85S10475 CJC-D
 
  By: Bonnen of Galveston H.J.R. No. 1
 
 
 
A JOINT RESOLUTION
  proposing a constitutional amendment regarding the limitation on
  the rate of growth of appropriations.
         BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Sections 22(a) and (b), Article VIII, Texas
  Constitution, are amended to read as follows:
         (a)  The rate of growth of appropriations from all sources of
  state revenue other than the federal government for each category
  of state spending identified by this subsection may not in any [In
  no] biennium exceed the estimated [shall the] rate of growth in the
  population served by expenditures in that spending category,
  adjusted by the estimated rate of inflation in a representative set
  of goods and services for which appropriations are made for that
  spending category. The categories of state spending to which this
  subsection applies are transportation, public primary and
  secondary education, higher education, health care, public safety
  and corrections, and other general government [of appropriations
  from state tax revenues not dedicated by this constitution exceed
  the estimated rate of growth of the state's economy]. The
  legislature by general law may define each category of state
  spending to which this subsection applies and shall provide [by
  general law] procedures to implement this subsection.
         (b)  If the legislature by adoption of a resolution approved
  by a record vote of 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 for a
  category of state spending. The excess amount authorized under
  this subsection may not exceed the amount specified in the
  resolution for the category of state spending.
         SECTION 2.  The following temporary provision is added to
  the Texas Constitution:
         TEMPORARY PROVISION. (a) This temporary provision applies
  to the constitutional amendment proposed by the 85th Legislature,
  1st Called Session, 2017, regarding the limitation on the rate of
  growth of appropriations.
         (b)  The amendments to Section 22, Article VIII, of this
  constitution apply only in relation to appropriations made for the
  state fiscal biennium beginning September 1, 2019, and subsequent
  state fiscal bienniums.
         (c)  This temporary provision expires January 1, 2020.
         SECTION 3.  This proposed constitutional amendment shall be
  submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 7, 2017.
  The ballot shall be printed to permit voting for or against the
  proposition: "The constitutional amendment regarding the
  limitation on the rate of growth of appropriations."