By:  Hegar                                                      H.J.R. No. 69 



A JOINT RESOLUTION

proposing a constitutional amendment to authorize the legislature 
to set a lower limit on the maximum average annual percentage 
increase in the appraised value of a residence homestead for ad 
valorem tax purposes.
	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 
residence homesteads for ad valorem tax purposes to zero [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 as to a residence homestead 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 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 that 
neither the owner of the property when the limitation took effect 
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 November 4, 2003.   
The ballot shall be printed to permit voting for or against the 
proposition:  "The constitutional amendment to authorize the 
legislature to set a lower limit on the maximum average annual 
percentage increase in the appraised value of a residence homestead 
for ad valorem tax purposes."