Texas House Bill HJR4

Texas 2021 - 87th 1st C.S.

Caption

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.

Impact

The proposed changes to the constitution could significantly affect property tax revenues designated for public education. While the intention is to alleviate the financial burden on elderly and disabled homeowners, concerns arise regarding the potential loss of funding for local school districts. The proposed measure mandates that the legislature create formulas to mitigate revenue loss from these exemptions, but the specifics of how this would be implemented remain uncertain. This could lead to a more complex state funding landscape as local districts may struggle to balance their budgets with diminished tax income.

Summary

HJR4 proposes an amendment to the Texas Constitution that aims to provide a tax exemption on ad valorem taxation for public school purposes. The exemption amount will either be set at $25,000 or 16.7% of the market value of a residence homestead, whichever is higher. Additionally, the bill specifies that the total amount of ad valorem taxes imposed on the homestead of disabled individuals or those aged 65 and over cannot increase while it remains their primary residence. This clause seeks to provide financial relief to these vulnerable populations by protecting them from surging property taxes.

Contention

Discussions surrounding HJR4 highlight differing opinions on fiscal responsibility and equitable taxation. Proponents argue that the amendment is a vital step in supporting the economic stability of elderly and disabled residents, who often live on fixed incomes and cannot easily absorb rising taxes. Conversely, critics contend that such tax exemptions could place undue pressure on public education funding, particularly in underfunded districts that rely heavily on local property tax revenue. The debate centers around ensuring both assistance for vulnerable communities and maintaining adequate funding for educational services.