LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – Texans have just two more days to vote early on 17 different constitutional amendments. Here’s what’s on the ballot.
Proposition 1: Funding for Texas State Technical College
“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.”
This amendment would create an endowment for the Texas State Technical College program.
Governor Abbott asked the state legislature to prioritize workforce training, making it an emergency item this session since Texas employers have struggled with finding trade workers, like welders and plumbers. State funding for Texas State Technical College would help expand its career training across the state, pushing the state closer to its goal of expanding post-secondary credentials to 60% of Texans ages 25-64.
Proposition 2: Banning capital gains taxes
“The constitutional amendment prohibiting the imposition of a tax on the realized or unrealized capital gains of an individual, family, estate, or trust.”
This amendment would prevent the state from taxing businesses or people on profits, or potential profits, from assets like investments, real estate, and certain personal property.
Proponents of this measure say it would double down on the state’s income tax ban passed in 2019.
Proposition 3: Bail reform
“The constitutional amendment requiring the denial of bail under certain circumstances to persons accused of certain offenses punishable as a felony.”
This amendment would require judges to deny bail for people accused of specific felony crimes including murder, aggravated assault, and indecency with a child.
Almost everyone who is arrested has the right to be released on bail under the Texas Constitution as it stands now.
Some lawmakers described this legislation as a “life or death” issue during the session, saying stricter bail laws are necessary to keep people accused of dangerous crimes locked up.
Proposition 4: Water infrastructure funding
“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.”
This amendment would approve a $20 billion investment to secure the state’s water supply. That money would be used to fix aging pipes and infrastructure, developing and increasing new water sources, flood mitigation efforts, and supporting conservation.
When we spoke with Lubbock’s State Senator Charles Perry earlier this year, he said Texas could run out of water by 2050 if the state does not act.
Proposition 5: Tax exemption on animal feed
“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.”
This amendment would extend current tax exemptions on animal feed to include when feed is held on inventory to be sold.
According to a resolution analysis written by Palestine Rep. Cody Harris, animal feed is “typically exempt from taxation at each location or transaction during its life cycle, from the field where it’s harvested to the purchase of the feed by a farmer or rancher, except for when the feed is sitting in a store as inventory”. He said the measure hopes to address that inconsistency.
Proposition 6: Securities tax ban
“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.”
Similar to Proposition 1, this amendment would prevent the state from creating new taxes on securities transactions like stock trading.
Proponents say that would protect investments, including retirement accounts and pensions.
Proposition 7: Tax exemption for veterans’ spouses
“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.”
This amendment would provide property tax breaks for the un-remarried widows of veterans and service members who died in connection with their service.
Proposition 8: Inheritance tax ban
“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.”
This amendment would prevent lawmakers from imposing taxes on an estate that is transferred after someone dies or an inheritance. Texas does not currently have an inheritance tax.
Proposition 9: Inventory and equipment tax exemption
“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.”
This amendment would exempt up to $125,000 worth of business inventory or equipment from being taxed. Current law exempts property worth less than $2,500 from taxation.
Supporters of the amendment say it will ease the burden on local businesses and contribute to economic growth.
Proposition 10: Tax exemption for homes burned in fires
“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.”
This amendment would temporarily lower the property tax for homes destroyed by a fire. Homeowners can apply for an adjusted tax bill on the restored home. The exemption is only available for the tax year in which the fire occurs.
To qualify, the house must have been uninhabitable for 30 days.
Proposition 11: School tax exemption for elderly or disabled homeowners
“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.”
This amendment would allow the state to raise a homestead exemption, shaving off $60,000 from the taxable value of elderly or disabled Texans’ homes. The current exemption is $10,000.
If Proposition 13 is also passed, elderly or disabled homeowners could receive a homestead exemption of up to $200,000.
Proposition 12: Changing the State Judicial Conduct Commission
“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.”
This amendment would increase citizen representation on Texas’ State Commission on Judicial Conduct. Currently, 5 citizens older than 30 are appointed by the Governor to sit on the commission. The amendment would increase that number to 7 and increase the age requirement to 35.
This amendment would also adjust how the chief justice of the Texas Supreme Court selects review tribunals. The tribunals consist of seven Court of Appeals judges and meet to determine the commission’s recommended retirement or removal of a judge.
The amendment also adjusts when and how the commission and review tribunal would have to discipline judges.
Proposition 13: Increased school tax exemption for homeowners
“The constitutional amendment to increase the amount of the exemption of residence homesteads from ad valorem taxation by a school district from $100,000 to $140,000.”
This amendment would raise the homestead exemption for all Texas homeowners. It would shave off $140,000 from the taxable value of a home.
The Legislative Budget Board estimates the lost revenue could cost the state more than $2 billion for the 2026-2027 fiscal year.
Proposition 14: Dementia research and prevention funding
“The constitutional amendment providing for the establishment of 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.”
This amendment would provide the money to create the Dementia Prevention and Research Fund to study dementia, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and other brain related conditions. After the initial $3 billion transfer, the institute would receive up to $300 million annually.
Proposition 15: Codifying parental rights
“The constitutional amendment affirming that parents are the primary decision makers for their children.”
This amendment would add specific language to the Texas Constitution to affirm that parents have the responsibility to nurture and protect their child. It also codifies the “inherent right” to exercise care, custody, and control of the child’s upbringing.
The amendment does not change any existing law.
Opponents of the measure say the language is too vague, and worry it could be weaponized to challenge parental decisions the state disagrees with.
Proposition 16: Clarifying citizenship requirements for voters
“The constitutional amendment clarifying that a voter must be a United States citizen.”
This amendment would add language to the Texas Constitution that clarifies anyone who is not a citizen of the U.S. cannot vote in the state.
U.S. citizenship is already required to register to vote in Texas. The authors and sponsors of the legislation say this will prevent local governments across the state from voting in municipal and other local elections.
Proposition 17: Property tax exemption for border security infrastructure
“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.”
This amendment would allow the state to prevent property value in border counties from increasing due to border infrastructure and ongoing improvements.
Proponents of the measure say it will address concerns from landowners that border security infrastructure placed on private land by the state could place a burden on property owners by increasing the property’s appraised value, which could increase property taxes.
Early voting ends Oct. 31. You can find early voting locations here.
Election Day is Nov. 4. Polling locations will be different day-of than early voting locations. You can find those approved locations here.
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