88R7180 JAM-F     By: Holland H.J.R. No. 138       A JOINT RESOLUTION   proposing a constitutional amendment providing for the creation of   the land and water conservation fund, dedicating certain money in   that fund to the conservation of, restoration of, or public access   to land, water, or natural resources in this state, and providing   for the transfer of certain general revenues to the economic   stabilization fund, the land and water conservation fund, and the   state highway fund.          BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Sections 49-g(c) and (c-1), Article III, Texas   Constitution, are amended to read as follows:          (c)  Not later than the 90th day of each fiscal year, the   comptroller of public accounts shall transfer from the general   revenue fund to the economic stabilization fund, the land and water   conservation fund, and the state highway fund the sum of the amounts   described by Subsections (d) and (e) of this section, to be   allocated as provided by Subsections (c-1) and (c-2) of this   section.  However, if necessary and notwithstanding the   allocations prescribed by Subsections (c-1) and (c-2) of this   section, the comptroller shall reduce proportionately the amounts   described by Subsections (d) and (e) of this section to be   transferred and allocated to the economic stabilization fund to   prevent the amount in that fund from exceeding the limit in effect   for that biennium under Subsection (g) of this section.  Revenue   transferred to the state highway fund under this subsection may be   used only for constructing, maintaining, and acquiring   rights-of-way for public roadways other than toll roads.          (c-1)  Except as provided by Subsection (c-2) of this   section, the comptroller shall allocate [Of] the sum of the amounts   described by Subsections (d) and (e) of this section and required to   be transferred from the general revenue fund under Subsection (c)   of this section as follows:                (1)  46 percent of that sum [, the comptroller shall   allocate one-half] to the economic stabilization fund;                (2)  four percent of that sum to the land and water   conservation fund; and                (3)  the remainder of that sum to the state highway fund   [, except as provided by Subsection (c-2) of this section].          SECTION 2.  Article III, Texas Constitution, is amended by   adding Section 49-g-1 to read as follows:          Sec. 49-g-1.  (a)  The land and water conservation fund is   established as a special fund in the state treasury.          (b)  The land and water conservation fund consists of money   transferred to the fund under Section 49-g of this article and money   the legislature:                (1)  may appropriate to the credit of the fund; or                (2)  by general law may dedicate or provide for deposit   to the credit of the fund.          (c)  Money in the land and water conservation fund may be   spent:                (1)  without further appropriation;                (2)  only for purposes related to the conservation of,   restoration of, or public access to land, water, or natural   resources in this state; and                (3)  without further legislative appropriation.          SECTION 3.  The following temporary provision is added to   the Texas Constitution:          TEMPORARY PROVISION. (a)  This temporary provision applies   to the constitutional amendment proposed by the 88th Legislature,   Regular Session, 2023, providing for the creation of the land and   water conservation fund, dedicating certain money in that fund to   the conservation of, restoration of, or public access to land,   water, or natural resources in this state, and providing for the   transfer of certain general revenues to the economic stabilization   fund, the land and water conservation fund, and the state highway   fund.          (b)  The transfers and allocations to be made under Sections   49-g(c) and (c-1), Article III, of this constitution are to be made   beginning with the state fiscal year beginning September 1, 2025.          (c)  This temporary provision expires September 1, 2026.           SECTION 4.  This proposed constitutional amendment shall be   submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 7, 2023.   The ballot shall be printed to permit voting for or against the   proposition: "The constitutional amendment providing for the   creation of the land and water conservation fund, dedicating   certain money in that fund to the conservation of, restoration of,   or public access to land, water, or natural resources in this state,   and providing for the transfer of certain general revenues to the   economic stabilization fund, the land and water conservation fund,   and the state highway fund."