WeVote
Log In

Bill

WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HJR 77

Legislative bill overview

HJR 77 proposes a constitutional amendment requiring the state to provide full transparency and disclosure of all taxes, fees, and revenue sources to taxpayers. The bill would mandate that Texas citizens receive detailed accounting of how state tax dollars are collected and spent. This is a joint resolution, meaning it requires legislative approval and voter ratification to become law.

Why is this important

Tax transparency directly affects how citizens understand government spending and can influence voting decisions on fiscal policy. If approved by voters, this amendment could require significant administrative changes to how the state reports fiscal information, potentially increasing transparency but also administrative costs.

Potential points of contention

  • Definitional ambiguity: "Honesty in taxation" is not precisely defined, leaving interpretation questions about what disclosures are legally required versus recommended
  • Implementation costs: Creating comprehensive disclosure systems could be expensive and resource-intensive for state agencies
  • Scope disputes: Unclear whether this applies only to state taxes or includes local taxes, fees, and other revenue mechanisms, and what level of granular detail would be mandatory

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.