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January 29, 2024
Dear Friends,
Happy New Year! I hope your 2024 is off to a good start.
New Year, New Laws
In Texas, if a bill does not specify an effective date, it goes into effect on the 91st day after the date of final adjournment of the session in which it was passed. Over 700 bills passed by the 88th Legislature went into effect on September 1, 2023.
A bill may specify a different effective date for various reasons. In order for it to take effect before the default date, it must receive a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each chamber. Some legislation becomes effective contingent on an event or on the adoption of a proposed constitutional amendment. This recently happened when voters approved of property tax relief and a cost of living increase for our retired teachers after the legislature passed bills placing the proposals on the ballot.
Thirty-one bills passed by the 88th Legislature named January 1, 2024 as the effective date. One of the pieces of legislation that went into effect on January 1st was a bill I authored to help improve the property tax appraisal process by making information regarding protest hearings publicly available. I selected January 1, 2024 as the effective date for HB 796 after working with the appraisal boards to make sure they had enough time to comply with the new requirements in a manner that aligned with how they currently work. This effective date made compliance with the new requirement easier for those implementing it while still providing the information the public deserves. I am excited about the additional transparency property tax payers will now have access to. Along with HB 796, bills that became law on January 1, 2024 are:
HB 260 relates to the calculation of "net to land" in the appraisal of open-space land for ad valorem tax purposes. The effect of diseases and pests on the net income of the land must be considered when the chief appraiser makes the calculations.
HB 456 relates to an exemption from ad valorem taxation of specific interests in a mineral in place owned by certain charitable organizations.
HB 614 relates to property owners' association fines.
HB 796 relates to the creation and maintenance by the chief appraiser of each appraisal district of a publicly available database of information regarding protest hearings.
HB 1058 relates to a franchise or insurance premium tax credit for certain housing developments.
HB 1228 relates to the delivery of certain information under the Property Tax Code.
HB 1285 relates to the training and duties of a taxpayer liaison officer for an appraisal district.
HB 1922 relates to periodic reauthorization of municipal building permit fees.
HB 2121 relates to the form of a rendition statement or property report used to render property for ad valorem tax purposes.
HB 2323 relates to the issuance of specialty license plates commemorating the 100th anniversary of the writing of the state song.
HB 2354 relates to the eligibility of land to continue to be appraised for ad valorem tax purposes as qualified open-space land following a transfer to a surviving spouse.
HB 3186 relates to youth diversion strategies and procedures for children accused of certain fine-only offenses in municipal and justice courts and related criminal justice matters; authorizing fees.
HB 3273 relates to public notice of the availability on the internet of property-tax-related information.
HB 4077 relates to the procedure for qualifying for an exemption from ad valorem taxation of the residence homestead of an elderly person.
HB 4101 relates to the matters that may be the subject of limited binding arbitration to compel compliance with procedural requirements about protests before appraisal review boards.
HB 4456 relates to the calculation of specific ad valorem tax rates of a school district.
HB 4500 relates to electronic verification of health benefits by health benefit plan issuers for certain physicians and health care providers.
Valentines for Veterans
It is important that we find ways to honor the men and women whose sacrifices make the freedom we enjoy possible. You can help do this by participating in the Veteran Land Board's Valentines for Vets initiative. This is a simple but meaningful way to show appreciation and respect for our Texas Veterans. Those interested in participating can mail Valentines to any or all of the nine State Veterans Homes. To ensure timely delivery, cards should be postmarked by February 10th and include 'Valentines for Veterans' in the mailing address.
