Subscribe to receive our Floor Reports covering all the action on the Texas House and Senate floor!
Relating to the period for which certain land owned by a religious
organization for the purpose of expanding a place of religious
worship or constructing a new place of religious worship may be
exempted from ad valorem taxation.
HB 948 would alter the property tax exemption for places of religious worship. Under current law, land contiguous to the land on which a religious place of worship is located can not be exempted for more than 6 years. This bill would extend that exemption period to 10 years.
Texas Action opposes HB 948 for violating the principles of limited government and free markets by expanding a special tax exemption. Tax exemptions that are not broadly available to all inevitably result in an increased burden on other tax payers. Taxes, when necessary, should be applied in a broad-based and equal manner in order to remain fair to all Texas tax payers.