HB 4742 – Enables Higher Property taxes

HB 4742 would allow school districts to force appraisal districts to conduct out-of-cycle reappraisals of all property within their boundaries, even when the broader appraisal district has not scheduled one. While it’s framed as a tool to ensure up-to-date property values, it effectively enables school boards to trigger costly, potentially politically motivated reappraisals that could inflate taxable values and drive up property taxes. This move shifts administrative power away from countywide appraisal boards and undermines consistency in tax administration. Instead of promoting taxpayer fairness, it opens the door to aggressive revenue tactics disguised as equity measures. This legislation promotes increased spending and taxation under the guise of local control.