Texas 2021 - 87th Regular

Texas House Bill HB1798 Latest Draft

Bill / Introduced Version Filed 02/10/2021

                            87R4710 SMT-D
 By: Shaheen H.B. No. 1798


 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 AN ACT
 relating to the effect of a disaster declaration on the ad valorem
 tax rate of a taxing unit other than a school district and the
 appraised value of certain property in the taxing unit.
 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 SECTION 1.  Section 1.12(d), Tax Code, is amended to read as
 follows:
 (d)  For purposes of this section, the appraisal ratio of
 real property [a homestead] to which Section 23.23 or 23.231
 applies is the ratio of the property's market value as determined by
 the appraisal district or appraisal review board, as applicable, to
 the market value of the property according to law. The appraisal
 ratio is not calculated according to the appraised value of the
 property as limited by Section 23.23 or 23.231, as applicable.
 SECTION 2.  Subchapter B, Chapter 23, Tax Code, is amended by
 adding Section 23.231 to read as follows:
 Sec. 23.231.  TEMPORARY LIMITATION ON APPRAISED VALUE OF
 REAL PROPERTY LOCATED IN TAXING UNIT AFFECTED BY DISASTER. (a)
 This section applies only to real property located in a taxing unit
 any part of which is located in an area that at any time during the
 preceding tax year was declared a disaster area by the governor or
 by the president of the United States.
 (b)  Notwithstanding the requirements of Section 25.18 and
 regardless of whether the appraisal office has appraised the
 property and determined the market value of the property for the tax
 year, an appraisal office may increase the appraised value of
 property to which this section applies for a tax year for purposes
 of taxation by any taxing unit that taxes the property to an amount
 not to exceed the lesser of:
 (1)  the market value of the property for the most
 recent tax year that the market value was determined by the
 appraisal office; or
 (2)  the sum of:
 (A)  the appraised value of the property for the
 preceding tax year; and
 (B)  the market value of all new improvements to
 the property.
 (c)  When appraising property to which this section applies,
 the chief appraiser shall:
 (1)  appraise the property at its market value; and
 (2)  include in the appraisal records both the market
 value and the amount computed under Subsection (b)(2).
 (d)  Notwithstanding Subsection (b) of this section, the
 appraised value of a residence homestead that is subject to a
 limitation on increases in appraised value under this section is
 equal to the lesser of the amount computed under Section 23.23 or
 the amount computed under Subsection (b) of this section.
 (e)  Sections 23.23(d), (e), (f), and (g) apply to a
 limitation under this section in the same manner as those
 subsections apply to a limitation under Section 23.23, except that
 the definition of "new improvement" is not limited to an
 improvement to a residence homestead.
 SECTION 3.  Chapter 26, Tax Code, is amended by adding
 Section 26.0501 to read as follows:
 Sec. 26.0501.  TEMPORARY LIMITATION ON TAX RATE OF CERTAIN
 TAXING UNITS AFFECTED BY DISASTER. (a)  This section does not apply
 to a school district.
 (b)  Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, a
 taxing unit any part of which is located in an area that at any time
 during the preceding tax year was declared a disaster area by the
 governor or by the president of the United States may not adopt a
 tax rate for the current tax year that exceeds the sum of:
 (1)  the no-new-revenue maintenance and operations
 rate for the taxing unit; and
 (2)  the current debt rate for the taxing unit.
 SECTION 4.  Section 42.26(d), Tax Code, is amended to read as
 follows:
 (d)  For purposes of this section, the value of the property
 subject to the suit and the value of a comparable property or sample
 property that is used for comparison must be the market value
 determined by the appraisal district when the property is [a
 residence homestead] subject to the limitation on appraised value
 imposed by Section 23.23 or 23.231.
