HJR 16 Texas House · 89th Legislature, 2nd Called Session (2025)

Proposing a constitutional amendment to exempt from ad valorem taxation the total market value of the residence homesteads of certain elderly persons and their surviving spouses.

HJR 16 proposes a constitutional amendment to exempt the full market value of a primary residence from property tax for two groups: homeowners aged 65 or older who have held the homestead exemption for at least 10 years, and surviving spouses who were 55 or older when their spouse died and continue living in the home. The amendment requires the legislature to create revenue protection formulas for school districts and allows continued tax collection for property-secured debt obligations until those debts are paid. If approved by voters in May 2026, the exemption would take effect January 1, 2027, providing significant tax relief for eligible elderly homeowners and their surviving spouses.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Aug 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Aug 20, 2025 Last action Aug 20, 2025
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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
3
Key actions
0
Committee
1
Aug 20, 2025
Committee
Referred to Ways & Means
lower
Aug 20, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Cecil Bell
Cecil Bell
RRepublican
TX
3