Get to know the 2023 Texas Constitutional amendments

Below is a summary of each of the proposed constitutional amendments on the November 2023 ballot. If you need help voting click here.

You can research each of the amendments here via the Texas Legislative Council.

Proposition 1, Right to Farming, Ranching, Timber Production, Horticulture, and Wildlife Management (HJR 126). Allows local entities to determine whether a farm or ranch is allowed.

Proposition 2 -- Property Tax Exemption for Childcare Facilities Amendment (SJR 64). Tax abatement for for-profit childcare businesses.

Proposition 3 -- Prohibit Taxes on Wealth or Net Worth Amendment (HJR 132). Eight states enacted a wealth tax in recent years. Preventative measure.

Proposition 4 -- Property Tax Changes and State Education Funding Amendment (HJR 2). “Tax compression.” $100,000 homestead exemption. Temporary 20% limit on annual non-homestead property taxes owed. Staggered four-year term for CAD directors in counties with 75k people or more. Uses surplus but cannot go against constitutional spending limit.

Proposition 5 -- Rename State University Research Fund and Establish Ongoing Revenue Source Amendment (HJR 3). Texas Tech University, the University of Houston, the University of North Texas, and Texas State University would qualify for around $273 million for 2024-25 under this proposed setup from Rainy Day Fund interest.

Proposition 6 -- Creation of the Water Fund Amendment (SJR 75). Would release around $1 billion already approved by the Legislature for this purpose out of the state's general revenue for TWDB to oversee. 

Proposition 7 -- Creation of State Energy Fund Amendment (SJR 93). Would start at $5 billion set aside for grants and loans to improve grid. 

Proposition 8  -- Creation of Broadband Infrastructure Fund Amendment (HJR 125). $1.5 billion through 2035 or 2045 if extended, but  the federal government is offering to match state funds through the BEAD program (Broadband Equity Access and Deployment) on a 4:1 basis. 

Proposition 9, Cost-of-Living Adjustments for Teacher Retirement System Amendment (HJR 2). Teachers who retired before 2001 would get a 6% adjustment, those who retired between 2001-13 would get a 4% adjustment, and those who retired between 2013-20 would get a 2% adjustment. This will be paid for by $3.4 billion in surplus revenue.  First in 20 years.

Proposition 10 -- Tax Exemption on Medical Equipment and Inventory Amendment (SJR 87). Tax abatement on medical and biomedical equipment.

Proposition 11 -- Authorize Bond Issues in Conservation and Reclamation Districts in El Paso County Amendment (SJR 32). El Paso County only, but anyone can vote.

Proposition 12 -- Abolish Galveston County Treasurer Amendment (HJR 134). Galveston County only, anyone can vote, but only Galveston County votes would count for the final decision.

Proposition 13 -- Increase Mandatory Retirement Age for State Judges Amendment (HJR 107). “The Nathan Hecht Amendment” to increase the retirement age range by five years.

Proposition 14 -- Creation of the Centennial Parks Conservation Fund Amendment (SJR 74). “Centennial” means 100 years since founding of the parks department. $1 billion from general revenue to dedicated fund for land purchase, park improvements.