HJR47 - Proposing a constitutional amendment providing for the creation of the Texas severance tax revenue and oil and natural gas (Texas STRONG) defense fund, dedicating the money in that fund to benefit areas of the state significantly affected by oil and gas production, and providing for the transfer of certain general revenues to that fund, the economic stabilization fund, and certain other funds and accounts.

  89R261 CJC-D     By: Landgraf H.J.R. No. 47       A JOINT RESOLUTION   proposing a constitutional amendment providing for the creation of   the Texas severance tax revenue and oil and natural gas (Texas   STRONG) defense fund, dedicating the money in that fund to benefit   areas of the state significantly affected by oil and gas   production, and providing for the transfer of certain general   revenues to that fund, the economic stabilization fund, and certain   other funds and accounts.          BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 49-g, Article III, Texas Constitution,   is amended by amending Subsections (c), (c-1), and (c-2) and adding   Subsection (c-3) to read as follows:          (c)  Not later than the 90th day of each fiscal year, the   comptroller of public accounts shall transfer from the general   revenue fund to the economic stabilization fund , [ and ] the state   highway fund , the oil and gas regulation and cleanup account or a   successor account, the Texas emissions reduction plan fund or a   successor fund, and the Texas severance tax revenue and oil and   natural gas (Texas STRONG) defense fund the sum of the amounts   described by Subsections (d) and (e) of this section, to be   allocated as provided by Subsections (c-1) and (c-2) of this   section. However, if necessary and notwithstanding the allocations   prescribed by Subsections (c-1) and (c-2) of this section, the   comptroller shall reduce proportionately the amounts described by   Subsections (d) and (e) of this section to be transferred and   allocated to the economic stabilization fund to prevent the amount   in that fund from exceeding the limit in effect for that biennium   under Subsection (g) of this section. Revenue transferred to the   state highway fund under this subsection may be used only for   constructing, maintaining, and acquiring rights-of-way for public   roadways other than toll roads.          (c-1)   Except as provided by Subsection (c-2) of this   section, the comptroller shall allocate [ Of ] the sum of the amounts   described by Subsections (d) and (e) of this section and required to   be transferred from the general revenue fund under Subsection (c)   of this section as follows:                 (1)  38 percent [ , the comptroller shall allocate   one-half ] to the economic stabilization fund ;                 (2)     10 percent to the Texas severance tax revenue and   oil and natural gas (Texas STRONG) defense fund, subject to   Subsection (c-3) of this section;                 (3)     one percent to the oil and gas regulation and   cleanup account or a successor account;                 (4)     one percent to the Texas emissions reduction plan   fund or a successor fund; and                 (5)   the remainder to the state highway fund[ , except   as provided by Subsection (c-2) of this section ].          (c-2)  The legislature by general law shall provide for a   procedure by which the allocation prescribed by Subsection (c-1)   [ of the sum of the amounts described by Subsections (d) and (e) ] of   this section may be adjusted to provide for a transfer to the   economic stabilization fund of an amount greater than the   allocation provided for under that subsection [ Subsection (c-1) of   this section ] with the remainder of that sum, if any, allocated for   transfer to the other funds and accounts described by that   subsection as provided by general law  [ state highway fund ].  The   allocation made as provided by that general law is binding on the   comptroller for the purposes of the transfers required by   Subsection (c) of this section.           (c-3)     If the amount allocated to be transferred to the Texas   severance tax revenue and oil and natural gas (Texas STRONG)   defense fund for a state fiscal year under Subsection (c-1) or (c-2)   of this section would cause the total amount allocated for transfer   to the fund under those subsections for a state fiscal year to   exceed $500 million, the comptroller shall:                 (1)     reduce the amount allocated to be transferred to   the fund under the applicable subsection by the amount that would   exceed $500 million for the year; and                 (2)     transfer the amount by which the allocation is   reduced under Subdivision (1) of this subsection to the property   tax relief fund or a successor fund.          SECTION 2.  Article III, Texas Constitution, is amended by   adding Section 49-g-1 to read as follows:           Sec.   49-g-1.     (a) The Texas severance tax revenue and oil   and natural gas (Texas STRONG) defense fund is established as a fund   in the state treasury.           (b)     The Texas severance tax revenue and oil and natural gas   (Texas STRONG) defense fund may consist of:                 (1)     money transferred to the fund under Section 49-g   of this article;                 (2)  money appropriated to the fund by the legislature;                 (3)     money that the legislature by statute dedicates   for deposit to the credit of the fund;                 (4)  gifts or grants contributed to the fund; and                 (5)     investment earnings and interest earned on amounts   credited to the fund.           (c)     The legislature may appropriate money from the Texas   severance tax revenue and oil and natural gas (Texas STRONG)   defense fund only for use in areas of the state that are   significantly affected by oil and gas production as determined by   the legislature.   Money appropriated from the fund may be used as   provided by general law to fund grants to state agencies, political   subdivisions of the state, public institutions of higher education,   and nonprofit organizations to address public health and safety   concerns and workforce preparedness needs and to supplement   educational opportunities.           (d)     On the last day of each state fiscal biennium, the   comptroller of public accounts shall transfer any unobligated and   unappropriated money that remains in the fund on that date to the   general revenue fund.          SECTION 3.  The following temporary provision is added to   the Texas Constitution:           TEMPORARY PROVISION. (a) This temporary provision applies   to the constitutional amendment proposed by the 89th Legislature,   Regular Session, 2025, providing for the creation of the Texas   severance tax revenue and oil and natural gas (Texas STRONG)   defense fund, dedicating the money in that fund to benefit areas of   the state significantly affected by oil and gas production, and   providing for the transfer of certain general revenues to that   fund, the economic stabilization fund, and certain other funds and   accounts.             (b)     Section 49-g-1, Article III, of this constitution, as   added by the amendment, and the amendment to Section 49-g, Article   III, of this constitution, take effect September 1, 2027.           (c)  This temporary provision expires September 1, 2028.          SECTION 4.  This proposed constitutional amendment shall be   submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 4, 2025.   The ballot shall be printed to permit voting for or against the   proposition: "The constitutional amendment providing for the   creation of the Texas severance tax revenue and oil and natural gas   (Texas STRONG) defense fund, dedicating the money in that fund to   benefit areas of the state significantly affected by oil and gas   production, and providing for the transfer of certain general   revenues to that fund, the economic stabilization fund, and certain   other funds and accounts used to construct roads, reduce the   emission of air contaminants, regulate oil and gas development, and   provide property tax relief."