BWH H.B. 1651 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS COUNTY AFFAIRS H.B. 1651 By: Siebert 3-12-97 Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND Counties with larger populations have a higher number of property foreclosures and a resulting need for more frequent county auctions. Current law only allows county auctions to take place in one location, at a specific time, and on a specific date. Metropolitan counties believe these laws are too restrictive, and would like more flexibility in the scheduling of the time, date and location of county auctions. This bill would allow auctions to be held at an indoor location, with seating and convenient parking, during hours most accessible to citizens. (ex. evenings or weekends) Allowing more convenience for county auctions would increase citizen participation, which could conceivably increase the amount of revenue raised at county auctions. PURPOSE To allow counties to set the time, date, and location for Commissioners Court property auctions. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency or institution. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 34.05(d), Tax Code, allowing the Commissioner's Court to specify by order the date, time, and location for conducting public sales requested under Subsection (c). SECTION 2. Effective September 1, 1997. SECTION 3. Emergency Clause.