83R935 JJT-D
By: Williams S.J.R. No. 56
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 state fiscal biennium shall the rate of
growth of appropriations from state tax revenues not dedicated by
this constitution exceed a rate equal to the sum of the estimated
rates [rate of growth] of:
(1) change of the state's population during the state
fiscal biennium preceding the state fiscal biennium for which the
appropriations are made; and
(2) monetary inflation or deflation in this state
during the state fiscal biennium preceding the biennium for which
the appropriations are made [economy].
(b) If the sum of the estimated rate of change of the state's
population and the estimated rate of monetary inflation or
deflation in this state during that preceding state fiscal biennium
is a negative number, the appropriations from state tax revenues
not dedicated by this constitution for the biennium may not exceed
the amount determined by subtracting from the estimated amount of
appropriations from state tax revenues not dedicated by this
constitution for that preceding biennium the product of the
additive inverse of that negative number and the estimated amount
of appropriations from state tax revenues not dedicated by this
constitution for that preceding biennium.
(c) The legislature shall provide by general law procedures
to implement Subsections (a) and (b) of this section [subsection].
(d) [(b)] If the legislature by adoption of a resolution
approved by a record vote of 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 maximum amount authorized by [Subsection (a) of] this
section. The excess authorized under this subsection may not
exceed the amount specified in the resolution.
(e) [(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. 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 state appropriations."