Bill > SB1453

This bill modifies several sections of the Texas Education Code and Tax Code related to how taxing units (such as school districts) calculate and report their tax rates. The bill introduces changes to public meeting notices, tax rate calculations, and the process for approving tax rates that exceed certain thresholds. Specifically, it requires more detailed tax rate notices that include comparisons to previous years' rates, information about local and state revenue per student, and fund balances. The bill also allows a taxing unit's governing body to approve a tax rate that exceeds the standard rate, but only if at least 60% of the governing body members vote to do so and the motion explicitly states the original and proposed rates, the difference between them, and the purpose for the additional revenue. When a taxing unit approves a higher rate through this process, the new rate becomes the "current debt rate" for that tax year, and the voter-approval tax rate must be recalculated accordingly. The bill will apply to ad valorem (property) taxes for tax years beginning on or after its effective date of January 1, 2026, and is designed to provide more transparency and structured decision-making in local tax rate setting.

Budget and Finance, Government Affairs

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=SB1453