Texas voters approve all 17 ballot propositions

Voters passed all 17 statewide amendments to the Texas Constitution on Tuesday. 

From changing who can be released on bail and funding water infrastructure projects to several tax cuts, Texas voters passed 17 proposed changes to the state constitution, according to unofficial election results. Each proposition requires majority approval to take effect.

Here’s what they do:

Proposition 1: Funding for Texas State Technical College

Creates two constitutionally dedicated funds for the Texas State Technical College System, seeded with $850 million.

Proposition 2: Capital gains tax ban

Permanently bans any future capital gains tax in Texas on investment income, such as profits from selling a business or stock.

Proposition 3: Bail reform

Lets judges deny bail for specified violent or sexual felonies upon “clear and convincing evidence” of danger or flight risk.

Proposition 4: Water infrastructure funding

Diverts up to $1 billion per year in existing sales tax revenue into a new Texas Water Fund to support water infrastructure projects.

Proposition 5: Tax exemption on animal feed

Gives the Texas Legislature the authority to exempt animal feed held for retail sale from local property taxes.

Proposition 6: Securities tax ban

Prevents the state from creating new taxes on securities transactions, such as stock trading

Proposition 7: Tax exemption for veterans’ spouses

Allows state lawmakers to give property tax breaks on homes to spouses of US veterans who did not remarry, and of veterans who the federal government determined died in connection to their service.

Proposition 8: Inheritance tax ban

Prohibits the Texas Legislature from imposing estate, inheritance, or gift taxes.

Proposition 9: Inventory and equipment tax exemption

Exempts up to $125,000 of businesses’ inventory or equipment from being taxed by school districts, cities, counties or any other taxing entity.

Proposition 10: Tax exemption for homes destroyed by fire

Creates a process to temporarily lower property taxes on homes destroyed by fire.

Proposition 11: School tax exemption for the elderly or disabled homeowners

Increases the property tax exemption from $10,000 to $60,000 of the market value for homesteads owned by elderly or disabled individuals.

Proposition 12: Changing the State Judicial Conduct Commission

Expands and restructures the State Commission on Judicial Conduct by increasing its membership and public representation.

Proposition 13: Increased school tax exemption for homeowners

Raises the school district property tax exemption of homesteads—or the portion of a home’s value that can’t be taxed to pay for public schools—from $100,000 to $140,000. The state reimburses school districts for the resulting loss in revenue.

Proposition 14: Funding for dementia research and prevention

Creates a new state-run medical research institute and dedicates $3 billion from general revenue—plus up to $300 million annually—for research and infrastructure related to dementia.

Proposition 15: Codifying parental rights

Amends the Texas Constitution to provide that parents have the right “to exercise care, custody, and control of the parent’s child, including the right to make decisions concerning the child’s upbringing” and the responsibility “to nurture and protect the parent’s child.”

Proposition 16: Clarifying citizenship requirement for voters

Adds language to the Texas Constitution that explicitly states only US citizens may vote in Texas elections.

Proposition 17: Property tax exemption for border security infrastructure

Prevents property values in border counties from rising just because of new border security projects.