Texas Senate Bill SJR60

Texas 2013 - 83rd Regular

Caption

Proposing a constitutional amendment to prohibit using voluntarily paid additional fees and surcharges that are dedicated by law for nondedicated general governmental purposes and to prohibit using that money for certification of appropriations for nondedicated purposes or entities.

Impact

If enacted, SJR60 would impact the financial management of the state by creating stricter guidelines on how voluntarily paid fees can be utilized. This amendment would restrict the Texas Legislature from reallocating funds from dedicated accounts for nondedicated purposes unless through an explicit repeal of that dedication. The bill aims to enhance fiscal responsibility and transparency in the handling of state revenues, which proponents argue will foster public trust in government funding practices.

Summary

SJR60 proposes a constitutional amendment aimed at prohibiting the use of voluntarily paid additional fees and surcharges that are dedicated by law for general governmental purposes. The resolution specifically targets the practice of using dedicated funds for nondedicated purposes, ensuring that revenues received from these fees are spent only in line with their original dedicated intent. By doing so, the bill seeks to safeguard resources intended for specific state services and prevent their diversion into broader governmental appropriations.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding SJR60 appears generally supportive among those advocating for fiscal accountability and dedicated fund integrity. Many legislators and interest groups believe that the amendment will protect necessary state services from budgetary risks associated with revenue diversions. However, there may be some contention as critics could argue that stringent regulations on fund usage might restrict legislative flexibility to address unforeseen fiscal demands.

Contention

Notable points of contention may arise concerning the implications of the bill on future budgetary decisions by the Texas Legislature. Opponents of such stringent restrictions could express concerns about the potential limitations on the state's ability to respond to emergencies or urgent funding needs by questioning how rigid dedication of fees might impede legislative discretion. Furthermore, the timeline for the provisions to take effect (January 1, 2015, for Section 49a(c) and September 1, 2015, for Section 31) might also lead to discussions regarding the preparedness of government entities in adapting to these new constraints.