AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

In 2001, answering the call of then-Governor Rick Perry, the Texas Legislature passed and voters approved constitutional amendment (Senate Joint Resolution 37) that was aimed at providing critical help to address the substandard development in Texas' colonias by funding critical colonia access roads that were lacking in the colonias.  S.J.R. 37 provided for limited assistance that addressed only a fraction of the need. 

 

S.J.R. 48 addresses the lack of funding in the program by providing another referendum for an additional $100 million to be added to the program, upon voter ratification.

 

S.J.R. 48 proposes a constitutional amendment authorizing the issuance of additional obligations to provide financial assistance to counties for roadways to serve border colonias.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

 

SECTION 1. Amends Section 49-l(a), Article III, Texas Constitution, as follows:

 

(a) Authorizes the legislature by general law to authorize the governor to authorize the Texas Public Finance Authority or its successor to issue general obligation bonds or notes of the State of Texas in an aggregate amount not to exceed $275 million, rather than $175 million, and to enter into related credit agreements to fund financial assistance to counties for roadways to serve border colonias. Provides that the proceeds from the sale of the bonds and notes are authorized to be used only to provide financial assistance to counties for border colonia roadway projects, including projects to provide access roads to connect border colonias with public roads outside the colonias, except as provided by Subsection (c) (authorizing the legislature to call an election during any regular session of the legislature or during any special session of the legislature in which the subject of the election is designated in the governor's proclamation for that special session) of this section. Authorizes projects to include the construction of colonia roads and access roads, the acquisition of materials used in maintaining colonia roads and access roads, and projects related to the construction of colonia roads and access roads, such as projects for the drainage of the roads.

 

SECTION 2. Requires this proposed constitutional amendment to be submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 3, 2015. Sets forth the language to be used in the ballot.