Bill > HJR39

This joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment to provide a comprehensive property tax exemption for elderly homeowners and their surviving spouses. Specifically, the amendment would allow individuals 65 years or older to receive a full property tax exemption on their residence homestead if they have received a homestead exemption for at least the preceding 10 years. Additionally, surviving spouses who are at least 55 years old when their spouse dies can continue to receive the full property tax exemption on the same property, provided they were living there at the time of their spouse's death. The amendment includes provisions to protect political subdivisions with existing debt, ensuring they can continue to levy taxes to meet contractual obligations, and requires the legislature to develop formulas to protect school district revenues. The proposed amendment would take effect on January 1, 2027, and will be submitted to voters in a special election on May 2, 2026, with the ballot language directly asking voters whether they support exempting the total market value of residence homesteads for certain elderly persons and their surviving spouses from ad valorem (property) taxation.

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=891&Bill=HJR39