HB 250 increases property tax exemptions for disabled veterans in Texas. It provides tiered exemptions based on disability rating: 20% to 100% of a property's assessed value (capped at $5,000 to $12,000 depending on the rating). Veterans over 65 with a 10%+ disability, those who are totally blind, or those who lost a limb also qualify for an 80% exemption ($12,000 cap). Surviving spouses retain the veteran's exemption amount as long as they remain unmarried, and children under 18 who are unmarried may also receive the exemption if the spouse predeceased the veteran. The bill directly affects disabled veterans, their surviving spouses, and eligible children.
HB 272 creates a state grant program to reimburse Texas municipalities and counties for helicopter operation costs when responding to multi-county disasters. The comptroller of public accounts will administer the program, covering expenses like fuel and maintenance for locally owned helicopters used during declared emergencies. Eligible entities cannot receive more than $750,000 annually in grants and must certify they aren’t also receiving federal or state funds for the same costs. The program requires standardized applications, spending deadlines, and procedures for monitoring funds, with rules to be established by May 1, 2026.
This bill exempts certain small dams and reservoirs from needing a permit from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). It applies specifically to dams operated by "qualified local sponsors" (local districts with USDA watershed agreements) for erosion, floodwater, and sediment control, with a maximum storage capacity of 200 acre-feet. The exemption allows these sponsors to construct, maintain, or divert water for repairs without a TCEQ permit, as long as the project continues serving its intended purpose. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality must adopt implementing rules by April 1, 2026.
HB 182 requires flood-prone counties in Texas to join the National Weather Service's StormReady program within two years of a declared storm or flood disaster affecting the county. A "flood-prone county" is defined as one with a recent disaster declaration under state or federal law within the last 10 years. Counties must complete the program by the second anniversary of such a disaster and renew their StormReady status every four years. This bill establishes a new requirement under the Local Government Code to improve local flood preparedness.
HB 184 modifies Texas property tax rules to limit annual increases in the appraised value of homestead properties (primary residences qualifying for tax exemptions). It raises the annual cap on value increases from 5% to 10% of the prior year's appraised value, plus the cost of new improvements. This change directly affects Texas homeowners who claim homestead exemptions, preventing sudden large tax hikes when property values rise rapidly. The bill takes effect January 1, 2027, and applies to properties owned as of January 1 of the tax year.
HB 232 establishes a Texas state disaster recovery fund to provide financial assistance when federal disaster aid falls short. The fund, administered by the state division, is financed through state appropriations, federal grants, donations, and interest earnings. It directly helps Texas residents (or those covering their recovery costs) who suffer property damage, medical expenses, temporary housing needs, or lost wages after qualifying weather events like floods or hurricanes. Compensation requires a claim submitted within two years of the disaster, with funds used strictly for eligible recovery expenses as defined in the bill.
This proposed constitutional amendment would authorize Texas to create property tax exemptions for the homes of partially disabled veterans. It would allow the legislature to exempt a percentage of a home's value equal to the veteran's disability rating (10-99%), such as a 30% exemption for a veteran with a 30% disability rating. Surviving spouses would continue to qualify under existing rules for veterans' exemptions. The amendment requires voter approval before any tax changes can take effect.
HB 176 repeals specific provisions in Texas tax law related to property tax calculations. It removes the "unused increment rate" from formulas used to determine voter-approval tax rates for most local taxing units (excluding special taxing units). This change simplifies how local governments calculate the tax rate needed for voter approval when property values change or new taxes are imposed. The bill directly affects county and city governments that levy property taxes and must follow these tax rate calculation rules. The key change is eliminating a specific calculation component ("unused increment rate") from the existing formulas.
HB 83 repeals additional property taxes that landowners previously faced when changing the use of certain land enrolled in Texas' open-space and timber land tax programs. The bill removes penalties for shifting land from agricultural or conservation use to other purposes under these special tax programs. Landowners participating in these programs will no longer owe extra taxes if they change how they use their property. This simplifies tax compliance for qualifying landowners by eliminating the penalty trigger. The bill directly affects landowners enrolled in Texas' open-space and timber land tax programs.
HB 271 amends the composition of Texas' Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee, increasing its membership from 23 to 25 members. The bill adds two new physician specialties (critical care and emergency care), two doulas with specific urban/rural representation requirements (one must specialize in end-of-life care), and a representative from a managed care organization. It also specifies that community members must include one urban and one rural representative, and requires at least one maternal fetal medicine specialist among obstetric physicians. The committee, which analyzes pregnancy-related deaths to improve maternal health outcomes, will now include these additional expertise areas to enhance its review capacity.
HB 99 replaces school districts' local property taxes (M&O taxes) with a state value-added tax (VAT) starting in 2030, if voters approve a related constitutional amendment. The bill repeals school district authority to levy M&O property taxes and creates a 6.72% state VAT on goods and services, with all revenue directed to the Foundation School Fund for public education operations. It also repeals specific sections of the Tax Code and Education Code related to local property taxes. The law requires voter approval for the constitutional change before taking effect on January 1, 2030.
HB 270 requires Texas licensing authorities (like the Texas Department of Agriculture or Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation) to revoke business licenses for individuals or entities found guilty of price gouging during a declared disaster. Specifically, if the attorney general or a consumer wins a court case under Section 17.46(b)(27) for price gouging, the court must notify relevant licensing authorities within 30 days. The licensing body must then revoke the person’s license through standard procedures if permitted by law. This applies to repeat violations (a second court victory) and directly affects licensed businesses operating in regulated fields during disaster emergencies. The bill takes effect 91 days after the legislative session ends.
