The bill amends the Education Code and Tax Code to improve the notice requirements for property tax-related information that taxing units and appraisal districts must provide. Key changes include a mandate for school districts to mail notices of budget and proposed tax rate meetings to all property owners within the district, with an alternative option to publish the notice in local newspapers if no suitable publication is available. The bill also requires that these notices include specific statements about enrollment changes, inflation rates, and estimated tax collections, thereby enhancing transparency regarding the determination of tax rates and their impact on property owners.

Additionally, the bill introduces new definitions and requirements for tax collection notices, including the calculation of adjusted collection rates based on enrollment growth and inflation. It mandates that notices be posted on the taxing unit's website and specifies the information that must be included in public notices, such as comparisons of proposed budgets with previous years and details about voter-approval rates. The bill also requires that notices of hearings regarding tax rates be published in local newspapers and mailed to property owners, ensuring adequate public awareness. These changes will take effect for ad valorem tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2026, aiming to enhance clarity and accountability in the property tax process by incorporating economic factors into tax rate discussions.

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 (Water Code 49, Education Code 44, Tax Code 26)