We have two 86th Legislative Wrap-Up Sessions planned—providing continuing education credit through IPT, the State Board of Public Accountancy, and the State Bar. On June 5th, starting at 10:00 a.m., we’re going to conduct an informative, interactive, and entertaining two hour session in Austin in which we review the key bills of the session through a…

Senate Passes School Finance Bill The Senate last night passed its version of HB 3, the school finance bill overhauling the school finance formulas, 26-2-3. The bill implements most of the recommendations of the School Finance Commission which met every month during 2018 and took expert testimony on the recommendations. The Senate de-coupled the bill from a…

In this Issue House Passes Senate Bill 2 (Property Tax Reform Bill) Senate Education Committee Votes Out School Finance Bill House Passes Senate Bill 2 (Property Tax Reform Bill) After a seven-hour debate, the House substitute for SB 2 passed the House of Representatives on second reading on Tuesday with a vote of 107—40 ( see…

In this Issue Ways and Means Advances Problematic Version of SB 2 Senate Lays Out School Finance Bill House Ways and Means Committee Advances Problematic Version of Senate Bill 2 Senate Bill 2 is the omnibus property tax bill that: Limits the amount of property taxes jurisdictions may raise, Creates a “real time” tax notice…

Senate Property Tax Bill Approved After approximately 3 hours of debate and consideration of 25 amendments in addition to Chairman Paul Bettencourt’s floor substitute (Amendment #1), SB 2 passed the Texas Senate on Monday afternoon. The party-line vote on 3 rd reading was 18 to 12, with Sen. Eddie Lucio present but not voting. Only one amendment was accepted…