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HB 552

Relating to a study by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service to determine standards for the appraisal for ad valorem tax purposes of certain agricultural land used to raise or keep bees.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Mary González and 1 co-sponsor

Texas directs A&M to develop beekeeping land appraisal standards for property tax assessment, potentially lowering taxes on bee farms.

Received from the House
#agriculture(i0020) #parks&wildlife--general(i0585) #texasa&magrilifeextensionservice(u0221) #taxation--property-appraisals&appraisaldistricts(i0792) #taxation--property-exemptions(i0793) #taxation--property-stateadministration(i0791)
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Bill Summary · HB 552

Legislative bill overview

HB 552 directs the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service to conduct a study establishing appraisal standards for agricultural land used specifically for beekeeping operations. The bill authorizes this research to inform how county tax assessors should value bee-farming properties for ad valorem (property) tax purposes.

Why is this important

Property tax assessments directly affect the financial burden on agricultural operators. Currently, beekeeping land may be appraised using generic agricultural standards that don't reflect the specific economics of bee operations, potentially leading to over-taxation. Creating specialized appraisal standards could protect beekeepers from inflated tax assessments while ensuring fair valuation across the state.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope ambiguity: The bill doesn't specify what constitutes "land used to raise or keep bees"—unclear whether this includes only dedicated apiaries or also mixed-use agricultural properties with beekeeping components
  • Implementation timeline: No deadline specified for the study's completion or for county assessors to adopt new standards, potentially delaying relief for beekeepers
  • Tax base concerns: Creating preferential appraisal standards for one agricultural sector could incentivize assessments for other niche farming operations, complicating the tax system

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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