Voters last week took action to reform the property-appraisal system and protect private-property rights by passing all four association-endorsed amendments to the Texas Constitution:

  • Proposition 2: This amendment ensures that an owner will be taxed on how he uses his property—not on how he could use it. Therefore, even if a residential homestead could have another use that would trigger a higher value, this amendment stipulates that the property be appraised as a residential homestead.
  • Proposition 3: This measure will improve accountability and consistency among appraisal districts across Texas by allowing for state oversight of appraisal standards. It’s a good way to start making property appraisals fairer for everyone.
  • Proposition 5: Two appraisal districts can now consolidate their appraisal review boards, if they so choose. It’ll help rural counties that have difficulty finding enough qualified people to serve on these boards share these trained individuals. That ensures every property owner has a chance to have his appraisal reviewed by a board of qualified people.
  • Proposition 11: This amendment reforms the rules of eminent-domain takings to better protect private-property rights. It limits the use of eminent domain to the ownership, use, and enjoyment of the state and like entities and prohibits the taking of property by the state for transfer to a private entity for the purpose of economic development or enhancement of tax revenues.

Texas Association of Realtors