2011S0271-1 01/27/11
By: Carona S.J.R. No. 17
JOINT RESOLUTION
proposing a constitutional amendment to restrict the power of the
legislature to mandate requirements upon certain local
governments.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Article III, Texas Constitution, is amended by
adding Section 68 to read as follows:
Sec. 68. (a) No bill enacted by the legislature on or after
January 1, 2012, requiring a local government to establish, expand,
or modify a duty or activity that requires the expenditure of
revenue by the local government shall be effective until and unless
the legislature appropriates or otherwise provides for the payment
or reimbursement, from a source other than the revenue of the local
government, of the costs incurred for the biennium by the local
government in complying with the requirement.
(b) For the purpose of this section, "local government"
includes a county, a city, a hospital district, a community college
district, or a special district created by the action of a county,
city, hospital district, or community college.
SECTION 2. This proposed constitutional amendment shall be
submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 8, 2011.
The ballot shall be printed to permit voting for or against the
proposition: "The constitutional amendment to restrict the power
of the legislature from mandating unfunded requirements upon local
governments."