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Read. Follow. Verify.Texas proposes constitutional amendment exempting total market value of homesteads for residents 65 and older with 10-year residency
Last action · August 20, 2025: Referred to Ways & MeansSponsor: Cecil Bell
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What This Bill Proposed
Texas lawmakers proposed a constitutional amendment to exempt the total market value of s from for individuals aged 65 or older who have received a homestead exemption on the property for at least the preceding 10 years. The measure also provides the exemption to surviving spouses aged 55 or older under specific conditions and requires voter approval at an election on May 2, 2026.
Qualifying older homeowners would see their property taxes completely eliminated on their primary residence, while local taxing units and school districts would face property tax revenue changes subject to state protection formulas and existing debt obligations.
- Texas homestead exemptions allow qualifying homeowners to reduce the taxable value of their primary residences, with additional exemptions available for seniors and disabled persons. context
Who It Would Have Affected
Groups the bill's text would have affected, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
homeowners aged 65 or older
Eligible individuals receive an exemption from ad valorem taxation of the total market value of their residence homestead.
surviving spouses aged 55 or older
Qualifying surviving spouses receive the total market value exemption on the residence homestead under specified conditions.
school districts
School districts experience revenue loss from the implementation, which the legislature must provide formulas to protect against.
political subdivisions with outstanding debt
Taxing officers may continue to levy taxes against exempted homesteads to pay previously pledged debt until the debt is discharged.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who qualifies for the total property tax exemption under this amendment?
What happens to the property tax exemption for a surviving spouse?
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News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
This bill did not become law - Died at adjournment · in House committee.
Procedural history
3 actions- Aug 20, 2025HouseCommitteeReferred to Ways & Means
- Aug 20, 2025HouseIntroducedRead first time
- Aug 15, 2025HouseIntroducedFiled
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Total Property Tax Exemption for Long-Term Elderly Residents
The resolution introduces a complete exemption from ad valorem taxation on homestead market value rather than a partial assessed-value reduction.
Sources
capitol.texas.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance20Lowered because this bill did not pass (its text scored 85)
- Controversy50Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz40Current news / social attention level
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