HB 219 limits annual increases in the appraised value used to calculate property taxes for Texas primary residences (homesteads). It caps yearly increases at either the previous year's market value or a formula based on 10% of last year's value plus last year's value plus new improvements. The bill directly affects homeowners with homestead properties by preventing rapid tax increases tied to rising property values. It would take effect January 1, 2027, but only if voters approve a related constitutional amendment in 2025. If the amendment fails, the bill has no effect.
HB 177 affects junior college districts, hospital districts, and other non-school taxing units with maintenance/operations property tax rates of 2.5 cents or less per $100 of taxable value. It temporarily treats "foregone revenue" as zero for these units before 2026, altering how tax rates are calculated to avoid requiring voter approval for certain rate increases. The bill provides specific formulas for determining "no-new-revenue" and "voter-approval" tax rates, including adjustments when new sales tax revenue is generated. These changes expire December 31, 2028.
HB 191 requires Texas state agencies and the comptroller to give preference to vendors whose main business is located in the same city or county where disaster relief goods and services are needed. This applies to areas declared disaster zones by the governor under Texas law or the federal government under the Stafford Act. The preference lasts from the disaster declaration date until one year after, and only affects contracts where the request for bids is published on or after the bill's effective date. The policy aims to prioritize local businesses in disaster recovery efforts through state purchasing.
HB 41 would limit property tax increases for disabled individuals and homeowners aged 65+ in Texas. It caps the total annual property taxes that counties, cities, and junior college districts can impose on qualifying homesteads at the amount paid in the first year the homeowner qualified for the exemption under Section 11.13(c) of the Tax Code. This prevents future tax hikes above that initial amount, even if property values rise. The bill directly affects disabled homeowners, elderly residents (65+), and their surviving spouses who own their primary residence. It modifies existing tax code provisions to establish this permanent tax freeze for eligible homeowners.
HJR 15 proposes a constitutional amendment to exempt the full market value of primary homes from property taxes for Texans aged 72 or older who have held this exemption for at least 10 consecutive years. Surviving spouses aged 55 or older who were living in the home when their spouse died and continued to reside there would also qualify for the exemption. The amendment requires voter approval in a May 2026 election and would take effect January 1, 2027, if approved. It includes a temporary provision to protect school districts from revenue loss during implementation.
This bill requires physicians to be physically present in Texas during an in-person examination when providing abortion-inducing drugs to patients. It directly affects physicians who prescribe these drugs within Texas, prohibiting remote or telemedicine provision. The key mechanism mandates that a physician must be in the state and examine the patient at the time of drug administration, as specified in amended Health and Safety Code Section 171.063(b). Exceptions for out-of-state consultations (e.g., for non-abortion medical services) do not apply to abortion-inducing drugs, as clarified in amended Occupations Code Section 151.056(b-1).
HB 211 changes how Texas taxing units (like school districts and counties) must obtain voter approval to raise property tax rates above current levels. It requires a 60% approval threshold (instead of a simple majority) in elections held on the November uniform election date, with elections for rate increases no longer allowed as emergency votes. If approved, the tax rate becomes final, and governing bodies cannot disapprove it or the budget based solely on that rate. The bill also removes specific Tax Code restrictions (like Section 26.07) that would otherwise limit the approved rate's application for that tax year.
HB 217 creates a state-administered program providing low-interest loans to Texas homeowners and business owners whose properties were damaged by floods in areas officially declared disaster zones by the governor. Loans can cover repairing or rebuilding damaged homes, businesses, or agricultural structures, removing debris, upgrading properties to meet flood-resilience standards, or purchasing essential equipment like farm machinery. The program requires strict oversight, including audits of loan use and a multilingual assistance center to help applicants. All funds must be used solely for approved flood recovery purposes, with the state division monitoring compliance to ensure proper allocation.
HJR 25 proposes a constitutional amendment to allow Texas to create property tax exemptions for disabled veterans based on their disability rating. It would authorize exemptions ranging from 20% to 100% of a property's assessed value, depending on the veteran's disability rating (e.g., 10-30% rating = 20% exemption). Special provisions include 80% exemptions for veterans over 65 or with specific disabilities (like limb loss or blindness), and exemptions for surviving spouses/children of disabled veterans or those who died on active duty. The amendment requires voter approval in the November 2025 election. If passed, it would replace current constitutional language governing these exemptions.
HB 201 creates a property tax exemption for partially disabled veterans and their surviving spouses in Texas. It allows veterans with a 10% to 99% disability rating to exempt a percentage of their home's appraised value equal to their disability rating. Surviving spouses who haven't remarried and continue living in the same home as the veteran at the time of death also qualify for the same exemption percentage. The exemption applies to the residence homestead and requires the surviving spouse to maintain the property as their primary home.
This bill restricts Texas local governments (like cities, counties, and school districts) from using public funds to pay for lobbying activities or to support organizations that lobby on their behalf. It specifically prohibits spending taxpayer money to hire a registered lobbyist or to fund nonprofit groups that primarily represent local governments and employ lobbyists. However, it allows exceptions for activities like reimbursing travel for employees who provide information to lawmakers, testify at hearings, or handle basic legislative tracking without requiring lobbyist registration. The law also enables taxpayers to sue to stop violations and recover legal fees if a local government breaks these rules.
HB 178 requires non-school district political subdivisions (like cities, counties, and special districts) that exceed the "no-new-revenue tax rate" for five consecutive tax years to conduct an independent efficiency audit. The audit examines fiscal management, resource use, and operational efficiency, with the political subdivision covering all costs. Exceptions apply for areas declared disaster zones under state law, allowing voter approval to bypass the audit during a two-year window. Results must be discussed in an open meeting and posted online within 30 days of the meeting, and audits must be completed within three months of hiring an auditor.
