By Shapiro                                            S.J.R. No. 12
         77R3898 JD-D                           
                                 A JOINT RESOLUTION
 1-1     proposing a constitutional amendment in aid of turnpikes, toll
 1-2     roads, and toll bridges.
 1-3           BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-4           SECTION 1.  Section 52-b, Article III, Texas Constitution, is
 1-5     amended to read as follows:
 1-6           Sec. 52-b.  The Legislature shall have no power or authority
 1-7     to in any manner lend the credit of the State or grant any public
 1-8     money to, or assume any indebtedness, present or future, bonded or
 1-9     otherwise, of any individual, person, firm, partnership,
1-10     association, corporation, public corporation, public agency, or
1-11     political subdivision of the State, or anyone else, which is now or
1-12     hereafter authorized to construct, maintain or operate toll roads
1-13     and turnpikes within this State except that the Legislature may
1-14     authorize the Texas Department of Transportation to expend, grant,
1-15     or loan money, from any source available, for the acquisition,
1-16     construction, maintenance, and operation [costs] of turnpikes, toll
1-17     roads, and [or] toll bridges [of the Texas Turnpike Authority, or
1-18     successor agency, provided that any monies expended out of the
1-19     state highway fund shall be repaid to the fund from tolls or other
1-20     turnpike revenue].
1-21           SECTION 2.  This proposed constitutional amendment shall be
1-22     submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 6, 2001.
1-23     The ballot shall be printed to permit voting for or against the
1-24     proposition: "The constitutional amendment to authorize the Texas
 2-1     Department of Transportation to expend, grant, or loan money for
 2-2     turnpikes, toll roads, and toll bridges."