85S12059 CJC-D
By: Bonnen of Galveston H.J.R. No. 1
Substitute the following for H.J.R. No. 1:
By: Miller C.S.H.J.R. No. 1
A JOINT RESOLUTION
proposing a constitutional amendment regarding the limitation on
the rate of growth of appropriations.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 22, Article VIII, Texas Constitution, is
amended to read as follows:
Sec. 22. (a) The rate of growth of appropriations from all
sources of state revenue other than the federal government may not
in any [In no] biennium exceed the estimated [shall the] rate of
growth in this state's population during the biennium for which
appropriations are made, adjusted by the estimated rate of
inflation in this state during the same period [of appropriations
from state tax revenues not dedicated by this constitution exceed
the estimated rate of growth of the state's economy]. The
legislature by general law shall provide [by general law]
procedures to implement this subsection.
(b) If the legislature by adoption of a resolution approved
by a record vote of three-fifths [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 amount authorized under this subsection may not exceed
the amount specified in the resolution.
(c) In no case shall appropriations exceed revenues as
provided in Section 49a, Article III, [Section 49a,] of this
constitution. Nothing in this section shall be construed to alter,
amend, or repeal Section 49a, Article III, [Section 49a,] of this
constitution.
SECTION 2. The following temporary provision is added to
the Texas Constitution:
TEMPORARY PROVISION. (a) This temporary provision applies
to the constitutional amendment proposed by the 85th Legislature,
1st Called Session, 2017, regarding the limitation on the rate of
growth of appropriations.
(b) The amendments to Section 22, Article VIII, of this
constitution apply only in relation to appropriations made for the
state fiscal biennium beginning September 1, 2019, and subsequent
state fiscal bienniums.
(c) This temporary provision expires January 1, 2020.
SECTION 3. 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 permit voting for or against the
proposition: "The constitutional amendment regarding the
limitation on the rate of growth of appropriations."