88R6950 EAS-F
 
  By: Campos H.J.R. No. 90
 
 
 
A JOINT RESOLUTION
  proposing a constitutional amendment authorizing the issuance of
  general obligation bonds to provide funding for the construction,
  expansion, maintenance, and operation of state mental health
  facilities.
         BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Article III, Texas Constitution, is amended by
  adding Section 49-q to read as follows:
         Sec. 49-q.  (a) The legislature by general law may authorize
  the Health and Human Services Commission or that agency's successor
  to provide for, issue, and sell general obligation bonds of the
  State of Texas in an amount not to exceed $10 billion and to enter
  into related credit agreements to provide funding for the
  construction, expansion, maintenance, and operation of state
  mental health facilities. The bonds shall be executed in the form,
  on the terms, and in the denominations, bear interest, and be issued
  in installments as prescribed by the Health and Human Services
  Commission or that agency's successor.
         (b)  A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the bonds and
  a portion of the interest earned on the bonds may be used to pay:
               (1)  the costs of administering projects authorized by
  this section;
               (2)  the cost or expense of the issuance of the bonds;
               (3)  refunding bonds and related credit agreements
  authorized by this section; and
               (4)  all or part of a payment owed or to be owed under a
  credit agreement.
         (c)  The bonds authorized under this section constitute a
  general obligation of the state. While any of the bonds or interest
  on the bonds is outstanding and unpaid, there is appropriated out of
  the first money coming into the treasury each fiscal year, not
  otherwise appropriated by this constitution, an amount sufficient
  to pay the principal of and interest on the bonds that mature or
  become due during the fiscal year, including an amount sufficient
  to make payments under a related credit agreement.
         (d)  The proceeds from the issuance and sale of the bonds,
  and the interest earned on the bonds, are appropriated when
  received by the state, and may be used as provided by this section
  and any law enacted under this section without further
  appropriation.
         (e)  Bonds issued under this section, after approval by the
  attorney general, registration by the comptroller of public
  accounts, and delivery to the purchasers, are incontestable and are
  general obligations of the State of Texas under this constitution.
         SECTION 2.  This proposed constitutional amendment shall be
  submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 7, 2023.
  The ballot shall be printed to provide voting for or against the
  proposition: "The constitutional amendment authorizing the
  issuance of general obligation bonds to provide funding for the
  construction, expansion, maintenance, and operation of state
  mental health facilities."