 SECTION 5.  Section 44.004(c), Education Code, is amended to
 read as follows:
 (c)  The notice of public meeting to discuss and adopt the
 budget and the proposed tax rate may not be smaller than one-quarter
 page of a standard-size or a tabloid-size newspaper, and the
 headline on the notice must be in 18-point or larger type. Subject
 to Subsection (d), the notice must:
 (1)  contain a statement in the following form:
 "NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING TO DISCUSS BUDGET AND PROPOSED TAX RATE
 "The (name of school district) will hold a public meeting at
 (time, date, year) in (name of room, building, physical location,
 city, state). The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the school
 district's budget that will determine the tax rate that will be
 adopted. Public participation in the discussion is invited." The
 statement of the purpose of the meeting must be in bold type. In
 reduced type, the notice must state: "The tax rate that is
 ultimately adopted at this meeting or at a separate meeting at a
 later date may not exceed the proposed rate shown below unless the
 district publishes a revised notice containing the same information
 and comparisons set out below and holds another public meeting to
 discuss the revised notice.";
 (2)  contain a section entitled "Comparison of Proposed
 Budget with Last Year's Budget," which must show the difference,
 expressed as a percent increase or decrease, as applicable, in the
 amounts budgeted for the preceding fiscal year and the amount
 budgeted for the fiscal year that begins in the current tax year for
 each of the following:
 (A)  maintenance and operations;
 (B)  debt service; and
 (C)  total expenditures;
 (3)  contain a section entitled "Total Appraised Value
 and Total Taxable Value," which must show the total appraised value
 and the total taxable value of all property and the total appraised
 value and the total taxable value of new property taxable by the
 district in the preceding tax year and the current tax year as
 calculated under Section 26.04, Tax Code;
 (4)  contain a statement of the total amount of the
 outstanding and unpaid bonded indebtedness of the school district;
 (5)  contain a section entitled "Comparison of Proposed
 Rates with Last Year's Rates," which must:
 (A)  show in rows the tax rates described by
 Subparagraphs (i)-(iii), expressed as amounts per $100 valuation of
 property, for columns entitled "Maintenance & Operations,"
 "Interest & Sinking Fund," and "Total," which is the sum of
 "Maintenance & Operations" and "Interest & Sinking Fund":
 (i)  the school district's "Last Year's
 Rate";
 (ii)  the "Rate to Maintain Same Level of
 Maintenance & Operations Revenue & Pay Debt Service," which:
 (a)  in the case of "Maintenance &
 Operations," is the tax rate that, when applied to the current
 taxable value for the district, as certified by the chief appraiser
 under Section 26.01, Tax Code, and as adjusted to reflect changes
 made by the chief appraiser as of the time the notice is prepared,
 would impose taxes in an amount that, when added to state funds to
 be distributed to the district under Chapter 48, would provide the
 same amount of maintenance and operations taxes and state funds
 distributed under Chapter 48 per student in average daily
 attendance for the applicable school year that was available to the
 district in the preceding school year; and
 (b)  in the case of "Interest & Sinking
 Fund," is the tax rate that, when applied to the current taxable
 value for the district, as certified by the chief appraiser under
 Section 26.01, Tax Code, and as adjusted to reflect changes made by
 the chief appraiser as of the time the notice is prepared, and when
 multiplied by the district's anticipated collection rate, would
 impose taxes in an amount that, when added to state funds to be
 distributed to the district under Chapter 46 and any excess taxes
 collected to service the district's debt during the preceding tax
 year but not used for that purpose during that year, would provide
 the amount required to service the district's debt; and
 (iii)  the "Proposed Rate";
 (B)  contain fourth and fifth columns aligned with
 the columns required by Paragraph (A) that show, for each row
 required by Paragraph (A):
 (i)  the "Local Revenue per Student," which
 is computed by multiplying the district's total taxable value of
 property, as certified by the chief appraiser for the applicable
 school year under Section 26.01, Tax Code, and as adjusted to
 reflect changes made by the chief appraiser as of the time the
 notice is prepared, by the total tax rate, and dividing the product
 by the number of students in average daily attendance in the
 district for the applicable school year; and
 (ii)  the "State Revenue per Student," which
 is computed by determining the amount of state aid received or to be
 received by the district under Chapters 43, 46, and 48 and dividing
 that amount by the number of students in average daily attendance in
 the district for the applicable school year; and
