SJR2 - Proposing a constitutional amendment to increase the amount of the exemption of residence homesteads from ad valorem taxation by a school district.

      S.J.R. No. 2         proposing a constitutional amendment to increase the amount of the   exemption of residence homesteads from ad valorem taxation by a   school district.          BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 1-b(c), Article VIII, Texas   Constitution, is amended to read as follows:          (c)  The amount of $140,000 [ $100,000 ] of the market value of   the residence homestead of a married or unmarried adult, including   one living alone, is exempt from ad valorem taxation for general   elementary and secondary public school purposes.  The legislature   by general law may provide that all or part of the exemption does   not apply to a district or political subdivision that imposes ad   valorem taxes for public education purposes but is not the   principal school district providing general elementary and   secondary public education throughout its territory.  In addition   to this exemption, the legislature by general law may exempt an   amount not to exceed $10,000 of the market value of the residence   homestead of a person who is disabled as defined in Subsection (b)   of this section and of a person 65 years of age or older from ad   valorem taxation for general elementary and secondary public school   purposes.  The legislature by general law may base the amount of and   condition eligibility for the additional exemption authorized by   this subsection for disabled persons and for persons 65 years of age   or older on economic need.  An eligible disabled person who is 65   years of age or older may not receive both exemptions from a school   district but may choose either.  An eligible person is entitled to   receive both the exemption required by this subsection for all   residence homesteads and any exemption adopted pursuant to   Subsection (b) of this section, but the legislature shall provide   by general law whether an eligible disabled or elderly person may   receive both the additional exemption for the elderly and disabled   authorized by this subsection and any exemption for the elderly or   disabled adopted pursuant to Subsection (b) of this section.  Where   ad valorem tax has previously been pledged for the payment of debt,   the taxing officers of a school district may continue to levy and   collect the tax against the value of homesteads exempted under this   subsection until the debt is discharged if the cessation of the levy   would impair the obligation of the contract by which the debt was   created.  The legislature shall provide for formulas to protect   school districts against all or part of the revenue loss incurred by   the implementation of this subsection, Subsection (d) of this   section, and Section 1-d-1 of this article.  The legislature by   general law may define residence homestead for purposes of this   section.          SECTION 2.  The following temporary provision is added to   the Texas Constitution:           TEMPORARY PROVISION.     (a)     This temporary provision applies   to the constitutional amendment proposed by S.J.R.   2, 89th   Legislature, Regular Session, 2025.           (b)     The amendment to Section 1-b(c), Article VIII, of this   constitution takes effect for the tax year beginning January 1,   2025.           (c)  This temporary provision expires January 1, 2027.          SECTION 3.  This proposed constitutional amendment shall be   submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 4,   2025.  The ballot shall be printed to permit voting for or against   the proposition: "The constitutional amendment to increase the   amount of the exemption of residence homesteads from ad valorem   taxation by a school district from $100,000 to $140,000."             ______________________________ ______________________________      President of the Senate Speaker of the House                 I hereby certify that S.J.R. No. 2 was adopted by the Senate   on February 13, 2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 30, Nays 0.       ______________________________   Secretary of the Senate                I hereby certify that S.J.R. No. 2 was adopted by the House   on May 20, 2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 143, Nays 0, one   present not voting.       ______________________________   Chief Clerk of the House            Received:     ______________________________                Date       ______________________________         Secretary of State