H.J.R. No. 80 



A JOINT RESOLUTION

proposing a constitutional amendment clarifying that certain 
economic development programs do not constitute a debt.
	BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                       
	SECTION 1.  Section 52-a, Article III, Texas Constitution, 
is amended to read as follows:
	Sec. 52-a.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this 
constitution, the legislature may provide for the creation of 
programs and the making of loans and grants of public money, other 
than money otherwise dedicated by this constitution to use for a 
different purpose, for the public purposes of development and 
diversification of the economy of the state, the elimination of 
unemployment or underemployment in the state, the stimulation of 
agricultural innovation, the fostering of the growth of enterprises 
based on agriculture, or the development or expansion of 
transportation or commerce in the state.  Any bonds or other 
obligations of a county, municipality, or other political 
subdivision of the state that are issued for the purpose of making 
loans or grants in connection with a program authorized by the 
legislature under this section and that are payable from ad valorem 
taxes must be approved by a vote of the majority of the registered 
voters of the county, municipality, or political subdivision voting 
on the issue.  A program created or a loan or grant made as provided 
by this section that is not secured by a pledge of ad valorem taxes 
or financed by the issuance of any bonds or other obligations 
payable from ad valorem taxes of the political subdivision does not 
constitute or create a debt for the purpose of any provision of this 
constitution.  An enabling law enacted by the legislature in 
anticipation of the adoption of this amendment is not void because 
of its anticipatory character.
	SECTION 2.  This proposed constitutional amendment shall be 
submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 8, 2005.  
The ballot shall be printed to permit voting for or against the 
proposition:  "The constitutional amendment clarifying that 
certain economic development programs do not constitute a debt."




______________________________              ______________________________
 
 President of the Senate                                 Speaker of the House      

	I certify that H.J.R. No. 80 was passed by the House on May 4, 
2005, by the following vote:  Yeas 121, Nays 12, 1 present, not 
voting; that the House refused to concur in Senate amendments to 
H.J.R. No. 80 on May 27, 2005, and requested the appointment of a 
conference committee to consider the differences between the two 
houses; and that the House adopted the conference committee report 
on H.J.R. No. 80 on May 29, 2005, by the following vote:  Yeas 135, 
Nays 7, 1 present, not voting.

                                                  ______________________________
                                                     Chief Clerk of the House   

	I certify that H.J.R. No. 80 was passed by the Senate, with 
amendments, on May 24, 2005, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 
0; at the request of the House, the Senate appointed a conference 
committee to consider the differences between the two houses; and 
that the Senate adopted the conference committee report on H.J.R. 
No. 80 on May 29, 2005, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.

                                                  ______________________________
                                                      Secretary of the Senate   



RECEIVED: __________________                                                
 
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         __________________                                              
 
         Secretary of State