Texas Senate Passes Bill to Increase Homestead Exemption for Seniors, Disabled

The Texas Senate has passed Senate Bill 23 (SB 23) and Senate Joint Resolution 85 (SJR 85), which would significantly increase the homestead exemption for Texans aged 65 and older and disabled homeowners. The legislation, a top priority for Lt. Governor Dan Patrick, passed with a 30-1 vote.

SB 23 increases the additional homestead exemption for elderly and disabled homeowners from $10,000 to $60,000. SJR 85, a constitutional amendment, will allow Texas voters to approve this increase on the November 2025 ballot.

If approved, the package, in conjunction with Senate Bill 1 and Senate Bill 4, would provide an average annual property tax savings of nearly $951 for over 2 million Texas homesteads. Senator Paul Bettencourt, the bill’s author, stated that this would allow Texas seniors to “Age in peace” and would result in a supermajority of over-65 homeowners paying $0 in ISD taxes.

Lt. Governor Dan Patrick emphasized the importance of the legislation, noting that it would effectively eliminate school property taxes for the average senior homeowner due to the existing property tax freeze for those over 65. He also highlighted the significant increase in homestead exemptions since 2015.

“When savings from SB 23, SB 4, and SB 1 are combined, the average Texas senior homeowner will save $950.87 on their property taxes,” Patrick said.

Senator Bettencourt added, “This bill package honors the commitment the Texas Senate and the Lt. Governor made to continue reducing the burden on our seniors and disabled Texans… With this fourth increase in a decade, we’re following through on our promise Texans from skyrocketing property tax bills.”

SB 23 and SJR 85 now move to the Texas House of Representatives for consideration. If passed by the House, SJR 85 will be presented to Texas voters in the November 2025 general election.