| Vote Recommendation | Economic Freedom | Property Rights | Personal Responsibility | Limited Government | Individual Liberty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | Neutral | Positive | Neutral | Positive | Neutral |
Relating to the application of the limit on appraised value of a
residence homestead for ad valorem tax purposes to an improvement
that is a replacement structure for a structure that was rendered
uninhabitable or unusable by a casualty or by wind or water damage.
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
Under current law, a homeowner whose home was rendered uninhabitable due to a disaster may be eligible for reconstruction grants from certain federal block grant funds administered by the General Land Office. Property that is replaced or reconstructed with grants from these funds may not be appraised at a higher value than the property as it existed before it was destroyed by the disaster provided certain conditions are met.
HB 1842 would broaden the definition of the term "disaster recovery program" to include any disaster recovery program "that is funded with community development block grant disaster recovery money authorized by federal law" and administered by the General Land Office or any political subdivision of the state. This would have the effect of protecting more rebuilt disaster-affected homes from having the replacement structures counted as new improvements for the purposes of making an appraisal to assess property taxes.
Texas Action recommends supporting HB 1842 because it promotes limited government and property rights. This bill would protect disaster victims from exorbitant, unfair property taxes and prevent them from being taxed out of their rebuilt homes.