By:  Hope                                                       H.J.R. No. 19 







A 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 qualifies for an exemption as the [to a] residence 

homestead of the owner under Section 1–b of this article in the tax 

year in which the owner acquires the property, 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 

acquires [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 ceases to own 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 November 8, 2005.  

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."