TITLE: Proposing a constitutional amendment regarding the limitation on the rate of growth of appropriations.

SUMMARY: Proposing a constitutional amendment regarding the limitation on the rate of growth of appropriations.

FULL TEXT:
85(1) HJR 1-House Committee Report version-Bill Text 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."