Texans will decide the fate of 14 constitutional amendments this November.

The propositions cover many topics, including the right to farm and ranch, tax exemptions, teacher retirement and assistance funds.

Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) policy supports five propositions and is neutral on the others.

Proposition 1: Right to Farm and Ranch
Bill language: “The constitutional amendment protecting the right to engage in farming, ranching, timber production, horticulture, and wildlife management.”

This amendment would place the right to farm and ranch in the Texas Constitution.

It would protect a person’s right to engage in generally accepted farm, ranch, timber production, or wildlife management practices on real property that a person owns or leases.

However, the state or cities may “regulate where there is clear and convincing evidence that the law or regulation is necessary to protect the public health and safety from imminent danger.”

The amendment recognizes that ag operations can be regulated to preserve, conserve and develop the state’s natural resources to prevent claims that the constitutional amendment would allow ag producers to ignore regulations related to these resources.

The amendment also allows regulations to protect animal health and crop production to ensure any livestock or crop disease or pest can be addressed.

TFB supports the proposition.

Proposition 2: Childcare Center Tax Exemption
Bill language: “The constitutional amendment authorizing a local option exemption from ad valorem taxation by a county or municipality of all or part of the appraised value of real property used to operate a child-care facility.”

This amendment would allow a county or municipality to exempt a qualifying child-care facility from the governing body’s property taxes. This exemption can range from no less than 50% up to 100% of the appraised value of the property.

TFB policy is neutral.

Proposition 3: Prohibition of Wealth Tax
Bill language: “The constitutional amendment prohibiting the imposition of an individual wealth or net worth tax, including a tax on the difference between the assets and liabilities of an individual or family.”

This amendment is a proactive attempt to prevent a future wealth tax. Wealth, or net worth, is defined as a business or individual’s assets minus the business or individual’s liabilities.

No wealth tax has been proposed in Texas, but this additional language would require voters to approve the imposition of such a tax.

TFB supports the proposition.

Proposition 4: Property Tax Relief
Bill language: “The constitutional amendment to authorize the legislature to establish a temporary limit on the maximum appraised value of real property other than a residence homestead for ad valorem tax purposes; to increase the amount of the exemption from ad valorem taxation by a school district applicable to residence homesteads from $40,000 to $100,000; to adjust the amount of the limitation on school district ad valorem taxes imposed on the residence homesteads of the elderly or disabled to reflect increases in certain exemption amounts; to except certain appropriations to pay for ad valorem tax relief from the constitutional limitation on the rate of growth of appropriations; and to authorize the legislature to provide for a four-year term of office for a member of the board of directors of certain appraisal districts.”

This is the Texas Legislature’s Property Tax Relief Act. It will institute an appraisal cap on property other than residential homesteads of 20% through a pilot program for three years.

Under the amendment, the amount of the school district residence homestead exemption will increase from the current $40,000 to $100,000.

It also will correct a mistake affecting elderly and disabled residence homeowners. When the previous homestead exemption was raised from $25,000 to the current $40,000, language was omitted that allowed elderly and disabled homeowners to benefit from the $15,000 exemption increase. This will make sure they automatically benefit from any future exemption increases.

This amendment will exempt the state’s cost of these property tax relief efforts from the constitutional spending limit.

And finally, counties with a population of more than 75,000 will be required to limit the term for the members of the appraisal district’s governing body (board of directors) to no more than four years.

TFB supports the proposition.

Proposition 5: Texas University Fund
Bill language: “The constitutional amendment relating to the Texas University Fund, which provides funding to certain institutions of higher education to achieve national prominence as major research universities and drive the state economy.”

The amendment would rename the National Research University Fund as the Texas University Fund. It would also appropriate a dedicated source of funding from the economic stabilization fund for eligible state universities that emerge as major research universities.

TFB policy is neutral.

Proposition 6: Texas Water Fund
Bill language: “The constitutional amendment creating the Texas water fund to assist in financing water projects in this state.”

