77R13177 DLF-D By Wilson H.J.R. No. 22 Substitute the following for H.J.R. No. 22: By Bosse C.S.H.J.R. No. 22 A JOINT RESOLUTION 1-1 proposing a constitutional amendment relating to certain claims 1-2 against the state and agencies of the state. 1-3 BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-4 SECTION 1. Article XVI, Texas Constitution, is amended by 1-5 adding Section 72 to read as follows: 1-6 Sec. 72. TEMPORARY PROVISION; SOVEREIGN IMMUNITY ABOLISHED 1-7 FOR CERTAIN CLAIMS; TEXAS A&M BONFIRE TRAGEDY; PRAIRIE VIEW A&M VAN 1-8 CRASH TRAGEDY. (a) This section applies only to claims for damages 1-9 for bodily injury or death that were sustained as a result of: 1-10 (1) the Texas A&M bonfire tragedy that occurred on 1-11 November 18, 1999; or 1-12 (2) the Prairie View A&M van crash tragedy that 1-13 occurred on February 10, 2000. 1-14 (b) The sovereign immunity to suit and to liability of this 1-15 state is waived and abolished only to the extent provided by this 1-16 section. A person may sue this state or an agency of this state for 1-17 damages as authorized under this section in the same manner that 1-18 the person may sue a private person or entity. This section 1-19 applies without regard to whether the person's claim is based on 1-20 tort or contract principles or is established under the common law 1-21 or by statute. 1-22 (c) Damages for bodily injury or death awarded in accordance 2-1 with this section may not exceed $250,000 for each individual who 2-2 sustained bodily injury or death. 2-3 (d) To be valid, an action brought under this section must 2-4 be filed not later than November 6, 2002. 2-5 (e) This section expires December 31, 2003. 2-6 SECTION 2. This proposed constitutional amendment shall be 2-7 submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 6, 2001. 2-8 The ballot shall be printed to permit voting for or against the 2-9 proposition: "The constitutional amendment to abolish and waive 2-10 sovereign immunity to suit and to liability for bodily injury or 2-11 death sustained in the Texas A&M Bonfire Tragedy and the Prairie 2-12 View A&M Van Crash Tragedy."