| |
| |
|
|
A JOINT RESOLUTION
|
|
|
proposing a constitutional amendment authorizing the governing |
|
|
body of a political subdivision to adopt a local option residence |
|
|
homestead exemption from ad valorem taxation of not less than |
|
|
$5,000 or more than $30,000. |
|
|
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 a percentage [an] exemption authorized |
|
|
pursuant to this subsection may not be less than [Five Thousand
|
|
|
Dollars (]$5,000[)] unless the legislature by general law |
|
|
prescribes other monetary restrictions on the amount of the |
|
|
exemption. As an alternative, the governing body of the political |
|
|
subdivision may exempt from ad valorem taxation a portion of the |
|
|
market value of the residence homestead of a married or unmarried |
|
|
adult, including one living alone. The amount of the alternative |
|
|
exemption may not be less than $5,000 or more than $30,000. An |
|
|
eligible adult is entitled to receive other applicable exemptions |
|
|
provided by law. 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 81st Legislature, |
|
|
Regular Session, 2009, authorizing the governing body of a |
|
|
political subdivision to adopt a local option residence homestead |
|
|
exemption from ad valorem taxation of not less than $5,000 or more |
|
|
than $30,000. |
|
|
(b) The amendment to Section 1-b(e), Article VIII, of this |
|
|
constitution takes effect beginning with the tax year that begins |
|
|
January 1, 2010. |
|
|
(c) This temporary provision expires January 1, 2011. |
|
|
SECTION 3. This proposed constitutional amendment shall be |
|
|
submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 3, 2009. |
|
|
The ballot shall be printed to permit voting for or against the |
|
|
proposition: "The constitutional amendment authorizing the |
|
|
governing body of a political subdivision to adopt a local option |
|
|
residence homestead exemption from ad valorem taxation of not less |
|
|
than $5,000 or more than $30,000." |