Texas SJR85: Proposing a constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to increase the amount of the exemption from ad valorem taxation by a school district of the market value of the residence homestead of a person who is elderly or disabled.

What the bill says

From the enrolled text, May 21, 2025:

89(R) SJR 85 - Enrolled version - Bill Text S.J.R. No. 85 proposing a constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to increase the amount of the exemption from ad valorem taxation by a school district of the market value of the residence homestead of a person who is elderly or disabled. BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 1-b(c), Article VIII, Texas Constitution, is amended to read as follows: (c) The amount of $100,000 of the market value of the residence homestead of a married or unmarried adult, including one living alone, is exempt from ad valorem taxation for general elementary and secondary public school purposes. The legislature by general law may provide that all or part of the exemption does not apply to a district or political subdivision that imposes ad valorem taxes for public education purposes but is not the principal school district providing general elementary and secondary public education throughout its territory. In addition to this exemption, the legislature by general law may exempt an amount not to exceed[ADDED: $60,000][[DELETED: $10,000]] of the market value of the residence homestead of a person who is disabled as defined in Subsection (b) of this section and of a person 65 years of age or older from ad valorem taxation for general elementary and …

Sponsors

• Paul Bettencourt (R, SD-007) · primary sponsor
• Carol Alvarado (D, SD-006)
• Brian Birdwell (R, SD-022)
• Cesar Blanco (D, SD-029)
• Donna Campbell (R, SD-025)
• Molly Cook (D, SD-015)
• Charles Creighton (R, SD-004)
• Peter Flores (R, SD-024)
• Roland Gutierrez (D, SD-019)
• Brent Hagenbuch (R, SD-030)
• Bob Hall (R, SD-002)
• Kelly Hancock (R, SD-009)

Latest actions

1. May 22, 2025: Filed with the Secretary of State
2. May 22, 2025: Signed in the House
3. May 22, 2025: Signed in the Senate
4. May 21, 2025: Reported enrolled
5. May 21, 2025: House passage reported
6. May 20, 2025: Additional sponsor(s) authorized
7. May 20, 2025: Rules suspended
8. May 20, 2025: Record vote (RV#3093)
9. May 20, 2025: Adopted
10. May 20, 2025: Laid out as postponed business

Votes

• Ways & Means Committee Vote (Out of committee): 12 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Local Government Committee Vote (Out of committee): 7 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Record vote RV#3766 (May 20, 2025): 89 yea, 56 nay, passed
• Record vote RV#3093 (May 20, 2025): 145 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Rules suspended-Three day rule (April 23, 2025): 31 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Read 3rd time (April 23, 2025): 31 yea, 0 nay, passed

Common questions

What is SJR85?

SJR85 is a bill in the Texas Legislature (89th Legislature Regular Session): Proposing a constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to increase the amount of the exemption from ad valorem taxation by a school district of the market value of the residence homestead of a person who is elderly or disabled.

What is the status of SJR85?

Passed both chambers as of May 22, 2025. Latest action: Filed with the Secretary of State (May 22, 2025).

Who sponsored SJR85?

Paul Bettencourt (R, SD-007), with 11 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for SJR85?

On the Texas Legislature website: https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=SJR00085