All Roll Calls
Yes: 461 • No: 104
TexasHB 153389th Legislature Regular SessionHouseWALLET
Relating to the system for appraising property for ad valorem tax purposes.
Sponsored By: Keith Bell, Paul Bettencourt (Republican), Angie Chen Button, Candy Noble, Chris Turner
Signed by Governor
Courts--GeneralProperty Interests--Landlord & TenantTaxation--Property-Appeal of Tax DecisionsTaxation--Property-Appraisals & Appraisal DistrictsINTERNETSTAFF DEVELOPMENT & TRAININGCOMPTROLLER OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTS
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
Tax-paying renters gain binding arbitration access
For requests made on or after January 1, 2026, qualifying renters can challenge property values through binding arbitration. Their lease must require them to reimburse the owner for property taxes. The renter or owner must have brought the protest, and the owner must not appeal the review board's order. The order's appraised or market value must be $5 million or less. The renter is treated as the owner for the appeal, and the Comptroller must send notices to both.
Clearer property notices and online values
Beginning September 1, 2025, appraisal districts must send notices about property omitted from a prior year's appraisal roll by certified mail. Districts in counties with at least 120,000 people must maintain a website. Chief appraisers must post completed appraisal records there, except confidential records. Posted records must reflect changes in appraised value at least weekly. These rules improve access to information but do not directly change tax bills.
Property-tax courses require independent, experienced trainers
For covered courses beginning January 1, 2026, Comptroller service-provider contracts must include at least one qualifying taxpayer-representative trainer. That trainer must live in Texas, have a Texas law license, five years of Texas practice, and property-tax-law experience. The trainer must not have represented or held official roles with appraisal districts, appraisal review boards, or taxing units. Only when no qualified applicant exists can the Comptroller use a fallback trainer with Texas residency, property-tax-system experience, and a bachelor's degree. The fallback trainer cannot be an officer, employee, or member of those entities.
Tax agents provide fewer verification details
Beginning September 1, 2025, agents who electronically file designation-of-agent forms must provide signature details upon the chief appraiser's written request. Required details include information about the signer's electronic signature and the date signed. Agents no longer have to provide the computer's Internet Protocol address. Earlier covered matters remain governed by former law.
More notice, tighter property appeal discovery
Beginning September 1, 2025, review boards must hold a hearing and find good cause before issuing a subpoena. Affected parties get written notice at least 15 days beforehand, up from five, and an opportunity to be heard. In court property-tax appeals, courts cannot order discovery—the exchange of evidence—unless a party requests it. Courts cannot move expert-evidence deadlines ahead of civil court rules or otherwise speed up expert discovery unless parties agree. These changes apply to subpoena requests and appeals made on or after September 1, 2025; earlier matters follow former law.
Remote property hearings have notice deadlines
For protests filed on or after September 1, 2025, owners can choose a phone or video hearing. Owners must request it in their protest notice or a written notice to the appraisal review board. Notice is due at least five days before the hearing without a designated agent, or 10 days with one. Boards dismissing a protest because they lack authority to hear it must issue a written order explaining why. Earlier protests remain under former law.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
Keith Bell
House
Paul Bettencourt
Republican • Senate
Angie Chen Button
House
Candy Noble
House
Chris Turner
House
Cosponsors
César Blanco
Democratic • Senate
Royce West
Democratic • Senate
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 5/23/2025
Record vote
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 5/23/2025
Record vote
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 5/14/2025
Record vote
Yes: 126 • No: 12
House vote • 5/13/2025
Record vote
Yes: 89 • No: 45
House vote • 5/13/2025
Record vote
Yes: 90 • No: 47
House vote • 5/13/2025
Record vote
Yes: 137 • No: 0
House vote • Unknown
Committee vote: Ways & Means
Yes: 13 • No: 0
Senate vote • Unknown
Committee vote: Local Government
Yes: 6 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Effective on 9/1/25
6/20/2025HouseSigned by the Governor
6/20/2025HouseSent to the Governor
5/26/2025HouseSigned in the Senate
5/25/2025SenateSigned in the House
5/25/2025HouseReported enrolled
5/24/2025HouseSenate passage reported
5/24/2025HouseRecord vote
5/23/2025SenatePassed
5/23/2025SenateRead 3rd time
5/23/2025SenateRecord vote
5/23/2025SenateThree day rule suspended
5/23/2025SenateVote recorded in Journal
5/23/2025SenateRead 2nd time & passed to 3rd reading
5/23/2025SenateRules suspended-Regular order of business
5/23/2025SenatePlaced on intent calendar
5/23/2025SenateCo-sponsor authorized
5/23/2025SenateCommittee report printed and distributed
5/20/2025SenateRecommended for local & uncontested calendar
5/20/2025SenateReported favorably w/o amendments
5/20/2025SenateVote taken in committee
5/19/2025SenateTestimony taken in committee
5/19/2025SenateConsidered in public hearing
5/19/2025SenateScheduled for public hearing on . . .
5/19/2025SenateReferred to Local Government
5/15/2025Senate
Bill Text
Engrossed
Enrolled
House Committee Report
Introduced
Senate Committee Report
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