82R390 MAW-D
 
  By: Hancock H.J.R. No. 59
 
 
 
A JOINT RESOLUTION
  proposing a constitutional amendment requiring certain tax bills to
  be approved by two-thirds of all the members elected to each house
  of the legislature.
         BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Article VIII, Texas Constitution, is amended by
  adding Section 25 to read as follows:
         Sec. 25.  (a) An affirmative record vote of two-thirds of
  all the members elected to each house of the legislature on final
  consideration in each house is required for passage of a bill that:
               (1)  imposes a new state tax; or
               (2)  increases the rate of an existing state tax above
  the rate in effect on the date the bill was filed.
         (b)  This section does not apply to a bill that amends:
               (1)  the manner in which a state tax is computed;
               (2)  the manner in which a state tax is administered or
  enforced; or
               (3)  the applicability of a state tax.
         (c)  In this section, "state tax" does not include:
               (1)  a tax or other levy imposed by a political
  subdivision of this state;
               (2)  a fine, penalty, or interest charge;
               (3)  a charge for a specific service, property, or
  other item in an amount that reasonably relates to the value of the
  service, property, or item; or
               (4)  a fee, including a filing fee, license or
  registration fee, or application fee.
         SECTION 2.  This proposed constitutional amendment shall be
  submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 8, 2011.
  The ballot shall be printed to permit voting for or against the
  proposition: "The constitutional amendment requiring a bill that
  imposes or increases the rate of a state tax to be approved by
  two-thirds of all the members elected to each house of the
  legislature."