Texas House Bill HB4209

Texas 2017 - 85th Regular

Caption

Relating to the Comptroller's Property Value Study.

Impact

The bill significantly alters the framework for property valuation for smaller school districts, how their taxable values are calculated, and the implications of those valuations on state funding. By establishing a clearer criterion for what constitutes valid local property values, HB4209 intends to enhance the accuracy of property valuations for these school districts. This could lead to more equitable financial distributions for public education funds based on accurate property assessments, potentially assisting smaller districts that may have historically faced disparities in funding due to lower local valuations.

Summary

House Bill 4209 is focused on the Comptroller's Property Value Study, specifically addressing the methodology for determining the taxable values for certain school districts in Texas. It amends Chapter 403 of the Government Code by adding Section 403.302(c-2), which introduces a presumption concerning the validity of local taxable values for school districts with an enrollment of less than 2000 students, provided that these districts are located in counties adjacent to those with populations exceeding 1,000,000. This presumption is key in defining how local taxable values are determined, thereby impacting school funding and district financial planning.

Contention

While the bill aims to improve the property's value assessment process, there could be concerns surrounding the implementation of the margin of error in value studies. Specifically, the bill allows for a margin of error not to exceed five percent in determining the validity of local values, which may be contested by stakeholders who advocate for more stringent measures to ensure accuracy. Additionally, debates may arise over the broader implications of creating disparate treatment based on district size and location, which can affect resource allocation and educational equity across the state.