88th Texas Legislature 1st Special Session Update

As the Texas House and Senate gaveled out of the regular legislative session on May 29, state leaders told lawmakers not to head back to their districts just yet. Gov. Greg Abbott called a special session a few hours later. Officials said there was more work to be done after various Republican priority bills—ranging from property tax cuts and border security to private school vouchers and teacher pay raises—did not pass during the 140-day regular session. Each special session can only last up to 30 days, and Gov. Abbott said "several special sessions will be required."

Texas House

Shortly after the call, House Bill 1, by Rep. Morgan Meyer was passed in the House. It would cut property tax rates for school districts by $0.162 per $100 valuation. This would reduce how much Texas homeowners pay on their property tax bills, lawmakers said. Meyer also filed House Joint Resolution 1, which would allow Texans to vote on the tax cuts.
Additionally, House Speaker Dade Phelan formed a special committee to study property tax relief on June 20. The group was tasked with considering issues that broadly affect property taxes and make recommendations for long-term, sustainable property tax relief for Texas property owners. “The burden of rising property taxes weighs heavily on our state’s property owners, and it is imperative that we look beyond the current special session to identify long-term, sustainable solutions to this evergreen problem,” said Speaker Phelan. The bipartisan committee includes 13 lawmakers and three members of the public: Cheryl Johnson, Galveston County tax assessor-collector; Brad Livingston, former CEO of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice; and Don Miller, owner of the County Line restaurant franchise.

Texas Senate

Following Governor Abbott's call, Senate Republicans and Democrats came together to pass a new property tax relief bill, SB 26 by Sen. Paul Bettencourt. It is said to offer a total $18 billion in property tax relief. “This bill will give homeowners approximately a 41% cut in their school taxes,” said Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who leads the Senate. “It will give businesses the biggest tax cut they've ever had. It preserves the homestead exemption.”

Raising the homestead exemption, which is the portion of a home’s value that cannot be taxed, is a top priority for the upper chamber. Lt. Gov. Patrick and senators have argued that a larger homestead exemption will give Texans the most property tax relief.

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What's Next

Governor Abbott previously told reporters he would call as many special sessions as it takes for lawmakers to come to an agreement on property tax cuts.

Lt. Governor Dan Patrick said the House and Senate have about six weeks left to agree on and pass a property tax bill, as Texas voters would have the option to approve the tax cuts during the Nov. 7 election. According to the Texas secretary of state, Aug. 21 is the last day to order an election on a measure.

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