By Isett H.J.R. No. 79
76R6684 GCH-D
A JOINT RESOLUTION
1-1 proposing a constitutional amendment relating to the restriction on
1-2 the rate of growth of appropriations.
1-3 BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-4 SECTION 1. Sections 22(a) and (b), Article VIII, Texas
1-5 Constitution, are amended to read as follows:
1-6 (a) In no biennium shall the rate of growth of
1-7 appropriations from all sources except the federal government
1-8 [state tax revenues not dedicated by this constitution] exceed the
1-9 estimated rate of growth of total personal income in the state [the
1-10 state's economy]. If an estimate of the rate of growth of total
1-11 personal income in the state for a fiscal biennium exceeds the
1-12 actual rate of growth by more than 10 percent, the estimate for
1-13 the next biennium shall be adjusted downward by the amount of
1-14 overestimation. The legislature shall provide by general law
1-15 procedures to implement this subsection.
1-16 (b) If the legislature by adoption of a resolution approved
1-17 by a record vote of two-thirds [a majority] of the members of each
1-18 house finds that an emergency exists and identifies the nature of
1-19 the emergency, the legislature may provide for appropriations in
1-20 excess of the amount authorized by Subsection (a) of this section.
1-21 The excess authorized under this subsection may not exceed the
1-22 amount specified in the resolution.
1-23 SECTION 2. This proposed constitutional amendment shall be
1-24 submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 2, 1999.
2-1 The ballot shall be printed to permit voting for or against the
2-2 proposition: "The constitutional amendment to limit the growth of
2-3 the state budget to the rate of growth in Texas personal income."