84R1535 TJB-D
By: Rodriguez of Travis H.J.R. No. 57
A JOINT RESOLUTION
proposing a constitutional amendment authorizing the governing
body of a political subdivision that adopts an exemption from ad
valorem taxation of a percentage of the market value of an
individual's residence homestead to set a limit on the dollar
amount of the exemption to which an individual is entitled in a tax
year.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 1-b(e), Article VIII, Texas
Constitution, is amended to read as follows:
(e) The governing body of a political subdivision[, other
than a county education district,] may exempt from ad valorem
taxation a percentage of the market value of the residence
homestead of a married or unmarried adult, including one living
alone. [In the manner provided by law, the voters of a county
education district at an election held for that purpose may exempt
from ad valorem taxation a percentage of the market value of the
residence homestead of a married or unmarried adult, including one
living alone.] The percentage may not exceed twenty percent.
However, the amount of an exemption authorized pursuant to this
subsection may not be less than [Five Thousand Dollars (]$5,000[)]
unless the legislature by general law prescribes other monetary
restrictions on the amount of the exemption. A governing body that
adopts an exemption under this subsection may provide that if the
percentage set by the governing body produces an exemption in a tax
year of more than a dollar amount specified by the governing body
when applied to a particular residence homestead, the owner of the
homestead is entitled to an exemption of the dollar amount of the
market value specified by the governing body. An eligible adult is
entitled to receive other applicable exemptions provided by law.
Where ad valorem tax has previously been pledged for the payment of
debt, the governing body of a political subdivision may continue to
levy and collect the tax against the value of the homesteads
exempted under this subsection until the debt is discharged if the
cessation of the levy would impair the obligation of the contract by
which the debt was created. The legislature by general law may
prescribe procedures for the administration of residence homestead
exemptions.
SECTION 2. The following temporary provision is added to
the Texas Constitution:
TEMPORARY PROVISION. (a) This temporary provision applies
to the constitutional amendment proposed by the 84th Legislature,
Regular Session, 2015, authorizing the governing body of a
political subdivision that adopts an exemption from ad valorem
taxation of a percentage of the market value of an individual's
residence homestead to set a limit on the dollar amount of the
exemption to which an individual is entitled in a tax year.
(b) The amendment to Section 1-b(e), Article VIII, of this
constitution takes effect beginning with the tax year that begins
January 1, 2016.
(c) This temporary provision expires January 1, 2017.
SECTION 3. This proposed constitutional amendment shall be
submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 3, 2015.
The ballot shall be printed to permit voting for or against the
proposition: "The constitutional amendment authorizing the
governing body of a political subdivision that adopts an exemption
from ad valorem taxation of a percentage of the market value of an
individual's residence homestead to set a limit on the dollar
amount of the exemption to which an individual is entitled in a tax
year."