Texas House Bill HJR110

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Proposing a constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide that the appraised value of a residence homestead for ad valorem tax purposes is the market value of the property for the first year that the owner qualified the property for a homestead exemption or, if the owner purchased the property, the purchase price of the property.

Impact

If enacted, HJR110 will modify the valuation method for property taxes on residences, potentially resulting in reduced tax burdens for new homeowners in the first year of ownership. This is significant because it aims to mitigate the fluctuation of appraised values that might otherwise cause financial strain on new homeowners, aligning property valuations closely with their purchase price or market value at the time of exemption qualification. This could make homeownership more accessible and affordable for first-time buyers or those relocating.

Summary

HJR110 is a joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Texas Constitution concerning the appraisal value of residence homesteads for the purpose of ad valorem taxation. The amendment seeks to enable the legislature to establish that for the first tax year in which an owner qualifies for a homestead exemption, the appraised value of the property will either be the market value or the purchase price paid by the owner if the property was recently purchased. This legislative change is aimed at providing clarity and predictability in property tax assessments for homeowners recently moving into their homes.

Contention

The discussions surrounding HJR110 might involve both support and opposition from various stakeholders. Proponents argue that this bill would offer necessary financial relief and fairness in the property tax system, particularly benefiting families that experience sudden property value increases upon purchase. In contrast, opponents may raise concerns about the implications for state tax revenues and question whether this amendment could set a precedent that affects budget allocations for local services funded through property taxes. Therefore, a detailed analysis of fiscal impact is likely to be a major point of contention.

Notable_points

In addition to impacting homeowner taxation, HJR110 also raises questions about how changes in taxation policies affect various demographic groups, including low-income families and individuals with fixed incomes. Furthermore, the bill's effects on local governments and their ability to generate revenue could be heavily debated, emphasizing the broader implications of property tax reforms.