Voters across the state have approved all 17 proposed constitutional amendments, measures that will reshape how Texas funds education, taxes property, invests in infrastructure, and regulates justice.
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The amendments cover a wide range of topics, from property tax relief and judicial reform to dementia research and parental rights.
Together, they reflect a significant rewrite of how the Texas Constitution governs money, education, and personal freedoms.
Here’s a look at what each proposition does, its purpose, and how it will impact Texans:
Proposition 1 (SJR 59) — Texas State Technical College funding
Purpose: Create long-term funding for Texas State Technical College (TSTC) buildings, equipment, and campus improvements.
What it does: Establishes two new treasury accounts — the Permanent Technical Institution Infrastructure Fund and Available Workforce Education Fund — to finance workforce training and infrastructure.
Impact: Future investment earnings could fund new labs, machinery, and campus expansions at TSTC across Texas.
Proposition 2 (SJR 18) — Capital gains tax ban
Purpose: Permanently ban state taxes on capital gains — both realized and unrealized.
What it does: Prohibits Texas from ever taxing profits made from selling investments or property.
Impact: Investors and business owners gain tax certainty, though it limits future revenue options for the state.
Proposition 3 (SJR 5) — Bail reform
Purpose: Allow judges to deny bail for defendants charged with certain serious crimes.
What it does: Lets judges hold individuals accused of violent offenses — such as murder, sexual assault, or human trafficking — without bail if they pose a flight risk or danger.
Impact: Aims to enhance public safety but raises concerns about fairness and potential pretrial detention of innocent defendants.
Proposition 4 (HJR 7) — Water infrastructure funding
Purpose: Dedicate state sales tax revenue to fund long-term water projects.
What it does: Directs more than $1 billion annually to the Texas Water Fund, with at least 25% going to new water supply projects.
Impact: Supports reservoirs, pipelines, and desalination efforts — securing Texas’ future water needs.
Proposition 5 (HJR 99) — Tax exemption for animal feed sold in stores
Purpose: Allow a property tax exemption on store-sold animal feed for livestock and pets.
What it does: Lets the Legislature exempt feed inventory from ad valorem (property) taxes.
Impact: Reduces costs for farmers, ranchers, and pet stores, while slightly cutting local government revenue.
Proposition 6 (HJR 4) — Ban on taxes for securities trades and brokers
Purpose: Block the state from taxing stock trades, brokers, or investment markets.
What it does: Prohibits any future tax on securities exchanges or trades.
Impact: Keeps Texas attractive to financial businesses but limits future taxation options.
Proposition 7 (HJR 133) — Property tax exemption for veterans’ surviving spouses
Purpose: Extend property tax exemptions to surviving spouses of veterans who died from service-related conditions.
What it does: Allows exemptions even if the veteran’s disability rating wasn’t 100% and lets spouses retain it after moving, unless they remarry.
Impact: Offers financial relief to widowed spouses of veterans.
Proposition 8 (HJR 2) — Inheritance and estate tax ban
Purpose: Prevent new or expanded state inheritance or estate taxes.
What it does: Bans lawmakers from creating wealth transfer taxes beyond what existed on Jan. 1, 2025.
Impact: Protects family inheritances but removes a possible state revenue source.
Proposition 9 (HJR 1) — Inventory and equipment tax exemption
Purpose: Help small businesses by exempting up to $125,000 in business equipment and inventory from property taxes.
What it does: Authorizes lawmakers to reduce or eliminate property taxes on certain business assets.
Impact: Lowers costs for small businesses but reduces local tax revenue.
Proposition 10 (SJR 84) — Tax exemption for homes destroyed by fire
Purpose: Offer temporary tax relief for homeowners rebuilding after a fire.
What it does: Lets lawmakers suspend property taxes on destroyed homesteads during reconstruction.
Impact: Provides financial relief for fire victims during recovery.
Proposition 11 (SJR 85) — Larger school property tax exemption for seniors and disabled Texans
Purpose: Increase the school homestead exemption for homeowners 65 and older or disabled.
What it does: Raises the exemption from $10,000 to $60,000.
Impact: A senior with a $200,000 home would now pay school taxes on $140,000 instead of $190,000 — a meaningful property tax cut.
Proposition 12 (SJR 27) — State Commission on Judicial Conduct reform
Purpose: Improve oversight of judges in Texas.
What it does: Revises the structure and review process of the judicial conduct commission, adds a seven-justice review tribunal, and resets membership in 2026.
Impact: Streamlines judicial discipline and accountability processes.
Proposition 13 (SJR 2) — Raise homestead exemption for school taxes statewide
Purpose: Expand the school property tax exemption for all homeowners.
What it does: Raises the exemption from $100,000 to $140,000 and requires the state to reimburse school districts for the loss.
Impact: Delivers broad property tax relief while increasing state budget obligations.
Proposition 14 (SJR 3) — Dementia Prevention and Research Institute
Purpose: Create and fund a state institute dedicated to dementia and brain disease research.
What it does: Establishes the institute and transfers $3 billion in state funds to support studies, clinical trials, and new facilities.
Impact: Positions Texas — especially Houston’s medical hub — as a national leader in Alzheimer’s and dementia research.
Proposition 15 (SJR 34) — Parental rights amendment
Purpose: Establish parents’ rights to raise and educate their children as a constitutional guarantee.
What it does: Declares that parents are the primary decision-makers for their children’s education, healthcare, and upbringing.
Impact: Strengthens family autonomy but could lead to challenges against school or public health policies.
Proposition 16 (SJR 37) — U.S. citizenship required to vote
Purpose: Add explicit language requiring U.S. citizenship to vote in Texas.
What it does: Codifies the citizenship requirement in the state Constitution.
Impact: Reinforces existing law but is seen by critics as politically symbolic.
Proposition 17 (HJR 34) — Property tax exemption for border security improvements
Purpose: Encourage private investment in security infrastructure along the Texas-Mexico border.
What it does: Allows property tax exemptions for the added value of security upgrades — such as fences or cameras — in border counties.
Impact: Reduces costs for landowners who invest in private border protection.
With all 17 measures approved, Texans will see sweeping changes touching nearly every part of state government — from how schools are funded and seniors are taxed to how judges are disciplined and water is managed.
Together, the amendments mark one of the most extensive updates to the Texas Constitution in recent history.