Frequently Asked Questions

Earlier this year, legislation to place the fund on the ballot passed both chambers of the Texas Legislature with overwhelming bipartisan support. State Senator Tan Parker (R – Flower Mound) and State Representative Armando Walle (D – Houston) each introduced bills and worked collaboratively to gather support from their colleagues in the Legislature. A diverse range of advocates from outdoors, environmental, hunting and angling and conservation and land groups came together to support the effort as well. Ultimately, Governor Abbott signed it into law, ushering it on to the November ballot.

Texas had a historic budget surplus this year. The funds are currently in the general revenue fund. The constitutional amendment is a good investment of taxpayer dollars with a strong return on investment for Texas’ future, without increasing taxes.

The $1 billion in the Centennial Parks Conservation Fund will earn interest, but the law allows the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department to tap the corpus of the fund as well. While TPWD can likely do a lot with just the interest earnings (potentially $50 million a year), the law provides flexibility to spend more when the right opportunities arise.

The Centennial Parks Conservation Fund will allow the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department to buy land from willing sellers when unique properties that would make for beautiful state parks become available. The fund also allows for the development of these new state parks.

The Texas Parks & Wildlife Department has an evaluation process for land acquisition projects. TPWD will generally evaluate each opportunity by strategic location, size, natural resource values, public recreation opportunities, and more. TPWD always undertakes a public process as part of any land acquisition and the Centennial Fund will do so as well.

In 2019, Texas overwhelmingly supported Proposition 5, a permanent dedication of the Sporting Goods Sales Tax to fund ongoing operations of the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. While those funds help support the ongoing maintenance, staffing and upkeep of our existing park system, the Centennial Parks Conservation Fund is focused on the future. It would be dedicated solely to purchasing and improving land for new parks to add to the system for the next generation of Texas families to enjoy.