Mailing addresses for the State Veterans Homes are below:
USSERY-ROAN TEXAS STATE VETERANS HOME
1020 Tascosa Road Amarillo, Texas 79124
CLYDE W. COSPER TEXAS STATE VETERANS HOME
1300 Seven Oaks Road Bonham, Texas 75418
FRANK M. TEJEDA TEXAS STATE VETERANS HOME
200 Veterans Drive Floresville, Texas 78114
ALFREDO GONZALEZ TEXAS STATE VETERANS HOME
301 East Yuma Avenue McAllen, Texas 78503
WATKINS-LOGAN TEXAS STATE VETERANS HOME
11466 Honor Lane Tyler, Texas 75708
LAMUN-LUSK-SANCHEZ TEXAS STATE VETERANS HOME
1809 North Highway 87 Big Spring, Texas 79720
AMBROSIO GUILLEN TEXAS STATE VETERANS HOME
9650 Kenworthy Street El Paso, Texas 79924
RICHARD A. ANDERSON TEXAS STATE VETERANS HOME
14041 Cottingham Road Houston, Texas 77048
WILLIAM R. COURTNEY TEXAS STATE VETERANS HOME
1424 Martin Luther King Jr. Lane Temple, Texas 76504
Around the District
I finished out 2023 as a guest conductor at the Garland Symphony Orchestra’s Christmas concert. Conducting the orchestra during their performance of Sleigh Ride was a memorable experience! I appreciate the robust arts and culture that help make our community such a wonderful place to live. I enjoyed my time at the Sachse Senior Center where I was able to visit with seniors about the issues important to them.
Happy New Year! To begin 2024, I met with the two newest HD 112 city council members, Manu Danny from Sunnyvale and Jonathan Reaves from Rowlett. It was great to learn more about them and their priorities for their communities. I then had the honor of swearing in Angie Hoquang into the Texas Silver Haired Legislature (TSHL). The TSHL strives to promote good government for all Texans by directly involving senior citizens in the legislative process.
I attended the Rowlett Area Chamber annual banquet marking the 100th anniversary of the chamber. I cannot wait to see what the future holds for this great organization. I enjoyed celebrating the Lunar New Year at Cali Saigon Mall on Saturday. I wish everyone a prosperous Year of the Dragon!
Happy New Year! I hope your 2024 is off to a good start.
New Year, New Laws
In Texas, if a bill does not specify an effective date, it goes into effect on the 91st day after the date of final adjournment of the session in which it was passed. Over 700 bills passed by the 88th Legislature went into effect on September 1, 2023.
A bill may specify a different effective date for various reasons. In order for it to take effect before the default date, it must receive a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each chamber. Some legislation becomes effective contingent on an event or on the adoption of a proposed constitutional amendment. This recently happened when voters approved of property tax relief and a cost of living increase for our retired teachers after the legislature passed bills placing the proposals on the ballot.
Thirty-one bills passed by the 88th Legislature named January 1, 2024 as the effective date. One of the pieces of legislation that went into effect on January 1st was a bill I authored to help improve the property tax appraisal process by making information regarding protest hearings publicly available. I selected January 1, 2024 as the effective date for HB 796 after working with the appraisal boards to make sure they had enough time to comply with the new requirements in a manner that aligned with how they currently work. This effective date made compliance with the new requirement easier for those implementing it while still providing the information the public deserves. I am excited about the additional transparency property tax payers will now have access to. Along with HB 796, bills that became law on January 1, 2024 are:
HB 260 relates to the calculation of "net to land" in the appraisal of open-space land for ad valorem tax purposes. The effect of diseases and pests on the net income of the land must be considered when the chief appraiser makes the calculations.
HB 456 relates to an exemption from ad valorem taxation of specific interests in a mineral in place owned by certain charitable organizations.
HB 614 relates to property owners' association fines.
HB 796 relates to the creation and maintenance by the chief appraiser of each appraisal district of a publicly available database of information regarding protest hearings.
HB 1058 relates to a franchise or insurance premium tax credit for certain housing developments.
HB 1228 relates to the delivery of certain information under the Property Tax Code.
HB 1285 relates to the training and duties of a taxpayer liaison officer for an appraisal district.
HB 1922 relates to periodic reauthorization of municipal building permit fees.
HB 2121 relates to the form of a rendition statement or property report used to render property for ad valorem tax purposes.
