Bill Caption

Relating to an exemption from ad valorem taxation of the residence homestead of the surviving spouse of a member of the armed services of the United States who is killed in action.

Fiscal Notes

Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for HB548, As Introduced: a negative impact of ($94,000) through the biennium ending August 31, 2015. The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill.

Bill Analysis

Summary: HB 548 would provide a property tax exemption on the residence homestead of a surviving spouse whose husband or wife was an armed service member and was killed in action. To qualify, a spouse must not have remarried and the homestead must be the same residence the spouse shared with the armed service member. However, HB 548 would allow a surviving spouse that has moved from the original residence to receive a property tax exemption in the amount of property tax exemption given to the original residence the spouse shared with the armed services member, if the surviving spouse has not remarried.

Analysis: HB 548 limits government by providing a property tax exemption to surviving spouses, which limits the amount of revenue Texas can take from these individuals. HB 548 also promotes the property rights of surviving spouses by letting them keep more of their resources. We support HB 548.