Texas Senate Bill SJR11

Texas 2015 - 84th Regular

• Filed: 11/10/14

Caption

Proposing a constitutional amendment regarding the maximum amount of appropriations for a state fiscal biennium.

Impact

If enacted, SJR11 would have a significant impact on Texas's budgeting and appropriations process. The new rules would ensure that appropriations remain within a certain limit, thus preventing overspending and promoting a more responsible fiscal environment. The measure would also introduce new requirements for the Comptroller of Public Accounts, who would be tasked with certifying that appropriations do not exceed the newly established limits prior to sending any bills containing appropriations to the Governor for consideration.

Summary

SJR11 proposes a constitutional amendment that aims to limit the maximum amount of appropriations from the state treasury for a fiscal biennium. This amendment seeks to ensure that appropriations do not exceed a set growth rate, which would be based on factors such as population growth, inflation, and the growth of personal income in Texas. By establishing a framework for how appropriations can be calculated, the amendment intends to provide more fiscal discipline in the state's budgeting process.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding SJR11 may emerge from concerns regarding the flexibility of the state's budget. While proponents argue that setting maximum appropriations would lead to better financial governance, opponents may contend that the restrictions could hinder necessary funding during economic downturns or for urgent public needs. Furthermore, the amendment's reliance on fixed growth rates could be seen as too rigid, potentially leading to inadequate funding for services as demographic and economic conditions change.

Notable_points

The implementation of SJR11 would necessitate changes to the current legislative processes, as bills that require funding would need to adhere to the new certification by the Comptroller. This could cause delays in passing vital legislation if they exceed the established appropriation limits. Legislators will need to carefully navigate these new requirements to ensure that critical state services and programs continue to receive adequate funding.