City, County & Local Affairs Committee- House

Something to do other than a committee picture, so. But that being said, She sees a quorum, um, those wishing to speak for or against this bill, if y'all please sign up if there's anybody here to do that, which I, I doubt there is with that Representative Walker, you're welcome to present your bill. I'm glad I could help out today. So I've got House Bill 1137. I'm not going to read it to you unless you want me to, um, but basically it's a simple bill like they all are at separates the offices of sheriff and tax collector in Sarcy County, um, there'll be an election process, so it'll be effective January 1st 2027, um, the general election in 2026 is when they'll run, um, but anyway, currently these responsibilities are combined under a single office but growing complexities in both law enforcement and tax collection aren't there. separation, um, the bill has received strong local support, including a formal resolution from the county demonstrating the community's desire of change, um, of this change, but that's about all there is to it, um, the quorum Court will decide what the compensation is and, and so it pretty much gives them that local control, um, but I'm open for questions when you guys are ready. Any questions by committee members? It's always one. Representative Richardson, you're, you're recognized. Oh, there we go. Thank you, Mr. Chair. So I just, uh, just a general question, wondering how many exactly uh uh deputies they expect to hire. Uh, that'll be a good question. Um, I'm assuming they've already hired those deputies. There won't be any change there. um, I do know on the sheriff it's just, it's hard for him to be able to manage both offices with every with the growing demand out there and the more the focus in law enforcement that we have now. And, and the, uh, follow up. Oh, that's right. You said don't ask for a follow up. You just, my mistake. Continue on. All right, uh, the, uh, I also serve on judiciary and it's a little different. So you were trained well, the, uh, uh, uh, the, the second question that I have for you just really quickly, um, it doesn't say anything about hiring additional. Tax collector, uh, individuals. So I'm, I'm assuming unless that's what we refer to them as deputies. Um I'm a I'm assuming they're already hired too. It's just basically giving oversight of both offices, um, just separating it so the sheriff's not having to maintain both offices. I know speaking with the Quorum Court, um, their biggest issue is the sheriff is overwhelmed over on the sheriff's side of the job that he's not able to go in and manage the employees that are currently there for the tax collectors. And so all this does is just create a separate elected position to oversee the people that's already in the tax. Election Office. That that was a great explanation. I appreciate that. Representative Rye, you are recognized for a question. Representative Walker, just one question. This has already went through the court court and they've all agreed. We ran a resolution, I believe it was in November to show that they were on board with it. Um, it also gave the public or anybody that wanted to ask questions to be able to come in and ask questions. We had the county attorney there that was able to, to help assist with those questions and we, we, they passed the resolution back in this. Tapresentative Walker. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Any other questions? Any questions from. Representative Painter, OK, hang on just, just a second, please. Um, there's nobody in the audience signed, signed up to speak for or against this bill. Was there anybody that would, would like to? All right. Representative Walker, are you close for your bill? Representative Painter, you are recognized. All right, we have a motion do pass, all in favor say aye, all opposed. I just have it. Congratulations, you have passed your bill. Well, committee, let me. Just do this without any further business we are adjourned. Um, if y'all wanna hang around for a little bit, see if the photographer shows up, you're welcome to, um, if y'all have other things you need to do, you're welcome to, to go and we'll try to reschedule that since they weren't here on time.