What's on the Ballot in November? During the...


** What's on the Ballot?
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Proposed Constitutional Amendments
November 7, 2023 Election

During the 88th regular and special sessions, the Texas legislature passed 14 joint resolutions proposing amendments to the Texas constitution. These proposals will be up for approval by the voters of Texas on the November 7, 2023 ballot. Included below are the constitutional amendments as they will appear on the ballot, as well as a brief summary of each.

Don't forget to register to vote ([link removed]) by October 10th, so you may participate in deciding on these important amendments.

Proposition 1
H.J.R. 126 ([link removed])
What is says: "The constitutional amendment protecting the right to engage in farming, ranching, timber production, horticulture, and wildlife management."

What it does: Proposition 1 aims to protect landowners' rights to regulate what happens on their own property and limit state or federal interference.

Proposition 2
S.J.R. 64 ([link removed])
What it says: "The constitutional amendment authorizing a local option exemption from ad valorem taxation by a county or municipality of all or part of the appraised value of real property used to operate a child-care facility."

What it does: Proposition 2 would allow city and county governments to offer a property tax exemption to child care facilities.

Proposition 3
H.J.R. 132 ([link removed])
What it says: "The constitutional amendment prohibiting the imposition of an individual wealth or net worth tax, including a tax on the difference between the assets and liabilities of an individual or family."

What it does: Proposition 3 prohibits a wealth tax, based on a person or entity's assets, from being imposed in the future.

Proposition 4
H.J.R. 2 ([link removed])
What it says: "The constitutional amendment to authorize the legislature to establish a temporary limit on the maximum appraised value of real property other than a residence homestead for ad valorem tax purposes; to increase the amount of the exemption from ad valorem taxation by a school district applicable to residence homesteads from $40,000 to $100,000; to adjust the amount of the limitation on school district ad valorem taxes imposed on the residence homesteads of the elderly or disabled to reflect increases in certain exemption amounts; to except certain appropriations to pay for ad valorem tax relief from the constitutional limitation on the rate of growth of appropriations; and to authorize the legislature to provide for a four-year term of office for a member of the board of directors of certain appraisal districts."

What it does: Proposition 4 would authorize a $100,000 property tax exemption for Texans' primary homes; establish a temporary 20% limit on annual value increases for non-homesteaded property worth $5 million or less; require members of appraisal boards in counties of over 750,000 people to serve staggered four-year terms; and prevent funds allocated for property tax relief from going against the state's constitutional spending limit.

Proposition 5
H.J.R. 3 ([link removed])
What it says: "The constitutional amendment relating to the Texas University Fund, which provides funding to certain institutions of higher education to achieve national prominence as major research universities and drive the state economy."
What it does: Proposition 5 would replace Texas' National Research Fund with the Texas University Fund. Four universities--Texas Tech, the University of Houston, the University of North Texas, and Texas State University--would qualify for the research endowment. Roughly $273 million would be set aside for 2024-25.

Proposition 6
S.J.R.75 ([link removed])
What it says: "The constitutional amendment creating the Texas water fund to assist in financing water projects in this state."

What it does: Proposition 6 creates the Texas Water Fund, which would support new and existing water projects across the state. The Texas Water Development Board would oversee the new fund.

Proposition 7
S.J.R. 93 ([link removed])
What it says: "The constitutional amendment providing for the creation of the Texas energy fund to support the construction, maintenance, modernization, and operation of electric generating facilities."

What it does: Proposition 7 creates the Texas Energy Fund to support the construction, maintenance, and operation of electric generating facilities to ensure the state power grid remains reliable. The Public Utility Commission would oversee the new fund. (If this amendment is approved by the voters, the legislature has provided initial funding of $5 billion to begin providing loans and grants from the fund.)

Proposition 8
H.J.R. 125 ([link removed])
What it says: "The constitutional amendment creating the broadband infrastructure fund to expand high-speed broadband access and assist in the financing of connectivity projects."

What it does: Proposition 8 authorizes the creation of the Texas Broadband Infrastructure Fund, which would help expand high-speed internet access statewide. The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts would oversee the fund.

