Texas House Approves Voter Approval for Tax Hikes Over 1%

The Texas House of Representatives has approved legislation aimed at tightening limits on property tax increases by cities and counties, requiring voter approval for tax hikes exceeding 1%. Senate Bill 10, initially passed by the Senate with a voter-approval tax rate (VATR) cap reduced from 3.5% to 2.5% for larger municipalities, was significantly amended in the House, creating discrepancies likely to be resolved in negotiations between chambers. Meanwhile, Governor Greg Abbott has called for the prohibition of same-day voter registration for address changes, seeking to reverse a bipartisan law that allows voters to update their addresses and vote immediately in their new precinct within the same county. Republican lawmakers, including Rep. Briscoe Cain, have introduced bills to maintain the prior requirement that address changes take 30 days to take effect, effectively blocking the new law set to begin in September. This move has sparked debate over voting access and election administration amid ongoing special legislative sessions. The developments reflect broader efforts by Texas lawmakers to exert tighter controls on taxation and voting processes, aligning with Governor Abbott’s agenda.