Propositions 2, 3 and 5 actually help ensure fair and uniform tax appraisals for property owners. Here are brief explanations of what all three amendments will actually do:

Proposition 2: Homeowners in Texas are well aware of astronomical increases in appraised values. These increases can be made ever worse when chief appraisers choose to bypass taxing a property as homestead, and base their taxes on the “highest and best use” of the property.  Proposition 2 protects homeowners, who happen live in or near commercial areas,  by mandating that their residence be appraised only as a residence, regardless of what the highest and best use of the property might be.

Proposition 3: Current law requires that standards and procedures for the appraisal of property to originate in the county were the tax is imposed.  As a result property owners are often victimized by a hodgepodge of inconsistent rules and standards throughout the state. This constitutional amendment corrects this problem by simply requiring an appraisal district to follow standard appraisal methods and procedures.

Proposition 5: Appraisal review boards have the responsibility to resolve disputes between property owners and county appraisal districts when the taxable value of a property is being challenged. The property owner is always best served when the review boards are comprised of members who understand the issues and complexities of property valuations.  Some rural counties have difficulty finding board members to meet these standards.  This constitutional amendment will simply give these counties the option to pool together their qualified applicants to better ensure the property owner that their appraisal appeal is being handled professionally and timely.

If you need additional background materials to share with other Texas REALTORS® and consumers, you can access a layman’s explanation written by Texas Association of REALTORS® staff attorney Gabe Lopez. You can also download a promotional flier for Props 2, 3 and 5.

Don’t believe use?  Read the Houston Chronicle’s endorsement of Props 2, 3 and 5.  Read Rep. John Otto’s press release regarding this stealth misinformation campaign.

You can also read the Texas Legislative Council’s thorough explanation on all 11 proposed constitutional amendments.