All Roll Calls
Yes: 471 • No: 1
TexasSB 2389th Legislature Regular SessionSenateWALLET
Relating to an increase in the amount of the exemption from ad valorem taxation by a school district of the appraised value of the residence homestead of a person who is elderly or disabled and the protection of school districts against certain losses in local revenue.
Sponsored By: Diego M. Bernal, Paul Bettencourt (Republican), Greg Bonnen, Todd Hunter, Trey Martinez Fischer, Morgan Meyer
Signed by Governor
AgingDisabilities, Persons withEducation--Primary & Secondary--FinanceGovernorProperty Interests--HomesteadTaxation--Property-Appraisals & Appraisal DistrictsTaxation--Property-ExemptionsTaxation--School DistrictCOUNTY TAX ASSESSOR-COLLECTORSEDUCATION AGENCY, TEXASEDUCATION, COMMISSIONER OFLEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
Bigger school tax break for older homeowners
The law raises the school tax homestead exemption for adults age 65 or older or disabled from $10,000 to $60,000. This exemption is in addition to other homestead exemptions. The increase requires voter approval of the S.J.R. 85 constitutional amendment; without approval, it has no effect. With approval, it applies to tax years beginning January 1, 2025. Your savings depend on your school district's tax rate.
State aid protects school debt payments
The state provides school districts additional aid for specified losses in money used to pay eligible debt. Aid for 2023–2024 and 2024–2025 covers losses tied to the 2023 constitutional changes. Beginning in 2025–2026, aid also covers losses from the larger exemption for older or disabled homeowners, using a January 1, 2025 baseline without that amendment. Covered local revenue is limited to payments on debt eligible as of September 1, 2025, including refinanced debt. Aid is reduced for amounts above debt-payment needs, but cannot fall below the amount calculated under the new baseline rule.
State aid replaces lost school operating money
Beginning in 2025–2026, school districts receive extra state aid for school funding losses caused by the larger older-or-disabled homestead exemption. Aid replaces shortfalls under the state's school funding and revenue-sharing programs compared with their rules on September 1, 2024. The calculation uses each district's 2024 tax-year maintenance and operations tax rate. The law sets no fixed payment for each district or household.
Provisional homeowner bills may require extra taxes
For 2025, school districts must initially apply the larger exemption when it lowers a homestead's taxes and mark the bill provisional. Approval of S.J.R. 85 at the November 4, 2025 election makes that bill final. Rejection requires a supplemental bill for the difference by December 1, 2025, or as soon as practical. Supplemental taxes are due on receipt and become delinquent if unpaid before March 1, 2026. These billing and payment rules expire December 31, 2026.
School election delays carry district boundary risks
Districts that have never held a Chapter 49 revenue-sharing election can request a delay by agreeing to reduce excess local revenue for 2025–2026. The education commissioner must approve when the district stays within its allowed revenue assuming approval of the constitutional amendment. The commissioner sets the election deadline. If the election is not held or voters reject the district proposal, the commissioner must order needed boundary transfers or mergers by 2026–2027. This rule expires September 1, 2027.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
Diego M. Bernal
House
Paul Bettencourt
Republican • Senate
Greg Bonnen
House
Todd Hunter
House
Trey Martinez Fischer
House
Morgan Meyer
House
Cosponsors
Daniel Alders
House
Alma A. Allen
House
Carol Alvarado
Democratic • Senate
Rafael Anchía
House
Trent Ashby
House
Jeff Barry
House
Cecil Bell Jr.
House
Keith Bell
House
Salman Bhojani
House
Brian Birdwell
Republican • Senate
César Blanco
Democratic • Senate
Rhetta Andrews Bowers
House
Brad Buckley
House
John H. Bucy lll
House
Benjamin Bumgarner
House
Angie Chen Button
House
Briscoe Cain
House
Donna Campbell
Republican • Senate
Elizabeth "Liz" Campos
House
Giovanni Capriglione
House
Molly Cook
Democratic • Senate
Philip Cortez
House
Creighton
Affiliation unavailable
Charles Cunningham
House
Pat Curry
House
Drew Darby
House
Aicha Davis
House
Mano DeAyala
House
Jay Dean
House
Mark Dorazio
House
Harold V. Dutton Jr.
