HB 246 creates a joint legislative committee to study how to replace ad valorem taxes (property taxes) with local sales taxes. The committee, composed of five House members and five Senators appointed by leadership, will examine what sales tax rates would be needed to maintain current local tax revenue, address disparities between communities, and evaluate options for redistributing funds. It must submit a report by December 1, 2026, and the bill simultaneously bans all ad valorem taxes effective January 1, 2027. This affects local governments that currently rely on property taxes for revenue, requiring them to transition to sales tax systems. The bill focuses on the structural shift in tax policy, not specific revenue outcomes.
Texas Senate Bill 47 amends the Water Code to expand the definition of "flood project" for funding through the flood infrastructure fund. It specifically adds provisions allowing projects using nature-based features for flood risk reduction, multi-purpose infrastructure that captures floodwater for water supply, and the acquisition of primary residences in 100-year floodplains from low-income homeowners (under 200% of federal poverty level). The bill exempts these newly defined projects from certain prior requirements under Section 15.534(c). This change directly affects communities in flood-prone areas and local entities managing flood infrastructure funding.
HB 215 establishes a disaster identification system for areas declared under a state of disaster in Texas. It allows households to voluntarily participate by using illuminated displays with specific color codes: white for adults, blue for adults 18+, green for people with disabilities, red for minors, and yellow for animals. Households signal needs by showing a continuous light for non-medical assistance or a flashing light for medical needs, helping relief personnel locate individuals and animals at night. The system directly affects residents in declared disaster zones who choose to join, providing a standardized visual communication method during emergency response.
HB 242 modifies Texas property tax collection rules to benefit property owners with past-due taxes. It requires local governments to apply payments first toward the principal tax amount before applying late fees or interest, unless the owner specifies otherwise. The bill also caps total penalties and interest on delinquent taxes at 5% of the unpaid tax amount. These changes apply only to payments received after the law takes effect, which is set for the 91st day after the legislative session ends.
HB 189 requires state and local government agencies to provide the public with a reasonable opportunity to comment on proposed changes to emergency management plans before adoption or revision. It mandates that agencies consider all written or oral submissions from interested persons (including people with disabilities) unless the plan contains sensitive infrastructure information. The bill specifically amends Texas Government Code sections 418.042 (state plans) and adds section 418.106(a-1) (local plans) to establish these public comment requirements. This affects all governmental entities responsible for emergency management planning, ensuring broader community input into disaster response strategies.
HB 62 authorizes the State Preservation Board to use available funds to install signal boosters and communication equipment on Capitol grounds. This improves radio and public safety broadband networks for first responders during natural disasters or emergencies, specifically in areas like elevators, parking garages, the Capitol basement, and Capitol extension. The bill directly affects emergency personnel working on Capitol grounds by enhancing their communication capabilities during critical incidents. It does not change existing laws but enables infrastructure upgrades to support public safety operations.
HB 49 restricts how local governments in Texas can use property tax revenue from specific elections. It prohibits cities, counties, and local government corporations from using increased maintenance and operations tax revenue (derived from certain property tax elections) to repay public securities like bonds. The bill amends both the Tax Code and Government Code to explicitly ban dedicating or pledging this property tax revenue for debt payments. This applies only to public securities issued after the bill's effective date.
HB 181 establishes annual spending limits for Texas cities and counties starting in 2026. It prohibits total expenditures from exceeding either last year's spending or last year's spending multiplied by (1 + the rate calculated by the Legislative Budget Board using the state's inflation and population growth rates). Exceptions allow higher spending if voters approve it via election or during a declared state disaster. The bill excludes bond proceeds and grants from the expenditure calculation. This measure aims to control municipal and county budget growth through a formula-based cap tied to economic indicators.
HB 194 requires municipalities and counties that experienced a declared flood disaster in the past decade to install two types of flood safety signage in high-risk areas. Specifically, it mandates signs in public gathering spots within 100-year floodplains (areas with a 1% annual flood risk) and signs indicating safe evacuation routes outside these flood zones. The law applies only to jurisdictions meeting the disaster declaration criteria and uses FEMA or USDA flood maps to define affected areas. It takes effect 91 days after the legislative session ends, aiming to improve public awareness during flood events.
This bill proposes a constitutional amendment to ban ad valorem taxes (property taxes) in Texas after January 1, 2031. It would prevent cities, counties, and other local governments from levying these taxes on real or personal property starting in 2031. The amendment also requires the state to guarantee repayment of school district bonds issued before November 4, 2025, that were secured by pre-2031 property taxes. The proposed amendment must be approved by voters in the November 4, 2025, election.
HB 222 uses surplus state revenue to reduce property tax rates for Texas school districts. It directs 90% of excess general revenue (over 104% of the previous biennium) into a property tax relief fund, which the state comptroller must allocate to lower the "state compression percentage" in school funding formulas. If this percentage reaches zero, school districts cannot impose tier one maintenance and operations property taxes and receive full state funding as if they had the maximum allowable tax rate. The bill directly affects all Texas public school districts and takes effect for the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium.
HB 234 requires toll project operators in Texas to stop collecting tolls on designated toll roads when an evacuation order under Section 418.108 of the Government Code is active for that area. This applies directly to toll road operators and drivers traveling through evacuation zones during emergencies. The bill mandates automatic toll suspension during the entire duration of an active evacuation order, ensuring no tolls are charged for use of affected toll projects. It does not change existing evacuation protocols but removes financial barriers for those leaving hazardous areas.
