Proposition 1 - SJR 59 "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."

 

Our explanation: TSTC serves over 11 campuses and offers 48 programs.  Introduced by Senate Joint Resolution 59.  The motto is to invest in real jobs, not just degrees.  It will train individuals for careers in welding, nursing, cybersecurity, aviation, and more.  It helps rural and working-class Texans. ​

 

Proposition 2 - SJR 18 "The constitutional amendment prohibiting the imposition of a tax on the realized or unrealized capital gains of an individual, family, estate, or trust."

 

Our explanation: Capital Gains Tax - Introduced by State Senator Paul Bettencourt (R) from Houston.  This amendment would prohibit the state from imposing a tax on realized or unrealized capital gains.   Texas already doesn't tax capital gains.  This proposition would enshrine the policy in the state's constitution, making it more difficult to change in the future.   If Texans ever face budget shortfalls, this amendment would block one potential revenue source, thereby putting the future of education, infrastructure, or healthcare at risk. ​

 

Proposition 3 - SJR 5 "The constitutional amendment requiring the denial of bail under certain circumstances to persons accused of certain offenses punishable as a felony."

 

Our explanation:  Bail Reform.  As the leading voice of bail reform, this proposition was introduced by Senator Joan Huffman (R) through the Senate Joint Resolution 5.  Supported by Greg Abbott, this proposition would amend the Texas Constitution to allow judges to deny bail to certain individuals.  There are some concerns about due process.  ​

 

Proposition 4 - HJR 7 "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."

 

Our explanation: Water Infrastructure.  House Joint Resolution 7, introduced by Representative Tracy King (D) from Uvalde, is a champion for water infrastructure.  This proposal will use state sales tax revenue to support the Texas Water Fund.  It allocates the first $1 billion per fiscal year of sales tax revenue.  The allocation will be locked in for 10 years.  The water in Texas is running out, and with aging pipes and a growing population, the system is strained.  This proposal supports rural and urban communities.  It creates a stable, long-term plan for water infrastructure, something that Texas currently lacks.

 

​Proposition 5 - HJR 99 "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."

 

Our explanation:  Property Tax on Animal Feed.  Representative Cody Harris (R) from Palestine, Texas, introduced this bill that will allow the state legislature to exempt animal feed held for retail sale from ad valorem (property) taxation.  

 

Proposition 6 - HJR 4 "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."

 

Our explanation: Securities Tax.  Introduced by Senator Mayes Middleton (R) from Galveston, this proposition will prohibit the state from imposing an occupation tax and a tax on securities transactions.   If passed, this could favor wealthier investors by locking in a tax exemption that is perceived as benefiting higher-income groups.  Those supporting the bill claim that it could potentially attract more businesses to this state by banning transaction taxes. It ensures that institutions (and individuals) can trade without incurring additional costs, which they believe helps to maintain investment and market activity.   The opposing side argues that this proposition could result in less funding available for public services, including education, healthcare, and infrastructure.  It relies on sales and property taxes.  It benefits the wealthier Texans but can potentially hurt the average wage earner.

 

 ​Proposition 7 - HJR 133 "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."

 

Our explanation: Veterans' Spouses Homestead Exemption.  It allows the surviving spouse to transfer the exemption to a new qualifying residence, provided they haven't remarried.  It supports property tax relief to spouses of veterans who died from service-related diseases. ​

 

Proposition 8 - HJR 2 "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." Ban on Estate Inheritance and Gift Taxes.  Filed by House Joint Resolution 2 and introduced by Representative Jared Patterson (R), this prohibits the state from imposing taxes on estate transfers, inheritances, and gifts.  A vote for this proposition would mean permanently eliminating state-level estate, inheritance, and gift taxes in the state of Texas.   Texas repealed its inheritance tax in 2015, but this amendment would constitutionally prohibit any future attempt to reinstate it. ​

 

Proposition 9 - HJR 1 "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."

 

Our explanation:  Business Property.  Introduced by Representative Morgan Meyer (R) from Dallas, this raises the exemption threshold from the current $2,500 to $125,000, which could benefit smaller businesses that use equipment to generate income.   It could result in revenue loss for local governments (counties and municipalities), and although it can benefit small businesses, it may also be utilized more by larger firms. ​

 

Proposition 10 - SJR 84 "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."

 

Our explanation:  Fire Damage Relief Property.  Tax exemption for improvements to homesteads destroyed by fire and tied to Senate Bill 467, which outlines the exemptions.  It allows a temporary property tax exemption for improvements made to a residence that was entirely destroyed by fire.  Introduced by Senator Paul Bettencourt (R) of Houston, who is a leading voice of property tax reform.

 

Proposition 11 - SJR 85 "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."

 

Our explanation: Homestead Tax Exemption Increase for Elderly / Disabled.  Amends the Texas Constitution to increase the homestead exemption from $10,000 to $60,000 for Texans 65 and older who qualify for disability benefits under Social Security.  This amendment will offer meaningful relief for the disabled Texans, but may reduce revenue to school districts.  The relief is limited to school property taxes, not city or county.  The three counties in 78669 already have an exemption for the elderly or disabled.

 

Proposition 12 - SJR 27 "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."

 

Our explanation: State Commission Judicial Conduct.  Supported by the Austin, Dallas, and Houston Police Associations, this bill was co-authored by State Senator Joan Huffman (R).  All members would be appointed by the Governor, which raises concerns about potential political influence over judicial oversight.  

 

Proposition 13 - SJR 2 "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."

 

Our explanation: Homestead Exemption.  This proposition raises the base exemption for all homeowners from $100,000 to $140,000.  

 

Proposition 14 - SJR 3 "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."

 

Dementia Research - A constitutional amendment to establish the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (DPRIT) and allocate $3 billion from the state's general fund to support its work over the next decade.  Republicans don't support this bill because of the price tag, but over 460,000 Texans live with Alzheimer's, and 1 million more serve as unpaid caregivers.  This creates the most extensive state-funded dementia research program in the U.S.  Endorsed by the AARP Texas, Alzheimer's Association, and Texas Medical Association.  

 

Proposition 15 - SJR 34 "The constitutional amendment affirming that parents are the primary decision makers for their children."

 

Our explanation: Parental Rights. Parents would have the constitutional right to make decisions about their child's education, health care, and religious upbringing.  This creates potential conflicts with the Child Welfare Laws that were designed to protect children who are abused or neglected.  It could lead to unintended consequences or court challenges.  

 

Proposition 16 - SJR 37 "The constitutional amendment clarifying that a voter must be a United States citizen."

 

Our explanation: Citizenship and Voting Requirements.  This states that noncitizens cannot vote in any Texas election.  They already can't.  It's unnecessary since it's already a law.  This fuels anti-immigration sentiments.  

 

Proposition 17 - HJR 34 "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."

 

Our explanation: Border Security.  This proposes a property tax exemption for increases in property values resulting from the installation of border security infrastructure in counties that border Mexico.  This proposal provides unequal tax relief, reduces local revenue, and has the potential for abuse.Other Links:  https://news.ballotpedia.org/2025/06/04/texas-legislature-refers-17-constitutional-amendments-for-nov-2025-ballot-the-highest-number-for-a-single-election-date-since-2003/​