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Texas Senate passes bill for automatic disaster reappraisal following major disasters

SB 1772 will help take some of the burdens off of taxpayers while communities impacted by major disasters try to rebuild.

AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas Senate passed Senate Bill 1772 unanimously on Tuesday, which will help communities impacted by major disasters, such as Hurricane Harvey.

SB 1772 makes it so an automatic disaster reappraisal can be triggered for impacted properties following a disaster.

"Nothing makes home and business owners madder than paying full property taxes on a damaged or destroyed property," said Senator Bettencourt. "In the case of Hurricane Harvey, for example, the government should be focused on giving taxpayers a break and getting them back on their feet…not worried about their own bottom line!"

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A resolution accompanying the bill will allow for a property tax exemption for property located in a governor-declared disaster area and that is at least 15-percent damaged by the disaster as determined by the chief appraiser.

"With some taxing entities collecting millions of dollars more in revenue each year it makes sense that when disaster strikes impacted taxpayers will get relief," continued Senator Bettencourt. "We have a moral obligation to help Texans in the rebuilding process following a major disaster."

The new bill will work to help make it easier for communities to come back from disaster and take some of the burdens off of taxpayers that are impacted by the events.

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