 (C)  contain an asterisk after each calculation
 for "Interest & Sinking Fund" and a footnote to the section that, in
 reduced type, states "The Interest & Sinking Fund tax revenue is
 used to pay for bonded indebtedness on construction, equipment, or
 both. The bonds, and the tax rate necessary to pay those bonds, were
 approved by the voters of this district.";
 (6)  contain a section entitled "Comparison of Proposed
 Levy with Last Year's Levy on Average Residence," which must:
 (A)  show in rows the information described by
 Subparagraphs (i)-(iv), rounded to the nearest dollar, for columns
 entitled "Last Year" and "This Year":
 (i)  "Average Market Value of Residences,"
 determined using the same group of residences for each year;
 (ii)  "Average Taxable Value of Residences,"
 determined after taking into account the limitation on the
 appraised value of residences under Section 23.23 or 23.231, Tax
 Code, and after subtracting all homestead exemptions applicable in
 each year, other than exemptions available only to disabled persons
 or persons 65 years of age or older or their surviving spouses, and
 using the same group of residences for each year;
 (iii)  "Last Year's Rate Versus Proposed
 Rate per $100 Value"; and
 (iv)  "Taxes Due on Average Residence,"
 determined using the same group of residences for each year; and
 (B)  contain the following information: "Increase
 (Decrease) in Taxes" expressed in dollars and cents, which is
 computed by subtracting the "Taxes Due on Average Residence" for
 the preceding tax year from the "Taxes Due on Average Residence" for
 the current tax year;
 (7)  contain the following statement in bold print:
 "Under state law, the dollar amount of school taxes imposed on the
 residence of a person 65 years of age or older or of the surviving
 spouse of such a person, if the surviving spouse was 55 years of age
 or older when the person died, may not be increased above the amount
 paid in the first year after the person turned 65, regardless of
 changes in tax rate or property value.";
 (8)  contain the following statement in bold print:
 "Notice of Voter-Approval Rate: The highest tax rate the district
 can adopt before requiring voter approval at an election is (the
 school district voter-approval rate determined under Section
 26.08, Tax Code). This election will be automatically held if the
 district adopts a rate in excess of the voter-approval rate of (the
 school district voter-approval rate)."; and
 (9)  contain a section entitled "Fund Balances," which
 must include the estimated amount of interest and sinking fund
 balances and the estimated amount of maintenance and operation or
 general fund balances remaining at the end of the current fiscal
 year that are not encumbered with or by corresponding debt
 obligation, less estimated funds necessary for the operation of the
 district before the receipt of the first payment under Chapter 48 in
 the succeeding school year.
 SECTION 6.  Sections 403.302(d) and (i), Government Code,
 are amended to read as follows:
 (d)  For the purposes of this section, "taxable value" means
 the market value of all taxable property less:
 (1)  the total dollar amount of any residence homestead
 exemptions lawfully granted under Section 11.13(b) or (c), Tax
 Code, in the year that is the subject of the study for each school
 district;
 (2)  one-half of the total dollar amount of any
 residence homestead exemptions granted under Section 11.13(n), Tax
 Code, in the year that is the subject of the study for each school
 district;
 (3)  the total dollar amount of any exemptions granted
 before May 31, 1993, within a reinvestment zone under agreements
 authorized by Chapter 312, Tax Code;
 (4)  subject to Subsection (e), the total dollar amount
 of any captured appraised value of property that:
 (A)  is within a reinvestment zone created on or
 before May 31, 1999, or is proposed to be included within the
 boundaries of a reinvestment zone as the boundaries of the zone and
 the proposed portion of tax increment paid into the tax increment
 fund by a school district are described in a written notification
 provided by the municipality or the board of directors of the zone
 to the governing bodies of the other taxing units in the manner
 provided by former Section 311.003(e), Tax Code, before May 31,
 1999, and within the boundaries of the zone as those boundaries
 existed on September 1, 1999, including subsequent improvements to
 the property regardless of when made;
 (B)  generates taxes paid into a tax increment
 fund created under Chapter 311, Tax Code, under a reinvestment zone
 financing plan approved under Section 311.011(d), Tax Code, on or
 before September 1, 1999; and
 (C)  is eligible for tax increment financing under
 Chapter 311, Tax Code;
 (5)  the total dollar amount of any captured appraised
 value of property that:
 (A)  is within a reinvestment zone:
 (i)  created on or before December 31, 2008,
 by a municipality with a population of less than 18,000; and
 (ii)  the project plan for which includes
