79S20070 SMH-D



By:  Bohac                                                      H.J.R. No. 20 







A JOINT RESOLUTION



proposing a constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature 

to limit the maximum average annual increase in the appraised value 

of residence homesteads for purposes of ad valorem taxation by a 

school district 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 

residence homesteads for purposes of ad valorem taxation by a 

school district other than a junior college district [tax purposes] 

to five percent, or a greater percentage, and for purposes of ad 

valorem taxation by other political subdivisions to 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 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 residence homesteads for purposes of ad valorem 

taxation by a school district to five percent or more."