percent limitation."  Rule 153.5(3). (6) 
		ACORN argues that the commonly understood meaning of "interest" is not the broad
definition found in the usury statutes, but the amount of interest described in the promissory note and
specified as a percentage rate to be applied to the remaining, unpaid principal. ACORN further
contends that the Commissions' interpretation of "interest" encompasses all fees paid to the lender
and therefore allows the "interest" exception to swallow the rule limiting fees to three percent of
the principal. 
 TBA and the Commissions argue that the usury definition of interest found in the
finance code may reasonably be applied to the constitutional language capping fees "in addition to
any interest" because the legislature is presumed to act with complete knowledge of the existing
condition of the law and with reference to it.the home equity provisions of the constitution
include so many protective measures that "the end result is a home equity lending scheme more
stringent than any other in the United States in terms of consumer protection."  See also Herman Iken
& Co. v. Olenick, 42 Tex. 195, 198 (1874) ("The leading and fundamental idea connected with a
homestead is unquestionably associated with that of a place of residence for the family, where the
independence and security of a home may be enjoyed, without danger of its loss, or harassment and
disturbance by reason of the improvidence or misfortune of the head or any other member of the
family.") 
8.   The finance code definition of interest was created pursuant to section 11 of article 16 of
the Texas Constitution, which provides that "[t]he Legislature