Enrolled Bill Summary

Senate Bill 656	Senate Author:  Paxton
Effective:  9-1-13	House Sponsor:  Button et al.

            Senate Bill 656 amends the Local Government Code to require a record vote on the adoption of a proposed budget by the governing body of a municipality or by a county commissioners court and to require the adopted budget's cover page to specify whether the budget will raise more, less, or the same amount of property tax revenue compared to the previous budget and the amount of the difference and percent change in tax revenue, if any. The bill requires the cover page also to detail the record vote and to list the specified property tax rate information and the total amount of the taxing unit's debt obligations. The bill requires the record vote to be posted on the municipality's or county's Internet website, if the municipality or county maintains a website, for at least one year from the date of the budget's adoption.

Senate Bill 656 requires the governing body or commissioners court to ensure that the budget's cover page is amended to include the property tax rates for the current fiscal year if the rates are not included on the cover page when the budget is filed with the municipal or county clerk; to file an amended cover page with that clerk; and to ensure that the amended cover page is posted on the municipality's or county's website.