By Chavez H.J.R. No. 88 75R7006 CLG-F A JOINT RESOLUTION 1-1 proposing a constitutional amendment to allow equal access to 1-2 public services, assistance, and benefits to all United States 1-3 legal residents. 1-4 BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-5 SECTION 1. Article III, Texas Constitution, is amended by 1-6 adding Section 51-e to read as follows: 1-7 Sec. 51-e. Except as required by federal law, the 1-8 legislature or a county, municipality, or other political 1-9 subdivison of the state may not withhold or restrict the use of 1-10 public money to provide services, assistance, or benefits to a 1-11 person who is not a citizen of the United States but is a legal 1-12 resident of the United States as authorized by federal law if the 1-13 sole reason for that withholding or restriction is the person's 1-14 status as a noncitizen. 1-15 SECTION 2. This proposed constitutional amendment shall be 1-16 submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 4, 1997. 1-17 The ballot shall be printed to provide for voting for or against 1-18 the following proposition: "The constitutional amendment to allow 1-19 equal access to public services, assistance, and benefits to all 1-20 United States legal residents."