82R175 JJT-F
 
  By: Callegari H.J.R. No. 42
 
 
 
A JOINT RESOLUTION
  proposing a constitutional amendment concerning the limitation on
  the rate of growth of state appropriations and the use of
  unencumbered surplus state revenues to provide for a rebate of
  state franchise taxes, to reduce public school district property
  taxes, and to fund the state's rainy day fund.
         BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 22, Article VIII, Texas Constitution, is
  amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 22.  (a) In no biennium shall the rate of growth of
  appropriations from all sources of revenue other than the federal
  government [state tax revenues not dedicated by this constitution]
  exceed a rate equal to the sum of the estimated rates [rate] of
  increase or decrease, during the biennium preceding the biennium
  for which the appropriations are made, [growth] of:
               (1)  the state's population; and
               (2)  inflation or deflation in this state in the prices
  of goods [economy].
         (b)  The rates described by Subsection (a) of this section
  shall be estimated in the manner provided by general law. If the
  sum of those estimated rates is a negative number, appropriations
  for the biennium from all sources of revenue other than the federal
  government must decrease by a rate at least equal to the sum of
  those estimated rates.
         (c)  In this section, the rate of change of appropriations
  from all sources of revenue other than the federal government is the
  percentage difference between:
               (1)  the amount of money appropriated for the current
  biennium from those sources as estimated in the manner prescribed
  by law at or near the time the legislature convenes in regular
  session during the current biennium; and
               (2)  the amount of money appropriated for the next
  biennium from those sources as finally estimated by the comptroller
  at the times the Acts making appropriations are considered by the
  comptroller under Article III, Section 49a, of this constitution.
         (d)  The legislature shall provide by general law procedures
  to implement Subsections (a), (b), and (c) of this section
  [subsection].
         (e) [(b)]  If the legislature by adoption of a resolution
  approved by a record vote of two-thirds [a majority] of the members
  of each house finds that an emergency exists and identifies the
  nature of the emergency, the legislature may provide for
  appropriations in excess of the amount authorized by Subsection (a)
  of this section. The excess authorized under this subsection may
  not exceed the amount specified in the resolution.
         (f) [(c)]  In no case shall appropriations exceed revenues
  as provided in Article III, Section 49a, of this constitution.
  Nothing in this section shall be construed to alter, amend, or
  repeal Article III, Section 49a, of this constitution.
         SECTION 2.  Section 49a, Article III, Texas Constitution, is
  amended by adding Subsections (c) and (d) to read as follows:
         (c)  A bill containing an appropriation may not be considered
  as passed and may not be sent to the Governor for consideration
  until the Comptroller of Public Accounts endorses on the bill the
  Comptroller's certificate showing that the amount appropriated
  does not exceed the limitation on the rate of growth of
  appropriations imposed by Section 22, Article VIII, of this
  constitution.
         (d)  When the Comptroller of Public Accounts finds that a
  bill containing an appropriation exceeds the limitation on the rate
  of growth of appropriations imposed by Section 22, Article VIII, of
  this constitution, the Comptroller shall endorse that finding on
  the bill, return the bill to the House in which it originated, and
  immediately notify the House of Representatives and the Senate of
  the finding.
         SECTION 3.  Subsection (b), Section 49-g, Article III, Texas
  Constitution, is amended to read as follows:
         (b)  The comptroller shall, not later than the 90th day of
  each biennium, transfer to the economic stabilization fund 25
  percent [one-half] of any unencumbered positive balance of general
  revenues on the last day of the preceding biennium. If necessary,
  the comptroller shall reduce the amount transferred in proportion
  to the other amounts prescribed by this section to prevent the
  amount in the fund from exceeding the limit in effect for that
  biennium under Subsection (g) of this section. For purposes of this
  subsection, general revenues are considered encumbered on the last
  day of a biennium only to the extent that general revenues are
  subject to payment for particular identifiable and legally
  enforceable obligations of this state that were incurred on or
  before that day and intended to be paid out of appropriations for
  that biennium.
         SECTION 4.  Article III, Texas Constitution, is amended by
  adding Section 49-g-1 to read as follows:
         Sec. 49-g-1.  (a) Not later than the 90th day of each state
  fiscal biennium, the comptroller shall ascertain the amount of the
  unencumbered positive balance of general revenues on the last day
  of the preceding state fiscal biennium that remains after the
  transfer of revenues to the economic stabilization fund under
  Subsection (b), Section 49-g, Article III, of this constitution.
  For purposes of this subsection, general revenues are considered
  encumbered on the last day of a state fiscal biennium only to the
  extent that general revenues are subject to payment for particular
  identifiable and legally enforceable obligations of this state that
  were incurred on or before that day and intended to be paid out of
  appropriations for that state fiscal biennium.
         (b)  The legislature by general law shall provide a procedure
  by which the comptroller shall issue to payers of this state's
  franchise tax a rebate of franchise taxes paid during the preceding
  state fiscal biennium such that:
               (1)  the total amount of rebates issued equals
  one-third of the amount of the remaining unencumbered positive
  balance of general revenues ascertained under Subsection (a) of
  this section, not to exceed the total amount of state franchise
  taxes collected during that preceding state fiscal biennium; and
               (2)  each payer of the franchise tax during that
  preceding state fiscal biennium receives a share of the total
  amount of rebates issued that is directly proportionate to the
  share that the amount of that taxpayer's franchise taxes paid
  during that preceding state fiscal biennium bears to the total
  amount of franchise taxes collected during that preceding state
  fiscal biennium.
         (c)  Not later than the 91st day of each state fiscal
  biennium, the comptroller shall transfer to the property tax relief
  fund established by general law two-thirds of the amount of the
  unencumbered positive balance of general revenues ascertained
  under Subsection (a) of this section to be used for reducing public
  school district property taxes as provided by general law.
         SECTION 5.  (a) This proposed constitutional amendment
  shall be submitted to the voters at an election to be held November
  6, 2012.
         (b)  The ballot shall be printed to permit voting for or
  against the proposition: "The constitutional amendment regarding
  the limitation on the rate of growth in appropriations and the use
  of unencumbered surplus state revenues to provide for a rebate of
  state franchise taxes, to reduce public school district property
  taxes, and to fund the state's rainy day fund."