Ballot Language for the September 13, 2003 Constitutional Amendment Election
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Proposition 1 - HJR 68
HJR 68, Section 1 would authorize the Veterans' Land Board to use excess receipts in the Veterans' Land and Veterans' Housing Assistance funds for payment of revenue bonds, and use excess assets in those funds to provide veterans homes.
The proposed amendment will appear on the ballot as follows: "The constitutional amendment authorizing the Veterans' Land Board to use assets in certain veterans' land and veterans' housing assistance funds to provide veterans homes for the aged or infirm and to make principal, interest, and bond enhancement payments on revenue bonds."
Proposition 2 - HJR 51
HJR 51 would expand from six months to two years the period in which the former owner of a mineral interest that was sold for unpaid property taxes may buy back the mineral interest.
The proposed amendment will appear on the ballot as follows: "The constitutional amendment to establish a two-year period for the redemption of a mineral interest sold for unpaid ad valorem taxes at a tax sale."
Proposition 3 - HJR 55
HJR 55 would authorize the legislature to exempt from taxation land owned by a religious organization that is leased for use as a school or that will be used to expand or construct a place of religious worship that yields no revenue.
The proposition will appear on the ballot as follows: "The constitutional amendment to authorize the legislature to exempt from ad valorem taxation property owned by a religious organization that is leased for use as a school or that is owned with the intent of expanding or constructing a religious facility."
Proposition 4 - SJR 30
SJR 30 would authorize the legislature to allow conservation and reclamation districts to use taxes to develop and finance certain parks and recreation facilities. Also, the amendment would authorize the legislature to allow local elections for the issuance of bonds to improve and maintain parks and recreational facilities in the Tarrant Regional Water District or a conservation and reclamation district located in whole or in part in Bastrop, Bexar, Brazoria, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Montgomery, Tarrant, Travis, Waller or Williamson County.
The proposition will appear on the ballot as follows: "The constitutional amendment relating to the provision of parks and recreational facilities by certain conservation and reclamation districts."
Proposition 5 - SJR 25
SJR 25 would authorize the legislature to exempt from all property taxes certain tangible personal property, which could include a travel trailer not substantially affixed to real estate and not used as a residential dwelling.
The proposed amendment will appear on the ballot as follows: "The constitutional amendment to authorize the legislature to exempt from ad valorem taxation travel trailers not held or used for the production of income."
Proposition 6 - HJR 23
HJR 23 would authorize a qualified homeowner to refinance a home equity loan with a reverse mortgage loan.
The proposition will appear on the ballot as follows: "The constitutional amendment permitting refinancing of a home equity loan with a reverse mortgage."
Proposition 7 - HJR 44
HJR 44 would reduce the number of persons who make up the jury in a district court criminal misdemeanor case from twelve to six.
The proposed amendment will appear on the ballot as follows: "The constitutional amendment to permit a six-person jury in a district court misdemeanor trial."
Proposition 8 - HJR 62
HJR 62 would authorize the legislature to permit a person to assume office without an election if the person is the only candidate to qualify in an election for that office and the election is required by the Texas Constitution. This proposition applies to state and local political subdivisions, whereas Proposition 18 applies only to local political subdivisions.
The proposed amendment will appear on the ballot as follows: "The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to permit a person to take office without an election if the person is the only candidate to qualify in an election for that office."
Proposition 9 - HJR 68
HJR 68, Section 2 would redefine the composition of the permanent and available school funds by requiring during the next two fiscal years, and authorizing thereafter, annual distributions to the available school fund of a percentage of any increase in the value of the permanent school fund's total investment assets.
The proposed amendment will appear on the ballot as follows: "The constitutional amendment relating to the use of income and appreciation of the permanent school fund."
Proposition 10 - HJR 61
HJR 61 would authorize municipalities to donate surplus fire fighting equipment, supplies, or materials to the Texas Forest Service, which would be authorized to distribute based on need the equipment to rural volunteer fire departments.
The proposition will appear on the ballot as follows: "The constitutional amendment authorizing municipalities to donate surplus fire-fighting equipment or supplies for the benefit of rural volunteer fire departments."
Proposition 11 - HJR 85
HJR 85 would authorize the legislature to regulate the operation of wineries in Texas, regardless of whether a winery is located in an area in which the sale of wine has been authorized by local option election.
