2025 Constitutional Amendments

*Proposition 1: Workforce & Technical College Infrastructure Fund (SJR 59)

• SAHCC State Legislative Priority: Supports the expansion of opportunities for all Texans to access quality workforce training to upskill and reskill to obtain high-wage, in-demand jobs leading to economic mobility and greater prosperity for our region and state
• SAHCC Recommendation [Support] – These funds would expand training facilities and programs that prepare students for high-demand jobs, helping employers find skilled workers and supporting Texas’ workforce pipeline.

Endorsed by: Texas Association of Business (TAB)

*Proposition 2: Ban on State Capital-Gains Tax (SJR 18)

• SAHCC State Legislative Priority: Supports legislation that reduces the regulatory and property tax burden on all taxpayers.
• SAHCC Recommendation [Support] – Texas Protect individuals, families, estates, and trusts are not subject to a future state tax on investment gains.

Endorsed by: Texas Association of Business (TAB)

*Proposition 4: Dedicated Funding for Texas Water Fund (HJR 7)

• SAHCC Legislative Priority: Supports continuing the efforts of the 88^th Legislature with respect to increased infrastructure funding, as well as facilitating the development of alternative supplies such as desalination, Aquifer Storage & Recovery, and recycled water.
• SAHCC Recommendation [Support] – Would set aside up to $1 billion each year from existing state sales-tax revenue for projects such as expanding water supplies, repairing aging systems, and improving flood protection.

Endorsed by: Texas 2036, Texas Association of Business

Proposition 5: Property Tax Exemption for Retail Animal Feed (HJR 99)

• SAHCC State Legislative Priority: Supports legislation that reduces the regulatory and property tax burden on all taxpayers.
• SAHCC Recommendation [Support] - Could lower costs for businesses that sell animal feed, and potentially for customers as well.

Proposition 6: Ban on Securities or Occupation Taxes (HJR 4)  

• SAHCC State Legislative Priority: Oppose any legislation that adds regulations that negatively impact private business’s daily operations and overall employment practices.
• SAHCC Recommendation [Support] Ensures the state does not impose new taxes on stock or other securities, trades, which could reassure investors and financial firms operating in Texas.

Endorsed by: Texas Association of Business (TAB)

Proposition 7: Property Tax Exemption for Certain Surviving Military Spouses (HJR 133)

• SAHCC State Legislative Priority: Supports legislation that reduces the regulatory and property tax burden on all taxpayers.
• SAHCC Recommendation [Support] - Provides homestead property-tax relief surviving spouses of veterans whose deaths are tied to a service-related disease.

Endorsed by: Texas Association of Business (TAB)

Proposition 8: Ban on State Estate or Inheritance Taxes (HJR 2)

• SAHCC State Legislative Priority: Supports legislation that reduces the regulatory and property tax burden on all taxpayers.
• SAHCC Recommendation [Support] – If passed, the Texas constitution permanently prohibits the legislature from creating a tax on an estate or inheritance after someone’s death.

Endorsed by: Texas Association of Business (TAB)

Proposition 9: Business Personal Property Tax (HJR 1)

• SAHCC State Legislative Priority: Supports legislation that reduces the regulatory and property tax burden on all taxpayers.
• SAHCC Recommendation [Support] - Enables House Bill 6, authorizing the Texas legislature to create a property-tax exemption for up to $125,000 of the value of business equipment, machinery, inventory, and other income-producing personal property. This would lower property taxes for many small and medium-sized businesses by reducing the taxable value of their operating assets.

Endorsed by: Texas Association of Business (TAB)

Proposition 10: Temporary Property-Tax Exemption for Fire-damaged Homes (SJR 84)

• SAHCC State Legislative Priority: Supports legislation that reduces the regulatory and property tax burden on all taxpayers.
• SAHCC Recommendation [Support] - Provides a temporary property tax exemption on the appraised value of a residence completely damaged by a fire. It provides financial relief while the home is being rebuilt so owners aren’t taxed on a house that no longer exists.

Proposition 11: Increased School Homestead Exemption for Seniors and Individuals with a Disability (SJR 85)

• SAHCC State Legislative Priority: Supports legislation that reduces the regulatory and property tax burden on all taxpayers.
• SAHCC Recommendation [Support] - Raises the school district Homestead Exemption for homeowners who are 65 or older or have a disability.

Endorsed by: Texas Association of Business (TAB)

Proposition 13: Increase in homestead exemption from school district (SJR 2)

• SAHCC State Legislative Priority: Supports legislation that reduces the regulatory and property tax burden on all taxpayers.
• SAHCC Recommendation [Support] Raises the homestead exemption by $40,000. Up from the current $100,000 exemption.

Proposition 17: Border Security Property Tax Exemption (HJR 34)

• SAHCC State Legislative Priority: Supports legislation that reduces the regulatory and property tax burden on all taxpayers.

 

Neutral Recommendations: Pending GA Committee Review

Proposition 3: Judge’s Authority to Deny Bail (SJR 5)

This amendment would let judges deny bail to people accused of serious felonies—such as certain violent crimes, first-degree sexual offenses, or human trafficking—when there is clear and convincing evidence that releasing the person would endanger public safety or risk them skipping court.

• SAHCC State Legislative Priority: N/A
• Argument in support:
• Keeps high-risk offenders off the streets while awaiting trial.
• Provides judges clear tools instead of relying on setting higher bail amounts.
• Argument in opposition:
• Could increase pretrial jail population and costs.
• Might worsen racial disparities.

Proposition 12: Stronger oversight of Judges (SJR 27)

This amendment would change the membership and authority of the State Commission on Judicial Conduct (SCJC) and the tribunal that reviews its recommendations, with the goal of strengthening how Texas disciplines judges for misconduct.

• Supporters say the reforms would make the process more transparent and accountable by adding more public representatives, limiting the use of private sanctions, and ensuring that misconduct—such as bias or abuse of power—is addressed quickly and fairly.
• Opponents say replacing all current commissioners at once could disrupt ongoing investigations and delay complaint resolutions, while adding more public members could increase political influence over judicial discipline.