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A JOINT RESOLUTION
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proposing a constitutional amendment concerning the limitation on |
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the rate of growth of state appropriations. |
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BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 22, Article VIII, Texas Constitution, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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Sec. 22. (a) In no biennium shall the rate of growth of |
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appropriations from state tax revenues not dedicated by this |
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constitution exceed a rate equal to the sum of the estimated rates |
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[rate of growth] of: |
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(1) increase or decrease in the state's population |
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during the biennium preceding the state fiscal biennium for which |
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the appropriations are made; and |
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(2) monetary inflation or deflation in this state |
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during the state fiscal biennium preceding the biennium for which |
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the appropriations are made [economy]. |
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(b) If the sum of the estimated rate of increase or decrease |
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of the state's population and the estimated rate of monetary |
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inflation or deflation in this state during that preceding state |
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fiscal biennium results in a negative number, the appropriations |
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from state tax revenues not dedicated by this constitution may not |
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exceed the amount determined by multiplying that negative number |
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and the estimated amount of appropriations from state tax revenues |
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not dedicated by this constitution for that preceding biennium. |
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(c) The legislature shall provide by general law procedures |
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to implement Subsections (a) and (b) of this section [subsection]. |
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(d) [(b)] If the legislature by adoption of a resolution |
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approved by a record vote of a majority of the members of each house |
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finds that an emergency exists and identifies the nature of the |
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emergency, the legislature may provide for appropriations in excess |
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of the amount authorized by Subsections [Subsection] (a) and (b) of |
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this section. The excess authorized under this subsection may not |
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exceed the amount specified in the resolution. |
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(e) [(c)] In no case shall appropriations exceed revenues |
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as provided in Article III, Section 49a, of this constitution. |
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Nothing in this section shall be construed to alter, amend, or |
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repeal Article III, Section 49a, of this constitution. |
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SECTION 2. This proposed constitutional amendment shall be |
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submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 6, 2012. |
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The ballot shall be printed to permit voting for or against the |
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proposition: "The constitutional amendment regarding the |
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limitation on the rate of growth in appropriations." |