Texas 2015 - 84th Regular

Texas House Bill HJR137

Voted on by House
 
Out of Senate Committee
 
Voted on by Senate
 
Sent toSOS
 
Proposed Const. Amend.
 

Caption

Proposing a constitutional amendment providing for certain excess revenue to be dedicated toward contributions to state retirement systems, the health benefit plan for retired education employees and their dependents, the Texas tomorrow fund, the permanent school fund, and the permanent university fund.

Impact

If adopted, HJR137 will necessitate changes to how Texas manages its general revenue. The amendment specifically concerns the crediting of certain excess funds to an account in the general revenue fund that can only be appropriated for designated retirement and education funds. By providing a portion of excess revenue explicitly for these purposes, the resolution may enhance the financial security of retirement benefits, which is particularly critical given the aging population and the rising costs associated with healthcare and education in Texas.

Summary

HJR137 is a proposed constitutional amendment in Texas aimed at designating excess revenue for specific purposes, including contributions to state retirement systems and health benefit plans for retired education employees and their dependents. This resolution outlines a systematic approach for the allocation of funds that may arise beyond the established financial limits of the economic stabilization fund under the Texas Constitution. The anticipated outcome is to ensure the financial stability of retirement systems that play a crucial role in providing benefits to state employees and educators post-retirement.

Contention

While the bill is likely to gain support from retirement groups and education advocates due to its focus on strengthening retirement plans for educators, there could be contentious debates regarding the implications for overall state budget allocations. Critics of such measures may argue that earmarking funds limits flexibility in the budget and could lead to conflicts during times of economic downturns when discretionary funding is crucial. Furthermore, the process of implementation and the actual impact on the funds remain points of contention among financial analysts and policy makers in the state.

Companion Bills

TX SJR37

Identical Proposing a constitutional amendment providing for certain excess revenue to be dedicated toward contributions to state retirement systems, the health benefit plan for retired education employees and their dependents, the Texas tomorrow fund, the permanent school fund, and the permanent university fund.

Previously Filed As

TX SJR69

Proposing a constitutional amendment dedicating to the national research university fund a portion of certain income from the lease for oil and gas exploration of land dedicated to the permanent university fund.

TX HJR189

Proposing a constitutional amendment reducing The University of Texas System's share of the income and other benefits of the permanent university fund, transferring to the national research university fund and general revenue fund a portion of the annual distribution made from the permanent university fund to the available university fund, appropriating the portion transferred to the national research university fund, and dedicating the portion transferred to the general revenue fund to provide for the support and maintenance of public institutions of higher education.

TX HJR203

Proposing a constitutional amendment providing for the creation of the Texas legacy fund and the Texas legacy distribution fund, dedicating the Texas legacy distribution fund to certain state infrastructure projects or the reduction of certain long-term obligations, and providing for the transfer of certain general revenues to the economic stabilization fund, the Texas legacy fund, and the state highway fund.

TX HJR27

Proposing a constitutional amendment providing for the creation of and use of money in the Grow Texas fund and allocating certain general revenues to that fund, the economic stabilization fund, and the state highway fund.

TX HJR111

Proposing a constitutional amendment providing for the creation of the Texas severance tax revenue and oil and natural gas (Texas STRONG) defense fund, dedicating the money in that fund to benefit areas of the state significantly affected by oil and gas production, and providing for the transfer of certain general revenues to that fund, the economic stabilization fund, the state highway fund, the oil and gas regulation and cleanup account, the Texas emissions reduction plan fund, and the property tax relief fund.

TX SJR81

Proposing a constitutional amendment providing for the creation of funds to support the capital needs of educational programs offered by the Texas State Technical College System and certain component institutions of the Texas State University System and repealing the limitation on the allocation to the Texas State Technical College System and its campuses of the annual appropriation of certain constitutionally dedicated funding for public institutions of higher education.

TX SJR26

Proposing a constitutional amendment to entitle all component institutions of The Texas A&M University System and The University of Texas System to participate in the income and other benefits of the permanent university fund.

TX HJR1

Proposing a constitutional amendment creating the state school safety fund to provide ongoing financial support for projects that ensure the safety of public schools in this state and providing for the transfer of certain general revenues to that fund, the economic stabilization fund, and the state highway fund.

TX HJR3

Proposing a constitutional amendment relating to the Texas University Fund, which provides funding to certain institutions of higher education to achieve national prominence as major research universities and drive the state economy.

TX SJR5

Proposing a constitutional amendment relating to the Texas University Fund, which provides funding to certain institutions of higher education to achieve national prominence as major research universities and drive the state economy.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.