The House City, County - Local Affairs Committee meeting held on February 19, 2025, focused primarily on House Bill 1212, which proposed allowing Justices of the Peace (JPs) to serve as law enforcement officers outside their districts. Representative Steinle presented the bill, emphasizing the need for qualified law enforcement in rural areas. However, he ultimately decided to withdraw the bill after concerns were raised regarding its constitutionality.

During the discussion, Representative Steinle explained that the bill faced potential legal challenges due to existing statutes that could conflict with the state constitution. He noted that despite initial optimism about finding a workaround, advice from the Attorney General's office indicated that the bill would likely violate constitutional provisions regarding civil office holders.

Committee members expressed disappointment over the bill's withdrawal, acknowledging its potential benefits for local communities. Representative Holcomb highlighted the case of a JP in his district who, despite a long law enforcement career, faced barriers to serving as a police officer due to the current legal framework.

The committee concluded that addressing the constitutional issues would require a formal amendment to the state constitution, which would need to be placed on the ballot for voter consideration. Representative Steinle committed to continuing efforts to resolve these legal challenges in the future.

The meeting underscored the ongoing discussions around the roles and responsibilities of JPs, particularly in relation to law enforcement, and the need for legislative clarity in this area.