By:  Zaffirini                                                    S.B. No. 1950


A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to requiring a nonbinding referendum on the question of 
whether the cigarette tax should be increased by $1 per pack and 
whether that increase should be used for certain health and human 
services programs.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  (a)  At the general election to be held November 
4, 2003, the voters shall be permitted to vote in a nonbinding 
referendum on the question of whether the cigarette tax should be 
increased by $1 per pack and whether that increase should be used 
for certain health and human services programs.
	(b)  The ballot shall be printed to permit voting for or 
against the proposition:  "The cigarette tax should be increased by 
$1 per pack and the increase should be used for certain health and 
human services programs."
	(c)  The proposition shall be printed on the ballot beneath 
the proposed constitutional amendments under the heading:  "
Referendum Proposition."
	(d)  Notice of the election shall be given by inclusion of 
the proposition in the proclamation by the governor ordering the 
election on the proposed constitutional amendments to the state 
constitution and in the notice of that election given by each county 
judge.
	(e)  Returns of the votes cast on the proposition shall be 
prepared and canvassed in the same manner as the returns on the 
proposed constitutional amendments.
	(f)  Immediately after the results of the election are 
certified by the governor, the secretary of state shall transmit a 
copy of the certification to the lieutenant governor and the 
speaker of the house of representatives.
	(g)  It is the legislature's strong intention that, though 
the legislature has rarely conducted a referendum on matters of 
statewide importance, the will of the people should be considered 
given the importance of this particular issue in our state.
	SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.