85R1033 MK-D By: Taylor of Collin, et al. S.J.R. No. 25 A JOINT RESOLUTION proposing a constitutional amendment requiring that any appropriations in excess of the constitutional spending limit be approved by a two-thirds vote of all the members elected to each house of the legislature. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 22(b), Article VIII, Texas Constitution, is amended to read as follows: (b) If the legislature by adoption of a resolution approved by a record vote of two-thirds [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. SECTION 2. This proposed constitutional amendment shall be submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 7, 2017. The ballot shall be printed to provide for voting for or against the proposition: "The constitutional amendment requiring that any appropriations in excess of the constitutional spending limit be approved by a two-thirds vote of all the members elected to each house of the legislature."