Texas House Bill HJR13

Texas 2021 - 87th 2nd C.S.

Caption

Proposing a constitutional amendment to authorize the legislature to provide for a credit against the ad valorem taxes imposed on property owned by a person who makes a donation to the state for the purpose of border security and to provide for the reimbursement of political subdivisions for the revenue loss incurred as a result of the credit.

Impact

The amendment impacts existing state laws related to taxation and funding for border security. If passed, it modifies Article VIII of the Texas Constitution by allowing the legislature to establish criteria for eligibility for the tax credit, as well as methods for distribution of reimbursements to local governments for revenue losses resulting from the tax credit. This shift could lead to an influx of donations aimed at border security, thereby altering funding mechanisms for both state initiatives and local authorities.

Summary

HJR13 is a joint resolution proposing a constitutional amendment in Texas that aims to authorize the legislature to provide a tax credit against ad valorem taxes for individuals who donate to state border security efforts. The resolution outlines that the credit shall be equal to the lesser of the donation amount or the taxes owed on the property. This amendment seeks to encourage donations towards border security by offering a financial incentive through tax relief, thereby potentially increasing state funds allocated towards this area.

Contention

There are several points of contention surrounding HJR13. Proponents argue that the tax credit serves as a necessary measure to bolster state efforts in border security by incentivizing private citizens to contribute financially. However, critics may raise concerns regarding the use of public money for the reimbursement of local governments and potential misallocation of resources. Furthermore, the effectiveness of relying on private donations for a matter as crucial as border security remains debatable, as it may shift budgetary priorities away from direct funding to this area.