Relating to the use and management of dedicated funds by the state.
Impact
The legislation is intended to prevent the diversion of dedicated funds into the general revenue pool, thereby safeguarding resources that are meant for particular programs or projects. This change could enhance the stability of funding for essential services by ensuring that necessary funds remain allocated to their intended purposes, thus preventing legislative overreach that could undermine these objectives. Additionally, it emphasizes the need for regular legislative oversight over unobligated balances, aligning fiscal management with established public interest principles.
Summary
House Bill 3618 focuses on the management and use of dedicated funds within the state of Texas. It seeks to amend existing laws regarding how unobligated balances in these dedicated funds are handled, ensuring that excess funds are identified and allocated appropriately. Specifically, the bill stipulates that funds collected for specific purposes must be utilized solely for those designated purposes, aiming to improve transparency and accountability in state fund management.
Contention
One notable point of contention surrounding HB 3618 is how it may interact with existing laws that govern revenue allocation and appropriations. Critics may argue that the bill lacks sufficient mechanisms for flexibility in fund management, especially in cases where dedicated funds might not be fully utilized for their original purposes. This could result in a buildup of excess balances, which may be perceived as inefficient use of state resources. Supporters, however, contend that stricter regulations on fund use will foster responsible fiscal practices and enhance public trust in government financial management.
Relating to the creation and re-creation of funds and accounts, the dedication and rededication of revenue and allocation of accrued interest on dedicated revenue, and the exemption of unappropriated money from use for general governmental purposes.
Relating to the creation and re-creation of funds and accounts, the dedication and rededication of revenue and allocation of accrued interest on dedicated revenue, and the exemption of unappropriated money from use for general governmental purposes.
Relating to the allocation of certain constitutional transfers of money to the economic stabilization fund, the Texas legacy fund, and the state highway fund and to the management and investment of the economic stabilization fund, the Texas legacy fund, and the Texas legacy distribution fund.
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.
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.
Relating to the funding of projects by the Public Utility Commission of Texas to promote the reliability and resiliency of the power grid in this state; authorizing the issuance of revenue bonds.
Relating to measures to address public safety threats in this state presented by transnational criminal activity, including by establishing the Texas Homeland Security Division and the Border Security Advisory Council, and to compensate persons affected by those threats.
Proposing a constitutional amendment providing for the creation of funds to support the capital needs of educational programs offered by the Texas State Technical College System and certain component institutions of the Texas State University System and repealing the limitation on the allocation to the Texas State Technical College System and its campuses of the annual appropriation of certain constitutionally dedicated funding for public institutions of higher education.
Relating to the elimination of certain property taxes for school district maintenance and operations and the provision of public education funding by increasing the rates of certain state taxes.
To provide appropriations from the General Fund for the expenses of the Executive, Legislative and Judicial Departments of the Commonwealth, the public debt and the public schools for the fiscal year July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024, and for the payment of bills incurred and remaining unpaid at the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023; to provide appropriations from special funds and accounts to the Executive and Judicial Departments for the fiscal year July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024, and for the payment of bills remaining unpaid at the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023; to provide for the appropriation of Federal funds to the Executive and Judicial Departments for the fiscal year July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024, and for the payment of bills remaining unpaid at the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023; and to provide for the additional appropriation of Federal and State funds to the Executive and Legislative Departments for the fiscal year July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023, and for the payment of bills incurred and remaining unpaid at the close of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022.