Bill > HB17

This bill modifies requirements for how school districts, taxing units, and other local government entities provide property tax information to the public. The key changes include mandating that notices about proposed tax rates must now be mailed directly to property owners instead of just published in newspapers, and requiring detailed new statements in these notices that explain population changes, inflation rates, and how these factors impact tax collections. The bill introduces specific calculations for "adjusted tax collections" which compare current tax revenue to what would be collected if only accounting for population growth and inflation. These new notices must now include statements that break down how the proposed tax rate compares to the previous year, showing the dollar amount and percentage increase or decrease in tax revenue, the local population growth rate, and the state's inflation rate. Additionally, the bill requires these detailed tax information statements to be included not just in public notices, but also in online property tax databases and other official communications. The changes are designed to provide property owners with more transparent and comprehensible information about how local tax rates are determined and how they might change from year to year. These provisions will apply to ad valorem (property) tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2026.

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=891&Bill=HB17