3.  Provides $3.8 billion in school tax relief  Increases the homestead exemption from $15,000 to $25,000  Average savings of about $120 a year  State will replace lost funding

4.  The 100% homestead exemption for a severely disabled veteran will benefit a deceased veteran’s surviving spouse even if the veteran himself died before the exemption was ever enacted. It will be applied at the time of death on his homestead residence  Spouse may not remarry to maintain the exemption!!

5.  Requires a vote of 60% of the governing body members on a tax rate that exceeds the ETR  Moves interest rates on law suit settlement refunds from prime + 2% to 9.5%  Appraisal Districts may employ an MAI as an expert for litigation  Removes refund request requirement  Requires Comptroller to post all tax rates in descending order on their website

6.  SB 450-Schwertner This is a Tort Claims Act bill that gives immunity to all taxing units for property that is struck off at a tax sale  SB 1452-Lucio Commissioners of any county may decide to conduct the county’s tax foreclosure sales using internet auctions

7. One exception:  A measure that stops cities from banning the drilling practice known as fracking  Did not outlaw municipal bag ordinances or ban red-light cameras  Did not impose appraisal caps or revenue tax rate caps

8.  HB 1022-Moody Regarding owner’s surviving spouse who has a life estate in the property-changes nothing  HB 1463-Raymond CAD must make an effort to contact the homeowner before removing their HS/OV65  SB 833-Campell A homeowner will keep his homestead when he is away due to military service

9.  HB 394-Mclendon Information in appraisal records may not be posted on the Internet if it indicates a property owner’s age, including information that the owner is over 65  SB 1420-Hancock CAD notification regarding the cancellation of an exemption

10.  SB 1468-Watson If there are ARB members that need to be removed, the TLO may report the information to the Judge  SB 849-Bettencourt Changes arbitrators fees to a sliding scale depending on the value of the property from $450-$1,050

11.  HB 1953-Bonnen Changes proposed tax rate date from September 1 st to 30 days after certification  HB 1933-Darby Changes due dates for four installment payments determined by the original date of delinquency to avoid accrual of penalties and interest

12. Questions and Answers

13. Contact Information: Deborah Hunt 512-943-1954 dhunt@wilco.org