RESOLUTION ANALYSIS

S.J.R. 37

By: Birdwell

Elections

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

In 1996, the U.S. Congress passed the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act, which made it unlawful for noncitizens to vote in federal elections but stated that "aliens are authorized to vote for such other purpose under a State constitution or statute or a local ordinance." The resolution sponsor has informed the committee that while Texas has statutory citizenship requirements for voting in Texas elections, no such requirements exist in the Texas Constitution. S.J.R. 37 seeks to address this issue by including noncitizens among the persons not allowed to vote in Texas.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this resolution does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this resolution does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

S.J.R. 37 proposes an amendment to the Texas Constitution to add persons who are not citizens of the United States to the classes of persons not allowed to vote in Texas.

ELECTION DATE

The constitutional amendment proposed by this joint resolution will be submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 4, 2025.