Home Texas Bills
Bills

Texas Bills

Track legislation and stay informed about the bills that matter to you.

Bill results

in committee · Texas · House Aug 20, 2025

HB 211: Relating to the calculation of the voter-approval tax rate of certain taxing units and the manner in which a proposed ad valorem tax rate that exceeds the voter-approval tax rate is approved by the voters.

HB 211 changes how Texas taxing units (like school districts and counties) must obtain voter approval to raise property tax rates above current levels. It requires a 60% approval threshold (instead of a simple majority) in elections held on the November uniform election date, with elections for rate increases no longer allowed as emergency votes. If approved, the tax rate becomes final, and governing bodies cannot disapprove it or the budget based solely on that rate. The bill also removes specific Tax Code restrictions (like Section 26.07) that would otherwise limit the approved rate's application for that tax year.
Brent Money (R)
in committee · Texas · House Aug 20, 2025

HB 217: Relating to the creation of a flood recovery loan program to provide low-interest loans to persons who are victims of flood-related disasters.

HB 217 creates a state-administered program providing low-interest loans to Texas homeowners and business owners whose properties were damaged by floods in areas officially declared disaster zones by the governor. Loans can cover repairing or rebuilding damaged homes, businesses, or agricultural structures, removing debris, upgrading properties to meet flood-resilience standards, or purchasing essential equipment like farm machinery. The program requires strict oversight, including audits of loan use and a multilingual assistance center to help applicants. All funds must be used solely for approved flood recovery purposes, with the state division monitoring compliance to ensure proper allocation.
Wes Virdell (R)
in committee · Texas · House Aug 20, 2025

HJR 25: Proposing a constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to exempt from ad valorem taxation a percentage of the assessed value of property owned by certain disabled veterans.

HJR 25 proposes a constitutional amendment to allow Texas to create property tax exemptions for disabled veterans based on their disability rating. It would authorize exemptions ranging from 20% to 100% of a property's assessed value, depending on the veteran's disability rating (e.g., 10-30% rating = 20% exemption). Special provisions include 80% exemptions for veterans over 65 or with specific disabilities (like limb loss or blindness), and exemptions for surviving spouses/children of disabled veterans or those who died on active duty. The amendment requires voter approval in the November 2025 election. If passed, it would replace current constitutional language governing these exemptions.
David Cook (R)
in committee · Texas · House Aug 20, 2025

HB 201: Relating to the exemption from ad valorem taxation of part of the appraised value of the residence homestead of a partially disabled veteran or the surviving spouse of such a veteran based on the disability rating of the veteran.

HB 201 creates a property tax exemption for partially disabled veterans and their surviving spouses in Texas. It allows veterans with a 10% to 99% disability rating to exempt a percentage of their home's appraised value equal to their disability rating. Surviving spouses who haven't remarried and continue living in the same home as the veteran at the time of death also qualify for the same exemption percentage. The exemption applies to the residence homestead and requires the surviving spouse to maintain the property as their primary home.
Marc LaHood (R)
in committee · Texas · House Aug 20, 2025

HB 229: Relating to the use by a political subdivision of public funds for lobbying and certain other activities.

This bill restricts Texas local governments (like cities, counties, and school districts) from using public funds to pay for lobbying activities or to support organizations that lobby on their behalf. It specifically prohibits spending taxpayer money to hire a registered lobbyist or to fund nonprofit groups that primarily represent local governments and employ lobbyists. However, it allows exceptions for activities like reimbursing travel for employees who provide information to lawmakers, testify at hearings, or handle basic legislative tracking without requiring lobbyist registration. The law also enables taxpayers to sue to stop violations and recover legal fees if a local government breaks these rules.
Cole Hefner (R) Matt Shaheen (R) Will Metcalf (R) Jared Patterson (R) Terry Wilson (R)
in committee · Texas · House Aug 20, 2025

HB 178: Relating to efficiency audits for certain political subdivisions.

