TX
Texas Senate Bill SB515

Texas 2015 - 84th Regular

Texas Senate Bill SB515

Voted on by Senate
 
Out of House Committee
 
Voted on by House
 
Governor Action
 
Bill Becomes Law
 

Caption

Relating to an increase in the amount of the residence homestead exemption from ad valorem taxation by a school district, a reduction of the limitation on the total amount of ad valorem taxes that may be imposed by a school district on the homestead of an elderly or disabled person to reflect the increased exemption amount, and the protection of school districts against the resulting loss in local revenue.

Impact

In addition to enhancing the exemption amount, SB515 includes provisions to protect school districts against revenue loss due to the increased exemption. Specifically, the bill establishes a framework by which school districts can receive additional state aid to offset any reduction in local revenue caused by the heightened homestead exemption. As a result, while individuals may see lower property tax liabilities, school districts will not face an undue financial burden, ensuring that they can maintain necessary funding for educational services.

Summary

SB515 proposes an increase in the residence homestead exemption from ad valorem taxation by school districts from $15,000 to $30,000. The bill aims to alleviate the tax burden on homeowners, particularly the elderly and disabled, by reducing the amount of taxes imposed on their homesteads. This legislation responds to growing concerns over rising property taxes that disproportionately affect fixed-income individuals, allowing them to retain more of their home equity. The proposed changes to taxation could benefit a significant number of homeowners across Texas, promoting greater financial security for those most in need.

Contention

While supporters of SB515 argue that it provides essential financial relief to vulnerable homeowners, critics contend that the bill may lead to larger systemic issues within public school funding. Opponents are concerned that escalating property tax exemptions may diminish the overall funding available for schools, leading to cuts in educational resources or increased reliance on alternative funding mechanisms. The balance between providing tax relief and ensuring adequate school funding will be a crucial aspect of the ongoing legislative debate surrounding this bill.

Latest SB515 Activity

Companion Bills

TX SJR28

Enabling for Proposing a constitutional amendment increasing the amount of the residence homestead exemption from ad valorem taxation for public school purposes and providing for a reduction of the limitation on the total amount of ad valorem taxes that may be imposed for those purposes on the homestead of an elderly or disabled person to reflect the increased exemption amount.

TX HB52

Similar Relating to increasing the amount of the residence homestead exemption from ad valorem taxation by a school district from $15,000 to $45,000, providing for a reduction of the limitation on the total amount of ad valorem taxes that may be imposed by a school district on the homestead of an elderly or disabled person to reflect the increased exemption amount, and protecting school districts against the resulting loss in local revenue.

TX HB958

Relating to an increase in the amount of the residence homestead exemption from ad valorem taxation by a school district, a reduction of the limitation on the total amount of ad valorem taxes that may be imposed by a school district on the homestead of an elderly or disabled person to reflect the increased exemption amount, and the protection of school districts against the resulting loss in local revenue.

TX HB982

Relating to an increase in the amount of the residence homestead exemption from ad valorem taxation by a school district, a reduction of the limitation on the total amount of ad valorem taxes that may be imposed by a school district on the homestead of an elderly or disabled person to reflect the increased exemption amount, and the protection of school districts against the resulting loss in local revenue.

TX HB2075

Relating to an increase in the amount of the residence homestead exemption from ad valorem taxation by a school district, a reduction of the limitation on the total amount of ad valorem taxes that may be imposed by a school district on the homestead of an elderly or disabled person to reflect the increased exemption amount, and the protection of school districts against the resulting loss in local revenue.

Previously Filed As

TX HJR195

Proposing a constitutional amendment providing for an adjustment of the limitation on the total amount of ad valorem taxes that may be imposed by a school district on the residence homestead of a person who is elderly or disabled to reflect the most recent increase in the amount of the exemption of residence homesteads from ad valorem taxation by a school district.

Similar Bills

TX SB1328

Relating to an increase in the amount of the residence homestead exemption from ad valorem taxation by a school district and the increase of the exemption amount in subsequent years to reflect inflation in homestead values, a reduction of the limitation on the total amount of ad valorem taxes that may be imposed by a school district on the homestead of a disabled or elderly person to reflect the increased exemption amounts, and the protection of school districts against the resulting loss in local revenue.

TX SB1391

Relating to an increase in the amount of the residence homestead exemption from ad valorem taxation by a school district and the increase of the exemption amount in subsequent years to reflect inflation in homestead values, a reduction of the limitation on the total amount of ad valorem taxes that may be imposed by a school district on the homestead of a disabled or elderly person to reflect the increased exemption amounts, and the protection of school districts against the resulting loss in local revenue.

TX SJR6

Proposing a constitutional amendment relating to the calculation of a limitation on the total amount of ad valorem taxes that may be imposed by certain political subdivisions on the residence homestead of a person who is elderly or disabled.

TX HB3570

Relating to an exemption from ad valorem taxation by a school district of a percentage, rather than a dollar amount, of the appraised value of a residence homestead, a reduction of the limitation on the total amount of ad valorem taxes that may be imposed by a school district on the homestead of an elderly or disabled person to reflect any increase in the exemption amount, and the protection of school districts against the resulting loss in local revenue.

TX SJR6

Proposing a constitutional amendment relating to the calculation of a limitation on the total amount of ad valorem taxes that may be imposed by certain political subdivisions on the residence homestead of a person who is elderly or disabled.

TX HJR83

Proposing a constitutional amendment to phase out ad valorem taxes on the residence homesteads of elderly persons by 2021.

TX SJR1

Proposing a constitutional amendment to increase the amount of the exemption from ad valorem taxation by a school district applicable to residence homesteads, to adjust the amount of the limitation on school district ad valorem taxes imposed on the residence homesteads of the elderly or disabled to reflect increases in certain exemption amounts, to provide supplemental payments to full-time classroom teachers in school districts, and to except certain appropriations to pay for school district ad valorem tax relief from the constitutional limitation on the rate of growth of appropriations.

TX HJR171

Proposing a constitutional amendment establishing a limitation on the total amount of ad valorem taxes that a county may impose on the residence homesteads of persons who are disabled or elderly and their surviving spouses.