As early voting kicks off this week, I want to highlight the upcoming constitutional amendments that Texans will have the opportunity to vote on this November. Every two years, voters decide whether to approve or reject proposed changes to our state’s constitution that have been passed by a two-thirds majority in both chambers of the Legislature. This year, there are seventeen proposed amendments on the ballot, each addressing a wide range of issues including property tax relief, water infrastructure, election integrity, parental rights, and fiscal responsibility.
These propositions are important because they directly shape how our state governs itself. Unlike regular legislation, amendments to the Texas Constitution are permanent and can only be changed again by another statewide vote. That is why it is so important for Texans to study each proposition carefully before heading to the polls.
Below is a summary of each proposed amendment appearing on the November ballot, along with the corresponding legislation from the 89th Legislature:
Proposition 1 (89R SJR 59) – Creates the Permanent Technical Institution Infrastructure Fund to support facilities and workforce training programs within the Texas State Technical College System.
Proposition 2 (Joint Sponsor 89R SJR18) – Prohibits any future state tax on realized or unrealized capital gains for individuals, families, estates, or trusts.
Proposition 3 (Co Sponsor 89R SJR5) – Allows judges to deny bail to defendants accused of serious violent felonies if clear and convincing evidence shows they pose a threat to public safety.
Proposition 4 (Joint Author 89R HJR 7) – Dedicates $1 billion annually to the Texas Water Fund to support statewide water supply and infrastructure projects.
Proposition 5 (89R HJR 99) – Authorizes the Legislature to exempt animal feed held by retailers for sale from property taxation.
Proposition 6 (Co Author 89R HJR 4) – Prohibits the state from imposing an occupation or transaction tax on securities trading or financial-market activities.
Proposition 7 (89R HJR 133) – Provides a property-tax exemption for the surviving spouse of a veteran who dies from a condition presumed to be service-connected under federal law.
Proposition 8 (Joint Author 89R HJR 2) – Prohibits the state from levying estate, inheritance, or gift taxes, protecting families and small businesses from future tax expansions.
Proposition 9 (Co Author 89R HJR 1) – Exempts up to $125,000 of business personal property used for income production from ad valorem taxation to support small business owners.
Proposition 10 (89R SJR 84) – Allows a temporary property-tax exemption for homes that are completely destroyed by fire.
Proposition 11 (Co Sponsor 89R SJR 85)– Increases the school-district homestead exemption for homeowners who are elderly or disabled, from $10,000 to $60,000, providing additional relief for Texans on fixed incomes.
Proposition 12 (89R SJR 27) – Expands the authority and membership of the State Commission on Judicial Conduct to strengthen oversight and accountability in the judiciary.
Proposition 13 (Co Sponsor 89R SJR 2)– Raises the general residence-homestead exemption for school-district property taxes from $100,000 to $140,000.
Proposition 14 (Co Sponsor 89R SJR 3) – Creates the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas to support research and treatment for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and related neurological diseases.
Proposition 15 (89R SJR 34) – Affirms that parents are the primary decision-makers in the upbringing, education, and care of their children.
Proposition 16 (Co Sponsor 89R SJR 37) – Clarifies that only United States citizens may vote in Texas elections.
Proposition 17 (89R HJR 34) – Provides a property-tax exemption for border-area landowners whose property values are affected by state-constructed border-security infrastructure.
Among the seventeen constitutional amendments on this November’s ballot, several stand out for their impact on taxpayers and families. Proposition 2, which I jointly sponsored through Senate Joint Resolution 18, prohibits any future tax on capital gains, ensuring long-term tax certainty for individuals, businesses, and retirees. Proposition 4, which I jointly authored through House Joint Resolution 7, dedicates funding for the Texas Water Fund, helping our state invest in critical water projects to secure future supply. Proposition 6, which I coauthored through House Joint Resolution 4, prohibits new taxes on financial transactions, ensuring that Texas remains competitive and attractive to investors. Proposition 11, which I co-sponsored through Senate Joint Resolution 85, increases the school-district homestead exemption for elderly and disabled homeowners from $10,000 to $60,000, providing meaningful property-tax relief for those on fixed incomes. Together with Proposition 13, which I also co-sponsored, this measure would raise the general homestead exemption from $100,000 to $140,000, bringing the total exemption for seniors and disabled homeowners to $200,000 of their home’s value for school-district tax purposes.
Another key amendment, Proposition 15, affirms the fundamental rights of parents to make decisions regarding the upbringing, education, and care of their children. This measure ensures that parents, not the government, retain primary authority over family matters. Proposition 16, which I cosponsored through Senate Joint Resolution 37, reinforces election integrity by explicitly requiring that only United States citizens may vote in Texas elections. Proposition 17 provides a property tax exemption for border-area landowners whose property values are affected by border security infrastructure improvements, recognizing the unique challenges faced by Texans who live along our southern border.
Together, these amendments reflect the Legislature’s ongoing commitment to conservative principles: protecting taxpayers, defending families, ensuring election security, and preparing our state for the future.
Early voting in Montgomery County begins October 20 and runs through October 31, with Election Day on Tuesday, November 4. I encourage every eligible Texan to make their voice heard. Your vote on these constitutional amendments will help shape the future of our great state for generations to come.
May God bless you, your family, and the great state of Texas.