MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Thursday, November 7, 2024

10:00 AM

Capitol Extension, Room E1.028

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Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.10 and 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Local Government was held on Thursday, November 7, 2024, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.028, at Austin, Texas.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Paul Bettencourt, Chair	Senator Roland Gutierrez
Senator Drew Springer, Vice Chair	Senator Robert Nichols
Senator Sarah Eckhardt	Senator Royce West
Senator Bob Hall
Senator Tan Parker
Senator Angela Paxton

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The chair called the meeting to order at 10:11 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

The Chair laid out the following interim charge:

Housing Affordability: Study issues related to housing, including housing supply, homelessness, and methods of providing and financing affordable housing. Make recommendations to reduce regulatory barriers, strengthen property rights, and improve transparency and accountability in public programs for housing. 

The following witnesses provided invited and public testimony (see attached witness list).

At 1:26 PM Senator Springer assumed the chair.

At 2:00 PM Senator Bettencourt resumed the chair.

The Chair laid out the following interim charge:

Additional Property Tax Relief and Reform: Report on the effects of prior property tax relief and reform, including the $18 billion tax cut with the $100,000 homestead exemption authorized by the 88th Legislature. Focus particularly on the interaction between Senate Bill 2, 88th Legislature, 2nd Called Session, and Senate Bill 2, 86th Legislature. Make recommendations for further property tax relief and reform, including methods to improve voter control over tax rate setting and debt authorization, and mechanisms to dissolve taxing entities such as municipal management districts (MMDs) and tax increment reinvestment zones (TIRZs) when they have outlived their purpose.

The following witnesses provided invited and public testimony (see attached witness list).

At 6:57 PM Senator Springer assumed the chair.

There being no further business, at 6:58 PM Senator Bettencourt moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

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Senator Paul Bettencourt, Chair

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Bradley Hurt, Clerk