SRC-JJJ S.B. 953 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 953
76R3212 GJH-DBy: Luna
Jurisprudence
3/18/1999
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, there is no mechanism for a taxing unit to vacate a judgment, in
a suit to collect delinquent taxes, that was rendered in its favor.  S.B.
953 would permit the taxing unit to file a petition to vacate a judgment
for foreclosure of a tax lien.  This bill also would allow the taxing unit
to file a petition to vacate for failure to join a person needed in the
suit, failure to serve a person needed in the suit, and failure to
adequately describe the property that is the subject of the suit.    

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 953 establishes conditions regarding vacating a judgment
in a delinquent tax suit. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Chapter 33C, Tax Code, by adding Section 33.56, as
follows: 

Sec. 33.56.  VACATION OF JUDGMENT.  Authorizes a taxing unit to file a
petition for judgment for failure to meet certain conditions if, in a suit
to collect a delinquent tax, a court renders a judgment for foreclosure of
a tax lien on behalf of a taxing unit.  Requires the taxing unit to file
the petition under the same cause number as the delinquent tax suit and in
the same court.  Prohibits the taxing unit from filing a petition if a tax
sale of the property has occurred unless the tax sale has been vacated by
an order of a court.  Requires a copy of the petition to be served on each
party to the delinquent tax suit.  Provides that the judgment is vacated
and the delinquent tax suit is revived, if the court grants the petition. 

SECTION 2.  Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 3.  Emergency clause.
            Effective date: upon passage.