This amendment will create the new $1 billion water supply for Texas fund. The fund would be used to finance projects that will lead to the acquisition or creation of seven million acre-feet of new water supplies by the end of 2033.

The fund specifically addresses helping rural water systems, desalination of brackish groundwater and sea water, and reusing wastewater from oil and gas production. The Texas Water Development Board will oversee the application process for fund requests.

TFB supports the proposition.

Proposition 7: Texas Energy Fund
Bill language: “The constitutional amendment providing for the creation of the Texas energy fund to support the construction, maintenance, modernization, and operation of electric generating facilities.”

This amendment would create the Texas energy fund. The fund would be used by the Public Utility Commission to provide $5 billion in funding to finance the construction or maintenance of electric generation facilities (not including wind and solar).

TFB policy is neutral.

Proposition 8: Broadband Infrastructure Fund
Bill language: “The constitutional amendment creating the broadband infrastructure fund to expand high-speed broadband access and assist in the financing of connectivity projects.”

This amendment would create the Texas Broadband Infrastructure Fund to provide $1.5 billion in state funding to ensure expansion of broadband throughout rural Texas.

The fund would be administered by the Comptroller’s Broadband Development Office, along with the Public Utility Commission. The funding would only be used for efforts aimed at the expansion of broadband services and fully funding the Texas Universal Service Fund.

TFB supports the proposition.

Proposition 9: Teacher Retirement COLA
Bill language: “The constitutional amendment authorizing the 88th Legislature to provide a cost-of-living adjustment to certain annuitants of the Teacher Retirement System of Texas.”

The amendment would authorize the legislature to provide a one-time cost-of-living adjustment to eligible participants of the Teacher Retirement System of Texas. The amendment would allow for the comptroller to transfer $3.323 billion from the general revenue fund to the Teacher Retirement System of Texas for the cost-of-living adjustment.

TFB policy is neutral.

Proposition 10: Medical Equipment Tax Exemption
Bill language: “The constitutional amendment to authorize the legislature to exempt from ad valorem taxation equipment or inventory held by a manufacturer of medical or biomedical products to protect the Texas healthcare network and strengthen our medical supply chain.”

This amendment will exempt tangible personal property, equipment and inventory produced by medical and biomedical manufacturers from ad valorem taxes. Examples include medical devices, pharmaceuticals and personal protection equipment.

TFB policy is neutral.

Proposition 11: El Paso County Conservation District
Bill language: “The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to permit conservation and reclamation districts in El Paso County to issue bonds supported by ad valorem taxes to fund the development and maintenance of parks and recreational facilities.”

The constitutional amendment would add El Paso County to the list of counties in which conservation and reclamation districts are permitted to issue bonds supported by property taxes.

TFB policy is neutral.

Proposition 12: Abolish Galveston County Treasurer Office
Bill language: “The constitutional amendment providing for the abolition of the office of county treasurer in Galveston County.”

The amendment would abolish the county treasurer’s office in Galveston County and authorize the county commissioners court to employ or contract for the services and functions of the office.

TFB policy is neutral.

Proposition 13: Increasing Mandatory Judicial Retirement Age
Bill language: “The constitutional amendment to increase the mandatory age of retirement for state justices and judges.”

The amendment seeks to increase the mandatory age of retirement for an incumbent state justice or judge to 79 years of age. Currently, state law requires a state justice or judge to retire at the age of 75.

TFB policy is neutral.

Proposition 14: Centennial Parks Conservation Fund
Bill language: “The constitutional amendment providing for the creation of the centennial parks conservation fund to be used for the creation and improvement of state parks.”

The amendment would create the centennial parks conservation fund which would provide $1 billion in funding to be used for the creation and improvement of state parks.

TFB policy is neutral.

Voting information
Early voting takes place Oct. 23 through Nov. 3, and Election Day is Nov. 7.

For more information on polling locations and voting resources, visit VoteTexas.gov.