Public Notice – Proposed Texas Constitutional Amendments

Explanations on the election to the constitutional amendment of November 2, 2021

Proposal number 1 (HJR 143)
HJR 143 proposes a constitutional amendment that extends the circumstances under which a nonprofit professional sports team foundation can hold raffles to raise money for the charitable causes of the foundation. The proposed change would allow professional sports team charities run by organizations sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association or the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association to hold charity raffles at rodeo events.

The proposed change will appear on the ballot as follows: “The constitutional amendment authorizing the nonprofit foundations of professional sports teams of organizations sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association or the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association to hold charity raffles at rodeo events . “

Proposal number 2 (HJR99)
HJR 99 proposes a constitutional amendment that allows the legislature to authorize a county to issue bonds or notes to finance the development or rehabilitation of an unproductive, underdeveloped or deserted area within the county and to repay those bonds or note increases in property tax to commit revenue that the county imposes on real estate in the region. The Texas Constitution gives the legislature the power to authorize a registered city or town to issue such bonds or debentures, but it does not specifically give the legislature the authority to give the counties the same authority. The proposed change also provides that a county that spends bonds or notes on transport improvements cannot commit more than 65 percent of the annual increase in value tax revenue to repay those notes or notes, and a county cannot commit any income from the notes or notes to finance the construction, operation, maintenance or acquisition of rights of way of a toll road.

The proposed change will appear on the ballot as follows: “The constitutional amendment that authorizes a county to fund the development or rehabilitation of transport or infrastructure in unproductive, underdeveloped or dilapidated areas in the county.”

Proposal number 3 (SJR27)
SJR 27 proposes a constitutional amendment that prohibits the State of Texas or any political division from making, adopting, or enacting any law, order, proclamation, decision, or regulation that prohibits or restricts religious services. The proposed change would apply to religious services, including those conducted in churches, parishes, and places of worship in the state by a religious organization established to support and disseminate genuine religious beliefs.

The proposed change will appear on the ballot as follows: “The constitutional amendment to forbid this state or a political sub-unit of that state from prohibiting or restricting religious services of religious organizations.”

Proposal number 4 (SJR47)
SJR 47 proposes a constitutional amendment that changes certain eligibility requirements for a Supreme Court judge, a criminal appeals court judge, an appeals court judge, and a district judge. The proposed change will allow a person to serve in the Supreme Court if the person is admitted to the Texas bar, along with other qualifications; is a resident of Texas at the time of election; either a Texas licensed practicing attorney for at least ten years or a licensed practicing attorney in Texas and a judge in a state or county court established by law for at least ten years; and during that time the individual has not been revoked, suspended, or suspended on probation. The same admission requirements would apply to a judge in the criminal court of appeals and to a judge in the court of appeal. The proposed change also provides that a person must be a Texas resident in order to be appointed or elected as a district judge; licensed to practice in Texas; and eight years prior to the individual’s election as a practicing attorney or judge in a Texas court or both during which time the individual was not revoked, suspended, or suspended on probation.

The proposed change will appear on the ballot: “The constitutional amendment that changes the eligibility requirements for a Supreme Court Judge, an Appeal Court Judge, an Appeal Court Judge, and a District Judge.”

Proposal number 5 (HJR 165)
HJR 165 proposes a constitutional amendment that will allow the State Commission on Judicial Conduct (SCJC) to accept complaints or reports, conduct investigations, and take any other authorized action in relation to a candidate for a state judicial office. Currently, the Texas Constitution only allows the SCJC to take action that affects individuals who hold judicial positions.

The proposed change will appear on the ballot as follows: “The constitutional amendment that gives the State Commission on Judicial Conduct additional powers in relation to candidates for judicial office.”

Proposal number 6 (SJR 19)
SJR 19 proposes an amendment to the constitution that stipulates that residents of certain facilities have the right to designate an important reference person with whom the facility may not prohibit personal visits. The proposed change would apply to a care facility, assisted living, intermediate care facility for people with intellectual disabilities, residential homes providing home and community services, or government-supported residential centers. The proposed change would also empower lawmakers to provide guidance for these facilities to be followed in establishing key policies and procedures for nursing staff visits.

The proposed change will appear on the ballot as follows: “The constitutional amendment that gives residents of certain facilities the right to designate a key caregiver for a personal visit.”

Proposal number 7 (HJR 125)
HJR 125 proposes a constitutional amendment that would allow a person who is 55 years of age or older at the time of their spouse’s death and who, due to a disability, receives a school district property tax restriction on their place of residence, continues to receive the restriction while their property is at home of the surviving spouse remains.

The proposed change will appear on the ballot as follows: “The constitutional amendment that will allow the surviving spouse of a disabled person to receive a school district sales tax restriction on the spouse’s place of residence if the spouse is 55 years of age or older at the time of the death of the person. “

Proposal number 8 (SJR 35)
SJR 35 proposes a constitutional amendment that allows lawmakers to exempt, in whole or in part, the market value of the home of the surviving spouse of a U.S. Forces member killed or fatally injured while on duty. The Texas Constitution provides a property tax exemption for the surviving spouse of a military service member killed while on duty, but the current exemption does not include military personnel who die while on duty due to non-combat injuries. tied together.

The proposed change will appear on the ballot as follows: “The constitutional amendment authorizing lawmakers to provide an exemption from value taxation of all or part of the market value of the home of the surviving spouse of a member of the United States Armed Forces killed on duty or is fatally injured. “

Published by the Office of the Texas Foreign Minister, www.VoteTexas.gov, 800-252-VOTE (8683).