According to the Legislative Budget Board (LBB), SJR 37 is not expected to have any fiscal implications for the State of Texas beyond the standard costs associated with publishing the resolution. As with all proposed constitutional amendments, the Texas Constitution requires that the resolution be published ahead of the election to inform voters. The estimated cost for this publication is $191,689.

There are no anticipated fiscal effects on local governments. This is because the amendment does not introduce new administrative duties or procedural changes at the county or municipal level beyond those already in place to enforce citizenship-based voting eligibility. Since Texas law already restricts voting to U.S. citizens, the resolution merely codifies the existing standard into the state constitution without requiring structural or systemic changes that would incur additional costs.

In essence, the fiscal impact of SJR 37 is minimal and routine, limited to the constitutionally mandated publication expense, with no broader financial implications for state agencies or local governments.

SJR 37 proposes a constitutional amendment to explicitly state that only United States citizens are eligible to vote in Texas elections. While this requirement is already enforced under current state statute via voter registration law, the Texas Constitution does not presently include such a provision. This resolution, therefore, seeks to enshrine the requirement in the state’s foundational legal document to ensure it cannot be reversed by future statutory changes alone.

The author’s statement of intent, as outlined in the bill analysis, highlights that several U.S. jurisdictions—including in California, Maryland, New York, and Vermont—have adopted policies permitting non-citizens to vote in local elections. Although such practices are not currently legal in Texas, proponents of the amendment argue that embedding this citizenship requirement into the Texas Constitution would serve as a preemptive measure against similar local policies. This added constitutional safeguard aims to preserve the integrity of elections and bolster public confidence by ensuring only those with full civic allegiance to the United States can participate in the democratic process.

The bill is explicitly supported by the Republican Party of Texas.

From a liberty-focused perspective, the amendment aligns with the principles of individual liberty and personal responsibility by reaffirming that voting is a right tied to citizenship and national civic duty. It also upholds the principle of limited government by reinforcing a clear boundary around electoral eligibility, thereby preventing municipal overreach into election policy. Furthermore, the bill carries minimal fiscal impact—limited to publication costs—and imposes no new regulatory burdens on state or local governments.

Given its alignment with core liberty principles, minimal fiscal implications, and function as a constitutional safeguard against potential policy shifts, Texas Policy Research recommends that lawmakers vote YES on SJR 37.

• HJR 197 (Same As)
• HJR 161 (Similar To)