Transcript Highlights:

• There are winners and losers on every tax relief.
• We do have the best property tax system in the country.
• And now targeted tax relief that your constituents understand.
• taxes equals the levy.
• ... ...in at a low freeze, the fact that we're adding to the exemption and tax rate means that even in

Bills: SB23, SJR85

Keywords: homestead exemption, elderly, disabled, ad valorem taxation, school district funding, Texas constitutional amendment, property tax relief, school district taxes, ad valorem tax, residence homestead, elderly homeowners, senior citizens, disabled homeowners, age 65 or older, school finance, tax exemption increase, local school taxes, property tax exemption, homestead tax relief, voter approval

Summary: The Senate Committee on Local Government heard testimony on Senate Bill 23 and its companion constitutional amendment, Senate Joint Resolution 85, both by Senator Bettencourt. The bills would increase the additional homestead exemption for elderly and disabled homeowners from $10,000 to $60,000, which proponents said would significantly reduce property taxes and help seniors and disabled Texans age in place. Bettencourt and supporters described the measure as part of a broader property tax relief package, estimating combined savings of about $950 for over-65 and disabled homeowners when paired with other recent homestead exemption changes. Witnesses largely supported the proposal. Testimony in favor came from a lawyer, a private citizen, Texas Realtors, the Texas Silver-Haired Legislature, and the Texas Association of Builders, all emphasizing relief for fixed-income seniors, housing stability, and the ability to remain in their homes. Several witnesses noted rising property taxes, medical costs, and the challenges seniors face in moving or affording home modifications. One witness from Every Texan said a flat homestead exemption is the most equitable way to cut property taxes, but argued against additional tax cuts generally, favoring a circuit-breaker approach and warning that permanent tax cuts could reduce funding for schools and other needs. The committee also discussed data showing many over-65 homeowners already pay no school property taxes in some counties and that the proposed changes would increase that share. After closing public testimony, the committee voted on the measures. Senate Bill 23 was reported favorably to the full Senate by a 7-0 vote, and S.J.R. 85 was also reported favorably by a 7-0 vote. The transcript also shows Senate Bill 898 being laid out and passed unanimously earlier in the meeting, with a recommendation for the local and uncontested calendar.

Transcript Highlights:

• considering that some of these substances are used for processing food products, while some may be added

Bills: HB25, HB38

Keywords: ivermectin, pharmacist authority, prescription-free, healthcare regulation, patient access, interest rate, ad valorem taxes, homesteads, property tax, tax deferral

Transcript Highlights:

• state compression percentage that has existed in HB 3 since 2019 will reduce the statewide average tax
• In 1979, Senator Grant Jones passed Senate Bill 621, which changed the entire property tax system.
• One of the foundations of the Lincoln Land Institute is targeted tax relief.
• There are winners and losers with every tax relief.
• We do have the best property tax system.

Bills: SB23, SJR85, SB 23

Keywords: homestead exemption, elderly, disabled, ad valorem taxation, school district funding, Texas constitutional amendment, property tax relief, school district taxes, ad valorem tax, residence homestead, elderly homeowners, senior citizens, disabled homeowners, age 65 or older, school finance, tax exemption increase, local school taxes, property tax exemption, homestead tax relief, voter approval

Transcript Highlights:

• The permanent standing Subcommittee on Property tax appraisals will come to order.
• One of the biggest contributors is property taxes, as we know.
• And if y'all recall in the last session, we passed the Property Tax Relief Act.
• Months later, when he began to make arrangements to pay his property taxes, he realized that his taxes
• assessor collectors, and property tax professionals.

Bills: HB148, HB203, HJR30

Keywords: HB 148, Texas Education Code, Texas Education Agency, TEA, artificial intelligence, AI, machine learning, automated scoring, constructed response, open-ended answers, student assessments, state testing, standardized tests, public schools, education policy, assessment instruments, school accountability, test scoring, 2026-2027 school year, ad valorem tax

Transcript Highlights:

• Now they're being penalized for doing it by increased property taxes.
• The analysis also states that this has no impact on local ad valorem revenue, and that is the bill, Mr
• Next, on tab 4, there's SB 856, disclosure of estimated ad valorem taxes, by Senator DiCeglie.
• property taxes.
• property taxes.