Proposition 9
H.J.R. 2 ([link removed])
What it says: "The constitutional amendment authorizing the 88th Legislature to provide a cost-of-living adjustment to certain annuities of the Teacher Retirement System of Texas."

What it does: Proposition 9 would provide a temporary cost-of-living adjustment to many former teachers. To combat inflation, teachers who retired before 2001 would get a 6% adjustment, those who retired between 2001-2013 would get a 4% adjustment, and those who retired between 2013-2020 would get a 2% adjustment.

Proposition 10
S.J.R.87 ([link removed])
What it says: "The constitutional amendment to authorize the legislature to exempt from ad valorem taxation equipment or inventory held by a manufacturer of medical or biomedical products to protect the Texas healthcare network and strengthen our medical supply chain."

What it does: Proposition 10 would prevent medical and biomedical manufacturers from paying taxes on their tangible personal property, which the majority of businesses are currently taxed on.

Proposition 11
S.J.R. 32 ([link removed])
What it says: "The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to permit conservation and reclamation districts in El Paso County to issue bonds supported by ad valorem taxes to fund development and maintenance of parks and recreational facilities."

What it does: Proposition 11 would create the El Paso County Conservation and Reclamation District. Various counties and regions in Texas have similar districts, which tax local residents to support the creation and development of water services and other facilities.

Proposition 12
H.J.R. 134 ([link removed])
What it says: "The constitutional amendment providing for the abolition of the office of the county treasurer in Galveston County."

What it does: Proposition 12 would eliminate the Galveston County Treasurer's Office. If approved, other county officials would take over the duties of the treasurer. (All Texas voters can vote on the proposition, but it only takes effect if a majority of Galveston County voters authorize it.)

Proposition 13
H.J.R. 107 ([link removed])
What it says: "The constitutional amendment to increase the mandatory age of retirement for state justices and judges."

What it does: Proposition 13 raises the mandatory retirement age of state justices and judges from 75 to 79 years (unless the legislature sets a lower mandatory retirement age).

Proposition 14
S.J.R. 74 ([link removed])
What it says: "The constitutional amendment providing for the creation of the centennial parks conservation fund to be used for the creation and improvement of state parks."

What it does: Proposition 14 creates the Centennial Parks Conservation Fund, which would support the creation and improvement of state parks. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department would oversee the new fund.

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You may find further background and analysis, as well as comments by supporters and opponents of each proposition at the following links:

Texas Legislative Council ([link removed]) or TLC's ([link removed]) condensed version ([link removed])
House Research Organization ([link removed])
Community Impact Article ([link removed])

Be Prepared for Hurricane Season
For links to helpful resources, visit: [link removed]

Texas High School Aerospace Scholars ([link removed]) is an authentic STEM learning experience for Texas high school juniors to engage with NASA’s missions and become the next generation of explorers. "HAS" is a year-long commitment for Texas high school juniors which starts in the fall with a four-month online learning experience related to space exploration, Earth science, technology, and aeronautics. Highest achieving students receive an invitation to a five-day gamified virtual summer experience (Moonshot) mentored by NASA scientists and engineers.

Submit your application for the 2023-2024 High School Aerospace Scholars cycle through NASA’s STEM Gateway ([link removed]) . Applications will be accepted from August 28, 2023 to October 19, 2023 at 2 p.m. CT.

The Texas Legislature Passed HB 3297 ([link removed]) , to eliminate the annual vehicle inspection requirement for most vehicles in Texas. Texas was one of 13 states that still mandated annual inspections for cars.

Texans living in the most-populated counties will still have to appear annually for an emissions test. The 17 counties that require emissions inspections include those surrounding the major metro areas, other than San Antonio: Harris, Fort Bend, Brazoria, Montgomery, Galveston, Williamson, Travis, Dallas, Tarrant, Denton, Collin, Rockwall, Kaufman, Ellis, Johnson, Parker, and El Paso.

When does the law go into effect? In 2025, vehicle safety inspections will be replaced by an annual $7.50 fee - the same as the current inspection fee, but without the need to actually take your vehicle into the shop.

Drivers in new vehicles that have not previously been registered will pay $16.75 upon registration. That money will benefit the Texas mobility fund, the clean air fund and the state’s general revenue.

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