84R14422 CJC-D
 
  By: Campbell S.B. No. 1821
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to a local option exemption from ad valorem taxation of a
  portion of the appraised value of real property of a business that
  employs honorably discharged veterans.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 11, Tax Code, is amended by
  adding Section 11.37 to read as follows:
         Sec. 11.37.  CERTAIN BUSINESSES EMPLOYING VETERANS. (a) In
  this section:
               (1)  "Qualifying business" means a business located in
  this state that on or after January 1, 2016:
                     (A)  hires at least one veteran; and
                     (B)  provides full-time employment to that
  veteran for a period of at least 12 consecutive months.
               (2)  "Veteran" means an individual who:
                     (A)  has served on active duty in the armed forces
  of the United States; and
                     (B)  was honorably discharged from military
  service.
         (b)  Subject to Subsection (c), a person is entitled to an
  exemption from taxation of a portion, expressed as a dollar amount,
  of the appraised value of real property the person owns that is
  reasonably necessary for and used by the person in the operation of
  a qualifying business if the exemption is adopted by the governing
  body of the taxing unit.
         (c)  The amount of the exemption adopted as provided by
  Subsection (b) may not exceed $15,000 of the appraised value of the
  property for each veteran employed by the qualifying business.
         (d)  The chief appraiser may require a person seeking an
  exemption under this section to present additional information
  establishing eligibility for the exemption.
         (e)  The governing body of the taxing unit may repeal the
  exemption in the manner provided by law for official action by the
  governing body.
         SECTION 2.  This Act applies only to ad valorem taxes imposed
  for a tax year that begins on or after the effective date of this
  Act.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect January 1, 2016, but only
  if the constitutional amendment proposed by the 84th Legislature,
  Regular Session, 2015, authorizing the governing body of a
  political subdivision to adopt a local option exemption from ad
  valorem taxation of a portion, expressed as a dollar amount, of the
  market value of real property of a business that employs honorably
  discharged veterans is approved by the voters. If that amendment is
  not approved by the voters, this Act has no effect.