Bills: S7040, S0110, S0434, S0856

Keywords: property assessment, wind damage, home improvements, real estate, tax exemption, Florida statutes, ad valorem taxes, property listings, tax estimation, disclosure, Florida, residential property

Summary: The committee met with a quorum present and took up three property-tax related bills before turning to a broader discussion of the Emergency Preparedness and Response Fund. SB 434, which would prohibit counties from increasing a residential property’s assessed value because the owner installed wind mitigation measures, was presented by Senator Lee and reported favorably. CS for SB 110, which clarifies that holders of 98-year-or-longer residential leases remain eligible for the homestead exemption even if the lease ends at death, was also reported favorably. SB 856, requiring online residential listing platforms to display estimated property taxes using prescribed calculation methods and not the current owner’s tax bill, drew support from property appraisers, Zillow representatives, and others and was reported favorably after questions about transparency and realtor obligations. The committee then considered SPB 7040, which would recreate and extend the Emergency Preparedness and Response Fund through December 31, 2027. Senator DiCeglie and Division of Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie argued the fund is needed for hurricane response, other natural and man-made emergencies, and reimbursement-based spending; they said the extension preserves legislative oversight that would otherwise lapse. Several senators questioned the use of the fund for immigration-related operations, detention facilities, and other non-disaster activities, as well as the lack of additional guardrails, reimbursement timing, and transparency. Guthrie said the division has used the fund for hurricanes, flooding, civil unrest, security operations, and other incidents, and that some reimbursements are still pending from the federal government. Public testimony on SPB 7040 was largely opposed. Speakers from the Florida Center for Fiscal and Economic Policy, the Southern Poverty Law Center, Florida for All, and others argued the fund has been repurposed for immigration enforcement and detention-related spending rather than true emergencies, and raised concerns about deaths in detention and the absence of competitive bidding and oversight. Guthrie answered extensive questions about the South Florida and North Florida detention facilities, Operation Vigilant Sentry, State Guard support, reimbursement requests, equipment purchases, and legislative access to facilities. The committee did not take a final vote on SPB 7040 within the portion of the transcript provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• property taxes and requires listing platforms to calculate and display estimated property taxes by using
• by the amount of that tax.
• And we added funds over there as well. So this next slide shows some of the smaller tax sources.
• tax code.
• Or we had to raise taxes, and there seemed to be little appetite for raising taxes.

Bills: S0110, S0434, S0856

Keywords: property assessment, wind damage, home improvements, real estate, tax exemption, Florida statutes, ad valorem taxes, property listings, tax estimation, disclosure, Florida, residential property

Summary: The committee heard and passed three bills before moving to a staff presentation on the state revenue forecast and the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act. SB 856, by Senator DeSantis? [sic], would require online real estate listing platforms to display estimated property taxes for residential properties using prescribed methods and DOR-developed formulas rather than the current owner’s tax bill. Supporters from county, city, and property appraiser groups said the bill would improve transparency and help homebuyers avoid surprise tax and escrow increases. The bill was reported favorably after debate about making sure the estimate appears on realtor and platform sites for first-time buyers. SB 110, by Senator Arrington, was amended and then reported favorably. The bill clarifies that people holding 98-year-or-longer residential leases remain eligible for the homestead tax exemption even if the lease ends upon the tenant’s death, aligning those leaseholds with life estates for estate-planning purposes. The amendment, supported by the Florida Bar’s real property, probate and trust law section, clarified that lease provisions terminating at death are valid under current law. SB 434, by Senator Leak, was also reported favorably; it would prevent property tax assessments from reflecting increased just value attributable to wind-hardening improvements such as stronger roof attachments, shutters, and roof-to-wall reinforcements. The committee then received an update from staff director Azar Khan on the new general revenue forecast. He said collections had been running slightly above estimate overall, but the Revenue Estimating Conference reduced corporate income tax projections because of weaker recent collections and uncertainty around tariffs, while increasing some other revenue sources. Members then discussed the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which staff said would significantly reduce Florida corporate income tax revenue, with a large first-year impact driven by retroactive provisions such as bonus depreciation, research expensing, and business interest deductions. Senators and the appropriations chair said the forecast and federal changes would affect budget planning, and the committee adjourned after noting the bills had been favorably reported and the meeting was complete.

