Bill Text: TX SJR2 | 2015-2016 | 84th Legislature | Comm Sub


Bill Title: Proposing a constitutional amendment concerning the limitation on the rate of growth in appropriations.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 8-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2015-04-14 - Not again placed on intent calendar [SJR2 Detail]

Download: Texas-2015-SJR2-Comm_Sub.html
 
 
  By: Hancock, Birdwell, Creighton S.J.R. No. 2
         (In the Senate - Filed March 10, 2015; March 10, 2015, read
  first time and referred to Committee on Finance; April 7, 2015,
  reported adversely, with favorable Committee Substitute by the
  following vote:  Yeas 9, Nays 5; April 7, 2015, sent to printer.)
Click here to see the committee vote
 
  COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.J.R. No. 2 By:  Hancock
 
 
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION
 
 
  proposing a constitutional amendment concerning the limitation on
  the rate of growth in 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)  For purposes of this section, "consolidated
  general revenue appropriations" means appropriations from:
               (1)  the general revenue fund in the state treasury;
               (2)  a dedicated account in the general revenue fund in
  the state treasury; or
               (3)  a general revenue-related fund in the state
  treasury as identified in the biennial statement required of the
  comptroller of public accounts under Section 49a, Article III, of
  this constitution. 
         (b)  In no state fiscal biennium shall the rate of growth of
  consolidated general revenue appropriations [from state tax
  revenues not dedicated by this constitution] exceed the estimated
  average biennial rate of growth of the state's population during
  the state fiscal biennium preceding the biennium for which
  appropriations are made and during the state fiscal biennium for
  which appropriations are made adjusted by the estimated average
  biennial rate of monetary inflation in this state during the same
  period [economy].
         (c)  Notwithstanding Subsection (b) of this section, an
  appropriation to pay for a rebate of state taxes must be excluded
  from computations used to determine whether appropriations exceed
  the amount authorized by this section.
         (d)  The rates described by Subsection (b) of this section
  shall be determined in the manner provided by general law.  If the
  determined rate is a negative number, consolidated general revenue
  appropriations for the next state fiscal biennium may not exceed
  the consolidated general revenue appropriations in the current
  state fiscal biennium.
         (e)  The legislature shall provide by general law procedures
  to implement Subsections (b), (c), and (d) of this section
  [subsection].
         (f) [(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 (b) 
  [(a)] of this section. The excess authorized under this subsection
  may not exceed the amount specified in the resolution.
         (g) [(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.  This proposed constitutional amendment shall be
  submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 3, 2015.  
  The ballot shall be printed to permit voting for or against the
  proposition:  "The constitutional amendment concerning the
  limitation on the rate of growth in appropriations."
 
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