Proposed constitutional amendments are voted on in the November election after each legislative session.
This year the election date will be November 2, 2021.
There are eight proposed constitutional amendments.
The ballot language and a short explanation of each are below.
Proposition No. 1 (H.J.R. 143)
What will be on the ballot: “The constitutional amendment authorizing the professional sports team charitable
foundations of organizations sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association or the Women’s
Professional Rodeo Association to conduct charitable raffles at rodeo venues.”
What it means: This would allow charitable raffles to be conducted at rodeo events hosted or sanctioned by the
Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association.
Proposition No. 2 (H.J.R. 99)
What will be on the ballot: “The constitutional amendment authorizing a county to finance the development or
redevelopment of transportation or infrastructure in unproductive, underdeveloped, or blighted areas in the
county.”
What it means: This would allow a county to issue debt to finance transportation infrastructure, excluding toll
roads, in underserved parts of the county.
Proposition No. 3 (S.J.R. 27)
What will be on the ballot: “The constitutional amendment to prohibit this state or a political subdivision of this
state from prohibiting or limiting religious services of religious organizations.”
What it means: This would mean a governmental entity could not limit or prohibit religious services.
Proposition No. 4 (S.J.R. 47)
What will be on the ballot: “The constitutional amendment changing the eligibility requirements for a justice of
the supreme court, a judge of the court of criminal appeals, a justice of a court of appeals, and a district judge.”
What it means: This would require 10 years of experience as a practicing lawyer in the State of Texas or a
practicing lawyer and judge of a state court or county court for a combined total of at least 10 years to be
eligible to serve as Chief Justice or Justice of the Supreme Court of Texas.
Proposition No. 5 (H.J.R. 165)
What will be on the ballot: “The constitutional amendment providing additional powers to the State
Commission on Judicial Conduct with respect to candidates for judicial office.”
What it means: Currently, the State Commission on Judicial Conduct may only handle complaints against
existing judges. This amendment would extend the Commission’s authority to impose the same standards on
all judicial candidates as it does for those who are already judges, therefore leveling the playing field and
ensuring all candidates for judicial positions are treated equally.
Proposition No. 6 (S.J.R. 19)
What will be on the ballot: “The constitutional amendment establishing a right for residents of certain facilities
to designate an essential caregiver for in-person visitation.”
What it means: This amendment would guarantee residents of long-term care facilities (such as nursing
homes) the right to designate someone as an essential caregiver. Though they may put certain guidelines in
place, these facilities would not be allowed to prohibit residents from visiting with their designated caregivers,
even in situations similar to Covid-19.
Proposition No. 7 (H.J.R. 125)
What will be on the ballot: “The constitutional amendment to allow the surviving spouse of a person who is
disabled to receive a limitation on the school district ad valorem taxes on the spouse’s residence homestead if
the spouse is 55 years of age or older at the time of the person’s death.”
What it means: This would allow the surviving spouse of a disabled person to retain the tax ceiling benefit.
Proposition No. 8 (S.J.R. 35)
What will be on the ballot: “The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide for an
exemption from ad valorem taxation of all or part of the market value of the residence homestead of the
surviving spouse of a member of the armed services of the United States who is killed or fatally injured in the
line of duty.”
What it means: This would allow the surviving spouse of a service member who is killed or fatally injured
(rather than killed in action) to receive a property tax exemption.