PRINTABLE VOTER REFERENCE SHEET (pdf)

 

Proposition 1 (SJR 59) – Texas State Technical College funds

Ballot Language
“The constitutional amendment providing for the creation of the permanent technical institution infrastructure fund and the available workforce education fund to support the capital needs of educational programs offered by the Texas State Technical College System.”

Plain English

Creates two new bank accounts to help Texas State Technical College (TSTC) system build and improve classrooms, labs, and job-training equipment. One account works like a long-term savings account; the other provides money each year for new projects.

The TSTC campuses include Waco (Main), Abilene, Breckenridge, Brownwood , Fort Bend County (Rosenberg), Harlingen, Marshall, New Braunfels, North Texas (Red Oak), Sweetwater (part of West Texas), Williamson County (Hutto)

Supporters Say: It gives steady money from state taxes to improve training programs that help students learn high-demand skills.

Opponents Say: It constitutionally dedicates state money that might need to be used for other things.

Record Vote in the Texas Legislature

For/Against Rep – YES Rep – NO Dem – YES Dem – NO
House (110–16, 3 PNV) 88 16 62 0
Senate (29–2) 18 2 11 0

Proposition 2 (SJR 18) – Ban a State Capital-Gains Tax

Ballot Language
“The constitutional amendment prohibiting the imposition of a tax on the realized or unrealized capital gains of an individual, family, estate, or trust.”

Plain English

This stops the state from creating a tax on profits people earn when they sell things such as land, homes, or investments. If this amendment passes, Texas could not add a capital-gains tax in the future without a change to the constitution. This is for state taxes only. Federal capital gains tax are not affected by this.

Supporters Say: It protects Texans from paying new kinds of taxes and helps keep the state attractive to investors and businesses.

Opponents Say: It limits future lawmakers if the state ever needs new ways to raise money.

Record Vote in the Texas Legislature

For/Against Rep – YES Rep – NO Dem – YES Dem – NO
House (104–26, 11 PNV) 90 0 14 26
Senate (25–6) 19 0 6 6

Proposition 3 (SJR 5) – Deny Bail for Certain Felonies

Ballot Language
“The constitutional amendment requiring the denial of bail under certain circumstances to a person accused of an offense punishable as a felony.”

Plain English

Lets judges keep people accused of very serious crimes in jail before trial if a hearing shows they could be dangerous or might commit another crime while free. That list of crimes is:
Murder, Capital murder, Aggravated assault, Aggravated kidnapping, Aggravated robbery, Aggravated sexual assault, Indecency with a child, Trafficking of persons, Continuous trafficking of persons

Supporters Say: It helps keep communities safe by allowing judges to hold people who pose a clear danger.

Opponents Say: It could keep more people in jail before they’re proven guilty and may hurt low-income defendants who can’t afford legal help.

Record Vote in the Texas Legislature

For/Against Rep – YES Rep – NO Dem – YES Dem – NO
House 133 – 8 (6 PNV) 87 – 46 8
Senate (28-2) 20 2 11 0

Proposition 4 (HJR 7) – Dedicate Sales-Tax Overflow to the Texas Water Fund

Ballot Language
“The constitutional amendment to dedicate a portion of the revenue derived from state sales and use taxes to the Texas Water Fund and to provide for the allocation and use of that revenue.”

Plain English

For the years 2027 – 2047, when Texas collects more than $46.5 billion in sales-tax money in a single year, $1 billion of the extra amount would automatically go into the Texas Water Fund. That fund helps cities and rural areas repair old water lines, build new water-supply projects, and prepare for droughts.

Supporters Say: It guarantees steady funding to fix Texas’s aging water systems and makes sure growing communities have enough clean water for the future.

Opponents Say: It limits lawmakers’ flexibility by locking away part of the state’s sales-tax money that could be used for other priorities.

Record Vote in the Texas Legislature

For/Against Rep – YES Rep – NO Dem – YES Dem – NO
House 126 – 0 (21 PNV) 84 – 42 –
Senate (31-0) 19 – 12 –

Proposition 5 (HJR 99) – Property-Tax Exemption for Animal-Feed Inventory

Ballot Language
“The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to exempt from ad valorem taxation tangible personal property consisting of animal feed held by the owner of the property for sale at retail.”

