84R7162 TJB-F
 
  By: Turner of Harris H.J.R. No. 17
 
 
 
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 a portion,
  expressed as a dollar amount, of the market value of an individual's
  residence homestead.
         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,
  expressed as a dollar amount, 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. 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. The legislature
  may not provide formulas to protect a school district against all or
  part of the revenue loss incurred by the school district that
  results from the adoption by the governing body of the school
  district of the alternative exemption under this subsection.
         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 84th Legislature,
  Regular Session, 2015, authorizing the governing body of a
  political subdivision to adopt a local option residence homestead
  exemption from ad valorem taxation of a portion, expressed as a
  dollar amount, of the market value of an individual's residence
  homestead.
         (b)  The amendment to Section 1-b(e), Article VIII, of this
  constitution takes effect beginning with the tax year that begins
  January 1, 2016.
         (c)  This temporary provision expires January 1, 2017.
         SECTION 3.  This proposed constitutional amendment shall be
  submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 3, 2015.
  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 a
  portion, expressed as a dollar amount, of the market value of an
  individual's residence homestead."