By:  Bohac, et al. (Senate Sponsor - Janek)                     H.J.R. No. 4  
	(In the Senate - Received from the House May 12, 2003; 
May 13, 2003, read first time and referred to Committee on 
Intergovernmental Relations; May 26, 2003, reported favorably by 
the following vote:  Yeas 3, Nays 0; May 26, 2003, sent to printer.)


HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION


proposing a constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature 
to limit the maximum average annual increase in the appraised value 
of real property for ad valorem tax purposes to five percent or 
more.
	BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                       
	SECTION 1.  Section 1(i), Article VIII, Texas Constitution, 
is amended to read as follows:
	(i)  Notwithstanding Subsections (a) and (b) of this 
section, the Legislature by general law may limit the maximum 
average annual percentage increase in the appraised value of real 
property [residence homesteads] for ad valorem tax purposes to five
[10] percent, or a greater percentage, for each year since the most 
recent tax appraisal.  A limitation on appraisal increases 
authorized by this subsection:
		(1)  takes effect in the tax year following the first 
tax year in which the owner owns the property on January 1, or, if 
the property is [as to] a residence homestead, in [on the later of 
the effective date of the law imposing the limitation or January 1 
of] the tax year following the first tax year in which the owner 
qualifies the property for an exemption under Section 1-b of this 
article; and
		(2)  expires on January 1 of the [first] tax year 
following the tax year in which [that neither] the owner of the 
property when the limitation took effect sells or otherwise 
transfers ownership of the property, except that the Legislature by 
general law may provide for the limitation applicable to a 
residence homestead to continue during ownership of the property by
[nor] the owner's spouse or surviving spouse [qualifies for an 
exemption under Section 1-b of this article].
	SECTION 2.  This proposed constitutional amendment shall be 
submitted to the voters at an election to be held September 13, 
2003.  The ballot shall be printed to permit voting for or against 
the proposition: "The constitutional amendment authorizing the 
legislature to limit the maximum average annual increase in the 
appraised value of real property for ad valorem tax purposes to five 
percent or more."



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