Property tax relief was a major goal for state legislators in the Greater Houston area during the 85th legislative session, specifically lawmakers in The Woodlands. From 2014-16, the average home value in The Woodlands rose from $385,169 to $439,696, according to the Montgomery Central Appraisal District.

Although the Senate passed its property tax relief bill, Senate Bill 2, in March, a House version eliminated the Senate’s provisions to lower the rollback rate and to call for automatic tax approval elections. The revenue cap for the rollback rate was one of the major pieces of the bill; it would have required taxing entities to hold an election for approval of a new tax rate if a 5 percent increase in property tax revenue from the previous year is reached.

Legislators were not able to resolve differences in the bill by the end of the regular session May 29, which may prompt a call in early June by Gov. Greg Abbott for a special session to resolve the matter. As of press time, a special session has not been called.