By State Senator Royce West
| With early voting running from October 20 through October 31, 2025, and Election Day set for November 4, anticipation for this year’s election continues to grow. During the most recent legislative session, my colleagues and I in both the Senate and the House worked together to pass 17 constitutional amendments, each with its own unique purpose. I’d like to take a moment to inform you about these amendments and what they mean for Texans. Constitutional amendments play a vital role in ensuring that key legislation remains stable and protected. To pass, they must first receive a two-thirds vote in both the Senate and the House before being placed on the ballot for you, the voters, to decide. Once approved by the people, the amendment becomes law, making it much more difficult to change or repeal in the future. Below, you’ll find a list of the propositions that will appear on your ballot, along with a brief explanation of what each one does: Proposition 1 (S.J.R. 59): This amendment seeks to establish the Permanent Technical Institution Infrastructure Fund and the Available Workforce Education Fund, creating a dedicated source of funding for capital projects and equipment essential to the Texas State Technical College System’s educational programs. I support this amendment because it strengthens our state’s commitment to workforce development and ensures that our technical institutions have the resources needed to prepare students for the jobs of tomorrow. |
| Proposition 2 (S.J.R. 18): Proposition 2 proposes a constitutional amendment that would prohibit the Legislature from imposing a tax on the realized or unrealized capital gains of individuals, families, estates, or trusts. This restriction would apply to any tax on the sale or transfer of a capital asset, regardless of the asset’s ownership.I support this amendment because it protects individuals from potential new forms of income taxation and helps preserve a strong investment climate in Texas. |
| Proposition 3 (S.J.R. 5): This amendment would allow judges to deny bail for certain serious felony offenses, such as murder, aggravated assault, aggravated sexual assault, indecency with a child, and human trafficking, if evidence shows that releasing the defendant would risk public safety or result in them failing to appear in court. It also outlines procedures judges must follow when granting or denying bail and ensures the accused has the right to legal representation.I support this amendment because it strengthens community safety and holds dangerous offenders accountable, while still upholding the constitutional principle that every person is innocent until proven guilty. |
| Proposition 4 (H.J.R. 7): This amendment would require the state comptroller to deposit $1 billion in sales tax revenue each year into the Texas Water Fund if total collections exceed $46.5 billion. The funds could not be used for projects transporting fresh groundwater and must remain in a separate account unless allocated by the Legislature.I support this amendment because it strengthens our long-term investment in Texas’s water infrastructure and helps secure reliable resources for future generations. |
| H.J.R. 7 Proposition 5 (H.J.R. 99): This amendment would allow the Legislature to exempt from ad valorem (property) taxes the tangible personal property of animal feed held for retail sale. It also authorizes lawmakers to set additional eligibility requirements for this exemption. The 89th Legislature passed House Bill 1399 to implement this measure if approved by voters, limiting the exemption to feed sold for farm and ranch animals or for animals held for sale in the regular course of business. I support this amendment because it provides meaningful tax relief to agricultural businesses and supports the farmers and ranchers who drive our state’s economy. I also believe it will help keep the cost of meat and dairy products affordable for Texans. H.J.R. 99 Proposition 6 (H.J.R. 4): This amendment would prohibit the Legislature from imposing an occupation tax on securities market operators, such as stock exchanges and brokers, regulated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission or the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission. It would also ban any state tax on securities transactions conducted by those operators, including new entities like the Texas Stock Exchange (TXSE). I am against this amendment because it limits the state’s ability to collect fair revenue from large financial institutions like the TXSE. This represents a significant potential source of funding that could greatly benefit the state of Texas and its residents. Additionally, banning possible revenue streams before they exist means that the bulk of local revenue will need to continue coming from property taxes, which burden working class individuals. H.J.R. 4 Proposition 7 (H.J.R. 133): This amendment would allow the Texas Legislature to exempt from property taxes the home of a surviving spouse of a U.S. veteran who died from a service-connected illness caused by exposure to toxins such as Agent Orange, burn pits, or radiation. The exemption could also transfer to a new home if the spouse moves, but would end if they remarry. I support this