RESOLUTION ANALYSIS

H.J.R. 79

By: Moody

Pensions, Investments & Financial Services

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Conservation and reclamation districts in a number of counties are currently authorized to issue bonds supported by property taxes to pay for the development and maintenance of recreational facilities, including parks. However, local developers have raised concerns that El Paso is not among those counties. H.J.R. 79 proposes a constitutional amendment to include El Paso County among the counties in which conservation and reclamation districts may issue bonds supported by property taxes for such purposes.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this resolution does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this resolution does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.J.R. 79 proposes an amendment to the Texas Constitution to expand the legislature's authority with regard to conservation and reclamation districts in El Paso County by including the county among the counties containing a conservation and reclamation district, in whole or in part, for which the legislature may authorize indebtedness payable from taxes for the district's development and maintenance of parks and recreational facilities. The resolution clarifies that its provisions should not be construed as a limitation on the powers of the legislature or of a district with respect to parks and recreational facilities as those powers exist immediately before the amendment takes effect.

ELECTION DATE

The constitutional amendment proposed by this joint resolution will be submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 7, 2023.