HB 2323 relates to the issuance of specialty license plates commemorating the 100th anniversary of the writing of the state song.
HB 2354 relates to the eligibility of land to continue to be appraised for ad valorem tax purposes as qualified open-space land following a transfer to a surviving spouse.
HB 3186 relates to youth diversion strategies and procedures for children accused of certain fine-only offenses in municipal and justice courts and related criminal justice matters; authorizing fees.
HB 3273 relates to public notice of the availability on the internet of property-tax-related information.
HB 4077 relates to the procedure for qualifying for an exemption from ad valorem taxation of the residence homestead of an elderly person.
HB 4101 relates to the matters that may be the subject of limited binding arbitration to compel compliance with procedural requirements about protests before appraisal review boards.
HB 4456 relates to the calculation of specific ad valorem tax rates of a school district.
HB 4500 relates to electronic verification of health benefits by health benefit plan issuers for certain physicians and health care providers.
Valentines for Veterans
It is important that we find ways to honor the men and women whose sacrifices make the freedom we enjoy possible. You can help do this by participating in the Veteran Land Board's Valentines for Vets initiative. This is a simple but meaningful way to show appreciation and respect for our Texas Veterans. Those interested in participating can mail Valentines to any or all of the nine State Veterans Homes. To ensure timely delivery, cards should be postmarked by February 10th and include 'Valentines for Veterans' in the mailing address.
Mailing addresses for the State Veterans Homes are below:
USSERY-ROAN TEXAS STATE VETERANS HOME
1020 Tascosa Road Amarillo, Texas 79124
CLYDE W. COSPER TEXAS STATE VETERANS HOME
1300 Seven Oaks Road Bonham, Texas 75418
FRANK M. TEJEDA TEXAS STATE VETERANS HOME
200 Veterans Drive Floresville, Texas 78114
ALFREDO GONZALEZ TEXAS STATE VETERANS HOME
301 East Yuma Avenue McAllen, Texas 78503
WATKINS-LOGAN TEXAS STATE VETERANS HOME
11466 Honor Lane Tyler, Texas 75708
LAMUN-LUSK-SANCHEZ TEXAS STATE VETERANS HOME
1809 North Highway 87 Big Spring, Texas 79720
AMBROSIO GUILLEN TEXAS STATE VETERANS HOME
9650 Kenworthy Street El Paso, Texas 79924
RICHARD A. ANDERSON TEXAS STATE VETERANS HOME
14041 Cottingham Road Houston, Texas 77048
WILLIAM R. COURTNEY TEXAS STATE VETERANS HOME
1424 Martin Luther King Jr. Lane Temple, Texas 76504
Around the District
I finished out 2023 as a guest conductor at the Garland Symphony Orchestra’s Christmas concert. Conducting the orchestra during their performance of Sleigh Ride was a memorable experience! I appreciate the robust arts and culture that help make our community such a wonderful place to live. I enjoyed my time at the Sachse Senior Center where I was able to visit with seniors about the issues important to them.
Happy New Year! To begin 2024, I met with the two newest HD 112 city council members, Manu Danny from Sunnyvale and Jonathan Reaves from Rowlett. It was great to learn more about them and their priorities for their communities. I then had the honor of swearing in Angie Hoquang into the Texas Silver Haired Legislature (TSHL). The TSHL strives to promote good government for all Texans by directly involving senior citizens in the legislative process.
I attended the Rowlett Area Chamber annual banquet marking the 100th anniversary of the chamber. I cannot wait to see what the future holds for this great organization. I enjoyed celebrating the Lunar New Year at Cali Saigon Mall on Saturday. I wish everyone a prosperous Year of the Dragon!
With Sunnyvale Councilwoman Manu Danny and Rowlett Councilman Jonathan Reaves.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to me if I can ever be of service. It is an honor to represent you in the Texas House.
Angie Chen Button
If you would like to be added or removed from this mailing, please email [email protected]
Angie Chen Button
If you would like to be added or removed from this mailing, please email [email protected]