In 1947, the Texas Legislature recognized the need to establish a more professional fire and police service. For this reason, during the 50th Legislative session, HB 34 was passed allowing the voters of municipalities of 10,000 or more residents to vote to adopt civil service.

While Civil Service is often confused with collective bargaining, and meet and confer, it is a completely separate set of statutes designed to help municipalities establish more professional police and fire departments who are free from political influence when discharging their duties.

In 1973, the Texas Legislature sought to ensure that police and firefighters receive compensation and working conditions comparable to private sector employees. For this reason, during the 63rd Legislative Session, HB 185 was passed allowing for voters in municipalities to allow their police to participate in collective bargaining.

While collective bargaining is often associated with strikes and big union tactics, the act was specifically created to give public safety employees a say in their pay, benefits, and working conditions, while expressly prohibiting strikes, lockouts, and other tactics which would put public safety at risk.