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The Texas Constitution is the foundation of our state government, defining both citizen rights and limits on state power. Because it can only be changed with broad political and public support, amendments should be considered carefully. This November, 17 Constitutional Amendments will be on the ballot.
As you decide, ask yourself:
• Does this issue truly require a Constitutional amendment, or could it be addressed by regular legislation?
• Does it solve a real problem for many Texans, not just a few?
• Is it mainly driven by lobbyist interests?
• Does it permanently expand government or increase taxes?
• Would it be better handled at the local level instead?
Description: Creates a permanent infrastructure fund and workforce education fund to support capital needs at Texas State Technical College. (SJR 59)
Groups For: Texas 2036, Texas Association of Manufacturers, Texas Association of Builders, AGC-Texas Building Branch, Texas Economic Development Council, Texas Recreational Vehicle Association, Texas Trucking Association, Association of Equipment Manufacturers, NFIB, Texas Construction Association, Associated Builders and Contractors of Texas, Inc, Texas Realtors, BASF Corporation, North Texas Commission, Texas Chemistry Council, Advanced Power Alliance, Samsung Austin Semiconductor, LLC., Dallas Regional Chamber, Texas Solar+Storage Association, Lumbermen's Association of Texas
Groups Against: Texas Policy Research, True Texas Project
Comment: This amendment would allow spending outside the normal budget limits and legislative oversight. Locking this into the Constitution creates ongoing spending with little control. It would permanently expand government and drive taxes higher. Any needed funding should go through the regular budget process instead.
Description: Prohibits any state-imposed tax on realized or unrealized capital gains of individuals, families, estates, or trusts. (SJR 18)
Groups For: Texas Farm Bureau, Texas Policy Research, True Texas Project
Groups Against: NA
Comment: This proposition keeps future legislatures from imposing a tax on capital gains as have been imposed recently in other states. Capital gains taxes are not consistent with conservative core values of limited government, and personal responsibility.
Description: Allows judges to deny bail in certain felony cases under specific conditions. (SJR 5)
Groups For: Crime Stoppers, Texas Public Policy Foundation, TMPA, Austin Police Assoc., The Professional Bondsman of Texas, HRBC, Sheriff’s Assoc. of Texas, FOP 39, HPOU, SAPOA, TGWPOA, SAPD, DPA, City of Houston, Upbring, CLEAT, Texas Police Chief’s Assoc., True Texas Project
Groups Against: Texas Civil Rights Project, American Civil Liberties Union of Texas, Texas Jail Project, The Bail Project, LatinoJustice PRLDEF, Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, Vera Institute of Justice, Texas Policy Research
Comment: This amendment weakens personal liberty while expanding state power. The real problem is activist judges in big Democrat-run cities, not too much freedom. Taking away rights won’t fix bad judges—and even if it passes, judges could still release violent criminals. The real solution is through local elections, not a flawed statewide amendment.
Description: Dedicates a portion of sales tax revenue to the Texas Water Fund for long-term water infrastructure needs. (HJR 7)
Groups For: Texas Assoc. of Manufacturers, The Nature Conservancy in TX, TXWIN, Texas Water Supply Partners, Texas Water Association, Greater Houston Partnership, Texas 2036, Lower Colorado River Authority, Brazos River
Authority, EDF, National Wildlife Federation, AGC of Texas, Texas Assoc. of Business, Texas Farm Bureau, Texas Realtors, Texas Rural Water Assoc., Texas Oil & Gas Assoc., GBRA, …more
Groups Against: Texas Policy Research, True Texas Project
Comment: This amendment locks in $1 billion each year from sales taxes for a new water fund until 2035, with the option to extend it. It undermines fiscal responsibility and limited government by creating automatic spending outside normal oversight. Water needs should be funded through the regular budget process every two years, not permanently written into the Constitution.
Description: Exempts animal feed held for retail sale from ad valorem (property) taxes. (HJR 99)
Gropus For: Texas Farm Bureau, Colony Ranch Supply, Inc., Texas Policy Research, True Texas Project
Groups Against: Individuals
Comment: This amendment is a lobbyist-driven carve-out that benefits a small group while shifting the tax burden onto other property owners. It serves special interests, not Texans as a whole, and should be handled by regular law, not written into the Constitution.
