TEXAS, USA — The Texas House passed the property tax bill then immediately adjourned Tuesday.
House Bill One targets taxes homeowners pay and requires school districts to lower their tax rates. It also includes steps to expand the state’s homestead exemption and the amount of a home’s value that is exempt from property taxes.
"The Senate will now go into session," Rep. Hugh Shine told 6 News what is expected to happen next. "They have two bills sitting on the desk for the consideration."
The Senate does have the option to completely scratch the tax relief bill making the progression of this bill prolonged, he said.
"If they Senate does not take up the legislature that the house gave them, they will be back probably Saturday, Sunday, or Monday to do it all over again," Shine continued.
$17 billion would go into Texas school districts, which could lower their property taxes on home and business owners.
Chief Appraiser for Bell County Tax Appraisal District Billy White says renters could possibly see a decrease in rent in the future if property owners decide to lower the rent because of the bill.
"Part of landlord's expenses that they take into account when they determine their rent is property taxes, White explained. "Obviously that's one of the biggest expenses in the county and in our state."
On the other hand, Shine said because renters are not directly impacted by the potential of this tax relief bill, renters probably won't see any changes one way or the other.
"The likelihood of seeing those who lease or rent getting any type of concession, we'll just have to wait and see. But I doubt that would happen," Shine said.
Gov. Greg Abbott sided with making this property tax relief law in Texas long after it was discussed in the legislative session.
Shine said if Abbott would have expressed his support sooner, a decision may have been made sooner.