Category:Amendments 2025: Difference between revisions

This hidden category contains constitutional amendments on the ballot November 4, 2025.

At some point, will need to cut-and-paste the text of section from Texas Legislature Online.

1. HJR 1

... amend Article VIII, Section 1:

As amended November 4, 2025: ...

(g) The Legislature by general law may exempt from ad valorem taxation $125,000 of the market value of tangible personal property that is held or used for the production of income.

2. HJR 2

... add Article VIII, Section 26:

Added November 4, 2025:

(a) Except as provided by Subsection (b) of this section, the legislature may not: (1) impose a state tax on the property of a deceased individual's estate because of the death of the individual, including an estate, inheritance, or death tax; (2) impose a state tax on the transfer of an estate, inheritance, legacy, succession, or gift from an individual, family, estate, or trust to another individual, family, estate, or trust, including a tax on a generation-skipping transfer, if the tax was not in effect on January 1, 2025; or (3) increase the rate or expand the applicability of a state tax described by Subdivision (2) of this subsection that was in effect on January 1, 2025, beyond the rate or applicability of the tax that was in effect on that date.

(b) This section does not prohibit the imposition or change in the rate or applicability of: (1) a tax described by Section 29(b) of this article; (2) a tax applicable to the transfer of a motor vehicle by gift; or (3) an ad valorem tax on property.

3. HJR 4

... add Article VIII, Section 30:

Added November 4, 2025:

(a) In this section: (1) "Registered securities market operator" means any of the following entities, to the extent the entity is subject to registration with and regulation by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission or the United States Commodity Futures Trading Commission, or the successor in function to either commission: (A) a self-regulatory organization, financial institution, broker, dealer, clearing agency, or transfer agent, as those terms are defined by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. Section 78a et seq.) in effect on January 1, 2025; (B) an exchange that is registered as a national securities exchange under Section 6 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. Section 78f); (C) an alternative trading system, board of trade, commodity pool operator, derivatives clearing organization, electronic trading facility, or organized exchange, as those terms are defined by the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. Section 1 et seq.) in effect on January 1, 2025; (D) an affiliate, subsidiary, or facility of an entity described by Paragraph (A), (B), or (C); or (E) a trade reporting facility regulated under rules promulgated by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority and in effect on January 1, 2025. (2) "Securities transaction" means the purchase or sale of a security, a contract or agreement to purchase or sell a security, or a service to facilitate, match parties to, process, report, clear, or settle the purchase or sale of a security on behalf of a customer. (3) "Security" has the meaning assigned by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. Section 78a et seq.) in effect on January 1, 2025.

(b) The legislature may not enact a law that imposes: (1) an occupation tax on a registered securities market operator; or (2) a tax on a securities transaction conducted by a registered securities market operator.

(c) This section does not prohibit: (1) the imposition of: (A) a general business tax measured by business activity; (B) a tax on the production of minerals; (C) a tax on insurance premiums; (D) sales and use taxes on tangible personal property or services; or (E) a fee based on the cost of processing or creating documents; or (2) a change in the rate of a tax in existence on January 1, 2026.

4. HJR 7

... amend Article III, Section 49-d-16:

As amended November 4, 2025: ...

(c) The Texas water fund consists of: (1) money transferred or deposited to the credit of the fund under this constitution or by general law, including money appropriated by the legislature directly to the fund and money from any source transferred or deposited to the credit of the fund authorized by this constitution or by general law; (2) any other revenue that the legislature by statute dedicates for deposit to the credit of the fund; (3) investment earnings and interest earned on amounts credited to the fund; (4) money from gifts, grants, or donations to the fund; (5) money returned from any authorized transfer; and (6) money in accounts established in the fund under this constitution or by general law.

(e) The legislature by general law or by adoption of a concurrent resolution approved by a record vote of a majority of the members of each house may allocate for transfer to the funds and accounts administered by the Texas Water Development Board or that board's successor the money deposited to the credit of the Texas water fund under Section 7-e, Article VIII, of this constitution. The allocation of money prescribed by a general law or resolution under this subsection may not be changed by the legislature during the first 10 fiscal years for which the money is allocated by the general law or resolution. Any money deposited to the credit of the Texas water fund under Section 7-e, Article VIII, of this constitution that is not allocated by a general law or resolution under this subsection may be transferred to other funds or accounts by the Texas Water Development Board or that board's successor in accordance with Subsection (b) of this section.

