Budget & Taxes (Revenue)

introduced · Texas · Senate Aug 21, 2025

SB 49: Relating to making an appropriation to Galveston County for certain legal expenses incurred by the county.

SB 49 appropriates $5,756,567.46 from the state general revenue fund to reimburse Galveston County for legal expenses it already incurred in the federal court case *Petteway v. Galveston County* (111 F.4th 596, 5th Cir. 2024). The bill directly affects Galveston County by covering specific litigation costs related to this ongoing lawsuit. The appropriation covers the two-year period starting when the bill becomes effective. This is a straightforward reimbursement measure with no new policy provisions or broader implications.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates state funds for county legal reimbursement, directly allocating budget resources for fiscal management within state finances.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue

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introduced · Texas · House Aug 15, 2025

HB 157: Relating to powers of regional transportation authorities.

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill directs 25% of existing sales tax revenue toward local infrastructure projects (sidewalks, trails, etc.), enabling targeted public spending without new taxes, aligning with fiscal responsibility and funding essential services.92% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationFunds local mobility projects including sidewalks, trails, and road improvements via sales tax allocation for transportation infrastructure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Debt & Bonds Revenue Sales Tax Roads & Highways Transportation Funding Tags Local Government

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introduced · Texas · House Aug 15, 2025

HB 93: Relating to a limitation on the rate of growth in state and local appropriations with the return of over-collected taxpayer money by reducing taxes.

HB 93 limits the rate at which state and local governments can increase spending by tying annual budget growth to population and inflation trends. It requires the Legislative Budget Board to calculate a spending growth cap each biennium using the prior three years' average population growth plus inflation (measured by the Consumer Price Index). If actual spending growth falls below this cap, the bill mandates reducing taxes to return over-collected revenue to taxpayers. This applies to all state/local government funding sources, including general revenue and dedicated accounts, and affects all Texas taxpayers through potential tax reductions.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates tax reductions when spending growth is below cap, returning over-collected revenue to taxpayers. Aligns with tax relief and fiscal responsibility indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Government Spending Revenue State Budget

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introduced · Texas · House Aug 15, 2025

HB 107: Relating to municipal and county ad valorem tax relief.

HB 107 requires Texas counties and municipalities to use excess tax revenue for property tax relief. It defines "surplus revenue" as funds collected above amounts needed to cover budget growth adjusted for population increases and inflation. Local governments must apply this surplus to directly reduce the property taxes owed by residents in the current fiscal year. The bill establishes specific formulas using the state's consumer price index and population growth rate to calculate the required relief.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates use of surplus revenue for property tax relief, directly reducing taxes for residents per defined formulas.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Revenue

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in committee · Texas · House Aug 18, 2025

HB 67: Relating to the allocation and deposit of certain surplus state revenue to the property tax relief fund for use in reducing school district maintenance and operations ad valorem taxes.

HB 67 would require Texas to deposit half of any surplus state general revenue at the end of each biennium into a property tax relief fund. This fund would be used exclusively by the Texas Education Agency to reduce school district property taxes through adjustments to the state's "compression percentage" formula. The bill directly affects school districts and property taxpayers by creating a mechanism to lower maintenance and operations tax rates. It applies starting with the 2027-2029 state fiscal biennium and takes effect 91 days after the legislative session ends.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates deposit of surplus revenue into property tax relief fund to reduce school district property taxes, directly providing tax relief to property taxpayers.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill directs surplus state revenue to reduce school district property taxes via dedicated fund, directly strengthening school funding stability and lowering taxpayer burden for education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Revenue State Budget

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in committee · Texas · House Aug 20, 2025

HB 222: Relating to reducing school district maintenance and operations ad valorem taxes through the use of certain surplus state revenue.

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesUses surplus state revenue to directly reduce school district property taxes, providing tax relief via state funds per bill's allocation mechanism.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationDirects surplus revenue to lower state compression percentage, increasing state funding for schools and reducing reliance on district property taxes.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability Property Tax Revenue School Funding

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in committee · Texas · House Aug 18, 2025

HB 79: Relating to reducing school district maintenance and operations ad valorem taxes through the use of certain surplus state revenue.

HB 79 reduces school district property taxes by using surplus state revenue to lower the "state compression percentage" that affects local tax rates. It creates a fund from excess state revenue (90% of general revenue over budget growth limits) to decrease this percentage, potentially eliminating a school district's ability to levy tier one maintenance and operations taxes. When the compression percentage reaches zero, districts cannot impose these taxes and automatically receive full state funding as if they had the maximum allowable tax rate. The bill directly affects all Texas public school districts by altering how state funding offsets local property tax burdens.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesUses surplus state revenue to reduce school district property taxes by lowering the compression percentage, providing direct tax relief through fiscal management.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill uses surplus state revenue to reduce school district property taxes via lower compression percentage, increasing state funding for K-12 schools per Foundation School Program subjects.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Revenue State Budget School Funding

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in committee · Texas · House Aug 18, 2025

HB 97: Relating to reducing school district maintenance and operations ad valorem taxes through the use of certain surplus state revenue.

HB 97 would reduce property taxes for Texas school districts by using surplus state revenue. It requires the state to lower the "compression percentage" (the formula determining how much local property taxes can be reduced) when funds are deposited into the property tax relief fund. If this percentage reaches zero, school districts cannot impose certain local maintenance taxes and will receive full state funding as if they had the maximum tax rate with no local share. This bill directly affects all Texas public school districts by changing how state funds are allocated to offset local property tax burdens.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesReduces school district property taxes using state surplus revenue, providing direct tax relief per bill's explicit tax reduction mechanism.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill uses surplus state revenue to reduce school district property taxes, increasing state funding and eliminating local tax burdens for schools under Foundation School Program.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Revenue

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in committee · Texas · House Aug 18, 2025

HB 91: Relating to reducing school district maintenance and operations ad valorem taxes through the use of certain surplus state revenue.

HB 91 would reduce school district property tax rates by using surplus state revenue to lower the "state compression percentage" that determines how much districts can charge for maintenance and operations. It directs the comptroller to allocate surplus state revenue into a property tax relief fund, which the commissioner can then use to further reduce this percentage. If the percentage reaches zero, school districts would be prohibited from imposing the lowest tier of property taxes and would automatically qualify for full state funding as if they had the maximum allowable tax rate. This bill directly affects all Texas public school districts by potentially lowering their local tax burdens and changing their funding structure.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesUses surplus state revenue to lower school property tax rates via reduced 'state compression percentage', providing direct tax relief to homeowners.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationReduces school district property taxes using state surplus revenue, effectively increasing available funding for education without raising local taxes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability Property Tax Revenue

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