The bill, S.B. No. 489, introduces a requirement for employers to provide or contribute to child care costs for their employees in order to qualify for a limitation on the taxable value of their property for school district maintenance and operations ad valorem tax purposes. Specifically, it amends Section 403.612 of the Government Code by adding a new requirement that applicants must offer child care benefits to full-time employees at the project site. This includes either providing child care through a licensed center operated on-site or contracting with an external center, or covering at least 50% of the employee's child care costs.

Additionally, the bill establishes that the requirement for providing child care benefits will take effect starting January 1 of the tax year following the first year in which the applicant's report indicates that 100 or more required jobs have been created at the project site. The changes made by this Act will only apply to agreements entered into after its effective date of September 1, 2025, while prior agreements will remain governed by the law in effect at the time they were made.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Government Code 403.612 (Government Code 403)