What to know and a summary of the 2025 Texas Constitutional Ammendments Election
Disclaimer: This article provides a clear summary of the ballot language and the intent behind each proposition. TownTalk Media presents this information without expressing any opinions, allowing readers to form their own views on these important matters.
Did you know that there is an important election taking place in November for the State of Texas? This election focuses on constitutional amendments, allowing voters to decide on proposed changes to the state constitution. These amendment elections typically occur every odd year following the biennial legislative sessions, in which the Texas Legislature convenes to introduce and debate new laws. This year, voters will have the opportunity to weigh in on several critical issues, making it essential to stay informed about the specific amendments on the ballot. Participating in this election is a vital way to engage with and influence the governance of our state.
Here’s an overview of the proposition numbers, the joint resolutions passed by the 89th Texas Legislature, the corresponding ballot language, and a concise summary of each proposition. Early voting has officially commenced, starting on Monday, October 20, 2025, and will be available until Friday, October 31, 2025. Additionally, you will find a sample ballot at the end of this article to help guide your voting experience.
Proposition 1 – Senate Joint Resolution 59
Ballot Language: “The constitutional amendment providing for the creation of the permanent technical institution infrastructure fund and the available workforce education fund to support the capital needs of educational programs offered by the Texas State Technical College System.”
Summary: This amendment proposes the establishment of two dedicated state funds to support infrastructure, land acquisition, and equipment for the Texas State Technical College System (TSTC). These funds would be initially funded with $850 million from general revenue and would operate independently of the regular state budget and legislative oversight.
Proposition 2 – Senate Joint Resolution 18
Ballot Language: “The constitutional amendment prohibiting the imposition of a tax on the realized or unrealized capital gains of an individual, family, estate, or trust.”
Summary: This amendment would permanently ban the Texas Legislature from imposing any taxes on capital gains, whether they are realized or unrealized. Currently, Texas does not have a capital gains tax, so this measure serves as a safeguard to maintain the state’s existing low-tax structure.
Proposition 3 – Senate Joint Resolution 5
Ballot Language: “The constitutional amendment requiring the denial of bail under certain circumstances to persons accused of certain offenses punishable as a felony.”
Summary: This amendment would allow judges to deny bail to individuals charged with serious felonies, such as murder, aggravated assault, and human trafficking. The state must prove by clear and convincing evidence that releasing these individuals would endanger the public or pose a risk of flight. It establishes mandatory bail denial for specific charges within the state constitution, allowing limited discretion for judges.
Proposition 4 – House Joint Resolution 7
Ballot Language: “The constitutional amendment to dedicate a portion of the revenue derived from state sales and use taxes to the Texas water fund and to provide for the allocation and use of that revenue.”
Summary: This amendment proposes to allocate up to $1 billion each year from existing sales tax revenue into a new Texas Water Fund, which will be used to support water infrastructure projects. The funding would be automatically disbursed each year, bypassing the usual legislative appropriations process. This funding mechanism would remain in place until 2035, unless the legislature decides to extend it.
Proposition 5 – House Joint Resolution 99
Ballot Language: “The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to exempt from ad valorem taxation tangible personal property consisting of animal feed held by the owner of the property for sale at retail.”
Summary: This amendment would grant the Texas Legislature the authority to exempt animal feed held for retail sale from local property taxes. While it does not mandate this exemption, it allows for future legislation to be enacted that could address a tax inconsistency within the agricultural supply chain.
Proposition 6 – House Joint Resolution 4
Ballot Language: “The constitutional amendment prohibiting the legislature from enacting a law imposing an occupation tax on certain entities that enter into transactions conveying securities or imposing a tax on certain securities transactions.”
Summary: This amendment would prohibit the Texas Legislature from imposing taxes on securities transactions and from creating new occupation taxes on registered financial market operators, such as brokers and exchanges. Its purpose is to protect investors and financial institutions from potential future taxation in this area.
Proposition 7 – House Joint Resolution 133
Ballot Language: “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 veteran who died as a result of a condition or disease that is presumed under federal law to have been service-connected.”
Summary: This amendment creates an opportunity for the Legislature to grant a tax exemption for the homestead of a surviving spouse of a veteran who has passed away due to a condition presumed to be connected to their service. This exemption is designed to continue as long as the spouse remains unmarried and relocates to another qualifying homestead, enabling them to retain the benefits of the previous tax relief. This approach ensures that the surviving spouse receives continued support during a challenging time.
Proposition 8 – House Joint Resolution 2
Ballot Language: “The constitutional amendment to prohibit the legislature from imposing death taxes applicable to a decedent’s property or the transfer of an estate, inheritance, legacy, succession, or gift.”