amendment because it honors the sacrifice of our veterans and provides meaningful relief to their surviving spouses. H.J.R. 133 Proposition 8 ( H.J.R. 2): This amendment would prohibit the Legislature from taxing the estate of a deceased individual or the transfer of an inheritance, legacy, succession, or gift between individuals, families, estates, or trusts. I support this amendment because it protects Texas families from future estate or inheritance taxes and ensures that wealth can be passed down without additional financial burden. H.J.R 2 Proposition 9 (H.J.R. 1): This amendment would allow the Legislature to increase the property tax exemption for tangible personal property used to produce income, from the current $2,500 to $125,000. I support this amendment because it provides tax relief for small businesses and helps strengthen local economies by allowing entrepreneurs to reinvest in growth and job creation. H.J.R 1 Proposition 10 ( S.J.R. 84): This amendment would authorize the Texas Legislature to grant a temporary property tax exemption for the appraised value of a home that is completely destroyed by fire. The exemption would apply only to the damaged structure, not to the land or any remaining improvements. I support this amendment because it offers relief to homeowners recovering from devastating losses and helps families rebuild without the added burden of property taxes during difficult times. S.J.R 84 Proposition 11 (S.J.R. 85): This amendment would allow the Legislature to raise the school district property tax exemption for elderly or disabled homeowners from up to $10,000 to up to $60,000 of their home’s value. I support this amendment because it provides much-needed tax relief to seniors and disabled Texans, helping them remain in their homes and maintain financial stability. S.J.R 85 Proposition 12 (S.J.R. 27): This amendment would give the governor a majority of appointments to the State Commission on Judicial Conduct, remove the State Bar of Texas’s ability to appoint two attorneys, and change how judicial misconduct cases are reviewed. It would also limit when private sanctions can be issued and clarify the commission’s authority to suspend or remove judges. I oppose this amendment because it weakens judicial independence and allows greater political influence over the oversight of Texas judges. S.J.R 27 Proposition 13 (S.J.R. 2): Proposition 13 amends the Texas Constitution to increase the portion of the market value of a residence homestead that is exempt from ad valorem taxation for public school purposes from $100,000 to $140,000. I support this amendment because it provides property tax relief for Texas homeowners and helps ease the financial burden on families across the state. S.J.R 2 Proposition 14 (S.J.R. 3): This amendment would require the Legislature to create the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas to fund research, prevention, and treatment for dementia, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and related disorders. It would also establish a $3 billion fund from state revenue to support the institute’s work. I support this amendment because it invests in critical medical research for Texas families affected by these devastating diseases. S.J.R 3 Proposition 15 (S.J.R. 34): This amendment would affirm that parents have both the responsibility and the fundamental right to care for, protect, and make decisions regarding the upbringing of their children. It would add an explicit constitutional guarantee recognizing these long-established rights and responsibilities. I support this amendment because it reinforces the vital role of parents in guiding their children’s lives and ensures those rights are clearly protected under the Texas Constitution. S.J.R 34 Proposition 16 (S.J.R. 37): This amendment would explicitly state that only U.S. citizens may vote in Texas elections. While the U.S. Constitution, federal law, and Texas law already limit voting to citizens, this measure would add that restriction directly to the Texas Constitution. I oppose this amendment because it is unnecessary, Texas law already prohibits noncitizens from voting, and it risks being used to promote division rather than address an existing problem. S.J.R 37 Proposition 17 (H.J.R. 34): This amendment would allow the Legislature to exempt from property taxes the increased value of land along the Texas–Mexico border resulting from the construction of border security infrastructure, such as a wall, built in partnership with the state or federal government. I oppose this amendment because it diverts potential tax revenue away from local communities and prioritizes funding for border wall projects over other pressing state needs like education, healthcare, and infrastructure. H.J.R. 34 Shaping Our Future: These summaries are simply my personal perspectives on each proposed amendment. Regardless of where you stand on these issues, I encourage everyone to get out and vote. Every ballot cast is a voice in shaping the future of our communities and our great state. Let’s come together, stay informed, and participate in the democratic process to ensure Texas continues to move forward, stronger and more united than ever. |
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