(e-1) During a state of disaster declared under Chapter 418, Government Code, or its successor, an allocation made under Subsection (e) of this section may be suspended through the budget execution process under Chapter 317, Government Code, or its successor, or by adoption of a concurrent resolution approved by a record vote of a majority of the members of each house. During a suspension of an allocation under this subsection, the money that would have been allocated but for the suspension is subject to appropriation by the legislature for any purpose. It is the intent of the legislature that any money repurposed under this subsection be restored to the Texas water fund when practicable.

(e-2) Of the amount of money initially appropriated to the Texas water fund, the administrator of the fund shall allocate not less than 25 percent to be used only for transfer to the New Water Supply for Texas Fund.

(e-3) This subsection and Subsections (e), (e-1), and (e-2) of this section expire August 31, 2047.

... add Article VIII, Section 7-e:

Added November 4, 2025:

(a) Subject to Section 7-d of this article and Subsection (b) of this section, in each state fiscal year, the comptroller of public accounts shall deposit to the credit of the Texas water fund the first $1 billion of the net revenue derived from the imposition of the state sales and use tax on the sale, storage, use, or other consumption in this state of taxable items under Chapter 151, Tax Code, or its successor, that exceeds the first $46.5 billion of that revenue coming into the treasury in that state fiscal year.

(b) The duty of the comptroller of public accounts to make a deposit under this section expires August 31, 2047.

(c) Money deposited to the credit of the Texas water fund under Subsection (a) of this section may not be transferred to the New Water Supply for Texas Fund for the purpose of financing the construction of infrastructure to transport groundwater that was produced from a well in this state and that, at the time of production, was not brackish, as that term is defined by general law. This subsection applies to the construction of infrastructure to transport water produced from a well associated with an aquifer storage and recovery project only if the water injected as part of the project was groundwater described by this subsection.

(d) Notwithstanding Section 49-d-16(b), Article III, of this constitution, as proposed by S.J.R. 75, 88th Legislature, Regular Session, 2023, the revenue deposited to the credit of the Texas water fund under Subsection (a) of this section shall be maintained by the administrator of the fund in a separate account in the fund and may not be transferred from the fund by the administrator except as directed by the legislature pursuant to an appropriation made in accordance with Section 6 of this article. The administrator of the fund shall transfer the amount appropriated by the legislature from the account in accordance with the applicable allocations specified by Section 49-d-16, Article III, of this constitution, as proposed by S.J.R. 75, 88th Legislature, Regular Session, 2023.

5. HJR 34

... add Article VIII, Section 1-y:

Added November 4, 2025:

(a) The legislature by general law may exempt from ad valorem taxation the amount of the market value of real property located in a county that borders the United Mexican States that arises from the installation or construction on the property of border security infrastructure and related improvements.

(b) The legislature by general law may define "border security infrastructure" for the purposes of this section and may prescribe additional eligibility requirements for the exemption authorized by this section.

6. HJR 99

... add Article VIII, Section 1-s:

Added November 4, 2025:

(a) The legislature by general law may exempt from ad valorem taxation tangible personal property consisting of animal feed held by the owner of the property for sale at retail.

(b) The legislature by general law may provide additional eligibility requirements for the exemption authorized by this section.

7. HJR 133

... amend Article VIII, Section 1-b:

As amended November 4, 2025: ...

(q) The legislature by general law may provide that the surviving spouse of a veteran of the armed services of the United States who died as a result of a condition or disease that is presumed under federal law to have been service-connected is entitled to an exemption from ad valorem taxation of all or part of the market value of the surviving spouse's residence homestead if the surviving spouse has not remarried since the death of the veteran.

(r) The legislature by general law may provide that a surviving spouse who qualifies for and receives an exemption in accordance with Subsection (q) of this section and who subsequently qualifies a different property as the surviving spouse's residence homestead is entitled to an exemption from ad valorem taxation of the subsequently qualified homestead in an amount equal to the dollar amount of the exemption from ad valorem taxation of the first homestead for which the exemption was received in accordance with Subsection (q) of this section in the last year in which the surviving spouse received the exemption in accordance with that subsection for that homestead if the surviving spouse has not remarried since the death of the veteran.

9. SJR 2

... amend Article VIII, Section 1-b(c):

As amended November 4, 2025: ...

