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A JOINT RESOLUTION
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proposing a constitutional amendment authorizing the governing |
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body of a municipality to exempt a portion of the value of a |
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residence homestead from ad valorem taxation if the homestead meets |
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certain energy efficiency standards. |
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BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 1-b, Article VIII, Texas Constitution, |
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is amended by adding Subsection (j) to read as follows: |
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(j) The governing body of a city or town may exempt from ad |
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valorem taxation a portion of the market value of the residence |
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homestead of a married or unmarried adult, including one living |
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alone, if the homestead meets energy efficiency standards |
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prescribed by the governing body. The governing body may provide |
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that homesteads constructed in different years must meet different |
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energy efficiency standards to be eligible for the exemption and |
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may limit the number of years for which a homestead may receive an |
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exemption. An eligible adult is entitled to receive other |
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applicable exemptions provided by law. Where ad valorem tax has |
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previously been pledged for the payment of debt, the governing body |
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of a city or town may continue to levy and collect the tax against |
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the value of the homesteads exempted under this subsection until |
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the debt is discharged if the cessation of the levy would impair the |
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obligation of the contract by which the debt was created. |
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SECTION 2. This proposed constitutional amendment shall be |
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submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 3, 2009. |
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The ballot shall be printed to permit voting for or against the |
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proposition: "The constitutional amendment authorizing the |
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governing body of a municipality to exempt a portion of the value of |
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a residence homestead from ad valorem taxation if the homestead |
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meets certain energy efficiency standards." |