Interim Hearing | Property Taxes, Local Fees & Appraisal Districts
Event Details
The Texas Senate Committee on Local Government will hold an interim hearing on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. in Room E1.016 of the Texas Capitol.
The committee will examine the effects of repeatedly increasing the homestead exemption, including changes enacted by several recent Legislatures that have increased the exemption from $15,000 to $140,000 for homeowners under age 65 and from $25,000 to $200,000 for those age 65 and older. Senators will also study the share of Texas homeowners who no longer pay school property taxes as a result of these policies.
Lawmakers will also examine fees imposed by local governments, including utility connection charges, permit and inspection fees, and drainage or stormwater improvement fees. The committee will evaluate financial transparency requirements and whether independent audits should be required to ensure fee revenue is used for its intended public purposes.
The committee will additionally study the governance, budgeting authority, and cost allocation practices of county appraisal districts, including their fiscal impact on taxing entities and whether additional financial guardrails are warranted.
Invited and public testimony will be heard. Public testimony will be limited to two minutes per witness.