(c) The amount of $140,000 of the market value of the residence homestead of a married or unmarried adult, including one living alone, is exempt from ad valorem taxation for general elementary and secondary public school purposes. The legislature by general law may provide that all or part of the exemption does not apply to a district or political subdivision that imposes ad valorem taxes for public education purposes but is not the principal school district providing general elementary and secondary public education throughout its territory. In addition to this exemption, the legislature by general law may exempt an amount not to exceed $10,000 of the market value of the residence homestead of a person who is disabled as defined in Subsection (b) of this section and of a person 65 years of age or older from ad valorem taxation for general elementary and secondary public school purposes. The legislature by general law may base the amount of and condition eligibility for the additional exemption authorized by this subsection for disabled persons and for persons 65 years of age or older on economic need. An eligible disabled person who is 65 years of age or older may not receive both exemptions from a school district but may choose either. An eligible person is entitled to receive both the exemption required by this subsection for all residence homesteads and any exemption adopted pursuant to Subsection (b) of this section, but the legislature shall provide by general law whether an eligible disabled or elderly person may receive both the additional exemption for the elderly and disabled authorized by this subsection and any exemption for the elderly or disabled adopted pursuant to Subsection (b) of this section. Where ad valorem tax has previously been pledged for the payment of debt, the taxing officers of a school district may continue to levy and collect the tax against the value of homesteads exempted under this subsection until the debt is discharged if the cessation of the levy would impair the obligation of the contract by which the debt was created. The legislature shall provide for formulas to protect school districts against all or part of the revenue loss incurred by the implementation of this subsection, Subsection (d) of this section, and Section 1-d-1 of this article. The legislature by general law may define residence homestead for purposes of this section.

10. SJR 3

... add Article III, Section 68:

Added November 4, 2025:

(a) The legislature shall establish the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas to: (1) award grants to institutions of learning, advanced medical research facilities, public or private persons, and collaboratives in this state to provide money for: (A) research into the causes of, means of prevention of, and treatment and rehabilitation for dementia, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and related disorders; (B) research, including translational research, to develop therapies, protocols, medical pharmaceuticals, or procedures for the substantial mitigation of the symptoms of dementia, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and related disorders; (C) facilities, equipment, and other costs related to research on dementia, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and related disorders; and (D) prevention programs and strategies to mitigate the detrimental health impacts of dementia, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and related disorders; (2) support institutions of learning and advanced medical research facilities and collaboratives in this state in all stages of: (A) discovering the causes of dementia, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and related disorders; (B) developing therapies, protocols, medical pharmaceuticals, or procedures for the substantial mitigation of the symptoms of dementia, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and related disorders from laboratory research to clinical trials; and (C) developing programs to address access to advanced treatment for dementia, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and related disorders; and (3) establish the appropriate standards and oversight bodies to ensure the proper use of funding authorized under this section, including facilities development.

(b) The members of the governing body and any other decision-making body of the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas may serve six-year terms.

(c) The Dementia Prevention and Research Fund is established as a special fund in the state treasury outside the general revenue fund to be administered by the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas. The comptroller of public accounts shall credit to general revenue interest due to the fund.

(c-1) On January 1, 2026, the comptroller shall transfer $3 billion from this state's general revenue fund to the Dementia Prevention and Research Fund. The transfer made under this subsection is not an appropriation of state tax revenues for the purposes of Section 22, Article VIII, of this constitution. This subsection expires January 1, 2029.

(d) The Dementia Prevention and Research Fund consists of: (1) money transferred to the fund under this section; (2) money the legislature appropriates, credits, or transfers to the fund; and (3) gifts and grants, including grants from the federal government, and other donations received for the fund.

(e) Notwithstanding any other provision of this constitution, the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas, as established by general law, may use money in the Dementia Prevention and Research Fund only for the purpose of funding: (1) grants for research on dementia, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and related disorders, research facilities, and research opportunities in this state:(A) for the prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of dementia, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and related disorders and the mitigation of the incidence of and detrimental health impacts from dementia, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and related disorders; and (B) to develop therapies, protocols, medical pharmaceuticals, or procedures for the substantial mitigation of the symptoms of dementia, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and related disorders; (2) the purchase, construction, or renovation, subject to the institute's approval, of facilities by or on behalf of a state agency or grant recipient; and (3) the institute's operation.

