Texas House Bill HB4429

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

• Out of House Committee: 5/7/09

Caption

Relating to the authority of a school district to impose ad valorem taxes.

Impact

The bill is set to impact school financing in Texas. It alters the way ad valorem tax rates are determined and could potentially lead to an increased revenue for school districts in situations where they had previously opted for a lower rate. By facilitating the ability to raise funds through ad valorem taxes, this bill may help address budgetary pressures faced by school districts, particularly in underfunded areas. The effective date specified within the bill indicates that it aims to have a timely impact on school district funding starting from the 2009 tax year.

Summary

House Bill 4429 amends existing sections of the Texas Tax Code and Education Code, specifically relating to the authority of school districts to impose ad valorem taxes. The bill introduces a significant change in how the rollback tax rate is calculated for the current tax year, allowing districts that adopted a maintenance and operations tax rate lower than the effective rate in the preceding year to base the current year's calculations on the effective rate instead of the lower rate they adopted. This modification aims to provide schools with a more stable and predictable funding mechanism under certain conditions.

Contention

While proponents of HB4429 argue that it provides necessary relief and flexibility for school districts to manage their funding effectively, opponents may raise concerns about the implications of altered tax calculations. There could be debate regarding the appropriateness of altering tax mechanisms, especially amid broader discussions on school finance and equity across different districts. Critics may argue it could lead to unintended disparities, especially between districts that have varying levels of existing resources and tax bases.