Texas 2003 ballot measures

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← 2002

In 2003, voters decided on 22 statewide ballot measures in Texas on September 13.

• The 22 measures were legislatively referred constitutional amendments.
• Voters approved all 22 measures.

On the ballot

September 13, 2003

Type	Title	Subject	Description	Result	Yes Votes	No Votes
LRCA	Proposition 10	Local government	Allow municipalities to donate surplus firefighting equipment to the Texas Forest Service for distribution to rural volunteer fire departments.	a	1,284,004 (92%)	116,677 (8%)
LRCA	Proposition 11	Alcohol; Business	Allow statewide winery regulation, regardless of local option election outcomes on wine sales.	a	851,809 (62%)	513,053 (38%)
LRCA	Proposition 12	Tort law	Authorize the legislature to set limits on non-economic damages in civil lawsuits against doctors and health care providers.	a	751,896 (51%)	718,547 (49%)
LRCA	Proposition 13	Taxes	Allow property tax freezes on residential homesteads for people who are disabled or aged 65 or older	a	1,125,947 (81%)	264,069 (19%)
LRCA	Proposition 14	Budgets; Transportation	Authorize short-term borrowing by the Texas Department of Transportation for highway improvements, with a maximum term of two years.	a	810,855 (61%)	517,606 (39%)
LRCA	Proposition 15	Local government; Public retirement funds	Prohibit local retirement systems and their funding political subdivision from reducing certain accrued benefits.	a	964,515 (72%)	383,710 (28%)
LRCA	Proposition 16	Housing; Banking	Authorize home equity lines of credit and clarify related provisions in home equity lending law.	a	862,009 (65%)	455,707 (35%)
LRCA	Proposition 17	Taxes	Prohibit school property tax increases on residence homesteads of disabled persons.	a	1,063,917 (78%)	304,860 (22%)
LRCA	Proposition 18	Election administration	Allow a candidate to assume local office without an election if they are the only qualifying candidate for the office.	a	720,479 (53%)	636,863 (47%)
LRCA	Proposition 19	Administration	Repeal the legislature's authority to create rural fire prevention districts.	a	759,336 (59%)	533,264 (41%)
LRCA	Proposition 1	Housing; Veterans	Authorize the Veterans' Land Board to use excess funds for revenue bond payments to provide housing for aged or infirm veterans.	a	1,127,888 (81%)	256,735 (19%)
LRCA	Proposition 20	Economic investment; Bonds	Authorize up to $250 million in general bonds to provide loans to defense-related communities for economic development projects.	a	743,048 (57%)	563,848 (43%)
LRCA	Proposition 21	Administration	Allow current or retired faculty members of public universities to be compensated for serving on water district governing bodies.	a	692,937 (52%)	631,328 (48%)
LRCA	Proposition 22	Military service	Allow the appointment of a temporary acting officer to perform the duties of a public official who enters active duty in the U.S. armed forces without vacating their office	a	1,069,328 (78%)	293,083 (22%)
LRCA	Proposition 2	Mineral resources; Taxes	Increase redemption period for a mineral interest sold for unpaid ad valorem taxes at a tax sale from six months to two years.	a	830,009 (62%)	499,696 (38%)
LRCA	Proposition 3	Taxes; Religion	Exempt religious organization land used for school or worship from taxation.	a	730,127 (53%)	650,563 (47%)
LRCA	Proposition 4	Budgets; Parks	Allow conservation districts to tax for parks and recreation facilities and Tarrant Regional Water District to issue park bonds.	a	746,523 (56%)	576,164 (44%)
LRCA	Proposition 5	Taxes; Property	Allow tax exemptions for travel trailers not held or used for income production.	a	846,005 (62%)	511,507 (38%)
LRCA	Proposition 6	Housing; Banking	Allow homeowners to refinance home equity loans with reverse mortgage loans.	a	958,293 (71%)	393,239 (29%)
LRCA	Proposition 7	Jury rules	Reduce the number of persons in a jury in a district court criminal misdemeanor case from twelve to six.	a	1,033,199 (75%)	350,491 (25%)
LRCA	Proposition 8	Election administration	Allow a candidate to assume state or local office without an election if they are the only qualifying candidate for the office.	a	781,330 (56%)	604,385 (44%)
LRCA	Proposition 9	Budgets	Adjust school funds annually based on investment growth for the next two years.	a	655,983 (50%)	648,167 (50%)

See also

• Types of ballot measures in Texas
• List of Texas ballot measures
• 2003 ballot measures

External links

• Legislative Reference Library of Texas, Constitutional Amendments