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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the eligibility for an exemption from ad valorem |
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taxation of the residence homestead of certain persons with a life |
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estate in the homestead property. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 11.13(j)(1), Tax Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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(1) "Residence homestead" means a structure |
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(including a mobile home) or a separately secured and occupied |
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portion of a structure (together with the land, not to exceed 20 |
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acres, and improvements used in the residential occupancy of the |
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structure, if the structure and the land and improvements have |
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identical ownership) that: |
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(A) is owned by one or more individuals, either |
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directly or through a beneficial interest in a qualifying trust; |
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(B) is designed or adapted for human residence; |
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(C) is used as a residence; and |
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(D) is occupied as the individual's principal |
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residence by an owner, by an owner's surviving spouse who has a life |
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estate in the property, or, for property owned through a beneficial |
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interest in a qualifying trust, by a trustor or beneficiary of the |
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trust who qualifies for the exemption. |
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SECTION 2. This Act applies only to an ad valorem tax year |
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that begins on or after the effective date of this Act. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect January 1, 2016. |