HB 178 requires non-school district political subdivisions (like cities, counties, and special districts) that exceed the "no-new-revenue tax rate" for five consecutive tax years to conduct an independent efficiency audit. The audit examines fiscal management, resource use, and operational efficiency, with the political subdivision covering all costs. Exceptions apply for areas declared disaster zones under state law, allowing voter approval to bypass the audit during a two-year window. Results must be discussed in an open meeting and posted online within 30 days of the meeting, and audits must be completed within three months of hiring an auditor.
Hillary Hickland (R)
in committee · Texas · House Aug 20, 2025

HB 100: Relating to the use of certain federal funds received by the state to provide property tax refunds to Texas homestead owners.

HB 100 directs Texas to use federal border security funds (from Public Law 119-21) to issue one-time cash payments to qualifying Texas homestead property owners. The comptroller would deduct up to $28 million for administrative costs from funds received by April 30, 2026, then divide the remainder equally among all households with a homestead exemption as of January 1, 2026. Each eligible household would receive a single payment by August 1, 2026, with the rebate treated as non-taxable income that won’t affect state benefit eligibility. Any federal funds received after May 1, 2026, would instead be deposited into the state treasury for school district property tax rate compression.
Jay Dean (R)
in committee · Texas · House Aug 20, 2025

HJR 20: Proposing a constitutional amendment to authorize the legislature to set a lower limit on the maximum appraised value of a residence homestead for ad valorem taxation.

This bill proposes a constitutional amendment (HJR 20) that would allow the Texas legislature to set a lower limit on the maximum appraised value used to calculate property taxes for primary residences (homesteads). Specifically, it would authorize capping the appraised value at 102% (or a higher percentage) of the previous year's value, rather than the full market value. This change would apply only to properties already qualifying for the homestead exemption and would expire if the owner no longer qualifies for that exemption. The amendment requires voter approval in the May 2, 2026 election.
Mitch Little (R)
in committee · Texas · House Aug 20, 2025

HB 205: Relating to authorizing certain projects to be undertaken in response to a disaster by certain economic development corporations.

HB 205 allows Type B economic development corporations to provide financial assistance to businesses damaged by declared disasters (by Texas governor or U.S. president) and to support workforce development and economic stabilization in affected areas. Specifically, it authorizes grants or loans for business relocation, repair, or elevation of infrastructure, and workforce/economic stabilization efforts. All projects must be approved by the municipality, completed within two years of the disaster declaration, and properly documented for oversight. The bill amends Texas Local Government Code to create this framework for disaster recovery projects.
Terry Wilson (R)
in committee · Texas · House Aug 20, 2025

HJR 16: 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.
Cecil Bell (R)
in committee · Texas · House Aug 20, 2025

HB 187: Relating to the authority of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to issue an emergency or temporary order requested by a county judge following a weather emergency.

HB 187 allows the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to issue emergency or temporary orders for debris disposal or controlled burning after weather emergencies, based solely on a county judge's request - without requiring a formal state or federal disaster declaration. It directly affects county judges (who can request these orders) and the TCEQ (which must respond promptly). The bill exempts these requests from standard procedural requirements under Section 5.502 of the Water Code and applies to weather emergencies occurring before, during, or after the bill's effective date. This streamlines emergency waste management during weather events like storms or floods.
Mike Olcott (R)
in committee · Texas · House Aug 20, 2025

HB 248: Relating to the jurisdiction of statutory county courts and creation of an additional statutory probate court in Hidalgo County.

HB 248 creates a second statutory probate court (Probate Court No. 2) in Hidalgo County, Texas, while redesignating the existing probate court as Probate Court No. 1. It also expands jurisdiction for Hidalgo County courts at law, giving them concurrent authority with district courts in family law cases and civil cases involving claims under $750,000. These changes apply only to cases filed on or after the bill’s effective date, leaving pre-existing cases governed by prior law. The bill directly affects Hidalgo County residents and courts handling probate, family, and civil matters. It does not alter existing court structures for cases filed before the effective date.
Sergio Muñoz (D)
Showing 253 to 264 of 28,785 bills
Previous 1 21 22 23 2,399 Next