SESSION WATCH
Died SENATE · SESSION 2026

No. SJR 274

Homestead Property Tax Benefits for Long-term Owners
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SPONSOR
Bernard
FILED BY
Mack Bernard — District 24, Democrat [search donations]
DIED IN
Finance and Tax

Filed under Taxes & Budget.

PROVIDED SUMMARY

Homestead Property Tax Benefits for Long-term Owners; Proposing amendments to the State Constitution to provide that the assessed value of homestead property may not increase after 20 years of ownership and residency, to provide an additional homestead tax exemption equal to 50 percent of the assessed value of property, other than school district levies, for persons who have owned and resided on the property as their permanent residence for 30 years or more, and to provide an effective date, etc.

Full bill text →

Plain English Summary

AI-GENERATED
Locks assessed value after 20 years and adds 50% exemption after 30.

After 20 years of continuous ownership and residency, a homestead's assessed value freezes and may not increase. This cap applies permanently as long as the property retains its homestead exemption status.

After 30 years of ownership and residency, owners receive an additional exemption equal to 50% of the assessed value. This exemption applies to all ad valorem taxes except school district levies.

Owners may aggregate periods of ownership and residency across multiple homestead properties to meet the 20- and 30-year thresholds. Property appraisers must maintain records to verify this eligibility.

KEY PROVISIONS
§ 1 Assessment Freeze After 20 Years majors. Article VII, Section 4(9)

AICreates a permanent cap on assessed value growth for long-term owners

“may not increase thereafter so long as the property continues to receive the homestead exemption” bill text, line 115 →
§ 2 50% Exemption After 30 Years majors. Article VII, Section 6(g)(1)

AIGrants a new tax exemption equal to half the assessed value for 30-year owners

“entitled to an exemption equal to fifty percent (50%) of the assessed value of the property” bill text, line 360 →
§ 3 School Levy Exclusion moderates. Article VII, Section 6(g)(1)

AIExcludes the 50% exemption from school district taxes, limiting its total benefit

“which shall apply to all ad valorem taxes other than school district levies” bill text, line 362 →
§ 4 Aggregation of Ownership Periods moderates. Article VII, Section 4(9) and Section 6(g)(3)

AIAllows owners to combine time spent on multiple homesteads to meet the 20- and 30-year thresholds

“Periods of ownership and residency on multiple homestead properties may be aggregated” bill text, line 117 →
TIMELINE
3/13/2026
Died in Finance and Tax
1/13/2026
Introduced
11/17/2025
Referred to Finance and Tax; Appropriations; Rules
10/23/2025
Filed