Monitoring the Session

HB 4809

bill on appraising exempt historic sites

Became law

Verdict: No flags

No flagsInitial review
Rep. Morgan MeyerRHouse 108

Initial review · graded Oct 20, 2026 · Headline, summary and grade are analysis of the bill text, not a finding about any person · How we grade

Caption

relating to the appraisal for ad valorem tax purposes of property that qualifies for an exemption as a historic or archaeological site.

Caption from analyzed text · version I.

Summary

Appraisers factor in preservation restrictions when setting market value.

The bill tells county chief appraisers to factor in historic-preservation restrictions when setting the market value of a historic or archaeological site that gets the historic-site tax exemption. It touches owners of those exempt historic properties and the appraisal districts that value them. Starting with the 2026 tax year, limits on altering, improving, or repairing a historic property must be weighed in its appraised value, which could lower that value.

Labels

Labels: INSTANT LAW. Took effect immediately, on Jun 20, 2025. 833 of the 1,185 graded 89R laws took effect Sep 1, 2025 (derived from the bill histories, snapshot Oct 19, 2026).CROSS-PARTY HANDOFF. Lead author Morgan Meyer (R) in the House. Lead sponsor Royce West (D) in the Senate. Party as the Legislative Reference Library lists it for the 89th Legislature.

Receipt

The receipt

89R-HB4809 · 2025-03-13

SOLD BY

Rep. Morgan MeyerRHouse 108

ITEM

relating to the appraisal for ad valorem tax purposes of property that qualifies for an exemption as a historic or archaeological site.

WHAT IT DOES

Appraisers factor in preservation restrictions when setting market value.

The bill tells county chief appraisers to factor in historic-preservation restrictions when setting the market value of a historic or archaeological site that gets the historic-site tax exemption. It touches owners of those exempt historic properties and the appraisal districts that value them. Starting with the 2026 tax year, limits on altering, improving, or repairing a historic property must be weighed in its appraised value, which could lower that value.

CHARGES

[ ] NONE FOUND

TOTAL

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

LBB estimate · fiscal note version E · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version E · May 17, 2025

No first-year general revenue figure available here.

LBB published estimates · flow over the stated periods.

Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

HISTORY

  1. Filed
  2. Read first time
  3. Referred to s/c on Property Tax Appraisals by Speaker
  4. Scheduled for public hearing in s/c on . . .
  5. Considered by s/c in public hearing
  6. Committee substitute considered in s/c
  7. Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in subcommittee
  8. Left pending in subcommittee
  9. Considered by s/c in formal meeting
  10. Committee substitute considered in s/c
  11. Reported from s/c favorably with substitute
  12. Considered in formal meeting
  13. Committee substitute considered in committee
  14. Reported favorably as substituted
  15. Comte report filed with Committee Coordinator
  16. Committee report distributed
  17. Committee report sent to Calendars
  18. Considered in Calendars
  19. Placed on General State Calendar
  20. Read 2nd time
  21. Passed to engrossment
  22. Record vote RV#2356
  23. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  24. Read 3rd time
  25. Passed
  26. Record vote RV#2445
  27. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  28. Reported engrossed
  29. Received from the House
  30. Read first time
  31. Referred to Local Government
  32. Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
  33. Considered in public hearing
  34. Vote taken in committee
  35. Reported favorably w/o amendments
  36. Recommended for local & uncontested calendar
  37. Committee report printed and distributed
  38. Placed on intent calendar
  39. Rules suspended-Regular order of business
  40. Vote recorded in Journal
  41. Read 2nd time & passed to 3rd reading
  42. Vote recorded in Journal
  43. Three day rule suspended
  44. Record vote
  45. Read 3rd time
  46. Passed
  47. Record vote
  48. Senate passage reported
  49. Reported enrolled
  50. Signed in the House
  51. Signed in the Senate
  52. Sent to the Governor
  53. Signed by the Governor
  54. Effective immediately
FILED UNDER

No verified beat found.

SIGNED FOR BY

House · 140 yea · 1 nay

Senate · 30 yea · 1 nay

Sources

House: Final passage · May 14, 2025. Journal. Published stock for this vote. Snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate: Final passage · May 21, 2025. Journal. Published stock for this vote. Snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

All floor motions and other positions below.

No flags

THANK YOU FOR CHECKING THE RECEIPT

CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY

CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY

Morgan Meyer

Donors

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC$530KTexas Conservative Majority PAC$422KTexas Sands PAC$262K

Not tied to this bill.

Sources

The author's campaign account only. Own money and internal transfers are separate on the member page.

Derived itemized flow · Oct 28, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC$530,160.35

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC

$530,160.35

Cash
$275,000.00
Paid by others
$255,160.35
Total
$530,160.35
advertising $220,000.00polling $35,160.35

Also funds 124 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 10, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Jun 23, 2025 to Oct 16, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101012321, 101035164, 101040580, 101060247, 101069424, 101072232.

Texas Conservative Majority PAC$422,350.00

Texas Conservative Majority PAC

$422,350.00

Cash
$150,000.00
Paid by others
$272,350.00
Total
$422,350.00
canvassing $250,000.00polling $22,350.00

Also funds 42 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jan 23, 2026 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Feb 18, 2026 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101040580, 101069424, 101072232.

Texas Sands PAC$262,000.00

Texas Sands PAC

$262,000.00

Cash
$262,000.00
Paid by others
$0.00
Total
$262,000.00

Also funds 121 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 3, 2024 to Oct 24, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Nov 13, 2024 to Sep 25, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 100988696, 101040580, 101072232.

Money

Missing data does not establish zero giving. Display amounts are rounded.