(f) Not including any unspent money appropriated to the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas carried forward from the preceding state fiscal year, the legislature may appropriate not more than $300 million from the Dementia Prevention and Research Fund to the institute for a state fiscal year.

(g) Before the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas may award a grant authorized under this section, the grant recipient must have available an unexpended amount of money equal to one-half of the grant amount dedicated to the research specified in the grant proposal.

(h) The reasonable expenses of managing the assets of the Dementia Prevention and Research Fund shall be paid from the fund.

11. SJR 5

... add Article I, Section 11d:

Added November 4, 2025:

(a) This section applies only to a person accused of committing one or more of the following offenses: (1) murder; (2) capital murder; (3) aggravated assault if the person: (A) caused serious bodily injury, as that term is defined by general law, to another; or (B) used a firearm, club, knife, or explosive weapon, as those terms are defined by general law, during the commission of the assault; (4) aggravated kidnapping; (5) aggravated robbery; (6) aggravated sexual assault; (7) indecency with a child; (8) trafficking of persons; or (9) continuous trafficking of persons.

(b) A person to whom this section applies shall be denied bail pending trial if the attorney representing the state demonstrates: (1) by a preponderance of the evidence after a hearing that the granting of bail is insufficient to reasonably prevent the person's wilful nonappearance in court; or (2) by clear and convincing evidence after a hearing that the granting of bail is insufficient to reasonably ensure the safety of the community, law enforcement, and the victim of the alleged offense.

(c) A judge or magistrate who grants a person bail in accordance with this section shall: (1) set bail and impose conditions of release necessary only to reasonably: (A) prevent the person's wilful nonappearance in court; and (B) ensure the safety of the community, law enforcement, and the victim of the alleged offense; and (2) prepare a written order that includes findings of fact and a statement explaining the judge's or magistrate's justification for the grant and the determinations required by this section.

(d) This section may not be construed to: (1) limit any right a person has under other law to contest a denial of bail or to contest the amount of bail set by a judge or magistrate; or (2) require any testimonial evidence before a judge or magistrate makes a bail decision with respect to a person to whom this section applies.

(e) For purposes of determining whether a preponderance of the evidence or clear and convincing evidence, as applicable, exists as described by this section, a judge or magistrate shall consider: (1) the likelihood of the person's wilful nonappearance in court; (2) the nature and circumstances of the alleged offense; (3) the safety of the community, law enforcement, and the victim of the alleged offense; and (4) the criminal history of the person.

(f) At a hearing described by this section, a person is entitled to be represented by counsel.

12. SJR 18

... add Article VIII, Section 24-b:

Added November 4, 2025:

(a) Subject to Subsection (b) of this section, the legislature may not impose a tax on the realized or unrealized capital gains of an individual, family, estate, or trust, including a tax on the sale or transfer of a capital asset that is payable by the individual, family, estate, or trust selling or transferring the asset.

(b) This section may not be construed as modifying the applicability or prohibiting the imposition or change in the rate of: (1) an ad valorem tax on property; (2) a sales tax on the sale of goods or services; or (3) a use tax on the storage, use, or other consumption in this state of goods or services.

13. SJR 27

... amend Article V, Section 1-a:

As amended November 4, 2025: ...

(2) The State Commission on Judicial Conduct consists of the following 13 members: (i) six judges or justices of courts in this state appointed by the Supreme Court with the advice and consent of the Senate, two of whom must be trial court judges; and (ii) seven citizens appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate, who are at least 35 years of age.

(2-a) A person may not be appointed to or remain a member of the Commission if the person does not maintain physical residence within this State or has ceased to retain the qualifications specified in Subsection (2) of this Section for that person's appointment.

(2-b) A person appointed under Subsection (2) of this Section who is a judge or justice may not be a judge or justice in the same type of court as another member of the Commission who is a judge or justice.

(3) The regular term of office of Commissioners shall be six years. Interim vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as vacancies due to expiration of a full term, but only for the unexpired portion of the term in question. Commissioners may succeed themselves in office only if the commissioner has served less than three consecutive years.