Plain English

Lets local governments decide whether to stop charging property tax on feed that stores keep in stock to sell to farmers and ranchers. If approved, counties and cities could give these stores a tax break on that inventory, but they wouldn’t be required to.

Supporters Say: It helps small feed and farm-supply stores by lowering their costs and supports the agriculture industry.

Opponents Say: It would slightly shrink the local tax base, meaning other taxpayers might have to make up the difference.

Record Vote in the Texas Legislature

For/Against Rep – YES Rep – NO Dem – YES Dem – NO
House 102 – 5 (28 PNV) 78 5 24 –
Senate (30-1) 18 1 12 –

Proposition 6 (HJR 4) – Ban a Financial Transaction Tax

Ballot Language
“The constitutional amendment prohibiting the legislature from enacting a law imposing an occupation tax on certain entities that enter into transactions conveying securities or imposing a tax on certain securities transactions.”

Plain English

Stops the state from ever creating a special tax on the buying and selling of stocks, bonds, or other investments. If approved, Texas could not charge fees or taxes each time people trade financial products such as shares or mutual funds.

Supporters Say: It protects investors and retirees from higher costs and helps keep Texas a friendly place for business.

Opponents Say: It takes away a possible way for future lawmakers to raise money fairly from large financial trades, and is a handout to wall street.

Record Vote in the Texas Legislature

For/Against Rep – YES Rep – NO Dem – YES Dem – NO
House 89 – 49 (1 PNV) 89 – – 49
Senate (23-7) 19 – 4 7

Proposition 7 (HJR 133) – Property-Tax Break for Veterans’ Surviving Spouses

Ballot Language
“The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide for an exemption from ad valorem taxation of all or part of the market value of the residence homestead of the surviving spouse of a veteran who died as a result of a condition or disease that is presumed under federal law to have been service-connected.”

Plain English

Gives a property-tax break to the spouse of a veteran who dies from a disease or condition linked to their military service. If passed, the surviving spouse could keep that tax break as long as they don’t re-marry and still live in the home.

Supporters Say: It honors veterans and helps their families stay in their homes after losing a loved one who served.

Opponents Say: It would slightly shrink the local tax base, meaning other taxpayers might have to make up the difference.

Record Vote in the Texas Legislature

For/Against Rep – YES Rep – NO Dem – YES Dem – NO
House 146 – 0 (2 PNV) 94 – 52 –
Senate (31-0) 19 – 12 –

Proposition 8 (HJR 2) – Ban Estate, Inheritance, and Gift Taxes

Ballot Language
“The constitutional amendment to prohibit the legislature from imposing death taxes applicable to a decedent’s property or the transfer of an estate, inheritance, legacy, succession, or gift.”

Plain English

Stops Texas from creating a tax on money or property that people leave to others when they die, or give away as gifts. Texas does not currently have these taxes, but this amendment would make sure they can’t be added in the future without a constitutional amendment.

Supporters Say: It guarantees that Texans won’t have to pay “death taxes” and helps families pass on property or businesses to the next generation.

Opponents Say: It limits the state’s options to raise money in the future and mostly benefits wealthy Texans who own large estates.

Record Vote in the Texas Legislature

For/Against Rep – YES Rep – NO Dem – YES Dem – NO
House 103 – 38 (4 PNV) 87 – 16 38
Senate (30-1) 19 – 11 1

Proposition 9 (HJR 1) – Business Equipment Property-Tax Break

Ballot Language
“The constitutional amendment to authorize the legislature to exempt from ad valorem taxation a portion of the market value of tangible personal property a person owns that is held or used for the production of income.”

Plain English

Allows businesses to get a property-tax break on some of their equipment and tools that they use to make money. The Legislature could set the amount of the exemption up to $125,000 in value.

Supporters Say: It helps small businesses by lowering taxes on equipment and supplies, giving them more money to hire workers or invest in growth.

Opponents Say: It reduces local tax revenue for schools and cities, which could lead to higher taxes elsewhere or less money for public services.

