The property tax relief fund is kept outside the general revenue fund, is exempt from certain sections, and its interest and income must be allocated back to the fund monthly.
Sec. 403.109. PROPERTY TAX RELIEF FUND. (a) The property tax relief fund is a special fund in the state treasury outside the general revenue fund. The fund is exempt from the application of Sections 403.095 and 404.071. Interest and income from the deposit and investment of money in the fund must be allocated monthly to the fund. (b) Until the state fiscal year beginning after the first tax year in which the average school district maintenance and operations tax rate is not more than $1.00 per $100 of taxable value, money in the fund may be appropriated only for a purpose that will result in a reduction of school district maintenance and operations tax rates to rates that are less than the rates in effect for the 2005 tax year. (c) Beginning in the state fiscal year that begins after the first tax year in which the average school district maintenance and operations tax rate is not more than $1.00 per $100 of taxable value, any money remaining in the fund after a sufficient amount of money is appropriated in that state fiscal year to maintain an average school district maintenance and operations tax rate of $1.00 per $100 of taxable value may be appropriated only as follows: (1) two-thirds of the money appropriated from the fund may be appropriated only for a purpose that will result in a further reduction of the average school district maintenance and operations tax rate; and (2) one-third of the money appropriated from the fund may be appropriated only for the purpose of increasing the level of equalization of school district enrichment tax effort to the extent that limits reliance by school districts on local property tax effort and decreases the enrichment tax rates of districts. (d) To the extent to which maintenance and operations tax rates are reduced using money appropriated from the fund, reductions must be carried out so as not to increase the disparity in revenue yield between districts of varying property wealth per weighted student. Added by Acts 2006, 79th Leg., 3rd C.S., Ch. 3 (H.B. 2), Sec. 1(a), eff. September 1, 2006.