 the alteration, remodeling, repair, or reconstruction of a
 structure that is included on the National Register of Historic
 Places and requires that a portion of the tax increment of the zone
 be used for the improvement or construction of related facilities
 or for affordable housing;
 (B)  generates school district taxes that are paid
 into a tax increment fund created under Chapter 311, Tax Code; and
 (C)  is eligible for tax increment financing under
 Chapter 311, Tax Code;
 (6)  the total dollar amount of any exemptions granted
 under Section 11.251 or 11.253, Tax Code;
 (7)  the difference between the comptroller's estimate
 of the market value and the productivity value of land that
 qualifies for appraisal on the basis of its productive capacity,
 except that the productivity value estimated by the comptroller may
 not exceed the fair market value of the land;
 (8)  the portion of the appraised value of residence
 homesteads of individuals who receive a tax limitation under
 Section 11.26, Tax Code, on which school district taxes are not
 imposed in the year that is the subject of the study, calculated as
 if the residence homesteads were appraised at the full value
 required by law;
 (9)  a portion of the market value of property not
 otherwise fully taxable by the district at market value because of
 action required by statute or the constitution of this state, other
 than Section 11.311, Tax Code, that, if the tax rate adopted by the
 district is applied to it, produces an amount equal to the
 difference between the tax that the district would have imposed on
 the property if the property were fully taxable at market value and
 the tax that the district is actually authorized to impose on the
 property, if this subsection does not otherwise require that
 portion to be deducted;
 (10)  the market value of all tangible personal
 property, other than manufactured homes, owned by a family or
 individual and not held or used for the production of income;
 (11)  the appraised value of property the collection of
 delinquent taxes on which is deferred under Section 33.06, Tax
 Code;
 (12)  the portion of the appraised value of property
 the collection of delinquent taxes on which is deferred under
 Section 33.065, Tax Code;
 (13)  the amount by which the market value of property
 [a residence homestead] to which Section 23.23 or 23.231, Tax Code,
 applies exceeds the appraised value of that property as calculated
 under Section 23.23 or 23.231, as applicable [that section]; and
 (14)  the total dollar amount of any exemptions granted
 under Section 11.35, Tax Code.
 (i)  If the comptroller determines in the study that the
 market value of property in a school district as determined by the
 appraisal district that appraises property for the school district,
 less the total of the amounts and values listed in Subsection (d) as
 determined by that appraisal district, is valid, the comptroller,
 in determining the taxable value of property in the school district
 under Subsection (d), shall for purposes of Subsection (d)(13)
 subtract from the market value as determined by the appraisal
 district of properties [residence homesteads] to which Section
 23.23 or 23.231, Tax Code, applies the amount by which that amount
 exceeds the appraised value of those properties as calculated by
 the appraisal district under Section 23.23 or 23.231, Tax Code, as
 applicable.  If the comptroller determines in the study that the
 market value of property in a school district as determined by the
 appraisal district that appraises property for the school district,
 less the total of the amounts and values listed in Subsection (d) as
 determined by that appraisal district, is not valid, the
 comptroller, in determining the taxable value of property in the
 school district under Subsection (d), shall for purposes of
 Subsection (d)(13) subtract from the market value as estimated by
 the comptroller of properties [residence homesteads] to which
 Section 23.23 or 23.231, Tax Code, applies the amount by which that
 amount exceeds the appraised value of those properties as
 calculated by the appraisal district under Section 23.23 or 23.231,
 Tax Code, as applicable.
 SECTION 7.  The change in law made by this Act applies
 beginning with the 2022 tax year.
 SECTION 8.  (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b) of this
 section, this Act takes effect January 1, 2022, but only if the
 constitutional amendment to authorize the legislature to provide
 for a temporary limitation on the appraised value for ad valorem tax
 purposes of real property located in a political subdivision any
 part of which is located in an area that at any time during the
 preceding tax year was declared a disaster area is approved by the
 voters. If that amendment is not approved by the voters, this Act
 has no effect.
 (b)  This subsection and Section 26.0501, Tax Code, as added
 by this Act, take effect January 1, 2022, regardless of whether the
 constitutional amendment described by Subsection (a) of this
 section is approved by the voters.