Texas House Republicans Championed Legislation on Property Tax Relief and Border Security As Instructed by the Governor of Texas
(Austin, Texas) -- During the 88th Regular Legislative session, which ended on Monday, May 29th, the Texas House passed Senate Bill 3, the largest property tax decrease in Texas state history. That bill died in the Senate. As a result, Governor Greg Abbott immediately called the Legislature back for a special session and the Texas House began its proceedings on Tuesday, May 30th. Governor Abbott put two items on the special session agenda, property tax relief and border security legislation, and the Governor was very specific in what that legislation was to say.
Within hours, the Texas House, led by Speaker Dade Phelan and the Texas House Republican Caucus delivered. House Bill 1, House Joint Resolution 1 and House Bill 2 all passed with overwhelming bipartisan support. The Texas House is the only chamber that has passed property tax relief legislation in a way that is germane to Governor Abbott’s special session call.
House Bill 1 delivers $17.6 billion in property tax relief and buys down the school district tax rate by an additional 16.2 cents. Its accompanying House Joint Resolution 1 would place the constitutional amendment for this relief on the November 2023 ballot.
House Bill 2 cracks down on human smuggling and stash house operators by increasing criminal penalties and establishing 10-year mandatory minimums for certain criminal conduct involving the smuggling of persons, the operation of a stash house, or evading an arrest or detention.
“Governor Abbott’s special session agenda was very specific. The Texas House heard him loud and clear – we are the only chamber to pass and delivered on his agenda items,” said Chairman Craig Goldman. “We’ve always been committed to delivering tax relief to hardworking Texans and securing our southern border. We applaud him for calling us back in session so we could swiftly finish the work we started during the regular session.”
The Texas House Republican Caucus is comprised of all Republican Members serving in the Texas House of Representatives. The purpose of the Caucus is to provide research, education, policy development, and other support to the Caucus Members and their staff.
The Texas House Republican Caucus works to promote limited government, fiscal responsibility and personal liberty to continue cultivating economic growth for all Texans.
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