(6) A. Any Justice or Judge of the courts established by this Constitution or created by the Legislature as provided in Section 1, Article V, of this Constitution, may, subject to the other provisions hereof, be removed from office for willful or persistent violation of rules promulgated by the Supreme Court of Texas, incompetence in performing the duties of the office, willful violation of the Code of Judicial Conduct, or willful or persistent conduct that is clearly inconsistent with the proper performance of the person's duties or casts public discredit upon the judiciary or administration of justice. Any person holding such office may be disciplined or censured, in lieu of removal from office, as provided by this section. Any person holding an office specified in this subsection may be suspended from office with or without pay by the Commission immediately on being indicted by a State or Federal grand jury for a felony offense or charged with a misdemeanor involving official misconduct. On the filing of a sworn complaint charging a person holding such office with willful or persistent violation of rules promulgated by the Supreme Court of Texas, incompetence in performing the duties of the office, willful violation of the Code of Judicial Conduct, or willful and persistent conduct that is clearly inconsistent with the proper performance of the person's duties or casts public discredit on the judiciary or on the administration of justice, the Commission, after giving the person notice and an opportunity to appear and be heard before the Commission, may recommend to the Supreme Court the suspension of such person from office with or without pay, pending final disposition of the charge. The Supreme Court, after considering the recommendation of the Commission, may suspend the person from office with or without pay, pending final disposition of the charge.

(8) After such investigation as it deems necessary, the Commission may, in its discretion: (i) for a person holding an office or position specified in Subsection (6) of this Section who has never been issued an order under this subparagraph and in response to a complaint or report other than a complaint or report alleging the person engaged in conduct constituting a criminal offense, issue an order of private admonition, warning, reprimand, censure, or requirement that the person obtain additional training or education; (ii) issue a public admonition, warning, reprimand, or requirement that the person obtain additional training or education; or (iii) if the Commission determines that the situation merits such action, institute formal proceedings and order a formal hearing to be held before it concerning a person holding an office or position specified in Subsection (6) of this Section, or it may in its discretion request the Supreme Court to appoint an active or retired District Judge or Justice of a Court of Appeals, or retired Judge or Justice of the Court of Criminal Appeals or the Supreme Court, as a Master to hear and take evidence in the matter, and to report thereon to the Commission and to the Supreme Court.

(8-a) A Master appointed under Subsection (8)(iii) of this Section shall have all the power of a District Judge in the enforcement of orders pertaining to witnesses, evidence, and procedure. If, after formal hearing under Subsection (8)(iii) of this Section, or after considering the record and report of a Master appointed under Subsection (8)(iii) of this Section, the Commission finds the person engaged in wilful or persistent conduct that is clearly inconsistent with the proper performance of a judge's duties or other good cause therefor, the Commission: (i) shall issue for the person an order of public admonition, warning, reprimand, censure, or requirement that the person holding an office or position specified in Subsection (6) of this Section obtain additional training or education; or (ii) may recommend to a review tribunal the removal or retirement of the person and shall file with the tribunal the entire record before the Commission.

(9) A tribunal to review the Commission's recommendation for the removal or retirement of a person holding an office or position specified in Subsection (6) of this Section is composed of seven Justices of the Courts of Appeals who are selected by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Service on the tribunal shall be considered part of the official duties of a justice, and no additional compensation may be paid for such service. The review tribunal shall review the record of the proceedings on the law and facts and in its discretion may, for good cause shown, permit the introduction of additional evidence. Within 90 days after the date on which the record is filed with the review tribunal, it shall order public censure, suspension without pay for a specified period, retirement or removal, as it finds just and proper, or wholly reject the recommendation. A Justice, Judge, Master, or Magistrate may appeal a decision of the review tribunal to the Supreme Court under the substantial evidence rule. Upon an order for involuntary retirement for disability or an order for removal, the office in question shall become vacant. The review tribunal, in an order for involuntary retirement for disability or an order for removal, shall prohibit such person from holding judicial office in the future. The rights of a person so retired to retirement benefits shall be the same as if the person's retirement had been voluntary.

14. SJR 34

... add Article I, Section 37:

Added November 4, 2025:

To enshrine truths that are deeply rooted in this nation's history and traditions, the people of Texas hereby affirm that a parent has the responsibility to nurture and protect the parent's child and the corresponding fundamental right to exercise care, custody, and control of the parent's child, including the right to make decisions concerning the child's upbringing.

15. SJR 37

... amend Article VI, Section 1(a):

As amended November 4, 2025: ...

(a) The following classes of persons shall not be allowed to vote in this State: (1) persons under 18 years of age; (2) persons who have been determined mentally incompetent by a court, subject to such exceptions as the Legislature may make; (3) persons convicted of any felony, subject to such exceptions as the Legislature may make; and (4) persons who are not citizens of the United States.

