84R13653 CJC-D
By: Schofield H.J.R. No. 121
A JOINT RESOLUTION
proposing a constitutional amendment concerning the limitation on
the rate of growth in 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 subject to certification by the comptroller of
public accounts under Section 49a(b), Article III, of this
constitution, [from state tax revenues not dedicated by this
constitution] exceed a rate equal to the sum of the rates [estimated
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 [economy].
(b) Notwithstanding Subsection (a) of this section, an
appropriation to pay for a rebate of state taxes must be excluded
from computations used to determine whether appropriations exceed
the amount authorized by that subsection.
(c) The rates described by Subsection (a) of this section
shall be determined in the manner provided by general law. If the
sum of those rates is a negative number, appropriations for the
biennium that are subject to certification by the comptroller of
public accounts under Section 49a(b), Article III, of this
constitution, may not exceed the appropriations from those sources
in the current state fiscal biennium.
(d) In this section, the rate of change of appropriations
that are subject to certification by the comptroller of public
accounts under Section 49a(b), Article III, of this constitution,
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 Section 49a, Article III, of this constitution.
(e) The legislature shall provide by general law procedures
to implement Subsections (a), (b), (c), and (d) of this section
[subsection].
(f) [(b)] If the legislature by adoption of a resolution
approved by a record vote of three-fifths [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.
(g) [(c)] In no case shall appropriations exceed revenues
as provided in Section 49a, Article III, [Section 49a,] of this
constitution. Nothing in this section shall be construed to alter,
amend, or repeal Section 49a, 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 3, 2015.
The ballot shall be printed to permit voting for or against the
proposition: "The constitutional amendment concerning the
limitation on the rate of growth in appropriations."