Know Before You Vote: Texas Constitutional Amendments & Northwest ISD Ballot Measure

This November, voters will have the opportunity to voice their opinion on 17 amendments that are being proposed to the Texas Constitution. These measures were passed by the Texas Legislature and now require voter approval before becoming part of the state constitution.

Below is a summary of what each proposition would do if approved.

Proposition 1

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.

What It Does: Proposition 1 would create two new dedicated state funds for the Texas State Technical College (TSTC) to address workforce needs and provide more stable funding. The funds would be managed by the Comptroller and used for facilities, land, and equipment in high-demand fields such as welding, plumbing, and electrical work.

A YES vote approves establishing these funds and embedding them in the constitution to support TSTC.

A NO vote declines amending the constitution; TSTC would remain funded under the existing budget/appropriation process.

Proposition 2

The constitutional amendment prohibiting the imposition of a tax on the realized or unrealized capital gains of an individual, family, estate, or trust.

What It Does: Proposition 2 would ensure that a future Texas Legislature cannot enact a capital gains tax on realized (profit from asset actually sold) or unrealized (potential profit) capital gains of any individual, family, trust, or estate without another constitutional amendment. This amendment is meant to function as a safeguard from future financial intrusion and double taxation. 

A YES vote adds a constitutional ban preventing any future state wealth or capital gains tax.

A NO vote keeps the option available for the future legislatures to create such a tax through legislation.

Proposition 3

The constitutional amendment requiring the denial of bail under certain circumstances to persons accused of certain offenses punishable as a felony.

What It Does: This measure would allow judges to deny bail for people accused of certain violent felonies if they are deemed a threat to public safety. Currently, Texas law generally guarantees bail for most offenses.

A YES vote allows judges to deny bail in specific violet felony cases based on safety concerns.

A NO vote keeps the current law, which generally allows bail for all offenses except capital murder.

Proposition 4

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.

What It Does: Proposition 4 seeks to create a dedicated funding source for the Texas Water Fund (TWF) by diverting up to $1 billion Dollars in sales tax revenue to the fund every year until 2035.  This money would only be diverted after the State collects more than 46.5 billion in sales tax revenue during the fiscal year. Proposition 4 is looking to ensure that the water infrastructure can keep up with demands without increasing pressure on ratepayers.

A YES vote establishes the fund to dedicate money specifically for statewide water projects.

A NO vote creates no new water fund; future projects would rely on regular legislative funding.

Proposition 5

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.

What It Does: Proposition 5 would allow local governments to exempt animal feed inventory from property taxes, providing tax relief to agricultural manufacturers.

A YES vote allows lawmakers to give property tax relief to animal feed manufacturers.

A NO  vote continues taxing animal feed inventory as business property.

Proposition 6

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.

What It Does: This would ban the state from creating a financial transaction or securities tax. It’s meant to ensure investment and retirement trading remains tax-free at the state level.

A YES vote prohibits Texas from ever imposing a financial transaction tax.

A NO vote leave the possibility open for a future legislature to create such a tax.

Proposition 7

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.

What It Does: Extends property tax exemptions to surviving spouses of veterans who die from service-connected conditions, even if the veteran did not die in combat.

A YES vote continues and expands this tax exemption law for eligible surviving spouses.

A NO vote maintains the current law, which limits exemptions to spouses of veterans killed in action.

Proposition 8

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.

What It Does: Proposition 8 would prohibit state taxes on the transfer of property after death. That includes estate taxes, inheritance taxes, and taxes on gifts. While Texas does not currently impose this type of tax, this amendment would permanently prevent the State from imposing it in the future, without another constitutional amendment.

A YES vote prohibits the State from imposing a “death tax” or taxing a gift from one individual, family, estate, or trust to another.

A NO vote bans a “death tax” or gift tax and instead allowing future legislatures to decide if those types of taxes should be enacted.

Proposition 9

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.

What It Does: Proposition 9 would raise the property tax exemption for business personal property from $2,500.00 up to $125,000.00 of the appraised value if it is used by a business to generate income.

A YES vote raises the exemption threshold to reduce property tax liability for businesses.

A NO vote keeps current exemption levels and tax rules unchanged.

Proposition 10

Proposing a 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.

What It Does: Allows temporary property tax exemptions for homes or businesses destroyed by wildfires, floods, or other disasters, giving owners time to rebuild without full tax liability.

A YES vote permits the Legislature to create temporary property tax relief for disaster-affected properties.

