Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Texas Senate Bill SJR66

Voted on by Senate
 
Out of House Committee
 
Voted on by House
 
Sent toSOS
 
Proposed Const. Amend.
 

Caption

Proposing a constitutional amendment dedicating a portion of the revenue derived from state sales and use taxes and insurance premium taxes to the Texas water fund.

Impact

This constitutional change would potentially consolidate and secure funding for Texas' water needs over coming decades. Specifically, it allocates net revenue from state sales taxes exceeding $46.5 billion and a fixed portion of insurance premium taxes, thereby creating a robust financial framework aimed at tackling major water supply issues. The legislature will have the power to dictate how funds are allocated but cannot amend the allocation once established for a ten-year period, ensuring stability in funding.

Summary

SJR66 proposes a constitutional amendment aimed at dedicating a portion of revenue from state sales and use taxes, as well as insurance premium taxes, to the Texas water fund. The resolution intends to address the state's water supply challenges by ensuring a sustainable funding source for water conservation and infrastructure projects. Such an amendment is anticipated to bolster water management strategies, benefiting both urban and rural communities across Texas.

Contention

Despite its anticipated benefits, the bill has faced scrutiny regarding its long-term fiscal implications. Opponents argue that tying these revenues directly to the water fund might limit the state's flexibility in addressing other pressing budgetary concerns. Furthermore, there are concerns regarding the necessity of requiring voter approval for accessing these funds, which may complicate the funding process and slow down crucial water infrastructure projects, potentially exacerbating existing water issues in the state.

Texas Constitutional Statutes Affected

Tax Code

  • Chapter 151. Limited Sales, Excise, And Use Tax
    • Section: New Section

Companion Bills

TX SB7

Enabled by Relating to the oversight and financing of certain water infrastructure matters under the jurisdiction of the Texas Water Development Board.

Previously Filed As

TX HJR169

Proposing a constitutional amendment providing for the dedication of certain sales and use tax revenue to a special fund established in the state treasury to pay for water infrastructure in this state.

TX HJR185

Proposing a constitutional amendment relating to the appropriation of the net revenue received from the imposition of state sales and use taxes on sporting goods.

TX SJR27

Proposing a constitutional amendment creating the Texas Connectivity Fund for the development of broadband and other telecommunications services in all areas of the state and authorizing the appropriation to that fund of a portion of revenue received from the existing state sales and use taxes on telecommunications services while not increasing the rate of the sales and use taxes.

TX SJR75

Proposing a constitutional amendment creating the Texas water fund to assist in financing water projects in this state.

TX SJR41

Proposing a constitutional amendment lowering the maximum allowable amount of money in the economic stabilization fund and dedicating certain general revenue to reducing school district maintenance and operations ad valorem taxes.

TX HJR27

Proposing a constitutional amendment providing for the creation of and use of money in the Grow Texas fund and allocating certain general revenues to that fund, the economic stabilization fund, and the state highway fund.

TX HJR1

Proposing a constitutional amendment creating the state school safety fund to provide ongoing financial support for projects that ensure the safety of public schools in this state and providing for the transfer of certain general revenues to that fund, the economic stabilization fund, and the state highway fund.

TX HJR205

Proposing a constitutional amendment to prohibit the imposition of school district maintenance and operations ad valorem taxes on residence homesteads, to increase the rates of state sales and use taxes and dedicate the revenue attributable to that increase for public education, and to establish and prescribe the permissible uses of the homeowner protection fund.

TX HJR203

Proposing a constitutional amendment providing for the creation of the Texas legacy fund and the Texas legacy distribution fund, dedicating the Texas legacy distribution fund to certain state infrastructure projects or the reduction of certain long-term obligations, and providing for the transfer of certain general revenues to the economic stabilization fund, the Texas legacy fund, and the state highway fund.

TX HJR111

Proposing a constitutional amendment providing for the creation of the Texas severance tax revenue and oil and natural gas (Texas STRONG) defense fund, dedicating the money in that fund to benefit areas of the state significantly affected by oil and gas production, and providing for the transfer of certain general revenues to that fund, the economic stabilization fund, the state highway fund, the oil and gas regulation and cleanup account, the Texas emissions reduction plan fund, and the property tax relief fund.

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