Record Vote in the Texas Legislature

For/Against Rep – YES Rep – NO Dem – YES Dem – NO
House 143 – 0 93 – 50 –
Senate (31-1) 19 – 12 –

Proposition 10 (SJR 84) – Temporary Tax Break After a House Fire

Ballot Language
“The constitutional amendment to authorize the legislature to provide for a temporary exemption from ad valorem taxation of the appraised value of an improvement to a residence homestead that is completely destroyed by a fire.”

Plain English

Lets homeowners get a short-term property-tax break if part of their house is completely destroyed by fire. The exemption would cover the value of the part of the home that burned down until it’s rebuilt.

Supporters Say: It helps families recover financially after a fire by not taxing property that no longer exists.

Opponents Say: It could make property-tax collections more complicated and slightly reduce local funding while repairs are underway.

Record Vote in the Texas Legislature

For/Against Rep – YES Rep – NO Dem – YES Dem – NO
House 144 – 1 (2 PNV) 94 1 50 –
Senate (30-1) 19 – 12 –

Proposition 11 (SJR 85) – ISD Elderly/Disabled Tax Exemption

Ballot Language
“The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to increase the amount of the exemption from ad valorem taxation by a school district of the market value of the residence homestead of a person who is elderly or disabled.”

Plain English

Texas already gives every homeowner a $100,000 general homestead exemption for school district taxes. Seniors (65+) and people with disabilities also get an extra exemption that has been $10,000. This amendment would let the Legislature raise that extra exemption to $60,000. If lawmakers also raise the general exemption to $140,000 (as proposed in a related bill), many seniors/disabled homeowners would see up to $200,000 of their home value shielded from school taxes. In short: it’s designed to lower school property tax bills for seniors and disabled homeowners

Supporters Say: Seniors and disabled Texans are often on fixed incomes; bigger exemptions make it easier to keep their homes.

Opponents Say: Relief is limited to owner-occupied homesteads; renters (including senior renters) get nothing, and tax load can shift to other property types.

Record Vote in the Texas Legislature

For/Against Rep – YES Rep – NO Dem – YES Dem – NO
House 145 – 0 (1 PNV) 85 – 60 –
Senate (31-0) 19 – 12 –

Proposition 12 (SJR 27) – Changes to the Judicial Conduct Commission

Ballot Language
“The constitutional amendment regarding the membership of the State Commission on Judicial Conduct, the membership of the tribunal to review the commission’s recommendations, and the authority of the commission, the tribunal, and the Texas Supreme Court to more effectively sanction judges and justices for judicial misconduct.”

Plain English

Changes how the state’s Judicial Conduct Commission is set up and gives it more power to investigate and punish judges who break ethical rules.
It also changes who reviews the commission’s decisions and how those decisions can be appealed.

Supporters Say: It makes the system for disciplining judges stronger and helps protect the public from unfair or unethical behavior in court.

Opponents Say: It could make the process more political and threaten the independence of judges who make unpopular rulings.

Record Vote in the Texas Legislature

For/Against Rep – YES Rep – NO Dem – YES Dem – NO
House 119 – 17 (4 PNV) 95 5 24 12
Senate (27 – 4) 20 4 7 0

Proposition 13 (SJR 2) – Keep the $140,000 School Homestead Exemption

Ballot Language
“The constitutional amendment to increase the amount of the exemption of residence homesteads from ad valorem taxation by a school district.”

Plain English

Keeps the rule that removes $140,000 from the taxable value of most homes when calculating school property taxes. That means homeowners would continue to pay school taxes on a smaller part of their home’s value, lowering their yearly tax bill.

Supporters Say: It helps homeowners save money and protects them from rising property values.

Opponents Say: It reduces how much money schools collect from property taxes and may require the state to send more funding to make up the difference.

Record Vote in the Texas Legislature

For/Against Rep – YES Rep – NO Dem – YES Dem – NO
House 143 – 0 93 – 50 –
Senate (31-0) 19 – 11 –

Proposition 14 (SJR 3) – Dementia Prevention and Research Institute

Ballot Language
“The constitutional amendment creating the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas, establishing the Dementia Prevention and Research Fund to provide money for research on and prevention and treatment of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and related disorders in this state, and transferring to that fund $3 billion from state general revenue.”

