The bill, H.B. No. 1246, amends the Local Government Code to enhance the authority of sheriffs and constables in Texas regarding law enforcement services. It introduces new sections that allow sheriffs and constables to enter into contracts with property owners' associations or landowners in subdivisions to provide law enforcement services in their respective areas. Specifically, Section 85.025 grants sheriffs the ability to contract without restrictions from the commissioners court, while Section 86.026 provides the same authority to constables. Both sections define "property owners' association" and "subdivision" according to existing property code definitions.

Additionally, the bill establishes requirements and prohibitions related to county law enforcement in Section 130.903. It prohibits counties from transferring funds appropriated to the offices of sheriffs or constables to the general revenue fund and ensures that these offices can spend their appropriated funds for lawful purposes. The section also mandates that any money received from contracts under the new provisions must be credited to the respective office and cannot reduce their appropriations. This legislation aims to strengthen the financial and operational independence of law enforcement agencies at the county level.

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