Bills offer glimpse into nearing Texas legislative session

From property taxes to school vouchers, the agenda for the coming Texas legislative session is taking shape as bills are filed in preparation for January. The opening of bill filing in the weeks ahead of the Legislative session prompts the biannual filing of hundreds of bills spanning the policy gambit. Most will never become law. Generally, legislation must pass through committees in both the House and Senate and on the House and Senate floor before heading to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk — a process that is further bottle-necked by limitations on when bills can be heard in the full chamber and other procedural maneuvers and rules. Since the start of bill filing on Nov. 14, hundreds of legislative proposals have been made. The filing deadline is March 10. The Texas Legislature convenes on Jan. 10.

Property taxes are top of mind for many as lawmakers return to Austin. Rates are set locally, but the state is looking at ways of cutting property taxes — particularly in light of the state’s at least $27 billion surplus. Dozens of bills related to property taxes have already been filed. Among the proposals: Property tax relief was a common topic of bills filed by Tarrant County lawmakers. Bills related to property taxes include proposals to cap increases in home appraisals filed by Rep. Giovanni Capriglione, a Southlake Republican, and incoming state Rep. Nate Schatzline, a Republican replacing Rep. Matt Krause, who did not seek reelection. Fort Worth Republican Craig Goldman has filed a bill to repeal franchise tax.