House
Paul Dyson
House
Caroline Fairly
House
Pete Flores
Republican • Senate
James Frank
House
Cassandra Garcia Hernandez
House
Josey Garcia
House
Linda Garcia
House
Gary Gates
House
Stan Gerdes
House
Charlie Geren
House
Barbara Gervin-Hawkins
House
Vikki Goodwin
House
Ryan Guillen
House
Roland Gutierrez
Democratic • Senate
Erin Gámez
House
Brent Hagenbuch
Republican • Senate
Bob Hall
Republican • Senate
Hancock
Affiliation unavailable
Sam Harless
House
Cody Harris
House
Caroline Harris Davila
House
Cole Hefner
House
Hillary Hickland
House
Adam Hinojosa
Republican • Senate
Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa
Democratic • Senate
Donna Howard
House
Joan Huffman
Republican • Senate
Bryan Hughes
Republican • Senate
Lacey Hull
House
Carrie Isaac
House
Ann Johnson
House
Helen Kerwin
House
Phil King
Republican • Senate
Stan Kitzman
House
Lois Kolkhorst
Republican • Senate
Suleman Lalani
House
Stan Lambert
House
Brooks Landgraf
House
Jeff Leach
House
Terri Leo Wilson
House
Janie Lopez
House
Ray Lopez
House
AJ Louderback
House
J. M. Lozano
House
John Lujan
House
Christian Manuel
House
Armando "Mando" Martinez
House
Don McLaughlin
House
John McQueeney
House
José Menéndez
Democratic • Senate
Will Metcalf
House
Terry Meza
House
Mayes Middleton
Republican • Senate
Borris L. Miles
Democratic • Senate
Eddie Morales
House
Matt Morgan
House
Sergio Muñoz Jr.
House
Robert Nichols
Republican • Senate
Candy Noble
House
Tom Oliverson
House
Claudia Ordaz
House
Angelia Orr
House
Tan Parker
Republican • Senate
Jared Patterson
House
Dennis Paul
House
Angela Paxton
Republican • Senate
Mary Ann Perez
House
Vincent Perez
House
Charles Perry
Republican • Senate
Dade Phelan
House
Katrina Pierson
House
Mihaela Plesa
House
Richard Peña Raymond
House
Ron Reynolds
House
Alan Schoolcraft
House
Charles Schwertner
Republican • Senate
Matt Shaheen
House
Joanne Shofner
House
Shelby Slawson
House
John T. Smithee
House
Kevin Sparks
Republican • Senate
Valoree Swanson
House
Tony Tinderholt
House
Steve Toth
House
Ellen Troxclair
House
VanDeaver
Affiliation unavailable
Cody Vasut
House
Denise Villalobos
House
Hubert Vo
House
Charlene Ward Johnson
House
Royce West
Democratic • Senate
Trey Wharton
House
Terry M. Wilson
House
Judith Zaffirini
Democratic • Senate
Erin Zwiener
House
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 5/29/2025
Record vote
Yes: 30 • No: 1
House vote • 5/21/2025
Record vote
Yes: 141 • No: 0
House vote • 5/20/2025
Record vote
Yes: 139 • No: 0
House vote • 5/20/2025
Record vote
Yes: 142 • No: 0
Senate vote • 4/23/2025
Record vote
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 4/23/2025
Record vote
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • Unknown
Committee vote: Ways & Means
Yes: 12 • No: 0
Senate vote • Unknown
Committee vote: Local Government
Yes: 7 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
See remarks for effective date
6/16/2025HouseSigned by the Governor
6/16/2025HouseSent to the Governor
6/1/2025HouseSigned in the House
6/1/2025HouseSigned in the Senate
5/31/2025SenateReported enrolled
5/30/2025SenateSenate concurs in House amendment(s)-reported
5/29/2025HouseRecord vote
5/29/2025SenateSenate concurs in House amendment(s)
5/29/2025SenateRead
5/29/2025SenateHouse amendment(s) laid before the Senate
5/29/2025SenateHouse passage as amended reported
5/21/2025SenateStatement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
5/21/2025HouseRecord vote (RV#3117)
5/21/2025HousePassed
5/21/2025HouseRead 3rd time
5/21/2025HouseAdditional sponsor(s) authorized
5/21/2025HouseRules suspended
5/21/2025HouseAdditional sponsor(s) authorized
5/20/2025HouseRules suspended
5/20/2025HouseRecord vote (RV#3058)
5/20/2025HousePassed to 3rd reading as amended
5/20/2025HouseRecord vote (RV#3057)
5/20/2025HouseAmended (1-Meyer)
5/20/2025HouseRead 2nd time
5/20/2025House
Bill Text
Engrossed
Enrolled
House Committee Report
Introduced
Senate Committee Report
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