HB 85 Texas House · 89th Legislature, 2nd Called Session (2025)

Relating to the vote required in an election to approve an ad valorem tax rate that exceeds a taxing unit's voter-approval tax rate; making conforming changes.

HB 85 changes the voter approval requirement for property tax increases in Texas. It requires a two-thirds majority (instead of a simple majority) of votes cast in an election to approve a tax rate exceeding a taxing unit’s current voter-approved rate. The bill mandates that election notices clearly show three rates: the proposed tax rate, the "no-new-revenue" rate (same as previous year), and the "voter-approval" rate (highest rate without an election). This directly affects cities, school districts, and other local taxing units seeking to raise property taxes beyond their existing approved limit. The change aims to strengthen voter control over significant tax hikes.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Aug 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Aug 20, 2025 Last action Aug 20, 2025
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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
3
Key actions
0
Committee
1
Aug 20, 2025
Committee
Referred to Ways & Means
lower
Aug 20, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Stan Gerdes
Stan Gerdes
RRepublican
TX
17