79R3187 JD-D

By:  Bohac                                                      H.J.R. No. 8  


A JOINT RESOLUTION
proposing a constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to establish a three percent limitation on annual increases in the appraised value for ad valorem tax purposes of residence homesteads and other residential real property. 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 of residence homesteads and of other residential real property, as defined by the Legislature, to three [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 to continue during ownership of the property by [nor] the owner's spouse or surviving spouse who qualifies the property for an exemption under Section 1-b of this article. 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, Regular Session, 2005, to authorize the legislature to limit the maximum average annual percentage increase in the appraised value for ad valorem tax purposes of residence homesteads and other residential real property and expires January 1, 2007. (b) The amendment to Section 1(i), Article VIII, of this constitution takes effect January 1, 2006, and applies only to a tax year that begins on or after that date. SECTION 3. 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 a three percent limitation on annual increases in the appraised value for ad valorem tax purposes of residence homesteads and other residential real property."