Eight constitutional amendments will be decided by voters in Texas in November.

The eight proposals cover many topics, including rodeo raffles, taxes, the state’s court system, county-issued infrastructure bonds, and the power to limit religious services.

Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) policy is neutral on all proposals.

Proposition 1: HJR 143
Language of the bill: “The constitutional amendment authorizing charitable foundations of professional sports teams of organizations sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association or the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association to hold charity raffles at rodeo venues.” “

The constitutional amendment allows charity raffles to be held at rodeo events if the raffle is organized by a charitable foundation of a professional sports team accredited by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association or the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association. Other professional sports team organizations, such as Major League Baseball, the National Basketball Association, and the National Football League, are currently all permitted to conduct this type of charity raffle.

TFB’s policy is neutral.

Proposition 2: HJR 99
Language of the bill: “The constitutional amendment authorizing a county to finance the development or redevelopment of transport or infrastructure in unproductive, underdeveloped or dilapidated areas of the county. “

Counties would be able to issue bonds to finance the development of disaster areas in order to increase property tax revenue to repay the bonds. Municipalities are already able to use tax increase funding, so proponents of the proposal say it makes sense to extend that authority to counties. This allows counties to redistribute property taxes to certain reinvestment areas without raising taxes. The current law is unclear as to whether counties can use this approach, so the amendment would ensure clarity.

TFB’s policy is neutral.

Proposition 3: SJR 27
Text of the bill: “The constitutional amendment aimed at prohibiting this state or a political subdivision of this state from prohibiting or limiting the religious services of religious organizations. “

During the COVID-19 pandemic, some government officials sought to prevent churches from holding religious and worship services. This constitutional amendment would add language to the state constitution to prohibit the state or towns and counties from promulgating any by-laws that prohibit or impose limits on religious services or places of worship, such as actions that have taken occurs at the start of the pandemic.

TFB’s policy is neutral.

Proposition 4: SJR 47
Language of the bill: “The constitutional amendment modifying the conditions of eligibility for a judge of the supreme court, a judge of the criminal appeal court, a judge of an appeal court and a district judge. “

The constitutional amendment adds qualifications to serve as appellate and district judges. A candidate for the post of appellate judge cannot have had their lawyer’s license withdrawn or suspended during the required 10 years during which the person was licensed and practicing. A district judge must serve eight years as a practicing attorney or Texas judge and must not have had their license revoked.

TFB’s policy is neutral.

Proposition 5: HJR 165
Text of the bill: “The constitutional amendment granting additional powers to the State Commission on the Conduct of Judges in relation to candidates for judicial office”.

The constitutional amendment would allow candidates for judicial office to be the subject of complaints and investigations by the State Commission on Judicial Conduct. Currently, only sitting judges are subject to the Code of Judicial Deontology.

TFB’s policy is neutral.

Proposition 6: SJR 19
Text of the bill: “The constitutional amendment establishing a right for residents of certain establishments to designate an essential caregiver for in-person visits. “

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many essential caregivers have been barred from entering facilities to visit loved ones. This constitutional amendment would establish the right of a resident of a care facility to designate an essential caregiver who cannot be prevented from attending in person.

TFB’s policy is neutral.

Proposition 7: HJR 125
Text of the bill: “The constitutional amendment to allow the surviving spouse of a disabled person to receive a limitation of ad valorem taxes from the school district on the homestead of the spouse’s residence if the spouse is 55 years of age or older at the time of the person’s death. death.”

Currently, the surviving spouse of a deceased person over age 65 is entitled to the continued “freeze” of school district property taxes on their family residence. The constitutional amendment would offer the same to the surviving spouse of a disabled person who has benefited from a “freeze” on property taxes in their school district. The surviving spouse must be at least 55 years old at the time of the death of his spouse.

TFB’s policy is neutral.

Proposition 8: SJR 35
Text of the bill: “The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislator to provide an exemption from ad valorem taxation of all or part of the market value of the homestead property of residence of the surviving spouse of a member of the armed forces of the United States who is killed or fatally injured in the performance of his duties.

The constitutional amendment would allow an exemption from property taxes of all or part of the market value of the homestead of the resident of a surviving spouse of a member of the armed forces killed in the line of duty. The exemption is only available if the surviving spouse has not remarried. The current exemption applies only to the surviving spouse of a member of the armed forces killed in action, and not in the line of duty.

TFB’s policy is neutral.

Voting information

Early voting takes place October 18-29, and election day is November 2.

For more information and resources to vote, visit VoteTexas.gov.