Amendment 5 - State Representative Hochberg's Guide to the 2009 Texas Constitutional Amendments

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Proposition 5

The ballot will read: The constitutional amendment authorizing the Legislature to authorize a single board of equalization for two or more adjoining appraisal entities that elect to provide for consolidated equalizations.

Background: Appraisal review boards are authorized to resolve disputes between taxpayers and property tax appraisal districts. Most Texas counties each have their own appraisal review board.

The Legislature has recently authorized adjoining counties to combine their review boards to save money. For this option to take effect, voters must approve Proposition 5.

For: Many rural counties have a difficult time finding enough qualified and willing candidates to sit on their appraisal review boards. Proposition 5 would let counties join together to form consolidated appraisal review boards. Having fully qualified appraisal review boards would help ensure a more professional appraisal review process.

Against: Proposition 5 would not go far enough in allowing opportunities for appraisal districts to combine their efforts. Many rural counties have a difficult time staffing all levels of their appraisal districts. The Legislature should allow and encourage these districts to consolidate functions beyond just the review boards.

For the exact wording of the changes to the Constitution
that would occur if this proposition passes,
CLICK HERE.
Note that Propositions 2, 3, and 5 were passed together in a single bill.
The language for Proposition 5 is contained in "Article 2" of the bill.
Words to be added to the Constitution will be underlined.
Words to be removed, if any, will be [~~struck through~~].

For a more detailed analysis of this proposition
from the House Research Organization,
CLICK HERE.

For the full House Research Organization report
on all of the propositions,
CLICK HERE.

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