Texas House Bill HJR89

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Proposing a constitutional amendment to authorize a local option exemption from ad valorem taxation of a portion of the appraised value of the residence homesteads of certain volunteer first responders.

Impact

If enacted, HJR89 would amend Section 1-b of Article VIII of the Texas Constitution, thereby giving local governments the authority to reduce the property tax burden on qualifying volunteer first responders. This change would directly impact the financial obligations of these individuals regarding ad valorem taxes, potentially promoting increased volunteerism in emergency services across communities. The implementation of this exemption could vary by locality, as it hinges on the decisions made by individual political subdivisions to adopt the tax exemption.

Summary

HJR89 is a joint resolution proposing a constitutional amendment that would allow local political subdivisions in Texas to offer an exemption from ad valorem property taxes for a portion of the appraised value of residence homesteads owned by certain volunteer first responders. Specifically, the bill sets forth an exemption that would not exceed $15,000 of the appraised value. This legislative proposal aims to recognize the contributions of volunteer first responders by providing a financial relief measure related to property taxation.

Contention

Notable points of contention could arise regarding the definition of 'volunteer first responders', as the legislature is tasked with determining eligibility criteria and the specific parameters of the exemption. There may be concerns about the financial implications for local governments, particularly regarding how these exemptions could affect overall tax revenues and funding for essential services. Critics might argue that while the intent is to support volunteer first responders, it could inadvertently lead to budgetary pressures for local entities, which might hinder their capacity to fund crucial public services.