SB 1920 Texas Senate · 89th Legislature (2025)

Relating to the requirement that a person submit an application for an exemption from ad valorem taxation for certain property used for human burial.

This bill changes Texas property tax law to automatically grant an exemption for burial property without requiring an owner's application under specific conditions. It requires property tax offices to grant the exemption if they know a property is used for burial (via reasonable inspection), no application was filed, and the property owner cannot be identified. The law directly affects unmarked burial sites, cemeteries with unknown owners, or abandoned burial grounds that currently face tax bills due to lack of owner contact. The exemption applies only to tax years starting January 1, 2026, and does not change existing requirements for properties with identifiable owners.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2025
Senate Passage
Apr 2025
House Passage
Governor
Introduced Mar 5, 2025 Last action Apr 28, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced → Engrossed · 3 edits · Apr 24, 2025
MINOR
The bill was amended to add a new subsection (u) that allows chief appraisers to request assistance from various entities to help determine if property qualifies for burial exemption under subsection (t). The original bill text was also reformatted with updated metadata and spacing.
Scope change
The bill's scope was expanded by adding a new provision allowing chief appraisers to seek external assistance when determining burial property eligibility.
ENFORCEMENT

New subsection (u) permits chief appraisers to request help from state agencies, municipalities, counties, historical commissions, or other governmental/nonprofit entities to verify if property qualifies for burial tax exemption.

TECHNICAL

Bill metadata was updated from 'Introduced' version to 'Engrossed' version with updated bill number formatting and byline information.

Formatting and spacing were adjusted throughout the document, including changes to section numbering and text alignment.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate. No roll call record of that vote is available.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
25
Key actions
5
Committee
6
Apr 28, 2025
Committee
Referred to Ways & Means
lower
Apr 28, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
lower
Apr 25, 2025
Introduced
Received from the Senate
lower
Apr 24, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed
upper
Apr 14, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee report printed and distributed
upper
Apr 14, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported favorably as substituted
upper
Apr 10, 2025
Upper · Passed
Vote taken in committee
upper
Apr 7, 2025
Upper · Passed
Left pending in committee
upper
Mar 17, 2025
Committee
Referred to Local Government
upper
Mar 17, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Royce West
Royce West
DDemocratic
TX
23