The November 4, 2025 election is a significant opportunity to make your voice heard on issues that directly impact Texas homeowners, communities, and the real estate industry. On the ballot are key propositions that will shape the future of private property rights, strengthen our state’s infrastructure and economy, and enhance quality of life for all Texans. Texas REALTORS® strongly supports these measures, and this guide is here to explain what they mean for you — and why a “yes” vote will move our state forward.
Visit texasrealtorssupport.com for more information, or click HERE.
Proposition 1
Establish Special Funds for State Technical College System Amendment
Legislation
Bill: SJR 59
Authors: Birdwell | et al.
Ballot Language:
“The constitutional amendment providing for the creation of the permanent technical institution infrastructure fund and the available workforce education fund to support the capital needs of educational programs offered by the Texas State Technical College System.”
Texas REALTORS® Support Because:
Prop 1 would ensure stable and long-term funding to address the growing demand for a regionally responsive skilled workforce in key sectors.
Proposition 2
Prohibit Capital Gains Tax on Individuals, Estates, and Trusts Amendment
Legislation
Bill: SJR 18
Authors: Perry | et al.
Ballot Language:
“The constitutional amendment prohibiting the imposition of a tax on the realized or unrealized capital gains of an individual, family, estate, or trust.”
Texas REALTORS® Support Because:
Prop 2 would encourage economic growth and contribute to Texas’ pro-business environment by prohibiting capital gains taxes in the state. While the state Constitution currently prohibits an income tax, it does not explicitly prohibit a tax on capital gains. Capital gains taxes can discourage investment, slow economic growth, and reduce job creation. Prop 2 would also provide long-term certainty in tax policy for businesses and investors and would give them confidence that Texas is committed to low taxes and a business-friendly environment.
The resolution would eliminate all capital gains taxes, including the franchise tax on business trusts, which could be considered a capital gains tax.
Proposition 4
Allocate Portion of Sales Tax Revenue to Water Fund Amendment
Legislation
Bill: HJR 7
Authors: Harris | et al.
Ballot Language:
“The constitutional amendment to dedicate a portion of the revenue derived from state sales and use taxes to the Texas water fund and to provide for the allocation and use of that revenue.”
Texas REALTORS® Support Because:
By constitutionally dedicating an annual revenue stream of $1 billion to the Texas Water Fund, Prop 4 would help address the deficit in funding for Texas’ pressing water needs. In 2023, the 88th Legislature established and allocated $5 billion to the Texas Water Fund, a flexible fund administered by the Texas Water Development Board that allows the board to allocate funding to various water strategies based on differing regional needs and changing conditions. Studies have suggested that $154 billion will be needed over the next 50 years to fully address water infrastructure concerns as the state’s population and water demand continue to grow, and HJR 7 would help provide a sustainable funding mechanism to help meet these needs.
The funding model established by this amendment would be consistent with other models of infrastructure funding, like transportation, and would provide a predictable funding stream to improve water planning efforts and ensure that infrastructure could keep up with demands without increasing pressure on ratepayers. Without significant investment in water, the risk of shortages could impact quality of life for Texas residents and stall economic development, as businesses may choose to establish themselves elsewhere due to concerns about access to water in Texas. Since water costs are increasing and water projects can take a long time to complete, it is critical that this investment happen now to ensure the state’s water security into the future.
Proposition 8
Prohibit Estate Taxes and New Taxes on Estate Transfers, Inheritances, and Gifts
Legislation
Bill: HJR 2
Authors: Geren | et al.
Ballot Language:
“The constitutional amendment to prohibit the legislature from imposing death taxes applicable to a decedent’s property or the transfer of an estate, inheritance, legacy, succession, or gift.”
Texas REALTORS® Support Because:
Banning the estate tax means families can keep their homes, farms, and small businesses without having to sell just to pay a government bill. It protects generational wealth, strengthens communities, and ensures Texans can pass property on to their children and grandchildren.
Proposition 9
Authorize Tax Exemption for Tangible Property Used for Income Production Amendment
Legislation
Bill: HJR 1
Authors: Meyer | et al.
Ballot Language:
“The constitutional amendment to authorize the legislature to exempt from ad valorem taxation a portion of the market value of tangible personal property a person owns that is held or used for the production of income.”
Texas REALTORS® Support Because:
Prop 9 will contribute to economic growth and reduce administrative burdens for Texas business owners by authorizing the Legislature to exempt $125,000 of business personal property, or tangible personal property held or used to produce income, from property taxes.
This amendment would reduce the tax burden on businesses, allowing them to reinvest these savings to expand their operations. Prop 9 also would incentivize businesses to move to Texas or remain in the state to take advantage of the exemption. In addition, the resolution could reduce the need for businesses to move inventory or equipment to avoid paying business personal property taxes on these items.
