The bill amends the Education Code and Tax Code to enhance notification requirements regarding property tax-related information from taxing units and appraisal districts. Key provisions include a mandate for school districts to mail notices of budget and proposed tax rate meetings to each property owner, with an alternative to publish in local newspapers if no suitable publication is available. Additionally, the bill introduces a new subsection requiring the inclusion of specific information about population growth and inflation rates in these notices, along with a statement detailing potential property tax revenue based on these factors. The language regarding the publication of notices is updated, replacing "publish" with "provide," and new definitions related to adjusted tax collections, inflation rates, and population growth rates are added.

Moreover, the bill requires the comptroller to determine and publish the inflation rate annually for taxing units to use in their calculations. Taxing units must include specific statements in their tax rate notices that compare estimated property tax revenue for the current year with the previous year, accounting for population growth and inflation. The notice requirements for hearings on property tax rates are also modified, allowing for publication in local newspapers and mandating that notices be mailed to property owners at least ten days prior to the hearing. These changes will take effect for ad valorem tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Education Code 44.004, Education Code 44.0041, Tax Code 26.061, Tax Code 26.062, Tax Code 26.17, Water Code 49.236 (Tax Code 26, Education Code 44, Water Code 49)