal of an elected official.

17. Supporting bills not on original platform
When it comes to supporting bills, pro law enforcement bills, like bullet proof vests, are usually no-brainers.
These bills are seen in a positive light by the public and all involved, CLEAT, TMPA, Dallas Police Association, Houston Police Association, Sheriff’s Association, etc.

18. Supporting bills not on original platform
Putting in a card in SUPPORT is usually sufficient on a bill like this.
Also, participating in press conferences on bills like this is great for the Association.

19. Other bills we supported
For example: Courtroom and Judicial security (Judge Julie Kocurek bill).
We first learned that this bill would require any LE currently providing courtroom security to be certified as a courtroom security specialist (currently a 40 hour certification class).
On the face of it protecting Judges is a good measure however several questions and concerns arose from the bill

20. Other bills we supported
Does this apply to Constables and JP’s?
Is a Constable going to be mandated to attend a 40 course?
Is a Constable serving as bailiff considered courtroom security?
Will there be funding for courtroom security training?

21. Other bills we supported
JPCA requested a meeting with OCA, TCOLE, TMPA, TSA, to clarify all of these issues and once we met we were able to address some of the concerns and were assured a seat at the table for planning and implementation.

22. Committees
All bills are referred to a committee, but a large number are never reported out of committee.
Therefore, committee action is an important step in the process of a bill becoming a law.

23. Referral to a Committee
Death Inquest: On the House side was referred to Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence. On the Senate side was referred to State Affairs.
Property Retrieval: On the Senate side was referred to Criminal Justice. On the House side it was referred to Business & Industry.

24. Committees
Property Retrieval: Once it made it to committee and a hearing was scheduled, we made immediate preparations.
We identified legislative committee members and the area of Texas that they serve.

25. Committees Cont.
Sent out an alert with the white paper to the district directors of those identified areas.
Asked district directors to send out an alert to the members, asking them to contact their legislators in support of the bill.

26. Committees Cont.
Preparation was then made with the bill author to determine how many speakers were necessary at the committee hearing.
We coordinated with the domestic violence advocacy groups to line up speakers to testify for the bill, along with a JPCA representative.

27. Committees Cont.
Insert video of Bobby testifying for Property Retrieval bill.

28. Committees Cont.
On the day of the hearing, all JPCA members present put in a card for support of the bill.
Then, it was just a matter of sitting and waiting (and discussing Judge Gravell’s socks of the day) for the committee to start, and our bill to be taken up.

29. Opposing Bills
As a courtesy, usually requires a visit with the author of the bill to see if a compromise can be reached.
Example: “18 and breathing” bill for private process servers.

30. Opposing Bills
Once this bill was schedule for a hearing, we made immediate preparations.
We identified legislative committee members and the areas they serve.
Prepared and sent out white paper to district directors in those identified areas.

31. Opposing Bills
Asked district directors to send out alerts to the members, asking the members to contact their legislators and them know we OPPOSE the bill.
A JPCA representative testified in committee against the bill, and all other JPCA members present put in cards against the bill.

32. Opposing Bills
Insert video of Carlos testifying against 18 & Breathing.

33. Opposing Bills
Insert video of Bill testifying against 18 & Breathing.

34. Other JPCA Legislation
Bills that we supported and passed: Death Inquest, Courtroom Security.
Bills we opposed: JP Jurisdiction $20K, 18 and Breathing
Bills we filed that died: 20-hour Civil Process Training, Warrant Fee Bill, JP Jurisdiction $15K

35. What do we do in the interim?
Continue legislative efforts and keep building relationships with our legislators;
awards for legislators that assisted us during the session; photo shoots and press releases;
Prepare for next session