Election
BY HANNAH NORTON
Breaking down the 17 state propositions on the Nov. 4 ballot
Texas voters will decide on 17 proposed amendments to the state constitution during the Nov. 4 election. The propositions, which were adopted by state lawmakers this year, include measures aimed at reducing property taxes, funding water supply projects and creating a state dementia research institute. SOURCES: TEXAS SECRETARY OF STATE, TEXAS LEGISLATURE ONLINE/ COMMUNITY IMPACT DISCLAIMER: AMENDMENT TEXT DOES NOT REFLECT OFFICIAL BALLOT LANGUAGE.
Proposition 6
Proposition 12
Ban on securities transaction taxes HJR 4 would bar lawmakers from imposing taxes on the purchase and sale of financial assets or requiring financial market operators to pay a tax to conduct business.
Judicial oversight SJR 27 would rework the 13-member State Commission on Judicial Conduct to include six judges appointed by the Texas Supreme Court and seven citizens appointed by the governor.
Proposition 1
Proposition 7
Proposition 13
Texas State Technical College funding Senate Joint Resolution 59 would create two new funds to support the Texas State Technical College System, which has campuses statewide. Up to $52 million could be appropriated this year.
Tax exemption for military spouses HJR 133 would allow lawmakers to create a future property tax exemption for the surviving spouse of a veteran who died from an illness related to their military service.
Increasing homestead exemption SJR 2 would raise the property tax exemption on a person’s main residence, known as a homestead exemption, from $100,000 to $140,000. This would apply to taxes charged by public schools.
Proposition 2
Proposition 8
Proposition 14
Ban on capital gains taxes SJR 18 would prohibit the Texas Legislature from imposing any future taxes on capital gains, which is income received from selling an asset. Texas does not currently have such a tax.
Ban on death taxes HJR 2 would prohibit the legislature from imposing future taxes on a deceased person’s estate or an inheritance passed to their heirs. Neither tax currently exists in Texas.
State dementia research institute SJR 3 would allocate $3 billion to create the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas. An additional $300 million would be available for dementia-related research grants.
Proposition 3
Proposition 9
Proposition 15
Tightening bail rules SJR 5 would require judges to deny bail for certain felony offenses, including murder and aggravated assault, if the state demonstrates that a defendant is a flight risk or threat to public safety.
Business tax exemption HJR 1 would exempt up to $125,000 of businesses’ personal property, such as equipment and vehicles, from taxation. Texas business owners currently receive a $2,500 exemption.
Parental rights SJR 34 would add language to the Texas Constitution stating that parents have the right to “exercise care, custody and control” of their children and determine how to raise them.
Proposition 4
Proposition 10
Proposition 16
Water supply funding House Joint Resolution 7 would send $1 billion in sales tax revenue to the Texas Water Fund each year from 2027-47. The state fund was formed in 2023 to finance water projects.
Homes destroyed in fire SJR 84 would allow a future state legislature to create a property tax exemption for someone rebuilding a home that is completely destroyed in a fire.
Requiring citizenship to vote SJR 37 would enshrine in the Texas Constitution that people who are not U.S. citizens may not vote in Texas elections. Only U.S. citizens are currently eligible to vote under state law.
Proposition 5
Proposition 11
Proposition 17
Animal feed tax exemption HJR 99 would allow state lawmakers, in a future legislative session, to create a property tax exemption for stores that sell animal feed.
Exemption for elderly homeowners SJR 85 asks voters to raise the property tax exemption for homeowners who are over 65 years old or have a disability to $200,000. This would apply to taxes charged by public schools.
Border security tax exemption HJR 34 would exempt increases in a property’s value from taxation if the land is along the Texas- Mexico border and the added value is due to the installation of border security infrastructure.
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