SB 4 Texas Senate · 89th Legislature (2025)

Relating to an increase in the amount of the exemption of residence homesteads from ad valorem taxation by a school district and the protection of school districts against certain losses in local revenue.

This Texas bill (SB 4) increases the homestead exemption for school district property taxes from $100,000 to $140,000 per homeowner, directly affecting residential property owners. School districts will receive additional state aid to offset revenue losses from this exemption increase, calculated as the difference between current local revenue and what would have been available before the change. The compensation mechanism applies starting with the 2023-2024 school year for the initial exemption increase and will extend to future changes proposed for 2025. This ensures school districts maintain funding stability despite reduced local tax revenue from larger homestead exemptions.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
May 2025
Senate Passage
May 2025
House Passage
Jun 2025
Signed into Law
Jun 2025
Introduced Feb 6, 2025 Signed Jun 16, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Engrossed Enrolled · 6 edits · Jun 16, 2025
MODERATE
This bill updates Texas school finance laws to provide additional state aid to school districts affected by a proposed constitutional amendment that would increase the homestead property tax exemption. The changes include adjusting funding formulas, setting new baseline dates for revenue calculations, and establishing transitional provisions for districts that must hold elections on the constitutional amendment. These modifications ensure school districts receive financial support during the transition period while preparing for potential changes in local tax revenue.
Scope change
The bill applies to school districts across Texas and specifically addresses districts impacted by the proposed constitutional amendment increasing homestead exemptions. It creates temporary provisions for the 2025-2026 school year that expire by September 1, 2026, or December 31, 2026, depending on the section.
FISCAL

Increased the homestead exemption from $100,000 to $140,000 for property tax purposes, with only $5,000 of the exemption applying to certain entities.

Adjusted state aid formulas to account for revenue losses when the homestead exemption increases, ensuring districts receive additional funding to offset reduced local revenue.

TIMELINE

Added new provisions for the 2025-2026 school year requiring school districts to calculate state aid as if the constitutional amendment had not occurred, with expiration dates in 2026.

REQUIREMENT

Established new election date requirements for school districts, allowing commissioners to approve delayed elections and set specific dates for holding votes on the constitutional amendment.

Created provisional tax bill procedures for the 2025 tax year, allowing districts to issue bills assuming the constitutional amendment would pass, with adjustments made based on actual election results.

ENFORCEMENT

Added provisions requiring commissioners to order property detachments and annexations to reduce local revenue levels for districts that fail to hold elections or don't receive voter approval.

