HJR212 - Proposing a constitutional amendment concerning the limitation on the rate of growth in state and local appropriations with the return of over-collected taxpayer money by reducing taxes.

      By: Toth H.J.R. No. 212       A JOINT RESOLUTION   proposing a constitutional amendment concerning the limitation on   the rate of growth in state and local appropriations with the return   of over-collected taxpayer money by reducing taxes.          BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Article VIII, Texas Constitution, is amended by   adding Section 22A to read as follows:          Sec. 22.  (a)  For purposes of this section, "all funds   appropriations" means appropriations from:           (1)  the general revenue fund in the state or local treasury;           (2)     a dedicated account in the general revenue fund in the   state or local treasury;           (3)     a general revenue-related fund in the state treasury as   identified in the biennial statement required of the   comptroller under Section 49a, Article III, Texas   Constitution; and           (4)     the other state funds, other local funds, and federal   funds in the state or local treasury.          (a)  In each state fiscal biennium, the rate of growth of   appropriations from all revenue sources, and each local   fiscal year may not exceed the average taxpayer's ability to   pay for the cost of funding government.          (b)  The Legislative Budget Board shall approve the   calculated rate using the available data and adopt the applicable   limit prior to the commencement of each regular state legislative   session and each local government shall use this determined rate.          (c)  The state legislature or local entity may exceed the   limit imposed by this section only if:          1.  Three-fourths of the members of each house of the state   legislature for the state budget and three-fourths of the   members of each local entity approve a resolution specifying   the amount of appropriations authorized above the limit and   identifying the nature of the emergency.          (d)  Any over-collected taxpayer money will be returned to   them by reducing tax rates as determined by the state for the   state budget or local entity for the local entity's budget.          SECTION 2.  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 concerning the   limitation on the rate of growth in state and local appropriations,   and any over-collected taxpayer money will be returned by lowering   taxes."          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect on the date on which the   constitutional amendment proposed by the 89th Legislature, Regular   Session, 2025, authorizing an appropriations limitation on state   and local governments in Texas. If that amendment is not approved   by the voters, this Act has no effect.