The House Ways & Means Committee will meet at 1 p.m., Monday, April 21, 2025, to hear invited and public testimony on several bills, including:
HB 19 Meyer – This bill makes changes to the framework governing debt issuance and management for local governments in Texas, including changes to the guidelines for public meeting notices regarding budgets and proposed tax rates. The bill would require clear and bold wording that emphasizes taxpayer involvement and potential tax implications for senior citizens. The bill also mandates that elections for issuing bonds or raising ad valorem tax rates occur only on the November uniform election date and cannot be classified as emergency elections. A 20% cap on annual debt service is imposed, linking it directly to the average property tax collection over the previous three years. The allocation of bond proceeds must align with the proportion specified in the ballot proposition. The bill states that tax increases cannot be used for debt repayment. The bill also repeals outdated provisions from various chapters, particularly concerning anticipatory notes and outstanding obligations. New stipulations are added regarding public works projects, including demolition of dangerous structures.
