From the Floor
On March 22nd the Senate passed a $16.5 billion Property Tax Plan – SB 3, SB 4, and SB 5 – unanimously. The bills would be combined into one constitutional amendment on the November ballot (SJR 3).
- SB 3, if the constitutional amendment is approved by voters, increases the current homestead exemption from $40,000 to $70,000 and provides hold-harmless funding to protect districts from a corresponding loss of revenue.
- SB 4 would provide an additional ISD tax rate compression and would reduce recapture by expanding the school finance band to 20%.
- SB 5 would create an Inventory Tax Credit, increasing the current business personal property exemption from $2,500 to $25,000
CSSB 10 (Huffman) relating to certain benefits paid by the Teacher Retirement System of Texas was passed off the Senate floor unanimously. It will now move to the House for further deliberation.
CSSB 24 (Kolkhorst) relating to the powers and duties of the Health and Human Services Commission and the transfer to the commission of certain powers and duties from the Department of Family and Protective Services was voted out of the Senate as amended with 23 ayes and 7 nays.
From Committee
HB 2 & HJR 1 (Meyer) relating to providing property tax relief through the public school finance system and property tax appraisal and administration were reported from the committee as substituted on 3/20.
SB 8 (Creighton) Relating to public education, including parental rights and public school responsibilities regarding instructional materials and the establishment of an education savings account program was voted out of committee as substituted on 3/28.
SB 9 (Creighton) Relating to the rights, certification, and compensation of public school educators and assistance provided to public schools by the Texas Education Agency related to public school educators and to certain allotments under the Foundation School Program was voted out of committee on 3/28.
SB 821 (Nichols) Relating to the review by the Sunset Advisory Commission of the sale of personal data by state agencies was voted out of committee as substituted on 3/28.
HB 2388 (Harris) Relating to memoranda of understanding between the Texas Water Development Board and other state agencies was voted out of committee on 3/23 to go on local and consent.
Additionally, committee reports are posted below that provide more details and updates on multiple bills. If you are a HillCo client but have not yet set up your website access, please visit HillCo Partners in order to access the content under “read more.”
