HB 105 amends Texas Local Government Code provisions governing certificates of obligation issued by local governments. It clarifies that "issuers" include municipalities, counties, and certain hospital districts, and defines "public work" to include projects like streets, water systems, public safety facilities, and recreation areas - while excluding facilities used primarily for sports (over 50% usage) or leased long-term to for-profit tenants. The bill also adds demolition of dangerous structures (and restoration of historic structures) as an allowable purpose for these certificates. Additionally, it shortens the maximum maturity period for such certificates from 40 to 30 years and maintains interest rate restrictions.
HB 119 requires local governments to obtain voter approval before increasing local tax rates in response to a declared disaster. This means that after a disaster (like a hurricane or flood) is officially recognized, any proposed tax hike must be approved by residents through a public vote. The bill directly affects local governments and voters in affected communities, as it mandates public consent for these specific tax changes. It applies only to tax rate increases tied to disaster declarations, not routine local tax adjustments.
HB 112 amends Texas tax law to expand the definition of "residence homestead" for tax exemption purposes, specifically for totally disabled veterans and their surviving spouses. The bill adds two key provisions: (1) personal property located at the homestead address that forms the basis for primary residence use, and (2) structures/improvements at the same address with identical ownership used primarily for residential purposes. This change directly affects veterans and surviving spouses claiming the homestead tax exemption by clarifying what qualifies as their primary residence for tax purposes. The law takes effect January 1, 2026, applying only to tax years beginning after that date.
HB 111 creates civil immunity for individuals who use or threaten to use force or deadly force that is justified under Texas Penal Code Chapter 9. It protects defendants in civil lawsuits from liability for personal injury or death resulting from such justified actions. The bill presumes justification if a criminal case involving the same force ends in acquittal, dismissal, or a grand jury declining to indict. Additionally, defendants found immune under this law may recover attorney fees and related costs from the plaintiff. This applies only to civil cases arising after the law's effective date.
HB 117 limits annual spending for local governments in Texas that can levy property taxes or issue bonds (like counties, cities, school districts, and special districts). It requires these entities to cap total expenditures at either last year's spending or a calculated amount based on the prior year's spending multiplied by (1 + population growth rate + inflation rate). Exceptions allow higher spending if voters approve it with a two-thirds majority in a special election. The bill aims to link spending increases to measurable economic factors rather than arbitrary decisions. This directly affects all local governments with tax or bond authority across Texas.
HB 120 temporarily lowers the maximum tax rate school districts can charge for the 2026-2027 school year by using federal border security funds. It requires the commissioner to reduce each district's tax rate calculation by an equal amount, with a minimum rate set at 90% of the highest district's rate. The bill applies to all Texas public school districts and expires September 1, 2028, with funding coming from federal reimbursements under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
The context provided does not include the actual text or content of HB 114. The bill description states "This version is not currently available, but is coming soon. In the meantime, please see the PDF for the content of this bill," and no additional details about the bill's provisions, affected parties, or mechanisms are included. Without access to the bill's text or summary, a factual summary cannot be generated. The only available information is that the bill was filed on July 17, 2025, and relates to stormwater management regulation by certain counties.
The bill text for HB 113 is not currently available in the provided context. The title indicates it relates to jurisdiction of a county court at law in Hidalgo County, but no specific provisions, affected parties, or mechanisms are described. Without access to the full bill text or detailed summary, a substantive explanation cannot be provided. This bill appears procedural based on its title, but its exact purpose remains unclear from the available information.
HB 107 would lower the voter approval threshold for property tax increases that exceed a taxing unit's current voter-approved rate from two-thirds to a simple majority (over 50%). This affects local governments in Texas, including cities, counties, and school districts, when they seek to raise property taxes above previously approved rates. The bill requires public notices for such tax increases to clearly display the proposed rate, the no-new-revenue rate (current tax level), and the voter-approval rate. If the proposed rate exceeds the voter-approval rate, an election must be held, and the tax rate would default to the voter-approval rate unless a majority of voters approve the increase.
HB 118's bill text is not available in the provided context (only the title and filing date are included). The title indicates it relates to using certain federal funds for property tax refunds to Texas homestead owners, but without the full text, specific provisions or mechanisms cannot be described. As the bill was filed on July 17, 2025, it is still in early stages with no further details available. A complete summary requires the full bill text or additional context.
HB 115 creates a second statutory probate court in Hidalgo County, redesignating the existing probate court as Probate Court No. 1 and establishing Probate Court No. 2. This directly affects residents of Hidalgo County who use probate court services for matters like estate administration, wills, and guardianships. The bill amends the Government Code to formally define Hidalgo County's two probate courts and clarifies that new cases filed after the effective date (September 1, 2025) will be handled by the new court structure. Existing cases filed before the effective date will continue under prior rules.
HJR 17 proposes a constitutional amendment to allow the Texas legislature to define key terms for farm product tax exemptions. Specifically, it would let lawmakers establish official definitions for "farm products" and "in the hands of the producer" through general law, potentially including livestock, poultry, timber, and farming supplies. This change would directly affect Texas farmers who currently qualify for property tax exemptions on farm products they produce. The amendment must be approved by voters in a May 2026 election before taking effect.
