By Culberson H.J.R. No. 51 75R1841 JBN-F A JOINT RESOLUTION 1-1 proposing a constitutional amendment to require a two-thirds vote 1-2 of the membership of each house of the legislature to enact certain 1-3 tax bills. 1-4 BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-5 SECTION 1. Article VIII, Texas Constitution, is amended by 1-6 adding Section 25 to read as follows: 1-7 Sec. 25. (a) The legislature may not impose a state tax, 1-8 increase the rate of a state tax, or extend the application of a 1-9 state tax to a new class of persons, property, transactions, or 1-10 other items unless approved by an affirmative vote of at least 1-11 two-thirds of the membership of each house. 1-12 (b) This section does not apply to the repeal or amendment 1-13 of an exemption or other exception expressly provided by statute on 1-14 September 1, 1997. 1-15 (c) This section does not apply to the imposition, increase, 1-16 or extension of a fee if the revenue from the fee is required to be 1-17 used for purposes related to the activity for which the fee is 1-18 imposed. 1-19 SECTION 2. This proposed constitutional amendment shall be 1-20 submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 4, 1997. 1-21 The ballot shall be printed to permit voting for or against the 1-22 proposition: "The constitutional amendment to require a two-thirds 1-23 vote of each house of the legislature for the imposition, increase, 1-24 or extension of a state tax."