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.