SWB S.J.R. 45 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS WAYS & MEANS S.J.R. 45 By: Brown (Lewis, Ron) 5-15-97 Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND Article VIII (Taxation and Revenue), Texas Constitution, provides that all property shall be taxed according to its value. However, the constitution does provide for certain exceptions to this rule, usually to accomplish a public policy goal (i.e., residence homestead, agricultural land, pollution control devices, etc.) Currently there are no such exemptions for water conservation initiatives, which could provide incentives to promote water conservation. PURPOSE The bill would provide local taxing entities with the authority to use local property tax exemptions or other relief as an incentive to conserve water. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency or institution. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1.Amends Section 1, Article VIII, Texas Constitution, by adding Section 1-m. which grants local taxing entities the authority to grant exemptions or other relief from ad valorem taxes on property so designated by the taxing unit as property upon which approved water conservation initiatives have been implemented. SECTION 2.Ballot date: November 4, 1997. Specifies appropriate ballot language.