Enrolled Bill Summary

            House Bill 1604 amends the Tax Code to authorize sale of property seized by a taxing unit for foreclosure of a tax lien to a qualified religious organization for less than the tax warrant amount or fair market value if a sufficient bid is not otherwise obtained. The act allows the taxing unit to waive penalties and interest on delinquent taxes for property acquired by such an organization and repeals the 1997 deadline for late application for a religious organization exemption. Other provisions affect municipal tax sales. Current law gives a city discretion in the manner of sale for tax lien foreclosure properties that are sold to certain nonprofit organizations. The act applies such discretion to certain land seizures and allows similar discretion for sales to local tax-exempt religious organizations that have entered into a land revitalization agreement with the city.