summary
Introduced
01/29/2025
01/29/2025
In Committee
04/11/2025
04/11/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
Potential new amendment
104th General Assembly
Bill Summary
Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that the maximum income limitation under the Low-Income Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption shall be adjusted each year by the annual cost of living increase, if any, in Social Security and Supplemental Security Income benefits that took effect during the immediately preceding calendar year. Amends the Energy Assistance Act. Provides that eligibility limits under the energy assistance program may not exceed the greater of (1) 150% of the federal nonfarm poverty level as established by the federal Office of Management and Budget or 60% of the State median income for the current State fiscal year as established by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, whichever is higher; or (2) the eligibility limit for the immediately preceding calendar year, increased by the annual cost of living increase, if any, in Social Security and Supplemental Security Income benefits that took effect during the immediately preceding calendar year. Effective immediately.
AI Summary
This bill amends two existing laws to adjust income limitations for senior citizens and low-income households. First, for the Low-Income Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption, the bill modifies the maximum income limitation for taxable years 2026 and thereafter by tying it to the annual cost of living increase in Social Security and Supplemental Security Income benefits. The Department of Revenue will calculate and publish the new maximum income limitation each year. Second, regarding the Energy Assistance Act, the bill establishes new guidelines for setting eligibility limits for energy assistance programs starting in calendar year 2026. These limits cannot exceed either 150% of the federal poverty level or 60% of the state median income (whichever is higher), or the previous year's limit increased by the annual Social Security and Supplemental Security Income cost of living adjustment. The goal of these changes is to help seniors and low-income households keep pace with rising costs by automatically adjusting income thresholds for assistance programs based on annual cost of living increases.
Committee Categories
Budget and Finance
Sponsors (24)
Lisa Hernandez (D)*,
Dee Avelar (D),
Amy Briel (D),
Mary Beth Canty (D),
Michael Crawford (D),
Lisa Davis (D),
Laura Faver Dias (D),
Sonya Harper (D),
Barbara Hernandez (D),
Norma Hernandez (D),
Hoan Huynh (D),
Thaddeus Jones (D),
Lindsey LaPointe (D),
Natalie Manley (D),
Yolonda Morris (D),
Aarón Ortíz (D),
Abdelnasser Rashid (D),
Bob Rita (D),
Anne Stava-Murray (D),
Nabeela Syed (D),
Curtis Tarver (D),
Travis Weaver (R),
Chris Welch (D),
Maurice West (D),
Last Action
Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Laura Faver Dias (on 03/10/2026)
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