86R242 CJC-D
 
  By: Cain H.J.R. No. 138
 
 
 
A JOINT RESOLUTION
  proposing a constitutional amendment regarding limits on the rate
  of growth of spending by the state and certain political
  subdivisions of the state.
         BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Article VIII, Texas Constitution, is amended by
  amending Section 22 and adding Section 22-a to read as follows:
         Sec. 22.  (a) The [In no biennium shall the] rate of growth
  of appropriations from state tax revenues not dedicated by this
  constitution may not for any state fiscal biennium exceed the
  estimated rate of growth of this state's population, adjusted by
  the estimated rate of monetary inflation in this state [the state's
  economy]. The legislature 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. The
  excess amount authorized under this subsection may not exceed the
  amount specified in the resolution.
         (c)  In no case shall appropriations exceed revenues as
  provided by Section 49a, [in] 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.
         Sec. 22-a.  (a) Unless additional expenditures are
  authorized by a majority of the political subdivision's voters
  voting at an election called for that purpose, the rate of growth of
  a political subdivision's total expenditures from all available
  sources of revenue in a fiscal year may not exceed the estimated
  rate of growth of this state's population, adjusted by the
  estimated rate of monetary inflation in this state.
         (b)  This section does not apply to a political subdivision
  that does not impose taxes or incur debt.
         (c)  The legislature by general law shall provide procedures
  to implement this section.
         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 86th Legislature,
  Regular Session, 2019, regarding limits on the rate of growth of
  spending by the state and certain political subdivisions of the
  state.
         (b)  The amendments to Section 22, Article VIII, of this
  constitution apply only in relation to appropriations made for a
  state fiscal biennium beginning on or after September 1, 2021.
         (c)  Section 22-a, Article VIII, of this constitution takes
  effect January 1, 2020, and applies only to a fiscal year of a
  political subdivision beginning on or after that date.
         (d)  This temporary provision expires January 1, 2022.
         SECTION 3.  This proposed constitutional amendment shall be
  submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 5, 2019.
  The ballot shall be printed to provide for voting for or against the
  proposition: "The constitutional amendment regarding limits on the
  rate of growth of spending by the state and certain political
  subdivisions of the state."