Summary: This amendment would permanently prevent the Texas Legislature from imposing estate, inheritance, or gift taxes. Currently, Texas does not levy such taxes, so this measure serves as a safeguard against any future reintroduction.
Proposition 9 – House Joint Resolution 1
Ballot Language: “The constitutional amendment to authorize the legislature to exempt from ad valorem taxation a portion of the market value of tangible personal property a person owns that is held or used for the production of income.”
Summary: This amendment would permit the Legislature to exempt up to $250,000 of the market value of income-generating personal property, such as business equipment and tools, from local property taxes. This exemption aims to reduce the tax burden on small businesses and self-employed individuals.
Proposition 10 – Senate Joint Resolution 84
Ballot Language: “The constitutional amendment to authorize the legislature to provide for a temporary exemption from ad valorem taxation of the appraised value of an improvement to a residence homestead that is completely destroyed by a fire.”
Summary: This amendment would grant the Legislature the authority to offer a temporary property tax exemption for homesteads that are completely destroyed by fire. The exemption would only apply to the value of the destroyed structure, excluding the land, and it would be established through future legislation.
Proposition 11 – Senate Joint Resolution 85
Ballot Language: “The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to increase the amount of the exemption from ad valorem taxation by a school district of the market value of the residence homestead of a person who is elderly or disabled.”
Summary: This amendment would allow the Legislature to increase the additional school property tax exemption for elderly and disabled homeowners from $10,000 to $60,000. This higher exemption would lower school district taxes for eligible individuals, and the cost would be covered by state funds to ensure that school district funding levels are maintained.
Proposition 12 – Senate Joint Resolution 27
Ballot Language: “The constitutional amendment regarding the membership of the State Commission on Judicial Conduct, the membership of the tribunal to review the commission’s recommendations, and the authority of the commission, the tribunal, and the Texas Supreme Court to more effectively sanction judges and justices for judicial misconduct.”
Summary: This amendment aims to expand and restructure the State Commission on Judicial Conduct (SCJC). It will increase the number of members and enhance public representation while boosting the Commission’s ability to impose public sanctions on judges. Additionally, the amendment introduces new powers, including the authority to suspend judges who are indicted for specific crimes.
Proposition 13 – Senate Joint Resolution 2
Ballot Language: “The constitutional amendment to increase the amount of the exemption of residence homesteads from ad valorem taxation by a school district from $100,000 to $140,000.”
Summary: This amendment proposes to elevate the school district property tax exemption on homesteads from $100,000 to $140,000. This change aims to lower taxable home values and offer meaningful tax relief to homeowners. To support this initiative, the state will ensure that school districts are reimbursed for any revenue losses incurred as a result.
Proposition 14 – Senate Joint Resolution 3
Ballot Language: “The constitutional amendment providing for the establishment of the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas, establishing the Dementia Prevention and Research Fund to provide money for research on and prevention and treatment of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and related disorders in this state, and transferring to that fund $3 billion from state general revenue.”
Summary: This amendment aims to create a new state-run medical research institute focused on advancing research in dementia and other neurodegenerative diseases. It proposes a dedicated funding commitment of $3 billion from general revenue, along with an annual allocation of up to $300 million for research initiatives and infrastructure development. Importantly, this fund would operate beyond the constraints of the state’s regular spending cap, allowing for increased support and innovation in this critical area of health.
Proposition 15 – Senate Joint Resolution 34
Ballot Language: “The constitutional amendment affirming that parents are the primary decision makers for their children.”
Summary: This amendment would establish in the Texas Constitution the fundamental right of parents to care for and make decisions regarding their children’s upbringing. It would limit interference from state or local governments unless there is a compelling government interest, and such interference must use the least restrictive means possible.
Proposition 16 – Senate Joint Resolution 37
Ballot Language: “The constitutional amendment clarifying that a voter must be a United States citizen.”
Summary: This amendment would clearly specify in the Texas Constitution that only U.S. citizens are allowed to vote in Texas elections. Although current laws already restrict voting to citizens, this measure would solidify that limitation in the Constitution. This aims to prevent any future legal or policy changes that might permit non-citizen voting.
Proposition 17 – House Joint Resolution 34
Ballot Language: “The constitutional amendment to authorize the legislature to provide for an exemption from ad valorem taxation of the amount of the market value of real property located in a county that borders the United Mexican States that arises from the installation or construction on the property of border security infrastructure and related improvements.”
Summary: This amendment would permit the Legislature to exempt from property taxation any increase in the value of land in Texas border counties that results from the installation of border security infrastructure. It is a carefully designed measure aimed at ensuring that landowners are not penalized for making voluntary security-related improvements.
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