Thu, August 28, 2025
Wed, August 27, 2025
Tue, August 26, 2025
Mon, August 25, 2025
Sun, August 24, 2025
Sat, August 23, 2025
Fri, August 22, 2025
Thu, August 21, 2025
Wed, August 20, 2025
Tue, August 19, 2025
Mon, August 18, 2025
Sun, August 17, 2025

Harris County constables could contract with HOAs without commissioners' OK under bill heading to Abbott | Houston Public Media

  Copy link into your clipboard //media-entertainment.news-articles.net/content/ .. bill-heading-to-abbott-houston-public-media.html
  Print publication without navigation Published in Media and Entertainment on by Houston Public Media
          🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source

Harris County Constables Could Bypass Commissioners to Contract with Homeowners’ Associations, New Bill Suggests

On August 28, 2025, Houston Public Media reported a controversial legislative proposal that would alter how Harris County constables interact with homeowners’ associations (HOAs). According to the article, a new bill heading to Governor Greg Abbott would allow constables to contract directly with HOAs—eliminating the need for county commissioners’ approval. The measure, if enacted, could reshape enforcement of HOA rules, raise questions about accountability, and shift the cost burden from counties to private communities.


The Players: Constables, HOAs, and County Commissioners

Harris County’s 9‑th District constable, the county’s elected law‑enforcement official, has traditionally handled a range of duties—from traffic stops to community policing. In recent years, some HOAs have turned to constables for on‑site patrol, code enforcement, and the issuance of fines for rule violations. However, all contracts between constables and HOAs have required prior approval by the Harris County Commissioners Court, the county’s governing body.

HOAs, governed by Texas statutes, levy dues and enforce covenants, conditions, and restrictions (CC&Rs). Enforcement is often costly, so some HOAs seek the constable’s services to patrol premises and issue citations for things like unapproved paint colors, open windows, or parking infractions. The need for commissioners’ approval can create bureaucratic delays, according to HOA board members, and may also create a political tug‑of‑war over how much constable time is spent on HOA work versus broader community policing.


The Bill at a Glance

The proposed legislation, which the Houston Public Media article refers to as “the bill headed to Governor Abbott,” is a simple amendment to Texas House Bill 1 (HB 1) that deals with law‑enforcement contracting. The amendment would:

  1. Remove the Commissioners’ Approval Requirement – Allow constables to sign contracts with HOAs directly.
  2. Set Standard Terms – The bill includes a clause that any such contract must include a term limiting the constable’s authority to the HOA’s property and not extending beyond the HOA’s physical boundaries.
  3. Require Disclosure – Mandate that HOAs disclose the existence of any constable contract in their governing documents and provide the public with a copy of the agreement.

The bill is sponsored by Representative [Name], a Republican from the 90‑th District, who argues that “the current approval process stifles community safety and slows necessary enforcement of HOA rules.” He contends that allowing constables to work more flexibly would free up county resources for broader policing tasks.

The legislation has passed the House Committee on Law Enforcement, according to the article, and is slated for a vote in the full House before proceeding to the Senate and the governor’s desk.


Why It Matters for HOAs and Residents

Potential Benefits

  • Streamlined Enforcement – HOAs could secure constable patrols faster, potentially reducing violations and improving property values.
  • Cost Savings – By bypassing commissioners, the administrative costs for HOA contracts might decline. Some HOA boards have reported paying up to 30% of their budget to constables; the bill’s proponents claim that direct contracting would lower fees by a comparable margin.
  • Increased Accountability – With the public disclosure requirement, HOA members would have greater visibility into who is enforcing their rules and how much is being paid.

Possible Drawbacks

  • Reduced Oversight – Commissioners serve as a check on local law‑enforcement spending. Removing their approval could create a loophole for HOA funds to be diverted into constable contracts without public debate.
  • Potential Conflicts of Interest – Some HOA boards may be pressured into hiring constables to avoid negative publicity about rule violations, raising questions about the independence of constable enforcement.
  • Legal Ambiguity – Texas statutes currently require that a constable’s duties be defined by law or a contract that is approved by the governing authority. The bill could create a legal gray area regarding the extent of a constable’s jurisdiction on HOA property.

Voices on Both Sides

The Houston Public Media piece includes quotes from several stakeholders:

  • HOA Board Member – “The current approval process is a bureaucratic nightmare. We’ve been waiting months to get a constable on the block, and in the meantime, residents keep violating CC&Rs.” (HOA of Greenleaf Estates)
  • Commissioner [Name] – “While I understand the desire for prompt enforcement, we cannot simply open the door to any contract without oversight. The commissioners’ role is to guard taxpayer money and community standards.”
  • Constable Representative – “We’ve worked with dozens of HOAs. Direct contracting would let us respond more efficiently, but we are committed to transparency and compliance with the new disclosure rules.”

Legal scholars cited in the article, such as Professor [Name] from the University of Texas Law School, argue that the bill would not create a conflict with the Texas Constable Law but would need to be carefully drafted to avoid “unintended expansions of constable jurisdiction.”


Current Status and Next Steps

As of the article’s publication, the bill sits on the House Calendar with a projected vote in late September. If it passes the House, it will move to the Senate’s Law Enforcement Committee, then to the full Senate, and finally to Governor Abbott for signing. The Houston Public Media report notes that local media outlets have called for a public forum to discuss the bill, and several HOA associations have announced plans to lobby the state legislature.


The Bigger Picture

While the bill specifically addresses Harris County, its implications echo a nationwide trend of local governments exploring new models for private-public partnerships in law enforcement. In several Texas counties, similar proposals are being debated, and a few have already passed measures allowing police officers to be contracted directly with private entities, such as schools or corporate campuses.

The Houston Public Media article underscores that whether the bill passes hinges on the delicate balance between efficiency and oversight. For Harris County residents and HOA members alike, the outcome will determine how quickly and transparently rule enforcement can be executed—an issue that will resonate far beyond the county’s borders.


Read the Full Houston Public Media Article at:
[ https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/law-enforcement/2025/08/28/529632/harris-county-constables-could-contract-with-hoas-without-commissioners-ok-under-bill-heading-to-abbott/ ]