By Green                                               H.J.R. No. 8
         76R5825 GJH-D                           
                                 A JOINT RESOLUTION
 1-1     proposing a constitutional amendment to authorize the ad valorem
 1-2     taxation of property owned by a  municipality in certain
 1-3     circumstances.
 1-4           BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-5           SECTION 1.  Section 9, Article XI, Texas Constitution, is
 1-6     amended to read as follows:
 1-7           Sec. 9.  (a)  Except as provided by Subsection (b), the [The]
 1-8     property of counties, cities and towns, owned and held only for
 1-9     public purposes, such as public buildings and the sites therefor,
1-10     fire engines and the furniture thereof, and all property used, or
1-11     intended for extinguishing fires, public grounds and all other
1-12     property devoted exclusively to the use and benefit of the public
1-13     shall be exempt from forced sale and from taxation, provided,
1-14     nothing herein shall prevent the enforcement of the vendors lien,
1-15     the mechanics or builders lien, or other liens now existing.
1-16           (b)  The legislature by general law may authorize a political
1-17     subdivision of this state to tax real property owned by a city or
1-18     town if the real  property is located in a county in which less
1-19     than 20 percent of the territory of the city or town is located.
1-20           SECTION 2.  This proposed constitutional amendment shall be
1-21     submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 2, 1999.
1-22     The ballot shall be printed to permit voting for or against the
1-23     proposition: "The constitutional amendment to authorize the
1-24     taxation of real property that is owned by a city or town and that
 2-1     is located in a county in which less than 20 percent of the city or
 2-2     town is located."