Proposing a constitutional amendment providing honesty in state taxation.
If passed, HJR22 would amend Article VIII of the Texas Constitution to mandate that all state-imposed charges that are not solely for raising revenue must be referred to as regulatory taxes. This would require the legislature to review and revise existing statutes by January 1, 2020, to align with this new definition. Such a policy change is likely to impact how legislators approach new charges and existing laws, ensuring that charges for specific services or benefits are not disguised as fees.
HJR22 is a proposed constitutional amendment that aims to enhance transparency in state taxation by redefining certain state-imposed charges as 'regulatory taxes.' The bill seeks to clarify that any fee, levy, surcharge, assessment, penalty, or other charge imposed by the state should be explicitly categorized as a tax if it does not serve a primary revenue-raising purpose. This amendment aims to protect taxpayers from hidden tax increases that could result from the misidentification of these charges.
Supporters of HJR22 argue that this amendment promotes honesty and transparency in government spending, as it would force the state to communicate clearly about costs taxpayers incur. However, opponents express concerns that the amendment could limit the state’s flexibility in revenue generation and potentially lead to political contention over the classifications of various charges. The requirement for reclassification of existing terms could also pose challenges in the legislative process, complicating the law-making framework.
This bill will be put to a vote on November 7, 2017, allowing Texas voters to decide on the proposed changes to state taxation laws. The focus on redefining regulatory taxes reflects broader national debates about government funding and the nature of taxation, suggesting that the outcome could have implications beyond Texas.