Bill Text: TX SJR52 | 2021-2022 | 87th Legislature | Introduced


Bill Title: Proposing a constitutional amendment providing for the creation of the Texas emissions reduction plan fund for the purpose of administering and implementing programs relating to reducing emissions of air contaminants or other pollutants and preventing areas of the state from being in violation of national ambient air quality standards.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2021-03-18 - Referred to Natural Resources & Economic Development [SJR52 Detail]

Download: Texas-2021-SJR52-Introduced.html
  87R9573 JRR-F
 
  By: Birdwell S.J.R. No. 52
 
 
 
A JOINT RESOLUTION
  proposing a constitutional amendment providing for the creation of
  the Texas emissions reduction plan fund for the purpose of
  administering and implementing programs relating to reducing
  emissions of air contaminants or other pollutants and preventing
  areas of the state from being in violation of national ambient air
  quality standards.
         BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Article III, Texas Constitution, is amended by
  adding Section 68 to read as follows:
         Sec. 68.  (a) The Texas emissions reduction plan fund is
  established as a trust fund outside the state treasury to be held by
  the comptroller and administered by the Texas Commission on
  Environmental Quality, or that commission's successor in function,
  as a trustee. Money in the fund may be spent without legislative
  appropriation and may be used as provided by general law for the
  purpose of administering and implementing programs relating to
  reducing emissions of air contaminants or other pollutants and
  preventing areas of the state from being in violation of national
  ambient air quality standards.
         (b)  The Texas emissions reduction plan fund consists of
  money credited to the fund as provided by general law. Money
  credited to the fund may be transferred to the fund without
  legislative appropriation.
         SECTION 2.  The following temporary provision is added to
  the Texas Constitution:
         TEMPORARY PROVISION. (a) This temporary provision applies
  to the constitutional amendment proposed by the 87th Legislature,
  Regular Session, 2021, providing for the creation of the Texas
  emissions reduction plan fund.
         (b)  A reference in general law to the Texas emissions
  reduction plan fund established under Section 386.250, Health and
  Safety Code, means the Texas emissions reduction plan fund
  established under Section 68, Article III, of this constitution.
         (c)  If money is transferred to the credit of the Texas
  emissions reduction plan fund established under Section 386.250,
  Health and Safety Code, before the effective date of the amendment
  adding Section 68 to Article III of this constitution, the transfer
  of that money without legislative appropriation does not affect the
  validity of the transfer.
         (d)  This temporary provision expires January 1, 2026.
         SECTION 3.  This proposed constitutional amendment shall be
  submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 2, 2021.
  The ballot shall be printed to permit voting for or against the
  proposition: "The constitutional amendment providing for the
  creation of the Texas emissions reduction plan fund for the purpose
  of administering and implementing programs relating to reducing
  emissions of air contaminants or other pollutants and preventing
  areas of the state from being in violation of national ambient air
  quality standards."
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