Texas House Bill HB3829

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Relating to the adjustment of the limitation on the amount of ad valorem taxes imposed by a school district on the residence homestead of an elderly or disabled person if the school district adopts, changes the amount of, or rescinds a local option residence homestead exemption.

Impact

The legislation aims to provide clarity and protections for elderly and disabled property owners in terms of their tax liabilities. Under the new provisions, if a school district implements or changes an exemption, eligible individuals will have a tailored adjustment computed to their tax limitations. This could prevent sudden tax increases that might arise due to exemptions being revised, thereby fostering a more predictable tax environment for taxpayers who are already facing financial challenges.

Summary

House Bill 3829 focuses on the adjustment of limitations on ad valorem taxes imposed by school districts on the residence homesteads of elderly or disabled individuals. The bill proposes that if a school district adopts, changes, or rescinds a local option residence homestead exemption, there would be specific calculations to determine how tax limitations are adjusted for the affected properties. This ensures that any change in exemptions will not increase the tax burden on these vulnerable groups without fair adjustment mechanisms in place.

Contention

One of the notable points of contention surrounding HB 3829 relates to its potential complexity in implementation and interpretation. Critics may argue that the calculations required to adjust tax liabilities could create confusion among taxpayers and administrative burdens for school districts. Furthermore, discussions may arise about the adequacy of the protections offered and whether the bill sufficiently addresses the varying financial circumstances of elderly and disabled individuals, who might still feel the impact of fluctuating property values despite these adjustments.