83R203 JJT-F
By: Callegari H.J.R. No. 23
A JOINT RESOLUTION
proposing a constitutional amendment concerning the limitation on
the rate of growth of state appropriations.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 22, Article VIII, Texas Constitution, is
amended to read as follows:
Sec. 22. (a) In no biennium shall the rate of growth of
appropriations from all sources of revenue other than the federal
government [state tax revenues not dedicated by this constitution]
exceed a rate equal to the sum of the estimated rates [rate] of
increase or decrease, during the biennium preceding the biennium
for which the appropriations are made, [growth] of:
(1) the state's population; and
(2) inflation or deflation in this state in the prices
of goods [economy].
(b) The rates described by Subsection (a) of this section
shall be estimated in the manner provided by general law. If the
sum of those estimated rates is a negative number, appropriations
for the biennium from all sources of revenue other than the federal
government must decrease by a rate at least equal to the sum of
those estimated rates.
(c) In this section, the rate of change of appropriations
from all sources of revenue other than the federal government is the
percentage difference between:
(1) the amount of money appropriated for the current
biennium from those sources as estimated in the manner prescribed
by law at or near the time the legislature convenes in regular
session during the current biennium; and
(2) the amount of money appropriated for the next
biennium from those sources as finally estimated by the comptroller
at the times the Acts making appropriations are considered by the
comptroller under Article III, Section 49a, of this constitution.
(d) The legislature shall provide by general law procedures
to implement Subsections (a), (b), and (c) of this section
[subsection].
(e) [(b)] If the legislature by adoption of a resolution
approved by a record vote of two-thirds [a majority] of the members
of each house finds that an emergency exists and identifies the
nature of the emergency, the legislature may provide for
appropriations in excess of the amount authorized by Subsection (a)
of this section. The excess authorized under this subsection may
not exceed the amount specified in the resolution.
(f) [(c)] In no case shall appropriations exceed revenues
as provided in Article III, Section 49a, of this constitution.
Nothing in this section shall be construed to alter, amend, or
repeal Article III, Section 49a, of this constitution.
SECTION 2. Section 49a, Article III, Texas Constitution, is
amended by adding Subsections (c) and (d) to read as follows:
(c) A bill containing an appropriation may not be considered
as passed and may not be sent to the Governor for consideration
until the Comptroller of Public Accounts endorses on the bill the
Comptroller's certificate showing that the amount appropriated
does not exceed the limitation on the rate of growth of
appropriations imposed by Section 22, Article VIII, of this
constitution.
(d) When the Comptroller of Public Accounts finds that a
bill containing an appropriation exceeds the limitation on the rate
of growth of appropriations imposed by Section 22, Article VIII, of
this constitution, the Comptroller shall endorse that finding on
the bill, return the bill to the House in which it originated, and
immediately notify the House of Representatives and the Senate of
the finding.
SECTION 3. This proposed constitutional amendment shall be
submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 4, 2014.
The ballot shall be printed to permit voting for or against the
proposition: "The constitutional amendment regarding the
limitation on the rate of growth in appropriations."