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This week's column will be the first in a series outlining the proposed constitutional amendments on which Texas voters will decide on September 13. The order that the amendments appear on the ballot has been randomly selected by the secretary of state. I will discuss the proposals in the order in which they will appear on the ballot.
Amendment 1: The constitutional amendment authorizing the Veterans' Land Board to use assets in certain veterans' land and veterans' housing assistance funds to provide veterans homes for the aged or infirm and to make principal, interest, and bond enhancement payments on revenue bonds.
The proposed amendment would allow the Veterans' Land Board to use excess receipts in the veterans' land fund, the veterans' housing assistance fund, and the veterans' housing assistance fund II to pay the debt service on any revenue bonds issued by the board. Specifically, the board could use those receipts to pay principal and interest and make bond enhancement payments with respect to revenue bonds issued under a veterans homes program or other veterans programs administered by the board, and not solely in connection with its land and housing assistance programs for veterans.
The amendment would also allow the Veterans' Land Board to use excess assets in the three funds to plan and design, operate, maintain, enlarge, or improve veterans homes. This new language would supplement the effect of an earlier constitutional amendment that granted the board similar authority with respect to veterans cemeteries.
Amendment 2: The constitutional amendment to establish a two-year period for the redemption of a mineral interest sold for unpaid ad valorem taxes at a tax sale.
This amendment increases the period in which the former owner of a mineral interest that is sold at a tax sale for unpaid ad valorem taxes may redeem the property from the person who purchased it. The redemption period is increased from six months to two years. To redeem the property, the former owner must pay to the person who purchased the property the amount the purchaser at the tax sale paid for the property, including the tax deed recording fee and all taxes, penalties, interest, and costs paid, plus an amount not exceeding 25 percent of the aggregate total in the first year of the redemption period or 50 percent of the aggregate total in the second year.
I encourage you to contact me if I may be of assistance with any issues dealing with state government. You can reach me by writing to P.O. Box 2910, Austin, TX 78768-2910 or by e-mailing me at larry.phillips@house.state.tx.us.
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