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House Committee advances Harris County bill to preserve county contract deputy program
Summary
The House Intergovernmental Affairs Committee adopted a substitute to House Bill 26 and voted to report the bill to the full House after testimony that Harris County’s contract deputy program is strained by rising costs and disputes between constables and the commissioners court.
The House Intergovernmental Affairs Committee on Tuesday adopted a committee substitute to House Bill 26 and voted to report the measure to the full House with a recommendation that it pass, after testimony describing a dispute in Harris County over how the county handles so‑called contract deputy agreements.
Representative Oliverson laid out the bill, which he said is bracketed to Harris County and aims to let local law enforcement — constables and the sheriff’s office — negotiate and enter direct contracts with communities, school districts and business owners to fund additional patrols.
Supporters said the program is central to policing in unincorporated Harris County. “The contract deputy program makes up over half the patrols in all of Harris County in the unincorporated area,” Harris County Commissioner Tom…
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