Plain English

Creates a new state institute that will spend $3 billion studying and preventing brain diseases such as dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s.
The money would come from the state’s general fund and be used for research, treatment programs, and public education.

Supporters Say: It invests in medical research that could help millions of Texans and supports work to slow or prevent memory-loss diseases.

Opponents Say: It costs a lot of public money and may duplicate programs that already exist, using funds that could go to other health priorities.

Record Vote in the Texas Legislature

For/Against Rep – YES Rep – NO Dem – YES Dem – NO
House 114 – 22 (3 PNV) 86 8 28 14
Senate (25-6) 17 6 8 –

Proposition 15 (SJR 34) – Parental Rights

Ballot Language
“The constitutional amendment relating to the rights of parents to raise, care for, and direct the upbringing of their children.”

Plain English

Adds language to the Texas Constitution saying that parents have the right to make decisions about raising their children, including education, health care, and moral guidance. The state could only limit those rights if it shows a strong reason to do so.

Supporters Say: It protects parents from government overreach and ensures that families make key decisions about children’s lives.

Opponents Say: It could create legal conflicts with child-protection laws and school policies, leading to lawsuits and confusion.

Record Vote in the Texas Legislature

For/Against Rep – YES Rep – NO Dem – YES Dem – NO
House 112 – 22 (2 PNV) 89 – 23 22
Senate (31-0) 19 – 12 –

Proposition 16 (SJR 37) – Only U.S. Citizens May Vote

Ballot Language
“The constitutional amendment clarifying that a voter must be a United States citizen.”

Plain English

Adds clear wording to the Texas Constitution saying that only U.S. citizens can vote in Texas elections. Texas law already limits voting to citizens, but this amendment makes that rule part of the state constitution.

Supporters Say: It reinforces existing law, prevents confusion, and helps protect the integrity of elections.

Opponents Say: It’s unnecessary because non-citizens are already not allowed to vote under current law and could be seen as a political statement rather than a needed change.

Record Vote in the Texas Legislature

For/Against Rep – YES Rep – NO Dem – YES Dem – NO
House 102 – 14 (22 PNV) 87 – 15 14
Senate (28-3) 19 – 9 3

Proposition 17 (HJR 34) – Border-Infrastructure Property-Tax Exemption

Ballot Language
“The constitutional amendment to authorize the legislature to provide for an exemption from ad valorem taxation of 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.”

Plain English

Lets property owners in Texas counties along the U.S.–Mexico border avoid paying property taxes on the added value of new border-security structures they build, such as fencing or barriers. It would only apply to border counties and only to the value of those improvements.

Supporters Say: It encourages landowners to build security improvements without being taxed more for doing so.

Opponents Say: It reduces local tax income and ties property-tax policy to a politically divisive issue.

Record Vote in the Texas Legislature

For/Against Rep – YES Rep – NO Dem – YES Dem – NO
House 116 – 20 (4 PNV) 96 – 20 20
Senate (23-8) 19 – 4 8

Proposition A – Garland ISD Tax Rate Election

Ballot Language
“Ratifying the ad valorem tax rate of 1.1709 in Garland Independent School District for the current year, a rate that will result in an increase of 16.49 percent in maintenance and operations tax revenue for the district for the current year as compared to the preceding year, which is an additional $41,996,738.”

Plain English

If voters say “Yes,” GISD would be allowed to raise its operating (maintenance & operations, or M&O) tax to $1.1709 per $100 of property value.
This change is estimated to bring in about $56 million more each year to pay for things like teacher and staff salaries, student programs, special education, safety, and district operations.

Supporters Say

  • It helps GISD keep and pay good teachers and staff, reducing turnover.
  • It protects student programs (arts, athletics, magnet, etc.) from cuts.
  • It helps maintain safety and support services like security officers, special education, and mental health resources.
  • The extra funding is needed after years of under-funding, rising costs, and growing service demands.

Opponents Say

  • It raises taxes for property owners, which could be a burden, especially for those on fixed incomes.
  • The district should cut inefficiencies or reallocate its budget first.
  • Some may worry about long-term dependence on extra tax revenue and whether promised programs will be maintained.

 

 

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