This bill proposes a constitutional amendment to limit property taxes on primary homes for disabled or elderly Texans. It would prevent local governments (counties, cities, or school districts) from raising taxes on homesteads owned by people aged 65+ or disabled residents, and their surviving spouses aged 55+ after the owner’s death. The tax limit would transfer if the homeowner moves within the same taxing district, and local governments could hold elections (with 5% voter petition) to adopt this rule. Currently referred to the Ways & Means committee, this amendment would require voter approval to take effect.
HB 299 limits annual increases in the taxable value of Texas homestead properties for property tax purposes. It restricts annual increases to either 10% of the previous year's appraised value plus new improvements, or the previous year's market value - whichever is lower. This applies to homeowners who qualify for the homestead exemption under Section 11.13 of the Tax Code and must file a separate application with their appraisal district. The bill directly affects residential property owners seeking to limit annual tax increases on their primary homes.
HB 81 restricts local governments (like cities, counties, and school districts) from using public funds to hire registered lobbyists or pay nonprofits representing local governments if those nonprofits hire registered lobbyists. The bill prohibits spending public money on activities such as lobbying state legislators or contracting with lobbyists, but allows local government employees to provide information to lawmakers, testify, or travel for such purposes without triggering the restriction. It also permits nonprofits to offer legislative tracking, analysis, and communication with legislators that doesn’t require lobbyist registration. Violations can be challenged by taxpayers seeking court orders to stop the spending and recover legal fees.
Tags
Local Government
HB 124 repeals the Texas Jobs, Energy, Technology, and Innovation Act (specifically provisions added by H.B. 5 in 2023) from Texas law. It removes Subchapter T of Government Code Chapter 403, which previously allowed certain property value limitations for school funding calculations. The bill also amends Education Code sections to eliminate specific methods for calculating "taxable property value" (DPV) used by school districts to determine funding levels. This directly affects Texas school districts and property owners who previously benefited from the repealed tax value limitations.
HB 105 changes how local governments calculate property tax rates (taxes based on property value) and establishes a new approval process for tax rates exceeding the level previously approved by voters. Taxing units, such as cities, counties, or school districts, would need to follow this specific procedure to raise property taxes above the voter-approved limit. This bill directly affects property owners, as their tax bills could be influenced by these updated rules. The bill also includes minor adjustments to other related laws to maintain consistency with these changes.
HB 157 allows local governments within regional transportation authorities to use up to 25% of their annual sales tax revenue for local mobility projects. It directly affects cities or counties in these authorities by enabling them to fund sidewalks, trails, streetlights, traffic signals, and drainage improvements on local roads. The bill requires annual project lists and splits funding between 50% upfront and 50% reimbursement before year-end. Unused funds must pay down existing debt secured by a 1% sales tax, but the primary change is expanding local control over transportation investments.
This constitutional amendment proposal would allow Texas lawmakers to cap the taxable value of commercial properties for property tax purposes. Specifically, it would authorize the legislature to limit a property's appraised value to either 110% (or a higher percentage) of its previous year's appraised value or its current market value - whichever is lower. The cap would apply only to properties meeting legislative definitions and eligibility criteria, such as having a market value below a specified threshold. The amendment requires voter approval in a 2026 election before taking 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 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.
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.
