H.B. No. 2713 proposes the repeal of the municipal civil service system for firefighters and police officers in municipalities with a population of less than 50,000. The bill amends Section 143.004(e) of the Local Government Code, changing the population threshold from less than 950,000 to less than 50,000. It stipulates that if the governing body of such a municipality receives a petition signed by at least 10 percent of qualified voters requesting an election to repeal the civil service system, they must order an election. If a majority of voters choose to repeal, the civil service system will be void in that municipality.

Additionally, the bill clarifies that the changes apply only to petitions for which an election has not been ordered prior to the effective date of the Act. For petitions with elections already ordered, the previous law will remain in effect. The Act will take effect immediately if it receives a two-thirds vote from both houses of the legislature; otherwise, it will take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Local Government Code 143.004 (Local Government Code 143)
House Committee Report: Local Government Code 143.004 (Local Government Code 143)
Engrossed: Local Government Code 143.004 (Local Government Code 143)
Senate Committee Report: Local Government Code 143.004 (Local Government Code 143)
Enrolled: Local Government Code 143.004 (Local Government Code 143)