HBA-JLV S.B. 658 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 658
By: Barrientos
Ways & Means
4/27/2001
Engrossed



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Currently, there is a disparity in the exemption amounts defined by the
constitution and lower, superceded amounts listed in the corresponding tax
code section. Senate Bill 658 increases the property tax exemption amounts
available to disabled veterans and their family to match levels currently
allowed within the constitution and increases the age of surviving children
who are eligible for the exemption.  

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

ANALYSIS

Senate Bill 658 amends the Tax Code to increase the maximum amounts of ad
valorem taxation exemptions entitled to disabled veterans and to the spouse
and children of a disabled veteran.  The bill provides that the amount of
exemption for each eligible child of a veteran is the amount of the
veteran's exemption at the time of death, rather than the amount of the
veteran's exemption at the time of death divided by the number of eligible
children.  The bill increases, from 18 to 30 years of age, the age of
surviving children of disabled veterans who are eligible for the property
tax exemption.  

EFFECTIVE DATE

January 1, 2002, if the constitutional amendment relating to the ad valorem
tax exemption for the surviving spouse and each child of a deceased
disabled veteran is approved by the voters.