By Carter                                             H.J.R. No. 87
         77R2777 MXM-D                           
                                 A JOINT RESOLUTION
 1-1     proposing a constitutional amendment increasing the maximum tax
 1-2     rate allowed on property in emergency service and rural fire
 1-3     prevention districts.
 1-4           BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-5           SECTION 1. Section 48-d, Article III, Texas Constitution, is
 1-6     amended to read as follows:
 1-7           Sec. 48-d. (a)  The Legislature shall have the power to
 1-8     provide for the establishment and creation of rural fire prevention
 1-9     districts and[, except as provided by Subsection (b) of this
1-10     section,] to authorize a tax on the ad valorem property situated in
1-11     said districts not to exceed 10 [Three (3 )] Cents on the One
1-12     Hundred [($100.00)] Dollars valuation for the support thereof.
1-13           (b)  [The Legislature shall have the power to authorize a tax
1-14     on the ad valorem property situated in a rural fire prevention
1-15     district located in whole or part in Harris County not to exceed
1-16     Five (5 ) Cents on the One Hundred ($100.00) Dollars valuation for
1-17     the support of the district.]
1-18           [(c)]  Provided, however, no tax shall be levied in support
1-19     of said districts until approved by vote of the people residing
1-20     therein.
1-21           SECTION 2. Section 48-e, Article III, Texas Constitution, is
1-22     amended to read as follows:
1-23           Sec. 48-e.  Laws may be enacted to provide for the
1-24     establishment and creation of special districts to provide
 2-1     emergency services and to authorize the commissioners courts of
 2-2     participating counties to levy a tax on the ad valorem property
 2-3     situated in said districts not to exceed 15 [Ten] Cents [(10 )] on
 2-4     the One Hundred Dollars [($100.00)] valuation for the support
 2-5     thereof; provided that no tax shall be levied in support of said
 2-6     districts until approved by a vote of the qualified voters residing
 2-7     therein.  Such a district may provide emergency medical services,
 2-8     emergency ambulance services, rural fire prevention and control
 2-9     services, or other emergency services authorized by the
2-10     Legislature.
2-11           SECTION 3. This proposed constitutional amendment shall be
2-12     submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 6, 2001.
2-13     The ballot shall be printed to permit voting for or against the
2-14     proposition:  "The constitutional amendment increasing the maximum
2-15     tax rate allowed on property in emergency service and rural fire
2-16     prevention districts."