By:  Shelley                                           S.J.R. No. 3
       73R1984 CAG-F
                                  A JOINT RESOLUTION
    1-1  proposing a constitutional amendment relating to the lending or
    1-2  granting of public money, a thing of value, or credit by a county
    1-3  in case of a disaster.
    1-4        BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
    1-5        SECTION 1.  Article III, Section 52, Subsection (a) of the
    1-6  Texas Constitution is amended to read as follows:
    1-7        (a)  Except as otherwise provided by this section, the
    1-8  Legislature shall have no power to authorize any county, city, town
    1-9  or other political corporation or subdivision of the State to lend
   1-10  its credit or to grant public money or thing of value in aid of, or
   1-11  to any individual, association or corporation whatsoever, or to
   1-12  become a stockholder in such corporation, association or company.
   1-13  However, this section does not prohibit the use of public funds, a
   1-14  thing of value, or credit:
   1-15              (1)  by a county if the county judge declares that
   1-16  there is a disaster affecting life or property in the county and if
   1-17  the funds, thing of value, or credit is lent or granted only to
   1-18  protect life or property and only with the property owner's or
   1-19  resident's consent; or
   1-20              (2)  for the payment of premiums on nonassessable life,
   1-21  health, or accident insurance policies and annuity contracts issued
   1-22  by a mutual insurance company authorized to do business in this
   1-23  State.
   1-24        SECTION 2.  This proposed constitutional amendment shall be
    2-1  submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 2, 1993.
    2-2  The ballot shall be printed to provide for voting for or against
    2-3  the proposition:  "The constitutional amendment permitting a county
    2-4  to provide assistance funds, a thing of value, or credit to protect
    2-5  life or property during a disaster."