84R23051 LEH-D By: Sheets, et al. H.B. No. 683 Substitute the following for H.B. No. 683: By: Bohac C.S.H.B. No. 683 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to the exemption from ad valorem taxation of a percentage of the assessed value of a property owned by certain disabled veterans and the amount of the exemption for the surviving spouses and children of certain disabled veterans. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Sections 11.22(a), (b), and (c), Tax Code, are amended to read as follows: (a) A disabled veteran is entitled to an exemption from taxation of the following applicable percentage [a portion] of the assessed value of a property the veteran owns and designates as provided by Subsection (f) [in accordance with the following schedule]: (1) 7.91 percent for a veteran having a disability rating of at least 10 percent but less than 30 percent; (2) 11.86 percent for a veteran having a disability rating of at least 30 percent but less than 50 percent; (3) 15.82 percent for a veteran having a disability rating of at least 50 percent but less than 70 percent; or (4) 18.98 percent for a veteran having a disability rating of at least 70 percent. [an exemption of for a disability rating of [an exemption of for a disability rating of [an exemption of for a disability rating of up to: at least: but less than: up to: at least: but less than: up to: at least: but less than: $5,000 of the 10% 30% $5,000 of the 10% 30% $5,000 of the 10% 30% assessed value assessed value assessed value 7,500 30 50 7,500 30 50 7,500 30 50 10,000 50 70 10,000 50 70 10,000 50 70 12,000 70 and over] 12,000 70 and over] 12,000 70 and over] (b) A disabled veteran is entitled to an exemption from taxation of 18.98 percent [$12,000] of the assessed value of a property the veteran owns and designates as provided by Subsection (f) [of this section] if the veteran: (1) is 65 years of age or older and has a disability rating of at least 10 percent; (2) is totally blind in one or both eyes; or (3) has lost the use of one or more limbs. (c) If a disabled veteran who is entitled to an exemption by Subsection (a) or (b) [of this section] dies, the veteran's surviving spouse is entitled to an exemption from taxation of a portion of the assessed value of a property the spouse owns and designates as provided by Subsection (f) [of this section]. The amount of the exemption is the dollar amount of the veteran's exemption at time of death. The spouse is entitled to an exemption by this subsection only for as long as the spouse remains unmarried. If the spouse does not survive the veteran, each of the veteran's surviving children who is younger than 18 years of age and unmarried is entitled to an exemption from taxation of a portion of the assessed value of a property the child owns and designates as provided by Subsection (f) [of this section]. The amount of exemption for each eligible child is computed by dividing the dollar amount of the veteran's exemption at time of death by the number of eligible children. SECTION 2. This Act applies only to ad valorem taxes imposed for a tax year beginning on or after the effective date of this Act. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect January 1, 2016, but only if the constitutional amendment proposed by the 84th Legislature, Regular Session, 2015, proposing a constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to exempt from ad valorem taxation a percentage of the assessed value of property owned by certain disabled veterans is approved by the voters. If that constitutional amendment is not approved by the voters, this Act has no effect. [an exemption of for a disability rating of up to: at least: but less than: $5,000 of the 10% 30% assessed value 7,500 30 50 10,000 50 70 12,000 70 and over]