TX HB217

Increases the voter approval threshold from a simple majority to 60 percent for elections to approve ad valorem tax rates that exceed a taxing unit's voter-approval tax rate

Applies to general taxing units, school districts, and hospital districts when they seek voter approval for tax rates above the automatic approval limit

Updates required public hearing notice language to reflect that "unless at least 60 percent of the voters accept" the proposed rate, the taxing unit will default to the voter-approval tax rate

Amends multiple sections of the Tax Code, Health and Safety Code, and Special District Local Laws Code to implement the 60 percent threshold consistently across different types of taxing entities

Takes effect January 1, 2026, and applies only to elections held on or after that date