Texas 2015 - 84th Regular

Texas Senate Bill SJR37

Voted on by Senate
 
Out of House Committee
 
Voted on by House
 
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 passed, SJR37 would have significant implications for state financial management, ensuring that unallocated funds are used to bolster the fiscal stability of important retirement programs. This could enhance the benefits provided to retirees and improve the overall appeal of state employment by reinforcing commitments to its retirees. Furthermore, it aims to solidify public education funding through initiatives like the Permanent School Fund and the Permanent University Fund, thus emphasizing the state's dedication to higher education.

Summary

SJR37 is a joint resolution proposing a constitutional amendment aimed at allocating certain excess revenues to various state financial obligations, specifically contributions to state retirement systems and health benefit plans for retired education employees. The resolution seeks to amend Section 49-g of Article III of the Texas Constitution to ensure that any excess funds generated are dedicated towards improving the financial health of these systems, thereby indirectly benefiting retired state employees. Additionally, the bill proposes using these funds for the Texas Tomorrow Fund, a program designed to assist families with financial support for higher education.

Contention

Discussion surrounding SJR37 may include concerns about the sustainability and implications of diverting excess revenues to specific funds. Opponents might argue that while the intent is to support retirees and education, such earmarking of funds could limit the state's flexibility in addressing emergent financial needs elsewhere, especially in times of economic uncertainty. Proponents will counter that ensuring the solvency of retirement systems is a foundational responsibility of the state, which can lead to long-term economic benefits by enhancing the welfare of retired individuals who contribute to the local economy.

Companion Bills

TX HJR137

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.