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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to a local option exemption from ad valorem taxation of a |
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portion of the appraised value of real property of a business that |
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employs honorably discharged veterans. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 11, Tax Code, is amended by |
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adding Section 11.37 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 11.37. CERTAIN BUSINESSES EMPLOYING VETERANS. (a) In |
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this section: |
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(1) "Qualifying business" means a business located in |
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this state that on or after January 1, 2016: |
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(A) hires at least one veteran; and |
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(B) provides full-time employment to that |
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veteran for a period of at least 12 consecutive months. |
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(2) "Veteran" means an individual who: |
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(A) has served on active duty in the armed forces |
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of the United States; and |
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(B) was honorably discharged from military |
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service. |
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(b) Subject to Subsection (c), a person is entitled to an |
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exemption from taxation of a portion, expressed as a dollar amount, |
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of the appraised value of real property the person owns that is |
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reasonably necessary for and used by the person in the operation of |
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a qualifying business if the exemption is adopted by the governing |
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body of the taxing unit. |
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(c) The amount of the exemption adopted as provided by |
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Subsection (b) may not exceed $15,000 of the appraised value of the |
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property for each veteran employed by the qualifying business. |
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(d) The chief appraiser may require a person seeking an |
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exemption under this section to present additional information |
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establishing eligibility for the exemption. |
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(e) The governing body of the taxing unit may repeal the |
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exemption in the manner provided by law for official action by the |
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governing body. |
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SECTION 2. This Act applies only to ad valorem taxes imposed |
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for a tax year that begins on or after the effective date of this |
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Act. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect January 1, 2016, but only |
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if the constitutional amendment proposed by the 84th Legislature, |
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Regular Session, 2015, authorizing the governing body of a |
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political subdivision to adopt a local option exemption from ad |
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valorem taxation of a portion, expressed as a dollar amount, of the |
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market value of real property of a business that employs honorably |
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discharged veterans is approved by the voters. If that amendment is |
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not approved by the voters, this Act has no effect. |