Description: Bans the legislature from taxing transactions involving securities or imposing certain occupation taxes. (HJR 4)
Groups For: Texas Stock Exchange (TXSE), Texas Policy Research, True Texas Project
Groups Against: Individuals
Comment: This proposition benefits a narrow special interest. Other professions like engineers, plumbers, and electricians don’t get similar exemptions. If Texas believes this is worthwhile, it should be handled through regular law, not a Constitutional amendment pushed by Wall Street lobbyists.
Description: Provides a property tax exemption for the surviving spouse of a veteran who died from a service-related condition or disease. (HJR 133)
Groups For: The American Legion Dept of Texas, Texas Policy Research
Groups Against: True Texas Project
Comment: This amendment creates another carve-out for a small group, adding costs for other taxpayers. We deeply honor fallen veterans, but the real solution is eliminating property taxes for everyone, a long-time conservative goal. Surviving spouses of disabled veterans are already protected, and this change would affect very few people. It does not justify a Constitutional amendment.
Description: Prohibits the legislature from imposing “death taxes” such as inheritance, estate, or gift taxes. (HJR 2)
Groups For: Texas Farm Bureau, Texas Association of Builders, Texas Policy Research, True Texas Project
Groups Against: NA
Comment: Unanimous agreement that would protect against future imposition of an inheritance tax.
Description: Allows an exemption from property tax on personal property used to produce income. (HJR 1)
Groups For: Texas Hotel & Lodging Assoc., NFIB, Texas Farm Bureau, Texas Association of Business, Texas Association of Property Tax Professionals, Texas Apartment Assoc., AT&T, Huffines Liberty foundation, Texas Taxpayers & Research Assoc., Texas Oil & Gas Association Texas Chemistry Council, Texas Assoc. of Manufacturers, Texas Realtors, Texas Retailers Assoc., Texas Package Stores Assoc., LIBRE Initiative, Texas Restaurant Assoc., True Texas Project
Groups Against: Harris County Commissioners Court, Travis County Commissions Court
Comment: Conservatives support this amendment because it provides tax relief on business personal property like printers, computers, and tools. This exemption helps small businesses and encourages entrepreneurship and economic growth.
Description: Offers a temporary tax exemption on homestead improvements damaged or destroyed by fire. (SJR 84)
Groups For: South Texans’ Property Rights Association, Texas Policy Research, True Texas Project
Groups Against: NA
Comment: This is a local appraisal issue, not a Constitutional one. It impacts very few homes a year statewide. It also ignores homes destroyed by other disasters. Local or statutory solutions are more appropriate than a Constitutional amendment.
Description: Increases the property tax exemption for elderly or disabled Texans by school districts (SJR 85)
Groups For: Texas Association of Builders, Texas Realtors, Texas Silver Haired Legislature, South Texans’ Property Rights Association
Groups Against: Texas Policy Research, True Texas Project
Comment: This amendment covers all disabled and elderly Texans—large groups most at risk of losing their homes on fixed incomes. It offers real relief on property taxes and, while not a full solution, it’s a meaningful step forward. Half a loaf is better than none.
Proponents say: This amendment carves out a benefit for one group (elderly and disabled) using a fixed dollar amount instead of a percentage. That approach creates winners and losers, shifting the burden to other taxpayers. The real solution is eliminating property taxes altogether.
Description: Reforms the State Commission on Judicial Conduct, including how the Texas Supreme Court reviews its recommendations. (SJR 27)
Groups For: Children’s Court, Texans for Judicial Accountability, Houston Police Officers’ Union, Texas Municipal Police Assoc., Austin Police Assoc., Texas Civil Justice League, Harris County Deputies’ Organization, Dallas Police Assoc., Texans for Lawsuit Reform, Texas Policy Research, True Texas Project
Groups Against: Individuals
Comment: The current commission is broken, and this amendment seeks to remedy it.
Description: Raises the school district homestead exemption from $100,000 to $140,000 (SJR 2).