Floor votes · House May 20, 2025

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
62
Key actions
20
Committee
11
Amendments
9
Jun 16, 2025
Signed into law
Signed by the Governor
executive
Jun 1, 2025
Lower · Passed
Signed in the House
lower
May 31, 2025
Upper · Passed
Signed in the Senate
upper
May 29, 2025
Introduced
Senate concurs in House amendment(s)-reported
lower
May 29, 2025
Introduced
Senate concurs in House amendment(s)
upper
May 29, 2025
Introduced
House amendment(s) laid before the Senate
upper
May 21, 2025
Upper · Passed
House passage as amended reported
upper
May 21, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed
lower
May 20, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed to 3rd reading as amended
lower
May 20, 2025
Lower · Passed
Amended
lower
May 20, 2025
House · Passed
House Vote: pass (142-0-3)
house
May 10, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report sent to Calendars
lower
May 9, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report distributed
lower
May 5, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)
lower
May 5, 2025
Lower · Passed
Left pending in committee
lower
May 5, 2025
Lower · Passed
Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee
lower
Mar 25, 2025
Committee
Referred to Ways & Means
lower
Mar 25, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
lower
Feb 18, 2025
Introduced
Received from the Senate
lower
Feb 13, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed
upper
Feb 13, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed to engrossment as amended
upper
Feb 13, 2025
Upper · Passed
Amended
upper
Feb 13, 2025
Introduced
Amendment(s) offered
upper
Feb 11, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee report printed and distributed
upper
Feb 11, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported favorably w/o amendments
upper
Feb 11, 2025
Upper · Passed
Vote taken in committee
upper
Feb 11, 2025
Upper · Passed
Testimony taken in committee
upper
Feb 7, 2025
Committee
Referred to Local Government
upper
Feb 7, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
upper
31 primary · 98 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Adam Hinojosa
Adam Hinojosa
RRepublican
TX
27
P
Photo of Angela Paxton
Angela Paxton
RRepublican
TX
8
P
Photo of Bob Hall
Bob Hall
RRepublican
TX
2
P
Photo of Brandon Creighton
Brandon Creighton
RRepublican
TX
4
P
Photo of Brent Hagenbuch
Brent Hagenbuch
RRepublican
TX
30
P
Photo of Brian Birdwell
Brian Birdwell
RRepublican
TX
22
P
Photo of Bryan Hughes
Bryan Hughes
RRepublican
TX
1
P
Photo of Carol Alvarado
Carol Alvarado
DDemocratic
TX
6
P
Photo of Charles Perry
Charles Perry
RRepublican
TX
28
P
Photo of Charles Schwertner
Charles Schwertner
RRepublican
TX
5
P
Photo of Chris Turner
Chris Turner
DDemocratic
TX
101
P
Photo of Chuy Hinojosa
Chuy Hinojosa
DDemocratic
TX
20
P
CB
César Blanco
DDemocratic
TX
29
P
Photo of Donna Campbell
Donna Campbell
RRepublican
TX
25
P
Photo of Greg Bonnen
Greg Bonnen
RRepublican
TX
24
P
Photo of Joan Huffman
Joan Huffman
RRepublican
TX
17
P
JM
José Menéndez
DDemocratic
TX
26
P
Photo of Judith Zaffirini
Judith Zaffirini
DDemocratic
TX
21
P
KH
Kelly Hancock
RRepublican
TX
9
P
Photo of Kevin Sparks
Kevin Sparks
RRepublican
TX
31
P
Photo of Lois Kolkhorst
Lois Kolkhorst
RRepublican
TX
18
P
Photo of Mayes Middleton
Mayes Middleton
RRepublican
TX
11
P
Photo of Morgan Meyer
Morgan Meyer
RRepublican
TX
108
P
Photo of Paul Bettencourt
Paul Bettencourt
RRepublican
TX
7
P
Photo of Robert Nichols
Robert Nichols
RRepublican
TX
3
P
Photo of Roland Gutierrez
Roland Gutierrez
DDemocratic
TX
19
P
Photo of Royce West
Royce West
DDemocratic
TX
23
P
Photo of Sarah Eckhardt
Sarah Eckhardt
DDemocratic
TX
14
P
Photo of Tan Parker
Tan Parker
RRepublican
TX
12
P
Photo of Todd Hunter
Todd Hunter
RRepublican
TX
32
P
Photo of Trey Martinez Fischer
Trey Martinez Fischer
DDemocratic
TX
116
Co
Photo of A.J. Louderback
A.J. Louderback
RRepublican
TX
30
Co
Photo of Aicha Davis
Aicha Davis
DDemocratic
TX
109
Co
Photo of Alan Schoolcraft
Alan Schoolcraft
RRepublican
TX
44
Co
Photo of Alma Allen
Alma Allen
DDemocratic
TX
131
Co
Photo of Angelia Orr
Angelia Orr
RRepublican
TX
13
Co
Photo of Angie Button
Angie Button
RRepublican
TX
112
Co
Photo of Barbara Gervin-Hawkins
Barbara Gervin-Hawkins
DDemocratic
TX
120
Co
Photo of Ben Bumgarner
Ben Bumgarner
RRepublican
TX
63
Co
Photo of Borris Miles
Borris Miles
DDemocratic
TX
13
Co
Photo of Brad Buckley
Brad Buckley
RRepublican
TX
54