Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Texas House Bill HJR97

Caption

Proposing a constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to exempt from ad valorem taxation by a school district a portion of the appraised value of an individual's residence homestead in an amount equal to the lesser of 50 percent of the appraised value of the residence homestead after all other applicable exemptions for which the individual has qualified the homestead are applied or 150 percent of the median appraised value of all single-family residences in the state and authorizing the legislature to exempt from ad valorem taxation by one or more political subdivisions of this state inventory held for sale at retail.

Impact

If enacted, this amendment would significantly impact property tax revenue streams for school districts, as it allows for increased exemptions that could lead to reduced funding for education in the short term. By introducing a cap based on the median appraised value, the measure aims to provide relief to homeowners while potentially complicating the financial dynamics for local educational institutions. Furthermore, the bill includes provisions that authorize exemptions for inventory held for sale at retail, thus allowing local governments more flexibility in managing their tax policies towards businesses.

Summary

HJR97 proposes a constitutional amendment to modify ad valorem taxation policies in Texas, specifically targeting the taxation of residential homesteads and retail inventory. Under this amendment, the legislature would be empowered to exempt a portion of the appraised value of an individual's residence homestead from taxation by school districts. The exemption would be calculated as the lesser of 50% of the appraised value—after all qualifying exemptions—or 150% of the median appraised value of all single-family homes in the state. This aims to alleviate tax burdens on homeowners, particularly those with limited financial means.

Contention

Notably, the discussion surrounding HJR97 has highlighted concerns regarding the implications of increased exemptions for public services, primarily education. Proponents argue that reducing tax burdens on homesteads is imperative for economic fairness, especially for lower-income households. However, opponents contend that such changes could jeopardize the financial stability of school funding, potentially leading to cuts in educational services. The amendment raises a fundamental debate about balancing taxpayer relief with adequately funding public education and ensuring that schools can meet their operational needs.

Companion Bills

TX HB2915

Enabled by Relating to state and local taxes and fees.

Previously Filed As

TX HB419

Relating to an exemption from ad valorem taxation by a taxing unit other than a school district of a portion of the appraised value of a residence homestead based on the average appraised value in the preceding tax year of all qualified residence homesteads located in the same county.

TX SB546

Relating to the authority of the governing body of a taxing unit other than a school district to adopt an exemption from ad valorem taxation of a portion, expressed as a dollar amount, of the appraised value of an individual's residence homestead and to the authority of the governing body of any taxing unit that has adopted an exemption from ad valorem taxation of a percentage of the appraised value of an individual's residence homestead to reduce the amount of or repeal the exemption.

TX HJR191

Proposing a constitutional amendment to exempt from ad valorem taxation 50 percent of the appraised value of the residence homestead of a person who has received a residence homestead exemption on the property for at least the preceding 10 years.

TX HJR87

Proposing a constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to limit the maximum appraised value of residential real property for ad valorem tax purposes to 105 percent or more of the appraised value of the property for the preceding tax year, to exempt from ad valorem taxation the total appraised value of property purchased by an individual for the first tax year the individual qualifies the property as the individual's residence homestead if the property is the individual's first residence homestead and has an appraised value of less than $300,000, and to limit the total amount of ad valorem taxes that a political subdivision may impose on the residence homestead of an individual and the surviving spouse of the individual if the individual qualifies the property as the individual's residence homestead for at least 25 consecutive tax years.

TX HJR23

Proposing a constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide for an exemption from ad valorem taxation by a political subdivision other than a school district of a portion of the assessed value of a residence homestead based on the average assessed value in the preceding tax year of all qualified residence homesteads that are located in the same county as the homestead.

TX HB794

Relating to limitations on increases in the appraised value for ad valorem tax purposes of residence homesteads and single-family residences other than residence homesteads.

TX HB32

Relating to limitations on increases in the appraised value for ad valorem tax purposes of residence homesteads and single-family residences other than residence homesteads.

TX HB3973

Relating to an exemption from ad valorem taxation of a portion of the appraised value of the residence homesteads of certain elderly persons and their surviving spouses.

TX HB5013

Relating to an exemption from ad valorem taxation of 50 percent of the appraised value of the residence homestead of a person who has received a residence homestead exemption on the property for at least the preceding 10 years.

TX HJR108

Proposing a constitutional amendment authorizing the commissioners court of a county to adopt an exemption from ad valorem taxation by the county of a portion, expressed as a dollar amount, of the appraised value of an individual's residence homestead.

Similar Bills

CA AB1885

Debtor exemptions: homestead exemption.

TX HJR22

Proposing a constitutional amendment to appropriate money from the economic stabilization fund to the foundation school fund and use the money to finance a temporary increase in the amount of the exemption of residence homesteads from ad valorem taxation by a school district and a temporary reduction in the amount of the limitation on school district ad valorem taxes imposed on the residence homesteads of the elderly or disabled to reflect the increased exemption amount.

TX SJR6

Proposing a constitutional amendment relating to the calculation of a limitation on the total amount of ad valorem taxes that may be imposed by certain political subdivisions on the residence homestead of a person who is elderly or disabled.

TX HJR14

Proposing a constitutional amendment providing for an exemption from ad valorem taxation for public school purposes of a dollar amount or a percentage, whichever is greater, 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 a person who is elderly or disabled to reflect any increase in the exemption amount.