A NO vote means property taxes would continue to apply without new temporary exemptions.

Proposition 11

Proposing a 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.

What It Does: Proposition 11 seeks to provide additional property tax relief for those who are elderly (65 or older) or disabled by raising their homestead exemption from $10,000 more than the standard exemption to $60,000 more than the standard exemption.

A YES vote approves a higher exemption to reduce annual school property taxes for elderly and disabled Texans.

A NO vote keeps the exemption at $10,000.

Proposition 12

Proposing a 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.

What It Does: Reforms the State Commission on Judicial Conduct by expanding its authority to investigate and discipline judges for misconduct both on and off the bench.

A YES vote grants the Commission expanded authority over judicial candidates and conduct.

A NO vote keeps current limits on when and how the Commission can take disciplinary action.

Proposition 13

Proposing a constitutional amendment to increase the amount of the exemption of residence homesteads from ad valorem taxation by a school district.

What It Does: Raises the general homestead exemption for school district property taxes from $100,000 to $140,000, giving homeowners additional property tax relief.

A YES vote increases the exemption amount, lowering school district property taxes for most homeowners.

A NO vote maintains the current $100,000 exemption.

Proposition 14

Proposing a 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.

What It Does: Establishes a state-run institute for dementia research, dedicating $3 billion to study and treat Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases.

A YES vote establishes a new research institute focuses on dementia and related illnesses.

A NO vote create no new institute, research and funding would continue through existing programs.

Proposition 15

Proposing a constitutional amendment affirming the rights and responsibilities of parents.

What It Does: Formally recognizes parental rights in the Texas Constitution, ensuring parents maintain authority over education, health care, and moral guidance decisions.

A YES vote amends the Texas Constitution to affirm that parents have the inherent right to exercise care, custody, and control of their child, including making decisions concerning their upbringing, while also recognizing their responsibility to nurture and protect their children.

A NO vote opposes amending the Texas Constitution regarding parental rights and responsibilities, leaving those matters to the courts.

Proposition 16

Proposing a constitutional amendment clarifying that a voter must be a United States citizen.

What It Does: Clarifies that only U.S. citizens are eligible to vote in Texas elections, reinforcing language already in existing state law.

A YES vote adds the citizenship voting requirement to the state constitution.

A NO vote keeps the rule in state law without constitutional wording.

Proposition 17

Proposing a 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.

What It Does: Allows border-area property owners to qualify for tax exemptions on land or equipment used for border security projects in cooperation with the state.

A YES vote gives local governments the option to provide these property tax exemptions.

A NO vote keeps current law, which does not provide exemptions for border security property use.

These 17 proposed amendments cover a wide range of issues from education and infrastructure to property taxes and individual rights. As each proposition carries potential impacts for communities across Texas, voters are encouraged to review each measure carefully before heading to the polls.

In addition to the 17 state propositions, Northwest ISD voters will also see a local Voter-Approval Tax Rate Election (VATRE), also known as an operations funding election, on the November ballot.

Proposition A

Ratifying the ad valorem tax rate of $1.0841 per $100 valuation in Northwest Independent School District for the current year, a rate the will result in an increase of 5.67 percent in maintenance and operations tax revenue for the district for the current year as compared to the preceding year, which is an additional $14,324,215.

What It Does: This measure asks voters to ratify the district’s current property tax rate of $1.0841 per $100 of assessed value. While the rate itself is not changing, increased property values mean Northwest ISD will collect approximately $14.3 million more in maintenance and operations (M&O) revenue compared to last year, a 5.67% increase.

The M&O portion of the tax rate funds daily district operations, including teacher salaries, classroom resources, and campus maintenance.

A YES vote ratifies the existing rate, allowing the district to maintain current funding levels for operational needs.

A NO vote rejects the rate, which would require the district to adopt a lower tax rate and potentially reduce available funding for operations.

For more information you can check out: https://www.nisdtx.org/about-nisd/2025-prop-a

Your voice matters in shaping the state’s constitution and future.

🗳️ Early voting runs October 20–31, and Election Day is November 4.

For more information on sample ballots, polling locations, and election resources, visit your county election office website.

Denton County: https://www.votedenton.gov/election-day-information/current-and-upcoming-election-information/

Tarrant County: https://www.tarrantcountytx.gov/en/elections/current-election-information.html

Wise County: https://www.co.wise.tx.us/315/Elections

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