November Constitutional Amendments Election: Amendments 4, 5, AND 6
The November constitutional amendment election is just around the corner. This year, the first Tuesday of November falls on November 5, 2013 (Election Day). Before you can vote on Election Day, it is important to make sure you have everything in place and to know what you will have the opportunity to vote on.
This year, you will have the opportunity to vote on nine constitutional amendments. Below is a brief analysis of proposed constitutional amendments 4, 5 and 6 as they are placed on the ballot with the use of information provided by the Texas Legislative Council*:
1. Amendment No. 4 (H.J.R. 24) – As worded on the ballot “The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide for an exemption from ad valorem taxation of part of the market value of the residence homestead of a partially disabled veteran or the surviving spouse of a partially disabled veteran if the residence homestead was donated to the disabled veteran by a charitable organization.” Amendment No. 4 proposes to authorize a new property tax exemption based on the percentage of the market value of a partially disabled veteran’s residence which is equal to the percentage of the veteran’s disability if the residence homestead was donated to the veteran by a charitable organization at no cost to the veteran. The proposed amendment would authorize the legislature to grant the surviving spouse of a partially disabled veteran, if the veteran passed away after qualifying for the new exemption, the same exemption if the surviving spouse has not remarried, was the residence homestead at the time the veteran passes away and remains the residence homestead.
2. Amendment No. 5 (S.J.R. 18) – As worded on the ballot “The constitutional amendment to authorize the making of a reverse mortgage loan for the purchase of homestead property and to amend lender disclosures and other requirements in connection with a reverse mortgage loan.” Amendment No. 5 proposes to amend the Texas Constitution to authorize advances under a reverse mortgage. It must be the borrowers primary residence. In addition, it would authorize expansion of the conditions under which a lender may establish repayment of this type of reverse mortgage. In order to receive a reverse mortgage in this method, both the borrow and the borrower’s spouse must receive counseling on reverse mortgages and other financial alternatives. The proposed amendment would also modify the constitutionally required written notice, to include the grounds for which the lender may foreclose on a reverse mortgage.
3. Amendment No. 6 (S.J.R. 1) – As worded on the ballot ” The constitutional amendment providing for the creation of the State Water Implementation Fund for Texas and the State Water Implementation Revenue Fund for Texas to assist in the financing of priority projects in the state water plan to ensure the availability of adequate water resources.” Amendment No. 6 proposes to amend the Texas Constitution by creating the State Water Implementation Fund for Texas and the State Water Revenue Fund for Texas. The new funds would be allocated as special funds within the state treasury and outside the general revenue fund to be administered. In addition, the amendment would allow the legislature the ability to authorize the Texas Water Development Board to enter into bond enhancement agreements as well as issue bonds and enter in to related credit agreements (also requires Legislative Budget Board approval) with the use of the newly created funds. The proposed amendment would also establish that any obligation payable from either fund are not considered general obligations of the state. The Texas Water Development Board is required to set aside from each fund annually the amount necessary to make the bond or bond enhancement agreement payments.
*The mission of the Texas Legislative Council is to provide professional, nonpartisan service and support to the Texas Legislature and legislative agencies.
If you would like to view the proposed constitutional amendments to to Texas Legislative Council.
If you have questions regarding any of the information mentioned in this article, please do not hesitate to call my Capitol or District Office. As always, my offices are available at any time to assist with questions, concerns or comments (Capitol Office, 512-463-0672; District Office, 361-949-4603).
– State Representative Todd Hunter, District 32
Rep. Hunter represents Nueces (Part). He can be contacted at todd.hunter@house.state.tx.us or at 512-463-0672.
