Enrolled Bill Summary

            House Bill 3232 amends the Health and Safety Code to provide that, on the request of a municipality, a person who assesses ad valorem taxes for the municipality must include on the annual tax bill sent to a property owner a separate item for expenses imposed by the municipality, including accrued interest. The tax bill must also show the total amount due, including ad valorem taxes assessed, expenses incurred, and interest accrued. The bill requires the property owner to pay the expenses and interest concurrent with payment of ad valorem taxes to the person who collects those taxes for the municipality. If the person who assesses or collects such taxes is not an officer or employee of the municipality, the municipality must negotiate a reasonable fee to be paid to that person for those services.

                Reason Given for Veto: "House Bill No. 3232 would require Tarrant County tax assessor-collectors to implement a costly system whereby fines written by City of Fort Worth officials for health and safety violations could be specifically listed on annual property tax bills sent to landowners. Current law provides adequate means for all Texas cities to enforce the collection of fines associated with violations of health and safety ordinances. In addition, the bill does not address the effect unpaid health and safety fines have on the status of title of the underlying property. Moreover, the bill does not adequately address issues concerning how fines would be paid by people who choose to escrow their property taxes and insurance with third parties."