November 2nd is Election Day!

During the 2021 Regular Session, the Legislature adopted eight joint resolutions proposing amendments to the Texas Constitution.  These proposed amendments will be on the November 2, 2021, election ballot.  In-person early voting begins October 18th and continues through October 29th.  Also, in addition to the statewide constitutional amendment propositions, many local cities and counties will have items on the ballot.

Below is a brief description of each constitutional amendment proposition with the associated House or Senate Joint Resolution and/or Bill.  The full text of the Resolution and/or the associated Bill may be found at www.capitol.texas.gov.  

Proposition 1 (HJR 143 (enabling legislation HB 3012)) Proposing a constitutional amendment to authorize the charitable foundation of an organization sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association to conduct raffles at rodeo venues.

Proposition 2  (HJR 99) Proposing a constitutional amendment to add counties to the list of political entities authorized to issue bonds to fund infrastructure and transportation projects in undeveloped and blighted areas within the county.

Proposition 4  (SJR 47) Proposing a constitutional amendment to change the eligibility requirements for the state judicial offices.  Members of the Supreme Court, the Court of Criminal Appeals, and the Court of Appeals would have to be licensed to practice law in Texas and be a resident of Texas (current requirement is licensed to practice law anywhere and be a U.S. citizen) for the 10-year period preceding election or appointment; a district judge must be licensed to practice law for eight years (current requirement is four years).  Additionally, during the required 10 or 8-year period, they may not have had their license to practice law revoked, suspended or subject to a probated suspension.  

Proposition 5  (HJR 165) Proposing a constitutional amendment to authorize the Texas State Commission on Judicial Conduct to accept and investigate complaints and reports against candidates running for state judicial office (Current law limits the Commission’s jurisdiction to sitting judges.).

Proposition 6  (SJR 19 (enabling legislation SB 25)) Proposing a constitutional amendment to grant residents of nursing facilities, assisted living facilities, or state-supported living centers the right to designate an essential caregiver that may not be prohibited from visiting the resident.

Proposition 7 (HJR 125) Proposing a constitutional amendment to provide that the surviving spouse of an individual who received a limitation on school district property taxes on the basis of disability may retain the limitation as long as the spouse is at least 55 years old.

Proposition 8  (SJR 35 (enabling legislation SB 611)) Proposing a constitutional amendment to expand eligibility for a homestead tax exemption for surviving spouses of members of the military to those fatally injured in the line of duty (current law is limited to those who are “killed in action”).