The proposed amendment will appear on the ballot as follows: "A constitutional amendment to allow the legislature to enact laws authorizing and governing the operation of wineries in this state."
Proposition 12 - HJR 3
HJR 3 would immediately authorize the Legislature to limit non-economic damages assessed against a provider of medical or health care and, after January 1, 2005, to limit awards in all other types of cases.
The proposed amendment will appear on the ballot as follows: "The constitutional amendment concerning civil lawsuits against doctors and health care providers, and other actions, authorizing the legislature to determine limitations on non-economic damages."
Proposition 13 - HJR 16
HJR 16 would authorize a county, city, town, and junior college district to freeze property taxes on a residential homestead of a person who is disabled or aged 65 or older.
The proposition will appear on the ballot as follows: "The constitutional amendment to permit counties, cities and towns, and junior college districts to establish an ad valorem tax freeze on residence homesteads of the disabled and of the elderly and their spouses."
Proposition 14 - HJR 28
HJR 28 would authorize the Texas Department of Transportation to issue notes or borrow money to fund highway improvement projects. The terms of the notes or loans may not exceed two years.
The proposition will appear on the ballot as follows: "The constitutional amendment providing for authorization of the issuing of notes or the borrowing of money on a short-term basis by a state transportation agency for transportation-related projects, and the issuance of bonds and other public securities secured by the state highway fund."
Proposition 15 - HJR 54
HJR 54 would prohibit a local retirement system and the political subdivision that finances the retirement system from reducing or otherwise impairing certain accrued benefits under the local retirement system.
The proposed amendment will appear on the ballot as follows: "The constitutional amendment providing that certain benefits under certain local public retirement systems may not be reduced or impaired."
Proposition 16 - SJR 42
SJR 42 would amend the Texas Constitution to allow home equity lines of credit and allow refinancing of a home equity loan with a reverse mortgage loan.
The proposition will appear on the ballot as follows: "The constitutional amendment authorizing a home equity line of credit, providing for administrative interpretation of home equity lending law, and otherwise relating to the making, refinancing, repayment, and enforcement of home equity loans."
Proposition 17 - HJR 21
HJR 21 would prohibit an increase in school property taxes on residence homesteads of disabled persons.
The proposition will appear on the ballot as follows: "The constitutional amendment to prohibit an increase in the total amount of school district ad valorem taxes that may be imposed on the residence homestead of a disabled person."
Proposition 18 - HJR 59
HJR 59 would authorize the legislature to permit a person to assume an office of a political subdivision without an election if the person is the only candidate to qualify in an election for that office and the election is required by the Texas Constitution. This proposition applies only to local political subdivisions, whereas Proposition 8 applies to state and local political subdivisions.
The proposed amendment will appear on the ballot as follows: "The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to permit a person to assume an office of a political subdivision without an election if the person is the only candidate to qualify in an election for that office."
Proposition 19 - SJR 45
SJR 45 would repeal the legislature's authority to create rural fire prevention districts. Effective September 1, 2003, all existing rural fire prevention districts will convert to emergency services districts.
The proposed amendment will appear on the ballot as follows: "The constitutional amendment to repeal the authority of the legislature to provide for the creation of rural fire prevention districts."
Proposition 20 - SJR 55
SJR 55 would authorize the issuance of general obligation bonds in a total amount not to exceed $250 million that will be used to provide loans for economic development projects that benefit defense-related communities in Texas.
The proposed amendment will appear on the ballot as follows: "The constitutional amendment authorizing the issuance of general obligation bonds or notes not to exceed $250 million payable from the general revenues of the state to provide loans to defense-related communities, that will be repaid by the defense-related community, for economic development projects, including projects that enhance the military value of military installations."
Proposition 21 - SJR 19
SJR 19 would authorize current and retired faculty members of a public institution of higher education to receive compensation for service as a member of the governing body of a water district.
The proposition will appear on the ballot as follows: "The constitutional amendment to permit a current or retired faculty member of a public college or university to receive compensation for service on the governing body of a water district."
Proposition 22 - HJR 84
HJR 84 would authorize the appointment of a temporary replacement officer to serve on behalf of a state, district, or local public officer who is called into active military duty for longer than 30 days.
The proposition will appear on the ballot as follows: "The constitutional amendment authorizing the appointment of a temporary replacement officer to fill a vacancy created when a public officer enters active duty in the United States armed forces."
