STATEWIDE ELECTIONS
We are running the Texas Tribune series outlining each of the 17 state-wide constitutional amendments on the Nov. 4 ballot. We will include two of these overviews in every issue of the Daily Record until early voting begins on Oct. 20.
Proposition 5 (HJR 99): Tax exemption on animal feed The ballot language: “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 means: This constitutional amendment would allow state lawmakers to extend tax exemptions on animal feed to include when animal feed is held as inventory to be sold. State Rep. Cody Harris, R-Palestine, noted animal feed is already typically tax exempt when it is harvested or purchased by a farmer or rancher.
If the constitutional amendment is approved, accompanying legislation from Harris would exempt animal feed inventory from property taxes. That would lower local property tax revenue and require the state to help school districts make up for that loss, but those costs are not expected to be significant, according to a fiscal note from the state’s Legislative Budget Board.
Only a few individuals registered against the proposed constitutional amendment during legislative committee hearings. Critics have said this gives animal feed sellers an unfair advantage, according to the House Research Organization.
Proposition 6 (HJR 4): Securities tax ban The ballot language: “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 means: This proposal would prevent the state from creating new taxes on securities transactions, such as stock trading, and from taxing those who operate or work in the securities market, including financial institutions, brokers and dealers.
It was prompted by a new stock exchange expected to open in Texas and to protect investments, including retirement accounts and pensions, following discussions of taxing financial transactions in other states, according to analysis of the resolution calling for the constitutional amendment.
A few individuals registered against the proposal during legislative committee hearings, and critics have said the state could benefit from these taxes should it need to raise more revenue in the future, according to the House Research Organization.
This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune at https://www.texastribune. org/2025/09/22/ texas-statewide-propositions- november-ballotelection/.
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