six lawmakers, one public meeting

The text as introduced · 622 words

By: Martinez Fischer
H.B. No. 4236

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the establishment of the property value study task

force.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. (a) In this section, "task force" means the

property value study task force.

(b) The task force is established to examine the use and

impacts of the property value study conducted by the comptroller of

public accounts under Section 403.302, Government Code, and to

develop recommendations on the elimination of the property value

study and alternative methods by which the goals of the property

value study may be accomplished.

(c) The task force is composed of nine members appointed as

follows:

(1) two members appointed by the governor to represent

the interests of taxpayers;

(2) one member appointed by the governor to represent

appraisal districts;

(3) two members appointed by the governor to represent

local taxing units;

(4) two members of the senate, appointed by the

lieutenant governor; and

(5) two members of the house of representatives,

appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives.

(d) A task force member is not entitled to compensation for

service on the task force but is entitled to reimbursement for

actual and necessary expenses incurred in performing task force

duties. The task force may accept gifts, grants, and donations to

pay for those expenses.

(e) The task force shall choose the presiding officer from

among their members.

(f) The task force shall meet at least quarterly at the call

of the presiding officer.

(g) Notwithstanding Chapter 551, Government Code, or any

other law, the task force may meet by telephone conference call,

videoconference, or other similar telecommunication method. A

meeting held by telephone conference call, videoconference, or

other similar telecommunication method is subject to the

requirements of Sections 551.125(c), (d), (e), and (f), Government

Code.

(h) The task force shall examine:

(1) the effects of the property value study on

appraisals and all taxing units;

(2) the administrative burden the property value study

imposes on appraisal districts, the comptroller of public accounts,

and local taxing units;

(3) the effectiveness of the property value study in

achieving its purpose as defined in Section 403.301, Government

Code;

(4) the viability of alternative means and methods to

ensure the accuracy of the determination of the value of taxable

property for the purpose of the equitable distribution of financial

aid for public education in this state; and

(5) the correlation of results between the property

value study and other appraisal district studies conducted by the

comptroller of public accounts including the appraisal district

ratio study, methods and assistance program, and targeted appraisal

review program.

(i) The task force may request relevant information from the

comptroller of public accounts; the entity receiving the request

shall comply with the request.

(j) The task force shall develop recommendations for the

most appropriate methods by which to address issues identified with

the continued use of the property value study, which may include the

elimination or replacement of the property value study.

(k) The task force shall develop and submit a written report

on the use of the property value study and recommendations

developed by the task force to the governor, the lieutenant

governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, and each

member of the legislature not later than November 1, 2026.

(l) The task force is abolished and this Act expires June 1,

2027.

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives

a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as

provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this

Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this

Act takes effect September 1, 2025.