TX
Texas House Bill HJR39

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

Texas House Bill HJR39

Filed
 
Out of House Committee
4/22/09  
Voted on by House
5/4/09  
Out of Senate Committee
5/19/09  
Voted on by Senate
5/22/09  

Caption

Post-ratifying Amendment XXIV to the Constitution of the United States prohibiting the denial or abridgment of the right to vote for failure to pay any poll tax or other tax.

Impact

If HJR39 is enacted, it would officially align Texas with the other states that have acknowledged Amendment XXIV through post-ratification. This act does not amend current laws directly regarding voting requirements; however, it reinforces the principle that financial barriers, such as poll taxes, have no place in elections. This symbolic gesture aims to highlight Texas' commitment to ensuring all citizens can exercise their right to vote, regardless of their economic status.

Summary

HJR39 is a joint resolution that aims to post-ratify Amendment XXIV to the Constitution of the United States, which prohibits the denial or abridgment of the right to vote due to failure to pay any poll tax or other tax. Although Amendment XXIV was ratified by Congress and has been law since 1964, this resolution serves as a symbolic action to affirm Texas' support of the amendment, which historically has not been formally recognized by the state legislature. The bill includes several historical references to prior state post-ratifications, emphasizing the importance of voter access and freedom from financial barriers to voting.

Contention

There may be varying opinions regarding the necessity of this resolution. Supporters advocate that such post-ratifications serve as important affirmations against the historical injustices of poll taxes, considering them an important facet of civil rights and voting access. In contrast, critics may view this act as superfluous since the amendment has already been federal law for several decades. The discussion around HJR39 revolves around the significance of taking an official stance, and whether such symbolic acts can facilitate broader discussions on voter rights and barriers that still exist in various forms.

Companion Bills

TX SJR27

Identical Post-ratifying Amendment XXIV to the Constitution of the United States prohibiting the denial or abridgment of the right to vote for failure to pay any poll tax or other tax.

Previously Filed As

TX HJR200

Ratifying a proposed amendment to the Constitution of the United States relating to the number of representatives in the United States House of Representatives.

TX HJR35

Rescinding the automatic rescission of certain applications made by the Texas Legislature to the United States Congress to call a national convention under Article V of the United States Constitution for proposing any amendment to that constitution.

TX SJR36

Rescinding the automatic rescission of certain applications made by the Texas Legislature to the United States Congress to call a national convention under Article V of the United States Constitution for proposing any amendment to that constitution.

TX SJR52

Extending the deadline for the automatic rescission of certain applications made by the Texas Legislature to the United States Congress to call a national convention under Article V of the United States Constitution for proposing any amendment to that constitution.

TX HJR132

Proposing a constitutional amendment prohibiting the imposition of an individual net worth or wealth tax.

TX SJR35

Proposing a constitutional amendment clarifying that a voter must be a United States citizen.

TX SJR91

Proposing a constitutional amendment prohibiting the imposition of an individual net worth or wealth tax.

TX HJR7

Proposing a constitutional amendment clarifying that a voter must be a United States citizen.

TX SJR33

Proposing a constitutional amendment to require that future constitutional amendments become effective only if approved by a majority of the voters in at least three-fourths of the counties of the state.

TX HJR168

Proposing a constitutional amendment to limit the rate of a state sales or use tax.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.