Texas Senate
Standing Committee
Handles issues concerning local governance, municipal matters, property tax policy, annexation, urban development, and the regulation of local government operations across Texas.
Committee Leadership
Committee Composition
Committee Size
7 Members
Republicans
4
Democrats
3
Committee Partisan Split
4R – 3D
Committee Membership
Most Recent Session Activity
Metrics reflect activity during the most recent legislative session.
Legislation Referred
494
Legislation Voted Out
254
Overall Efficiency
51.41%
Committee Meetings
27
Interim Charges
- Cutting Property Taxes: Examine Texas property taxes, focusing on homeowners’ school property taxes. Make recommendations to cut Texans’ property taxes by increasing the homestead exemption for all homeowners. Determine the savings for homestead owners attributable to lowering the age of eligibility for the senior homestead exemption and senior tax ceiling from 65 to 55. Additionally, evaluate options to further reduce property taxes for new homeowners.
- Examining the Effect of Increasing the Homestead Exemption: Review and report on the effects of Senate Bill 4 and Senate Bill 23, 89th Legislature, Senate Bill 2, 88th Legislature, 2nd Called Session, Senate Bill 1, 87th Legislature, 3rd Called Session, Senate Bill 2, 86th Legislature, and Senate Bill 1, 84th Legislature, which in combination have increased the homeowners’ school tax exemption from $15,000 to $140,000 for those under the age of 65, and from $25,000 to $200,000 for those 65 and older. Identify the percentage of Texas homeowners that no longer pay school property taxes due to these efforts.
- Removing Barriers to Housing Affordability: Report on the implementation of Senate Bill 15, Senate Bill 840, and Senate Bill 2477, 89th Legislature, and Senate Bill 2038, 88th Legislature. Make recommendations to strengthen property rights as the cornerstone of Texas housing affordability.
- Holding Local Government Fees Accountable: Examine the collection, use, and oversight of fees imposed by local governments, including but not limited to utility connection charges, permit and inspection fees, and drainage or stormwater improvement fees. Evaluate whether these fees are subject to adequate financial transparency requirements and whether independent audits should be required. Make necessary recommendations to enhance accountability and ensure fee revenues are used solely for their intended public purposes.
- Ensuring Transparency in Appraisal District Funding: Study the governance, budgeting authority, and cost allocation practices of county appraisal districts. Examine the fiscal impact of appraisal district costs on taxing entities. Evaluate whether additional guardrails are warranted.
Committee Jurisdiction
The Texas Senate Committee on Local Government handles a wide range of issues concerning local governance and municipal matters. Its jurisdiction includes:
- Property Tax Reform and Relief: Reviews and makes recommendations on property tax policies, including the impact of policies and potential future changes to provide additional relief and improve voter control over tax decisions.
- Municipal Annexation and Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (ETJ): Addresses policies related to municipal annexation and the expansion of city boundaries and incorporation of surrounding areas, including review of legislation related to ETJ.
- Local Government Code and Regulations: Examines and supports improvements to various aspects of the Local Government Code, including the administration and operation of local entities like special districts and municipal authorities.
- Urban Development and Infrastructure: Assesses policies related to urban development, infrastructure planning, and the regulatory environment affecting local governments, including reviewing contracts for construction work and the financial feasibility of projects financed by bonds.
Committee Contact Information
Capitol Location
Sam Houston Building, 475
Phone Number
(512) 463-2527
Support Our Work
Texas Policy Research relies on generous donors across Texas. If you found this helpful, please consider supporting our efforts.
Donate TodayStay in the Loop
Subscribe for occasional emails with new research, event details, and ways to engage with Texas policy.
Subscribe for Updates
