83R203 JJT-F
 
  By: Callegari H.J.R. No. 23
 
 
 
A JOINT RESOLUTION
  proposing a constitutional amendment concerning the limitation on
  the rate of growth of state 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)  In no biennium shall the rate of growth of
  appropriations from all sources of revenue other than the federal
  government [state tax revenues not dedicated by this constitution]
  exceed a rate equal to the sum of the estimated rates [rate] of
  increase or decrease, during the biennium preceding the biennium
  for which the appropriations are made, [growth] of:
               (1)  the state's population; and
               (2)  inflation or deflation in this state in the prices
  of goods [economy].
         (b)  The rates described by Subsection (a) of this section
  shall be estimated in the manner provided by general law.  If the
  sum of those estimated rates is a negative number, appropriations
  for the biennium from all sources of revenue other than the federal
  government must decrease by a rate at least equal to the sum of
  those estimated rates.
         (c)  In this section, the rate of change of appropriations
  from all sources of revenue other than the federal government is the
  percentage difference between:
               (1)  the amount of money appropriated for the current
  biennium from those sources as estimated in the manner prescribed
  by law at or near the time the legislature convenes in regular
  session during the current biennium; and
               (2)  the amount of money appropriated for the next
  biennium from those sources as finally estimated by the comptroller
  at the times the Acts making appropriations are considered by the
  comptroller under Article III, Section 49a, of this constitution.
         (d)  The legislature shall provide by general law procedures
  to implement Subsections (a), (b), and (c) of this section
  [subsection].
         (e) [(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.
         (f) [(c)]  In no case shall appropriations exceed revenues
  as provided in Article III, Section 49a, of this constitution.
  Nothing in this section shall be construed to alter, amend, or
  repeal Article III, Section 49a, of this constitution.
         SECTION 2.  Section 49a, Article III, Texas Constitution, is
  amended by adding Subsections (c) and (d) to read as follows:
         (c)  A bill containing an appropriation may not be considered
  as passed and may not be sent to the Governor for consideration
  until the Comptroller of Public Accounts endorses on the bill the
  Comptroller's certificate showing that the amount appropriated
  does not exceed the limitation on the rate of growth of
  appropriations imposed by Section 22, Article VIII, of this
  constitution.
         (d)  When the Comptroller of Public Accounts finds that a
  bill containing an appropriation exceeds the limitation on the rate
  of growth of appropriations imposed by Section 22, Article VIII, of
  this constitution, the Comptroller shall endorse that finding on
  the bill, return the bill to the House in which it originated, and
  immediately notify the House of Representatives and the Senate of
  the finding.
         SECTION 3.  This proposed constitutional amendment shall be
  submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 4, 2014.  
  The ballot shall be printed to permit voting for or against the
  proposition: "The constitutional amendment regarding the
  limitation on the rate of growth in appropriations."