…“property located in a county with a population of more than 1.5 million in which more than 70 percent of the population lives in a single municipality”
The population and concentration bracket aims the new installment option at what is likely one or a very few counties. The caption does admit the bill covers only "certain counties," so this is a tag, not a hidden trick.
The new payment option does not start until after the November 3, 2026 general election. It first applies to taxes for a tax year beginning on or after that date.
Any homeowner there gets installments, if over 70 percent live in one city. Starts 2027.
The bill lets more homeowners pay their property taxes on their home in installments instead of one lump sum. Today that option is limited to seniors, disabled owners, and disabled veterans or their surviving spouses; the bill adds any homestead owner in a county of more than 1.5 million people where more than 70 percent of residents live in one city. Homeowners in that kind of county could spread out their home tax bill starting with the 2027 tax year, while owners elsewhere see no change.
Labels
Labels: ZOMBIE BILL. Died 2 times: 88R HB 35 (Died in committee) and this bill (Did not pass). Checked against 88R only.BACK FROM THE DEAD. Same text as a bill filed before that died: 88R HB 35 (Died in committee). Filed in 2 sessions, counting this one. Checked against 88R only.TRY NO. 2. Filed in 2 sessions: 88R and 89R. Checked against 88R only.ACROSS THE AISLE. Joint authors: 2 Republicans, 3 Democrats. Party as the Legislative Reference Library lists it for the 89th Legislature.GOT HALFWAY. Passed the House on May 8, 2025. Died in the Senate: received, never referred to a committee.
relating to installment payments of ad valorem taxes imposed on
residence homesteads in certain counties.
WHAT IT DOES
Any homeowner there gets installments, if over 70 percent live in one city. Starts 2027.
The bill lets more homeowners pay their property taxes on their home in installments instead of one lump sum. Today that option is limited to seniors, disabled owners, and disabled veterans or their surviving spouses; the bill adds any homestead owner in a county of more than 1.5 million people where more than 70 percent of residents live in one city. Homeowners in that kind of county could spread out their home tax bill starting with the 2027 tax year, while owners elsewhere see no change.
…“property located in a county with a population of more than 1.5 million in which more than 70 percent of the population lives in a single municipality”
The population and concentration bracket aims the new installment option at what is likely one or a very few counties. The caption does admit the bill covers only "certain counties," so this is a tag, not a hidden trick.
The new payment option does not start until after the November 3, 2026 general election. It first applies to taxes for a tax year beginning on or after that date.
TOTAL
No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
House committee · Ways & Means · Committee vote 11 aye, 0 nay, 2 absent · Out of committee
Subjects
Aging
Disabilities, Persons with
Property Interests--Homestead
Taxation--Property-Assessment & Collection
Text
The text as introduced · 190 words
89R3410 LHC-F
By: Bernal
H.B. No. 249
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to installment payments of ad valorem taxes imposed on
residence homesteads in certain counties.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 31.031(a), Tax Code, is amended to read
as follows:
(a) This section applies only to:
(1) an individual who is:
(A) disabled or at least 65 years of age; and
(B) qualified for an exemption under Section
11.13(c); [ or ]
(2) an individual who is:
(A) a disabled veteran or the unmarried surviving
spouse of a disabled veteran; and
(B) qualified for an exemption under Section
11.132 or 11.22 ; or
(3) an individual who is qualified for an exemption
under Section 11.13 for property located in a county with a
population of more than 1.5 million in which more than 70 percent of
the population lives in a single municipality .
SECTION 2. This Act applies only to ad valorem taxes imposed
for a tax year beginning on or after the effective date of this Act.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect January 1, 2027.
Monitoring 
