Relating to the authority of the governing body of a school district to adopt an ad valorem tax rate that exceeds the district's voter-approval tax rate.

HB 5444 restricts school districts from setting property tax rates higher than what voters previously approved without new voter consent. It prohibits governing bodies from adopting such rates if they previously exceeded the voter-approved rate, held a required election (under Section 26.08), and voters rejected the proposal. The law requires districts to seek fresh voter approval through an election before raising taxes beyond the existing approved limit. This directly affects school districts' ability to adjust property tax rates without community consent. The bill takes effect January 1, 2026.