Texas House Bill HJR99

Texas 2015 - 84th Regular

Caption

Proposing a constitutional amendment to authorize the legislature to limit the maximum appraised value of real property for ad valorem tax purposes to 105 percent or more of the appraised value of the property for the preceding tax year.

Impact

If adopted, HJR99 would modify Article VIII of the Texas Constitution regarding property tax assessments. By enabling the legislature to set a cap on appraised values, the amendment could stabilize property taxes for homeowners and potentially assist in making housing more affordable. This would particularly benefit those on fixed incomes or experiencing financial difficulties, as it would limit fluctuations in their tax bills relative to the market value of their properties.

Summary

HJR99 is a proposed constitutional amendment aimed at authorizing the Texas legislature to place a limit on the maximum appraised value of real property for ad valorem tax purposes. Specifically, the bill seeks to restrict this maximum to 105 percent or more of the appraised value from the previous tax year. The intention behind this measure is to create a tax cap that could provide relief to property owners by controlling rapid increases in property tax assessments.

Contention

The discussion surrounding HJR99 may evoke significant debate among legislators, property owners, and taxation advocates. Supporters of the bill often argue that imposing a limit on appraised values could prevent tax burdens from becoming unmanageable due to rising property values. Conversely, opponents might contend that this measure could undermine local governments' ability to collect adequate revenue for essential services, arguing that it might limit their financial resources essential for public welfare, infrastructure, and community development.