83R2629 KLA-D
By: King of Parker H.J.R. No. 52
A JOINT RESOLUTION
proposing a constitutional amendment limiting the rate of growth of
appropriations for welfare programs.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 51-a, Article III, Texas Constitution,
is amended by amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (b-1)
to read as follows:
(b) The Legislature may provide by General Law for medical
care, rehabilitation and other similar services for needy persons.
The Legislature may prescribe such other eligibility requirements
for participation in these programs as it deems appropriate and may
make appropriations out of state funds for such purposes, subject
to Subsection (b-1) of this section.
(b-1) The rate of growth of the total amount of
appropriations made for welfare programs for a state fiscal
biennium as compared to the preceding state fiscal biennium may not
exceed the maximum rate of growth of appropriations prescribed by
Section 22(a), Article VIII, of this constitution [maximum amount
paid out of state funds for assistance grants to or on behalf of
needy dependent children and their caretakers shall not exceed one
percent of the state budget]. The Legislature by general statute
may [shall] provide for the means for determining the state budget
amounts, including state and other funds appropriated by the
Legislature, to be used in establishing the biennial limit. In this
subsection, "welfare programs" means the following:
(1) the medical assistance program or a successor to
that program;
(2) the children's health insurance program or a
successor to that program;
(3) the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
program or a successor to that program; and
(4) any other program that is:
(A) an entitlement program for individuals; or
(B) a program under which cash assistance or
other benefits are provided to individuals on a means-tested basis.
SECTION 2. Section 51-a(c), Article III, Texas
Constitution, is repealed.
SECTION 3. This proposed constitutional amendment shall be
submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 5, 2013.
The ballot shall be printed to provide for voting for or against the
proposition: "The constitutional amendment limiting the rate of
growth of spending authorized for welfare programs."