Complying with business personal property taxes can be onerous for small businesses, as it requires documenting all assets and reporting acquisition prices and dates and depreciation schedules. The comptroller’s tax formulas can be complicated and often overestimate the value of business personal property, while protesting these determinations can be costly and time-consuming. Prop 9 would reduce these administrative and compliance burdens for business owners whose business personal property did not exceed $125,000 in value. Additionally, the resolution would reduce administrative burdens for county appraisal districts by reducing the number of businesses on their tax rolls.
While some have suggested that this would reduce state and local tax revenue, the impact would be minor. Most of the revenue from the business personal property tax comes from a small number of large businesses, which would still be required to pay taxes on all business personal property over $125,000. Although local governments could experience some reduction in tax revenue, the potential economic benefits resulting from the bill would outweigh these losses.
Proposition 10
Increase Tax Exemption for Property Destroyed by Fire
Legislation
Bill: SJR 84
Authors: Bettencourt | et al.
Ballot Language:
“The constitutional amendment to authorize the legislature to provide for a temporary exemption from ad valorem taxation of the appraised value of an improvement to a residence homestead that is completely destroyed by a fire.”
Texas REALTORS® Support Because:
When Texans lose property to fire, they shouldn’t also face a full property tax bill on something that no longer exists. This amendment gives temporary tax relief to homeowners whose houses are destroyed, so they can focus on rebuilding their lives instead of paying taxes on a property that’s gone.
Proposition 11
Increase Homestead Tax Exemption for Elderly and Disabled Amendment
Legislation
Bill: SJR 85
Authors: Bettencourt | et al.
Ballot Language:
“The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to increase the amount of the exemption from ad valorem taxation by a school district of the market value of the residence homestead of a person who is elderly or disabled.”
Texas REALTORS® Support Because:
Prop 11 would increase the residence homestead property tax exemption for individuals who are elderly and disabled from $10,000 to $60,000. This would increase housing affordability and provide protection for a vulnerable population. Many individuals who qualify for this exemption live on a fixed income and face rising medical insurance costs. Individuals who are elderly and disabled also often have to make expensive modifications to their homes, such as adding ramps or accessibility features to accommodate walkers, wheelchairs, and other medical devices. Providing an increase in the homestead exemption for these individuals would help them to stay in their homes and their neighborhoods. Keeping seniors in the homes they’ve lived in for decades is especially valuable, as it contributes to continuity and stability in the community.
Prop 11 would provide visible and understandable tax relief to a large segment of the state’s population. Homestead exemptions are a particularly beneficial form of tax relief because taxpayers can clearly see the reduction in their tax bill, which encourages support for the tax system overall.
School districts would not experience a reduction in funding because SB 23, the enabling legislation, would make up for losses caused by the increase in the homestead exemption by providing additional state general revenue.
Proposition 13
Increase Homestead Property Tax Exemption Amendment
Legislation
Bill: SJR 2
Authors: Bettencourt | et al.
Ballot Language:
“The constitutional amendment to increase the amount of the exemption of residence homesteads from ad valorem taxation by a school district from $100,000 to $140,000.
Texas REALTORS® Support Because:
Prop 13 would provide Texas homeowners with significant tax relief and encourage economic growth by increasing the school district residence homestead property tax exemption from $100,000 to $140,000. School taxes amount to the largest share of property owners’ tax growth, and taxpayers need additional tax relief, as many of the gains from tax relief passed in previous sessions have been lost due to increases in tax rates by local governments.
An increase in the homestead tax exemption would provide broad-based tax relief to all homeowners and would be a meaningful tax benefit to a large number of Texans. The resolution would particularly benefit elderly homeowners, many of whom live on fixed incomes and face increasing healthcare expenses and rising insurance rates.
Prop 13 also would help first-time home buyers who often do not have excess money to spend on taxes and normally have substantial mortgage payments in addition to other home expenses. Additionally, the resolution would benefit the economy by encouraging home purchases and boosting the real estate market.
Prop 13 would not cause a loss of funding for school districts as a result of the higher exemption because the state would make up the difference using general revenue under state aid formulas provided in current law and the enabling legislation, SB 4. Prop 13 would provide lasting, meaningful tax relief to a broad cross-section of the tax base while ensuring funding for important priorities was maintained.
Proposition 17
Property Tax Exemption for Border Security Infrastructure Amendment
Legislation
Bill: HJR 34
Authors: Guillen
Ballot Language:
“The constitutional amendment to authorize the legislature to provide for an exemption from ad valorem taxation of the amount of the market value of real property located in a county that borders the United Mexican States that arises from the installation or construction on the property of border security infrastructure and related improvements.”
Texas REALTORS® Support Because:
Property owners who volunteer their land for border security shouldn’t be penalized with higher property taxes. This amendment ensures they get a fair tax exemption on the value of border infrastructure built on their land, encouraging cooperation to strengthen security while protecting families from unexpected tax burdens.