79S30602 JD-D

By:  Barrientos                                                 S.J.R. No. 9  



A JOINT RESOLUTION

proposing a constitutional amendment to increase the minimum amount 
of the local option residence homestead exemption from ad valorem 
taxation by a political subdivision.
	BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                       
	SECTION 1.  Section 1-b(e), Article VIII, Texas 
Constitution, is amended to read as follows:
	(e)  The governing body of a political subdivision[, other 
than a county education district,] may exempt from ad valorem 
taxation a percentage of the market value of the residence 
homestead of a married or unmarried adult, including one living 
alone.  [In the manner provided by law, the voters of a county 
education district at an election held for that purpose may exempt 
from ad valorem taxation a percentage of the market value of the 
residence homestead of a married or unmarried adult, including one 
living alone.]  The percentage may not exceed twenty percent.  
However, the amount of an exemption authorized pursuant to this 
subsection may not be less than $15,000 [Five Thousand Dollars 
($5,000)] unless the legislature by general law prescribes other 
monetary restrictions on the amount of the exemption.  An eligible 
adult is entitled to receive other applicable exemptions provided 
by law.  An exemption under this subsection that was in effect for 
the 2006 ad valorem tax year in an amount of less than $15,000 
continues to apply to eligible residence homesteads taxed by the 
political subdivision until, in accordance with general law, the 
exemption is repealed or the amount of the exemption is changed, in 
which event the amount of the exemption after the change may not be 
less than $15,000.  Where ad valorem tax has previously been pledged 
for the payment of debt, the governing body of a political 
subdivision may continue to levy and collect the tax against the 
value of the homesteads exempted under this subsection until the 
debt is discharged if the cessation of the levy would impair the 
obligation of the contract by which the debt was created.  The 
legislature by general law may prescribe procedures for the 
administration of residence homestead exemptions.
	SECTION 2.  The following temporary provision is added to 
the Texas Constitution:
	TEMPORARY PROVISION.  (a)  This temporary provision applies 
to the constitutional amendment proposed by the 79th Legislature, 
3rd Called Session, 2006, to increase the minimum amount of the 
local option residence homestead exemption from ad valorem 
taxation.
	(b)  The amendment to Section 1-b(e), Article VIII, of this 
constitution takes effect beginning with the tax year that begins 
January 1, 2007.
	(c)  This temporary provision expires January 1, 2008.                  
	SECTION 3.  This proposed constitutional amendment shall be 
submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 7, 2006.  
The ballot shall be printed to permit voting for or against the 
proposition:  "The constitutional amendment to increase the minimum 
amount of the local option residence homestead exemption from ad 
valorem taxation by a political subdivision."