Texas 2015 - 84th Regular

Texas Senate Bill SB16

Voted on by Senate
 
Out of House Committee
 
Voted on by House
 
Governor Action
 
Bill Becomes Law
 

Caption

Relating to excepting certain appropriations from computations regarding the constitutional limitation on the rate of growth of appropriations.

Impact

If enacted, the bill could lead to an increase in the flexibility of the state legislature regarding appropriations from state tax revenues over time. By allowing for exceptions to the growth rate limitations, state lawmakers may find themselves with greater opportunities to allocate funds for various state needs without being constrained by previously established growth parameters. The legislation would apply to appropriations from the upcoming state fiscal biennium starting September 1, 2017, moving forward.

Summary

Senate Bill 16 (SB16) aims to amend certain provisions of the Government Code relating to the computation of appropriations from state tax revenues. Specifically, the bill intends to exclude certain appropriations from the calculations regarding the constitutional limitation on the growth rate of state appropriations. This change means that certain revenues, particularly those not dedicated by the constitution or meant for servicing state debt, will now behave differently under the law concerning their growth limitations.

Contention

One notable contention surrounding SB16 involves concerns about fiscal responsibility and the potential implications of increasing appropriations outside the established constitutional limit. Critics of the bill may argue that such amendments could jeopardize fiscal discipline by allowing the legislature to inflate expenditure levels unchecked, potentially increasing budget deficits or debt obligations in the long term. Proponents, on the other hand, may argue that the bill is necessary to ensure that state funding can adequately meet rising demands without being unduly restricted.

Summary_points

Overall, SB16 reflects ongoing discussions in the Texas legislature about how best to manage state taxes and appropriations. The adjustments proposed in the bill indicate a legislative desire to adapt to changing economic conditions and prioritize state spending in a way that could favor current economic demands over strict adherence to past limits.

Companion Bills

TX SJR4

Enabling for Proposing a constitutional amendment excepting certain appropriations for reducing state debt from the constitutional limitation on the rate of growth of appropriations.

TX HB2338

Identical Relating to excepting certain appropriations from computations regarding the constitutional limitation on the rate of growth of appropriations.

Previously Filed As

TX HJR1

Proposing a constitutional amendment excepting certain appropriations to pay for school district ad valorem tax relief from the constitutional limitation on the rate of growth of appropriations.

TX HJR1

Proposing a constitutional amendment excepting certain appropriations to pay for school district ad valorem tax relief from the constitutional limitation on the rate of growth of appropriations.

TX SJR4

Proposing a constitutional amendment excepting certain appropriations to pay for school district ad valorem tax relief from the constitutional limitation on the rate of growth of appropriations.

TX HJR164

Proposing a constitutional amendment excepting certain appropriations to pay for tax relief from the constitutional limitation on the rate of growth of appropriations.

TX SJR1

Proposing a constitutional amendment to increase the amount of the exemption from ad valorem taxation by a school district applicable to residence homesteads, to adjust the amount of the limitation on school district ad valorem taxes imposed on the residence homesteads of the elderly or disabled to reflect increases in certain exemption amounts, and to except certain appropriations to pay for school district ad valorem tax relief from the constitutional limitation on the rate of growth of appropriations.

TX SJR2

Proposing a constitutional amendment to increase the amount of the exemption from ad valorem taxation by a school district applicable to residence homesteads, to adjust the amount of the limitation on school district ad valorem taxes imposed on the residence homesteads of the elderly or disabled to reflect increases in certain exemption amounts, and to except certain appropriations to pay for school district ad valorem tax relief from the constitutional limitation on the rate of growth of appropriations.

TX HJR1

Proposing a constitutional amendment to authorize the legislature to limit the maximum appraised value of real property for ad valorem tax purposes and to except certain appropriations to pay for ad valorem tax relief from the constitutional limitation on the rate of growth of appropriations.

TX SJR1

Proposing a constitutional amendment to increase the amount of the exemption from ad valorem taxation by a school district applicable to residence homesteads, to adjust the amount of the limitation on school district ad valorem taxes imposed on the residence homesteads of the elderly or disabled to reflect increases in certain exemption amounts, to provide supplemental payments to full-time classroom teachers in school districts, and to except certain appropriations to pay for school district ad valorem tax relief from the constitutional limitation on the rate of growth of appropriations.

TX SJR3

Proposing a constitutional amendment to authorize the legislature to limit the maximum appraised value of real property for ad valorem tax purposes, to increase the amount of an exemption from ad valorem taxation by a school district applicable to residence homesteads, to adjust the amount of the limitation on school district ad valorem taxes imposed on the residence homesteads of the elderly or disabled to reflect increases in certain exemption amounts, and to except certain appropriations to pay for ad valorem tax relief from the constitutional limitation on the rate of growth of appropriations.

TX HJR2

Proposing a constitutional amendment to authorize the legislature to establish a temporary limit on the maximum appraised value of real property other than a residence homestead for ad valorem tax purposes; to increase the amount of the exemption from ad valorem taxation by a school district applicable to residence homesteads; to adjust the amount of the limitation on school district ad valorem taxes imposed on the residence homesteads of the elderly or disabled to reflect increases in certain exemption amounts; to except certain appropriations to pay for ad valorem tax relief from the constitutional limitation on the rate of growth of appropriations; and to authorize the legislature to provide for a four-year term of office for a member of the governing body of certain appraisal entities.

Similar Bills

TX SB9

Relating to the constitutional limit on the rate of growth of appropriations.

TX SB9

Relating to the constitutional limit on the rate of growth of appropriations and appropriations of constitutionally dedicated revenue.

TX HB127

Relating to the constitutional limit on the rate of growth of appropriations.

TX HB41

Relating to the constitutional limit on the rate of growth of appropriations.

TX HB2304

Relating to the constitutional limit on the rate of growth of appropriations.

TX HB936

Relating to the constitutional limit on the rate of growth of appropriations.

TX HB1025

Relating to the constitutional limit on the rate of growth of appropriations.

TX SB9

Relating to limitations on the rate of growth of appropriations for certain categories of spending.