83R10284 CJC-D By: Lucio S.B. No. 1552 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to an exemption from ad valorem taxation by a county of a portion of the value of the residence homestead of a veteran who has been honorably discharged. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 11.13, Tax Code, is amended by adding Subsection (t) to read as follows: (t) A veteran of the United States armed services who has been honorably discharged from the branch of service in which the individual served is entitled to an exemption from taxation for the county purposes authorized by Section 1-a(a), Article VIII, Texas Constitution, of $10,000, or a greater amount provided by action of the commissioners court of the county as permitted by Section 1-a(b), Article VIII, Texas Constitution, of the appraised value of the veteran's residence homestead. The exemption authorized by this subsection and the exemption authorized by Subsection (a) may not be aggregated. A veteran who qualifies for an exemption under this subsection and under Subsection (d) may not receive both of those exemptions, but is entitled to receive the exemption in the greater amount. SECTION 2. This Act applies only to ad valorem taxes imposed for a tax year that begins on or after the effective date of this Act. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect January 1, 2014, but only if the constitutional amendment proposed by the 83rd Legislature, Regular Session, 2013, exempting from county ad valorem taxation a portion of the value of the residence homestead of a veteran of the United States armed services who has been honorably discharged is approved by the voters. If that amendment is not approved by the voters, this Act has no effect.