Texas Voters Approve All But One Constitutional Amendment

Texas voters approved 13 amendments to the Texas Constitution on the November ballot. The only proposed amendment that failed to pass was Proposition 13, which sought to increase the mandatory age of retirement for state justices and judges.

Each amendment was approved by at least two-thirds of both the state House and Senate during the regular or special sessions of the 88th Texas Legislature before being placed on the ballot.

Proposition 1 (HJR 126) protects the right to engage in farming, ranching, timber production, horticulture, and wildlife management.

Proposition 2  (SJR 64) authorizes an optional local property tax exemption for child-care facilities.

Proposition 3 (HJR 132) prohibits 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.

Proposition 4 (HJR 2 from the second special session) authorized the legislature to establish a temporary limit on the maximum appraised value of real property other than a residence homestead for property tax purposes; to increase the amount of the exemption from property 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 property 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 property 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.

Proposition 5 (HJR 3) designates an annual allotment of state funds from the economic stabilization fund to the renamed 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.

Proposition 6 (SJR 75) creates the Texas water fund to assist in financing water projects in this state.

Proposition 7 (SJR 93) provides for the creation of the Texas energy fund to support the construction, maintenance, modernization, and operation of electric generating facilities.

Proposition 8 (HJR 125) creates the broadband infrastructure fund to expand high-speed broadband access and assist in the financing of connectivity projects.

Proposition 9 (HJR 2 from the regular session) authorizes the 88th Legislature to provide a cost-of-living adjustment to certain annuitants of the Teacher Retirement System of Texas.

Proposition 10 (SJR 87) authorizes the legislature to exempt from ad valorem taxation equipment or inventory held by a manufacturer of medical or biomedical products.

Proposition 11 (SJR 32) authorizes the legislature to permit conservation and reclamation districts in El Paso County to issue bonds supported by property taxes to fund the development and maintenance of parks and recreational facilities.

Proposition 12 (HJR 134) abolishes the office of county treasurer in Galveston County.

Proposition 14 (SJR 74) created the centennial parks conservation fund to be used for the creation and improvement of state parks. 

Sydnie Henry

A born and bred Texan, Sydnie serves as the Managing Editor for Texas Scorecard. She graduated from Patrick Henry College with a B.A. in Government and is utilizing her research and writing skills to spread truth to Texans.