Bill Text: TX HJR128 | 2011-2012 | 82nd Legislature | Introduced

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Bill Title: Proposing a constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide for a temporary exemption from ad valorem taxation of the residence homestead of the surviving spouse of a firefighter or peace officer killed while performing official duties.

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Republican 1)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2011-03-15 - Referred to Ways & Means [HJR128 Detail]

Download: Texas-2011-HJR128-Introduced.html

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82R11096 CJC-D
By: Beck H.J.R. No. 128

A JOINT RESOLUTION
proposing a constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature
to provide for a temporary exemption from ad valorem taxation of the
residence homestead of the surviving spouse of a firefighter or
peace officer killed while performing official duties.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 1-b, Article VIII, Texas Constitution,
is amended by adding Subsection (k) to read as follows:
(k) The legislature by general law may provide that the
surviving spouse of a firefighter or peace officer killed while
performing official duties is entitled to a five-year exemption
from ad valorem taxation of a residence homestead that is the
principal residence of the surviving spouse. The legislature by
general law shall define the terms "firefighter" and "peace
officer" for purposes of this subsection. The legislature by
general law may provide additional limitations on the eligibility
for and use of an exemption under this subsection.
SECTION 2. The following temporary provision is added to
the Texas Constitution:
TEMPORARY PROVISION. (a) This temporary provision applies
to the constitutional amendment proposed by the 82nd Legislature,
Regular Session, 2011, authorizing the legislature to provide for a
temporary exemption from ad valorem taxation of the residence
homestead of the surviving spouse of a firefighter or peace officer
killed while performing official duties.
(b) Section 1-b(k), Article VIII, of this constitution
takes effect January 1, 2012, and applies only to a tax year
beginning on or after that date.
(c) This temporary provision expires January 1, 2013.
SECTION 3. This proposed constitutional amendment shall be
submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 8, 2011.
The ballot shall be printed to permit voting for or against the
proposition: "The constitutional amendment authorizing the
legislature to provide for a temporary exemption from ad valorem
taxation of the residence homestead of the surviving spouse of a
firefighter or peace officer killed while performing official
duties."