Texas House Bill HJR33

Texas 2025 - 89th 1st C.S.

• Filed: 8/4/25

Caption

Proposing a constitutional amendment providing for the creation of the property tax reduction fund and dedicating certain surplus state revenue to the fund.

Impact

The establishment of the property tax reduction fund is meant to provide ongoing relief to property owners, particularly benefiting those who contribute to local school funding through their property taxes. If passed, this amendment would fundamentally alter the way surplus state revenue is utilized, shifting a significant portion towards direct tax relief. In the long run, this could stabilize property tax rates for residents by lessening the dependency on local property taxes for school funding, thus promoting a more equitable funding model that lessens the financial pressure on homeowners.

Summary

HJR33 proposes an amendment to the Texas Constitution to create a property tax reduction fund. This fund will be dedicated to reducing school district maintenance and operations ad valorem taxes by allocating a portion of surplus state sales tax revenue to the fund. Specifically, the proposal permits the transfer of these surplus funds following predetermined conditions, aiming to alleviate the tax burdens on residents regarding their local education funding. The intent behind this legislation is to provide a financial mechanism that directly addresses property taxes, especially in the context of local school funding.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding HJR33 include discussions about the sustainability of funding sources, especially regarding the reliance on sales tax revenue, which can be more variable and less predictable than property taxes. Critics may voice concerns about the constitutional amendment tying the hands of future legislators in terms of budget flexibility, creating potential challenges when addressing other pressing state needs. The proposed allocation to border security from federal funds adds another layer, leading to debates over the priority of funding allocation within state budgets, particularly in times of economic uncertainty.