86R5055 TJB-D
By: Watson S.J.R. No. 44
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 the minimum 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 $5,000 unless the
legislature by general law prescribes other monetary restrictions
on the amount of the exemption or authorizes the governing body of a
political subdivision to adopt a dollar amount greater than
$5,000. The legislature by general law may prohibit the governing
body of a political subdivision that adopts an exemption under this
subsection from reducing the amount of or repealing the
exemption. 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. This proposed constitutional amendment shall be
submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 5, 2019.
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 the minimum dollar amount
of the exemption to which an individual is entitled in a tax year."