×

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC

$530,160.35

Cash
$275,000.00
Paid by others
$255,160.35
Total
$530,160.35
advertising $220,000.00polling $35,160.35

Also funds 124 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 10, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Jun 23, 2025 to Oct 16, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101012321, 101035164, 101040580, 101060247, 101069424, 101072232.

×

Texas Conservative Majority PAC

$422,350.00

Cash
$150,000.00
Paid by others
$272,350.00
Total
$422,350.00
canvassing $250,000.00polling $22,350.00

Also funds 42 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jan 23, 2026 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Feb 18, 2026 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101040580, 101069424, 101072232.

×

Texas Sands PAC

$262,000.00

Cash
$262,000.00
Paid by others
$0.00
Total
$262,000.00

Also funds 121 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 3, 2024 to Oct 24, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team
Sources

Derived itemized flow · Nov 13, 2024 to Sep 25, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 100988696, 101040580, 101072232.

Votes5

Senate May 21, 2025

Yea
30
Nay
1
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
Not printed
Excused
Not printed
Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

Senate journal

Names were not printed for yea. Only the named positions are included in member records.

Sources

The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 1. (Same as previous roll call)

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 30 (published)
  • Nay: 1 (published)
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: Not printed
  • Excused: Not printed

Senate journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate May 21, 2025

Yea
30
Nay
1
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
Not printed
Excused
Not printed
Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

Senate journal

Names were not printed for yea. Only the named positions are included in member records.

Sources

Senator West moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that HB 4809 be placed on its third reading and final passage. The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 1.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 30 (published)
  • Nay: 1 (published)
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: Not printed
  • Excused: Not printed

Senate journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate May 21, 2025

Yea
Not printed
Nay
Not printed
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
Not printed
Excused
Not printed
Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

Senate journal

Names were not printed for yea. Only the named positions are included in member records.

Voice vote. No numeric tally or individual yeas are inferred.

Sources

Senator West moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration HB 4809 at this time on its second reading: HB 4809, Relating to the authority of an owner of property that qualifies for an exemption as a historic or archaeological site to protest the allocation of the appraised value of the property between the land and the improvements to the land. The motion prevailed. Senator Hall asked to be recorded as voting "Nay" on suspension of the regular order of business. The bill was read second time and was passed to third reading by a viva voce vote.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: Not printed
  • Nay: Not printed
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: Not printed
  • Excused: Not printed

Senate journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

House May 14, 2025

Yea
140
Nay
1
Present, not voting
2
Absent
4
Excused
3
Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

House journal

Sources

Record 2445

HB 4809 was passed by (Record 2445): 140 Yeas, 1 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 140 (published)
  • Nay: 1 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 2 (published)
  • Absent: 4 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 3 (derived from named list)

House journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

House May 13, 2025

Yea
140
Nay
0
Present, not voting
2
Absent
4
Excused
4
Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

House journal

Sources

Record 2356

CSHB 4809 was passed to engrossment by (Record 2356): 140 Yeas, 0 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 140 (published)
  • Nay: 0 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 2 (published)
  • Absent: 4 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 4 (derived from named list)

House journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Witnesses6
For
6
Against
0
On
0
Names

For

  • City of Houston1 registration
  • Cuantia Management1 registration
  • Ryan LLC1 registration
  • Self; Cuantia Management1 registration
  • Self; Ryan Law Firm1 registration
  • Texas Association of Property Tax Professionals1 registration
Sources

6 parsed registrations across the loaded witness lists.

Derived stock of witness registrations. Repeated appearances count separately. Organizations and self-representation appear as printed.

House witness list. Source snapshot 2026-10-20, Central time.

Senate witness list. Source snapshot 2026-10-20, Central time.

Fiscal

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

LBB estimate · fiscal note version E · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version E · May 17, 2025

No first-year general revenue figure available here.

LBB published estimates · flow over the stated periods.

Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

How this was graded

Analysis of text version I by claude-opus-5-5, Oct 20, 2026, against the published rubric.

Sources

Texas House · Filed Mar 13, 2025

06/20/2025 E Effective immediately

Texas Legislature Online · Introduced · House Committee Report · Engrossed · Senate Committee Report · Enrolled

Data snapshot Oct 26, 2026 at 4:20 AM CDT. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.

Sponsors
Royce WestDSenate 23

House committee · Ways & Means · Committee vote 12 aye, 0 nay, 1 absent · Out of committee

Senate committee · Local Government · Committee vote 6 aye, 0 nay, 1 absent · Out of committee

Companion

SB 2553 by West (very similar)

Subjects

Historic Preservation & Museums

Taxation--Property-Appeal of Tax Decisions

Taxation--Property-Appraisals & Appraisal Districts

Taxation--Property-Exemptions

ARCHEOLOGY & ARCHEOLOGISTS

Text

The text as introduced · 190 words

By: Meyer
H.B. No. 4809

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the appraisal for ad valorem tax purposes of property

that qualifies for an exemption as a historic or archaeological

site.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 23.013, Tax Code, is amended by adding

Subsection (f) to read as follows:

(f) In this subsection, "historic site" means a structure or

archeological site and the land necessary for access to and use of

the structure or archeological site subject to an exemption under

Section 11.24. In determining the market value of a historic site,

the chief appraiser shall consider the effect on the property's

value of any restriction placed on the property owner's ability to

alter, improve, or repair the property based on the property's

designation as a historic site.

SECTION 2. This Act applies to the appraisal for ad valorem

tax purposes of property that qualifies for an exemption as a

historic or archaeological site only for a tax year beginning on or

after the effective date of this Act.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect January 1, 2026.