Texas House Bill HJR135

Texas 2015 - 84th Regular

Caption

Proposing a constitutional amendment providing for an exemption from ad valorem taxation for public school purposes of a percentage, rather than a dollar amount, of the market value of a residence homestead 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 any increased exemption amount.

Impact

If enacted, HJR135 would significantly modify the tax framework established by previous laws governing homestead exemptions. The current system, which allows for a fixed dollar amount in exemption, would transition to a percentage-based model that could better align with property market fluctuations. Given the rising property values, this shift could provide a more dynamic and responsive form of tax relief, particularly beneficial for those individuals facing financial limitations due to age or disability. Importantly, the amendment also includes a provision that maintains the tax limit for surviving spouses of eligible individuals, preventing increases in their property tax obligations after the death of their spouse if they qualify under the age requirements.

Summary

HJR135 proposes a constitutional amendment that would allow for an exemption from ad valorem taxation for public school purposes, based on a percentage of the market value of a residence homestead rather than a fixed dollar amount. Specifically, the proposal introduces a 7.5% exemption from the market value of residences, aiming to provide greater relief for homeowners, particularly for the elderly and disabled citizens. This potential change in taxation structure is designed to alleviate some of the property tax burdens typically borne by these groups, which advocates argue will enable more sustainable living conditions for vulnerable populations in Texas.

Contention

Despite the optimistic outlook from proponents, HJR135 is not without contention. Critics express concerns that reforming taxation in this manner may complicate existing funding mechanisms for public schools. Since the amendment suggests altering how school districts receive revenue from taxes, there are fears that it might create disparities in education funding depending on property values across different regions. Additionally, the legislation stipulates that local governments may have limited authority to mitigate the effects of potential revenue losses incurred from this new exemption. As such, localities worried about diminished resources could face challenges in maintaining their educational infrastructures.