16. SJR 59

... add Article VII, Section 21:

Added November 4, 2025:

(a) In this section: (1) "Available fund" means the available workforce education fund. (2) "Permanent fund" means the permanent technical institution infrastructure fund.

(b) The permanent technical institution infrastructure fund and the available workforce education fund are established as special funds in the state treasury outside the general revenue fund to be administered as provided by this section without further appropriation for the purpose of providing a dedicated source of funding for capital projects and equipment purchases related to educational programs offered by the Texas State Technical College System.

(c) The permanent fund consists of: (1) money appropriated, credited, transferred, or deposited to the credit of the fund by this section or as authorized by other law; (2) any interest or other earnings attributable to the investment of money in the fund; and (3) gifts, grants, and donations made to the fund.

(d) The available fund consists of: (1) money distributed to the fund from the permanent fund as provided by this section; (2) money appropriated, credited, transferred, or deposited to the credit of the fund by this section or as authorized by other law; (3) any interest or other earnings attributable to the investment of money in the fund; and (4) gifts, grants, and donations made to the fund.

(e) The comptroller of public accounts or the board of regents of the Texas State Technical College System may establish accounts in the available fund as necessary to administer the fund or pay for projects authorized under this section.

(f) The comptroller of public accounts shall hold, manage, and invest the permanent fund. In managing the assets of the fund, the comptroller may acquire, exchange, sell, supervise, manage, or retain any kind of investment that a prudent investor, exercising reasonable care, skill, and caution, would acquire or retain in light of the purposes, terms, distribution needs, and other circumstances of the fund, taking into consideration the investment of all the assets of the fund rather than a single investment. The expenses of managing the investments of the fund shall be paid from the fund.

(g) Money may not be appropriated or transferred from the permanent fund or the available fund except as provided by this section.

(h) The comptroller of public accounts shall determine the amount available for distribution from the permanent fund to the available fund for each fiscal year in accordance with a distribution policy adopted by the comptroller. The amount available for distribution: (1) must be determined in a manner intended to: (A) provide the available fund with a stable and predictable stream of annual distributions; and (B) preserve over a rolling 10-year period the purchasing power of the permanent fund; and (2) may not exceed 5.5 percent of the fair market value of the investment assets of the permanent fund, as determined by the comptroller.

(i) For each state fiscal year, on request of the board of regents of the Texas State Technical College System, the comptroller of public accounts shall distribute an amount that does not exceed the amount determined under Subsection (h) of this section from the permanent fund to the available fund for purposes of this section.

(j) The amount distributed from the permanent fund to the available fund under Subsection (i) of this section is appropriated to the board of regents of the Texas State Technical College System for: (1) acquiring land, either with or without permanent improvements; (2) constructing and equipping buildings or other permanent improvements; (3) major repair and rehabilitation of buildings and other permanent improvements; (4) acquiring capital equipment, including instructional equipment, virtual reality or augmented reality equipment, heavy industrial equipment, and vehicles; (5) acquiring library books and materials, including digital or electronic library books and materials; (6) payment of the principal and interest due on the bonds and notes issued by the respective board of regents to finance permanent improvements as authorized by other law; and (7) any other purpose authorized by general law.

(k) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, money appropriated from the available fund under this section may not be used for the purpose of constructing, equipping, repairing, or rehabilitating buildings or other permanent improvements that are to be used for intercollegiate athletics or auxiliary enterprises.

(l) An institution, other than a component institution of the Texas State Technical College System, that is entitled to participate in dedicated funding provided by Section 17 or 18 of this article may not be entitled to participate in the funding provided by this section.

(m) This section does not impair any obligation created by the issuance of bonds or notes in accordance with prior law, including bonds or notes issued under Section 17 of this article, and all outstanding bonds and notes shall be paid in full, both principal and interest, in accordance with their terms. If this section conflicts with any other provision of this constitution, this section prevails.

(n) Money appropriated under Subsection (j) of this section that is not spent during the state fiscal year for which the appropriation is made is retained by the Texas State Technical College System and may be spent in a subsequent state fiscal year for a purpose for which the appropriation was made.

