88R19559 BEE-F
By: Parker, et al. S.J.R. No. 74
(Walle, Holland)
Substitute the following for S.J.R. No. 74: No.
A JOINT RESOLUTION
proposing a constitutional amendment providing for the creation of
the centennial parks conservation fund.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Article III, Texas Constitution, is amended by
adding Section 49-e-1 to read as follows:
Sec. 49-e-1. (a) The centennial parks conservation fund is
established as a trust fund outside the treasury. In accordance
with general law, the fund may be used only for the creation and
improvement of state parks.
(b) The centennial parks conservation fund consists of:
(1) money appropriated to the fund;
(2) money transferred or deposited to the credit of
the fund by general law;
(3) investment earnings and interest earned on amounts
credited to the fund; and
(4) gifts, grants, and donations received for the
fund.
(c) The legislature may appropriate money from the
centennial parks conservation fund to the Parks and Wildlife
Department or the department's successor in function for the
purposes prescribed for the fund by this section and general law.
(d) For purposes of Section 22, Article VIII, of this
constitution:
(1) money in the centennial parks conservation fund is
dedicated by this constitution; and
(2) an appropriation of state tax revenues for the
purpose of depositing money to the credit of the fund is treated as
if it were an appropriation of revenues dedicated by this
constitution.
(d-1) On January 1, 2024, the comptroller of public accounts
shall transfer $1 billion of the unencumbered balance of the
general revenue fund that exists on that date to the centennial
parks conservation fund. This subsection expires December 31,
2024.
SECTION 2. This proposed constitutional amendment shall be
submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 7, 2023.
The ballot shall be printed to permit voting for or against the
proposition: "The constitutional amendment providing for the
creation of the centennial parks conservation fund to be used for
the creation and improvement of state parks."