Transcript Highlights:

• That, per current law, a zone must be at least 50% the size of the tax increment district, uh, or the
• c> zone must be at least 50% the size of zone must be at least 50% the size of the<00:02:04.799> tax
• 00:02:07.439> uh<00:02:07.520> or<00:02:07.759> the<00:02:07.920> t the tax
• increment district uh or the t the tax increment district uh or the t district.<00:02:09.119> Current

Bills: HB626, SB265

Keywords: tax increment district, economic development, manufacturing zone, local governance, ad valorem tax, data processing centers, tax abatements, construction related taxes, energy infrastructure, 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• whatsoever okay clerk see being added whatsoever okay clerk see being added whatsoever okay clerk see
• like we have the this provider tax like we have the this provider tax like we have the hospitals we
• taxing to come up with exactly are we taxing to come up with exactly are we taxing to come up with this
• amount because this tax is helping this amount because this tax is helping this amount because this
• privilege tax that's assessed on each of privilege tax that's assessed on each of privilege tax that's

Bills: HB 9, HB 22, HB 908, HB 1392

Keywords: property tax, ad valorem tax, tangible personal property, income-producing property, business personal property, tax exemption, local government finance, appraisal district, chief appraiser, rendition statement, property tax relief, small business, commercial property, leased property, related business entity, unified business enterprise, tax situs, Texas Tax Code, local taxing unit, constitutional amendment

Transcript Highlights:

• So my hope is to ensure tax dollars are spent appropriately.
• In 2006, voters demanded a $25,000 property tax exemption for low-income seniors.
• It is a poll tax on democratic participation.
• Not the small business owners in Ocala who rallied behind the tax relief amendments.
• You pay your taxes. You take care of your family.

Bills: HB 9, HB 22, HB 908, HB 1392

Keywords: property tax, ad valorem tax, tangible personal property, income-producing property, business personal property, tax exemption, local government finance, appraisal district, chief appraiser, rendition statement, property tax relief, small business, commercial property, leased property, related business entity, unified business enterprise, tax situs, Texas Tax Code, local taxing unit, constitutional amendment

Transcript Highlights:

• valorem tax purposes for the property of the low-income housing for the subcommittee the subcommittee
• valorem tax purposes unequally for the Subcommittee on Property Tax.
• AG 4648 by and ruling the appeal of ad valorem taxes in certain state and local taxes in the enactment
• HB 4749 by Harris-Davalo, relating to the treatment for ad valerum tax.
• valorem tax sale, refer the committee on Ways and Means.

Bills: HB9, HB22, HB908, HB1392

Keywords: property tax, ad valorem tax, tangible personal property, income-producing property, business personal property, tax exemption, local government finance, appraisal district, chief appraiser, rendition statement, property tax relief, small business, commercial property, leased property, related business entity, unified business enterprise, tax situs, Texas Tax Code, local taxing unit, constitutional amendment

Transcript Highlights:

• It's taxing.
• So, um, I would just encourage you to consider adding those into your bill if, if you have an opportunity
• appreciate each and every one of you for listening to the survivor stories as I know they can sometimes be taxing

Bills: HB47

Keywords: HB 47, Texas Tax Code, ad valorem taxes, property tax, voter-approval tax rate, tax rate election, taxing unit, injunction, taxpayer rights, property owner, local government finance, tax refund, attorney's fees, court costs, voter-approved tax increase, tax reform, municipal taxes, county taxes, school district taxes, bond election

Transcript Highlights:

• We do not have a death tax now.
• This in turn raises ad valorum taxes for landowners.
• Uh, members, there's, uh, currently an ad valorum tax exemption for farm input products such as poultry
• However, there's no clear ad valorum tax exemption for many other inputs used in farming and ranching
• That the only area that is not tax exempt from either ad boorum or sales tax are these few non-mentioned

Bills: HB195, HB247, HB255, HJR6, HJR31, HJR34

Keywords: HB 195, Texas Controlled Substances Act, Schedule IV, controlled substances, mifepristone, misoprostol, carisoprodol, Health and Safety Code, drug scheduling, pharmacy regulation, prescription drugs, reproductive health, abortion medication, medication abortion, women's health, prescribing, dispensing, law enforcement, drug control, education reform

Transcript Highlights:

• In turn, raises ad valorem taxes for landowners.
• Members, there's a currently an ad valorem tax exemption for farm input products such as poultry eggs
• However, there's no clear ad valorem tax exemption for many other inputs. used in farming and ranching
• from either ad valorem or sales tax are these few non-mentioned.
• H.E.R. 31 is the constitutional amendment that would allow for the ad valorem tax exemption on agricultural

Bills: HB195, HB247, HB255, HJR2, HJR4, HJR6, HJR31, HJR34, HB195, HB247, HB255, HJR6, HJR31, HJR34

Keywords: school district, ad valorem tax, local revenue, tax collection, education funding, border security, tax exemption, ad valorem, real property, infrastructure, Texas-Mexico border, ad valorem taxation, farm products, livestock, timber, death tax, inheritance tax, estate tax, property transfer, constitutional amendment

Transcript Highlights:

• On the board, we're adding a sheriff and a lay citizen.
• On the board, we're adding a sheriff and a lay citizen.
• <00:09:57.839> and<00:09:58.000> the<00:09:58.160> sheriff's<00:09:58.560> added
• <00:09:58.880> to participation and the sheriff's added to participation and the sheriff's
• added to that<00:09:59.120> bill<00:09:59.360> as<00:09:59.519> well.