(o) The sum of the amount allocated to the Texas State Technical College System under Section 17 of this article and the amount distributed to the system under this section may not exceed: (1) for the state fiscal year beginning September 1, 2025, $52 million; and (2) for a state fiscal year beginning on or after September 1, 2026, the amount determined under this subsection for the preceding state fiscal year adjusted by the increase, if any, in the rate of inflation during the preceding state fiscal year, as determined by the comptroller of public accounts on the basis of changes in the most recent construction cost index published by the Engineering News-Record or, if that index is unavailable, a comparable cost index determined by the comptroller.

(p) If the sum of the amounts described by Subsection (o) of this section would exceed the limit provided under Subsection (o) for a state fiscal year: (1) the amount allocated to the system under Section 17 of this article shall be reduced until the limit is met or the amount allocated is reduced to zero; and (2) if necessary after the reduction under Subdivision (1) of this subsection, the amount distributed to the system under this section shall be reduced until the limit is met or the amount distributed is reduced to zero.

... amend Article VII, Section 17(j):

As amended November 4, 2025: ...

(j) The state systems and institutions of higher education designated in this section may not receive any additional funds from the general revenue of the state, other than money appropriated under Section 21 of this article, for acquiring land with or without permanent improvements, for constructing or equipping buildings or other permanent improvements, or for major repair and rehabilitation of buildings or other permanent improvements except that: (1) in the case of fire or natural disaster the legislature may appropriate from the general revenue an amount sufficient to replace the uninsured loss of any building or other permanent improvement; and (2) the legislature, by two-thirds vote of each house, may, in cases of demonstrated need, which need must be clearly expressed in the body of the act, appropriate additional general revenue funds for acquiring land with or without permanent improvements, for constructing or equipping buildings or other permanent improvements, or for major repair and rehabilitation of buildings or other permanent improvements. This subsection does not apply to legislative appropriations made prior to the adoption of this amendment.

... amend Article VII, Section 18(c):

As amended November 4, 2025: ...

(c) Pursuant to a two-thirds vote of the membership of each house of the legislature, institutions of higher education may be created at a later date as a part of The University of Texas System or The Texas A&M University System by general law, and, when created, such an institution shall be entitled to participate in the funding provided by this section for the system in which it is created. An institution that is entitled to participate in dedicated funding provided by Section 17 or 21 of this article may not be entitled to participate in the funding provided by this section.

17. SJR 84

... amend Article VIII, Section 1-b:

As amended November 4, 2025: ...

(z) The legislature by general law may provide for a temporary exemption from ad valorem taxation of the appraised value of an improvement to a person's residence homestead that is completely destroyed by a fire. The legislature by general law may prescribe the duration of the exemption and may provide additional eligibility requirements for the exemption.

18. SJR 85

... amend Article VIII, Section 1-b(c):

As amended November 4, 2025: ...

(c) The amount of $100,000 of the market value of the residence homestead of a married or unmarried adult, including one living alone, is exempt from ad valorem taxation for general elementary and secondary public school purposes. The legislature by general law may provide that all or part of the exemption does not apply to a district or political subdivision that imposes ad valorem taxes for public education purposes but is not the principal school district providing general elementary and secondary public education throughout its territory. In addition to this exemption, the legislature by general law may exempt an amount not to exceed $60,000 of the market value of the residence homestead of a person who is disabled as defined in Subsection (b) of this section and of a person 65 years of age or older from ad valorem taxation for general elementary and secondary public school purposes. The legislature by general law may base the amount of and condition eligibility for the additional exemption authorized by this subsection for disabled persons and for persons 65 years of age or older on economic need. An eligible disabled person who is 65 years of age or older may not receive both exemptions from a school district but may choose either. An eligible person is entitled to receive both the exemption required by this subsection for all residence homesteads and any exemption adopted pursuant to Subsection (b) of this section, but the legislature shall provide by general law whether an eligible disabled or elderly person may receive both the additional exemption for the elderly and disabled authorized by this subsection and any exemption for the elderly or disabled adopted pursuant to Subsection (b) of this section. Where ad valorem tax has previously been pledged for the payment of debt, the taxing officers of a school district may continue to levy and collect the tax against the value of homesteads exempted under this subsection until the debt is discharged if the cessation of the levy would impair the obligation of the contract by which the debt was created. The legislature shall provide for formulas to protect school districts against all or part of the revenue loss incurred by the implementation of this subsection, Subsection (d) of this section, and Section 1-d-1 of this article. The legislature by general law may define residence homestead for purposes of this section.