Groups For: Texas Realtors, Texas Assoc. of Builders, Texas Public Policy Foundation, Texas Silver Hair Legislature, LIBRE Initiative, Americans for Prosperity, South Texans’ Property Rights Association, Texas Policy Research, True Texas Project
Groups Against: NA
Comment: This amendment is a stop-gap measure for property tax relief. Conservatives believe the real solution is to eliminate property taxes entirely and replace them with a consumption tax, but this is a broad step in the right direction.
Description: Creates a new Dementia Prevention and Research Institute and Fund, dedicating $3 billion from general revenue. (SJR 3)
Groups For: Texas Medical Assoc., Texas Assisted Living Assoc., Texas Children’s Hospital, Opportunity Austin, Alzheimer’s Assoc., Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute, Baylor, Scott & White Health, HCA Healthcare, Texas Healthcare & Bioscience Institute, AARP Texas, Texas Assoc. of Business, Teaching Hospitals of Texas, Texas Association of Health Plans
Groups Against: Texas Right To Know, Texas Policy Research, True Texas Project
Comment: This amendment creates a new state research institute, permanently dedicating $3 billion plus up to $300 million a year for dementia research, all outside regular budget limits. Conservatives oppose it because medical research is not the government’s role, and taxpayer funding often leads to waste and slower innovation. Embedding this spending in the Constitution bypasses normal oversight, making it a bad solution despite good intentions.
Description: Affirms that parents are the primary decision-makers for their children. (SJR 34)
Groups For: Texas Public Policy Foundation, Texas Values, Texans for Vaccine Choice, Family Freedom Project, Texas Eagle Forum, Texas Values Action, Baptist General Convention of Texas Christian Life Commission, Texas Right to Life, Texas Home School Coalition, Texas Policy Research
Groups Against: True Texas Project
Comment: This amendment affirms that parents have the inherent right to make decisions for their children. Conservatives believe God already gave this responsibility to parents, not government—except in cases of abuse or neglect. While some worry this suggests the state is “granting” the right, we see it like other constitutional protections (speech, bearing arms). Given today’s threats in schools, explicitly stating this natural right makes it harder to take away in the future, so we support this amendment.
Description: Clarifies that only U.S. citizens may vote in Texas elections. (SJR 37)
Groups For: Texas Public Policy Foundation, Americans For Citizens Voting, Republican Party of Texas, Texas Policy Research , True Texas Project
Groups Against: ACLU of Texas, Democrat Party of Texas, Common Cause, Texas Civil Rights Project, Libertarian Party of Texas
Comment: This amendment stops cities and local governments from letting non-citizens vote, as has happened in places like San Francisco. We believe only U.S. citizens should vote in Texas elections, and we support this amendment to make that clear.
Description: Provides a property tax exemption for border-area land improved for border security infrastructure. (HJR 34)
Groups For: Texas Farm Bureau, South Texans’ Property Rights Association, Texas Policy Research, True Texas Project
Groups Against: NA
Comment: This amendment doesn’t exempt taxes owed—it only exempts added property value from border security improvements. Landowners who invest in securing the border shouldn’t face higher taxes for doing so. This ensures those improvements aren’t counted against their property appraisal.
|
1 AGAINST |
7 AGAINST |
13 FOR |
|
2 FOR |
8 FOR |
14 AGAINST |
|
3 AGAINST |
9 FOR |
15 FOR |
|
4 AGAINST |
10 AGAINST |
16 FOR |
|
5 AGAINST |
11 FOR |
17 FOR |
|
6 AGAINST |
12 FOR |
The data/information provided in this guide is sourced from publicly available information with the primary sources being provided from the Texas Constitution and Legislative Records accessed through Texas Legislature Online.
Analysis of proposed Constitutional Amendments. The mission of the Texas Legislative Council is to provide professional, nonpartisan service and support to the Texas Legislature and legislative agencies. In every area of responsibility, we strive for quality and efficiency
Constitutional Amendments Explained: Ballot Guide & Vote Recommendations. Using the bill analyses we provided state lawmakers during the 89th Legislative Session, Texas Policy Research has compiled a ballot guide for Texans, which includes a brief summary of what each proposition entails as well as the vote recommendation and rationale we provided lawmakers.
2025 Ballot Propositions for Constructional Amendments Review and Recommendations. The recommendations on these amendments represent a majority of our True Texas Project Board members opinions. The Board was not unanimous on all of the amendments.