TITLE: Proposing a constitutional amendment to restrict the power of the legislature to mandate unfunded or underfunded costs and requirements on a school district.

SUMMARY: Proposing a constitutional amendment to restrict the power of the legislature to mandate unfunded or underfunded costs and requirements on a school district.

FULL TEXT:
89(R) HJR 207-Introduced version-Bill Text 89R18393 KRM-D By: Plesa H.J.R. No. 207 A JOINT RESOLUTION proposing a constitutional amendment to restrict the power of the legislature to mandate unfunded or underfunded costs and requirements on a school district. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Article VII, Texas Constitution, is amended by adding Section 8a to read as follows: Sec. 8a. (a) The legislature may not enact a law that requires a school district to comply with an unfunded or underfunded mandate that establishes, expands, or modifies a duty or activity of the school district and requires an expenditure of revenue by the school district, unless the legislature appropriates or otherwise provides, from a source other than the revenue of the school district, for the payment or reimbursement of the costs incurred by the school district in complying with the mandate. (b) Any proposed legislation that requires an expenditure of revenue by a school district to comply with a mandate must include a detailed fiscal impact statement estimating the projected cost to each school district affected by the proposed legislation. SECTION 2. This proposed constitutional amendment shall be submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 4, 2025. The ballot shall be printed to permit voting for or against the proposition: "The constitutional amendment to restrict the power of the legislature to mandate unfunded or underfunded costs and requirements on a school district."