Bills: HB150

Keywords: improvement district, special assessment, assessment lien, public infrastructure, bond financing, bond interest rate, county commission, tax assessor, tax collector, judge of probate, ad valorem tax, tax lien, tax sale, foreclosure, delinquent taxes, municipal finance, public improvements, infrastructure financing, collection enforcement, property lien

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill would expand that range by adding an 8% option.
• from their tax liability.
• In the tax code from state sales tax on the purchase and rental of its vehicles.
• institutions and universities in the Texas Historic Preservation Tax Credit program.
• And may be used against the Texas business franchise tax or the Texas insurance premium tax.

Bills: HB104

Keywords: property tax, ad valorem tax, tax rate election, voter-approval tax rate, no-new-revenue tax rate, de minimis rate, local government, special district, tax increase, tax notice, public hearing, tax code, Health and Safety Code, Texas property taxes, taxing unit, election threshold, two-thirds vote, majority vote, budget approval

Transcript Highlights:

• This is very basic math, you're adding zeros, um.
• OK, so, um, just to clarify, the ESF is a tax on oil and gas severance taxes right?
• in a, in a traditional sense like a sales tax or property tax.
• It is still a tax on private industry that we're using.
• use tax revenues on manufactured housing.

Bills: HB104

Keywords: property tax, ad valorem tax, tax rate election, voter-approval tax rate, no-new-revenue tax rate, de minimis rate, local government, special district, tax increase, tax notice, public hearing, tax code, Health and Safety Code, Texas property taxes, taxing unit, election threshold, two-thirds vote, majority vote, budget approval

Transcript Highlights:

• To qualify under the current law, the local government must meet the following: The loss of ad valorem
• Under this bill, local governments, whose amount of lost ad valorem tax revenue is equal to or greater
• Since 2010, Harker Heights has experienced more than $25.6 million in losses in ad valorem tax revenue
• , and currently this fiscal year, this impact has grown to $4.4 million to the city's ad valorem tax
• The 100% Disabled Veterans and spouse exemption accounts for 79% of all exemption losses of the ad valorem

Bills: HB511, HB972, HB 1035, HB2481, HB2723, HB2742, HB2894, HB2962, HB3077, HB3093, HB3307, HB3684, HJR67, HJR72

Keywords: ad valorem taxation, caregiver exemption, Medicaid, long-term services, tax relief, assisted living, housing support, property tax exemption, caregiver support, residence homestead, tax exemption, unpaid caregiver, state tax code, property tax, caregiver, waiting list, intellectual disability, developmental disability, ad valorem tax, family support

Bills: HB148, HB203, HB360, HB552, HB 1244, HB 1284, HB1533, HJR30, HB148, HB203, HJR30

Keywords: residential property, ad valorem tax, leasing, property appraisal, fair market rent, housing affordability, appraised value, tax limitation, housing market, affordable housing, leased residential real property, rent control, Texas Tax Code, property tax, residential leasing, homestead, tax code, appraisal review board, real estate sales, property tax relief

Bills: HR118, HB1120, SCR11, SB73, SB89, SB128, SB149, SB180, SB191, SB196, SB238, SB318, SB340

Keywords: water utility, tax credit, excessive rates, residential service, subcommittee, tobacco tax, excise tax, smokeless tobacco, vapor products, public health, FDA, risk-proportionate, tax credits, higher education, workforce development, brain drain, economic incentives, SB 73, Act 10, Act No. 774 of 2024

Transcript Highlights:

• Currently, the penalty is now listed as a separate line item on the tax. tax bill, but instead added
• The next tax year.
• HB 4809 seeks to ensure that the appraised value of historic properties for ad valorem tax purposes accurately
• Taxing unit or entities goes down to three that being said the more obviously adding more elected members
• , we cannot raise property taxes, we cannot lower property taxes.

Bills: HB1952, HB3258, HB3524, HB3851, HB4478, HB4613, HB4703, HB4742, HB4744, HB4809, HB4864

Keywords: county appraisal district, board of directors, governance, taxing units, public representation, penalty, property report, taxation, timely filing, chief appraiser, appraisal district, ad valorem tax, property appraisal, tax protests, unequal appraisal, property rights, property tax, public employees, protest leave, appraisal review board