By Hamric                                             H.J.R. No. 96

         75R8853 JD-F                           

                                 A JOINT RESOLUTION

 1-1     proposing a constitutional amendment to authorize the legislature

 1-2     to authorize an ad valorem tax of five cents for each $100 of

 1-3     taxable property in rural fire prevention districts located in

 1-4     Harris County.

 1-5           BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

 1-6           SECTION 1.  Section 48-d, Article III, Texas Constitution, is

 1-7     amended to read as follows:

 1-8           Sec. 48-d.  (a)  The Legislature shall have the power to

 1-9     provide for the establishment and creation of rural fire prevention

1-10     districts and, except as provided by Subsection (b) of this

1-11     section, to authorize a tax on the ad valorem property situated in

1-12     said districts not to exceed Three (3 ) Cents on the One Hundred

1-13     ($100.00) Dollars valuation for the support thereof.

1-14           (b)  The Legislature shall have the power to authorize a tax

1-15     on the ad valorem property situated in a rural fire prevention

1-16     district located in whole or part in Harris County not to exceed

1-17     Five (5 ) Cents on the One Hundred ($100.00) Dollars valuation for

1-18     the support of the district.

1-19           (c)  Provided, however, [; provided that] no tax shall be

1-20     levied in support of said districts until approved by vote of the

1-21     people residing therein.

1-22           SECTION 2.  This proposed constitutional amendment shall be

1-23     submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 4, 1997.

1-24     The ballot shall be printed to permit voting for or against the

 2-1     proposition:  "The constitutional amendment to authorize the

 2-2     legislature to authorize an ad valorem tax rate in rural fire

 2-3     prevention districts located in Harris County of five cents on each

 2-4     $100 of taxable value of property."