According to the Legislative Budget Board (LBB), HJR 98 is expected to have no significant fiscal impact on the State of Texas, aside from one specific cost associated with the publication of the resolution. State law requires that proposed constitutional amendments and related materials be published in newspapers across Texas, and the estimated cost for publishing HJR 98 is approximately $191,689.

The Legislative Budget Board further notes that any administrative costs associated with forwarding copies of the resolution to federal officials and other states would be absorbed within existing resources. Thus, the fiscal impact on Texas state operations is minimal and manageable within current budget frameworks.

Additionally, the resolution has no fiscal implications for local governments. Cities, counties, and other local entities are not expected to bear any costs as a result of the adoption or implementation of this measure.

HJR 98 proposes that Texas reapply to the U.S. Congress to call a convention of states under Article V of the U.S. Constitution. The purpose is narrowly defined: to propose amendments that impose fiscal restraints on the federal government, limit its power and jurisdiction, and establish term limits for federal officials and members of Congress. This initiative essentially renews the intent of SJR 2 from 2017, but notably, HJR 98 omits a sunset clause, ensuring that Texas’s application will remain active until sufficient states join the effort.

The measure responds to concerns about federal overreach, rising national debt, and the erosion of state sovereignty. Its provisions reflect a clear and consistent commitment to the principle of limited government and a constitutional remedy for perceived federal abuses​. It also carefully follows the procedural requirements set forth in Article V, without expanding or altering any criminal statutes or granting new rulemaking authority.

Financially, the only impact would be the one-time publication cost, which is minimal and absorbable by existing resources. There is no fiscal burden on local governments. Policy-wise, H.J.R. 98 directly strengthens key liberty principles, including individual liberty, personal responsibility, free enterprise, and limited government, without impinging on private property rights.

Given the resolution’s alignment with foundational liberty values, its minimal fiscal impact, and its focus on addressing longstanding concerns about federal overreach, Texas Policy Research recommends that lawmakers vote YES on HJR 98.

• Individual Liberty: The resolution seeks to limit federal government overreach by proposing amendments that would restrain federal fiscal policy, power, and jurisdiction. By doing so, it protects individual rights from being eroded by an expansive central government. Reducing federal influence inherently preserves the autonomy of individuals to govern their own lives without unnecessary federal interference.
• Personal Responsibility: By aiming to impose fiscal restraints on the federal government, the resolution promotes a broader culture of responsibility at all levels of governance. Encouraging a more financially disciplined federal government sets an example that mirrors the expectations of responsible behavior in citizens’ personal and economic lives.
• Free Enterprise: Limiting the federal government's power, especially in areas where it regulates economic activity, tends to foster a freer and less restricted market environment. Businesses and entrepreneurs are better able to innovate and compete without the burden of heavy federal mandates or regulations.
• Private Property Rights: While limiting federal jurisdiction could indirectly protect private property rights by reducing regulations, the resolution does not directly propose changes related to property ownership or property law. Therefore, its impact here is neutral but arguably slightly protective in spirit.
• Limited Government: This principle is at the heart of the resolution. The resolution explicitly seeks to check the expansion of federal authority and fiscal irresponsibility by using the constitutional mechanism provided in Article V. If successful, this action would directly curtail federal power, reaffirm the sovereignty of states, and reestablish clear constitutional boundaries​.

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