The Senate Finance Committee posted hearings for September 4-5, 2024.
The committee will meet at 10 a.m. on September 4 in room E1.036 to hear invited and public testimony on the following interim charges:
Continue Cutting Property Taxes
Identify the best combination to further increase the amount of homestead exemption and compression to continue cutting Texans’ property taxes.
Additionally, establish and report on the cost of eliminating:
- School maintenance and operation property taxes;
- All school property taxes; and
- All property taxes.
Determine the fiscal consequences of each action, including whether revenue reallocations would be required for public education funding and local government funding, and impacts on the state’s ability to respond to disasters and other urgent priorities. For example, determine the effect on other state programs if general revenue were used to fully replace school property taxes, particularly during economic downturns. Evaluate and report on how much state revenue would need to be generated to replace foregone property tax revenue, and from what source.
Monitor Property Tax Relief
Monitor the appropriations supporting, and implementation of, the following legislation passed during the 88th Legislature, Regular or Special Sessions, and approved by voters, amending the Texas Constitution:
- Property Tax Relief: Senate Bill 2 and House Joint Resolution 2, 88th Legislature, Second Called Special Session.
The committee will meet at 9 a.m. on September 5 in room E1.036 to hear invited and public testimony on the following interim charges:
Mental Health Services and Inpatient Facilities
Monitor the implementation of Senate Bill 30, 88th Legislature, Regular Session, with regard to appropriations made for expanding mental health services and inpatient facilities across the state. Report on the progress of inpatient facility construction projects. Assess and report on the effectiveness of spending on mental health services.
Monitor Infrastructure Funds
Monitor the appropriations supporting, and implementation of, the following legislation passed during the 88th Legislature, Regular or Special Sessions, and approved by voters, amending the Texas Constitution:
- Texas Energy Fund: Senate Bill 2627 and Senate Joint Resolution 93, 88th Legislature, Regular Session;
- Texas Water Fund: Senate Bill 28 and Senate Joint Resolution 75, 88th Legislature, Regular Session;
- Centennial Parks Conservation Fund: Senate Bill 1648 and Senate Joint Resolution 74, 88th Legislature, Regular Session; and
- Broadband Infrastructure Fund: House Bill 9 and House Joint Resolution 125, 88th Legislature, Regular Session.
Public testimony at both hearings is limited to 2 minutes.
Watch a live broadcast of the hearing.
