84R1535 TJB-D
 
  By: Rodriguez of Travis H.J.R. No. 57
 
 
 
A JOINT RESOLUTION
  proposing a constitutional amendment authorizing the governing
  body of a political subdivision that adopts an exemption from ad
  valorem taxation of a percentage of the market value of an
  individual's residence homestead to set a limit on the dollar
  amount of the exemption to which an individual is entitled in a tax
  year.
         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 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. A governing body that
  adopts an exemption under this subsection may provide that if the
  percentage set by the governing body produces an exemption in a tax
  year of more than a dollar amount specified by the governing body
  when applied to a particular residence homestead, the owner of the
  homestead is entitled to an exemption of the dollar amount of the
  market value specified by the governing body. 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 84th Legislature,
  Regular Session, 2015, authorizing the governing body of a
  political subdivision that adopts an exemption from ad valorem
  taxation of a percentage of the market value of an individual's
  residence homestead to set a limit on the dollar amount of the
  exemption to which an individual is entitled in a tax year.
         (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 that adopts an exemption
  from ad valorem taxation of a percentage of the market value of an
  individual's residence homestead to set a limit on the dollar
  amount of the exemption to which an individual is entitled in a tax
  year."