84R13653 CJC-D
 
  By: Hancock S.J.R. No. 2
 
 
 
A JOINT RESOLUTION
  proposing a constitutional amendment concerning the limitation on
  the rate of growth in appropriations.
         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 subject to certification by the comptroller of
  public accounts under Section 49a(b), Article III, of this
  constitution, [from state tax revenues not dedicated by this
  constitution] exceed a rate equal to the sum of the rates [estimated
  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 [economy].
         (b)  Notwithstanding Subsection (a) of this section, an
  appropriation to pay for a rebate of state taxes must be excluded
  from computations used to determine whether appropriations exceed
  the amount authorized by that subsection.
         (c)  The rates described by Subsection (a) of this section
  shall be determined in the manner provided by general law.  If the
  sum of those rates is a negative number, appropriations for the
  biennium that are subject to certification by the comptroller of
  public accounts under Section 49a(b), Article III, of this
  constitution, may not exceed the appropriations from those sources
  in the current state fiscal biennium.
         (d)  In this section, the rate of change of appropriations
  that are subject to certification by the comptroller of public
  accounts under Section 49a(b), Article III, of this constitution,
  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 Section 49a, Article III, of this constitution.
         (e)  The legislature shall provide by general law procedures
  to implement Subsections (a), (b), (c), and (d) of this section
  [subsection].
         (f) [(b)]  If the legislature by adoption of a resolution
  approved by a record vote of three-fifths [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.
         (g) [(c)]  In no case shall appropriations exceed revenues
  as provided in Section 49a, Article III, [Section 49a,] of this
  constitution. Nothing in this section shall be construed to alter,
  amend, or repeal Section 49a, Article III, [Section 49a,] of this
  constitution.
         SECTION 2.  This proposed constitutional amendment shall be
  submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 3, 2015.
  The ballot shall be printed to permit voting for or against the
  proposition: "The constitutional amendment concerning the
  limitation on the rate of growth in appropriations."