By Gutierrez                                           H.B. No. 453
         76R688 GJH-D                           
                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to the appraisal for ad valorem taxation of an inventory
 1-3     of commercial real property.
 1-4           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-5           SECTION 1.  Section 23.12(a), Tax Code, is amended to read as
 1-6     follows:
 1-7           (a) Except as provided by Sections 23.121, 23.1241, 23.12D,
 1-8     and 23.127, the market value of an inventory is the price for which
 1-9     it would  sell as a unit to a purchaser who would continue the
1-10     business.  An inventory shall include residential real property
1-11     which has never been occupied as a residence and is held for sale
1-12     in the ordinary course of a trade or business, provided that the
1-13     residential real property remains unoccupied, is not leased or
1-14     rented, and produces no income.  An inventory also includes real
1-15     property that:
1-16                 (1)  has been substantially developed or improved in a
1-17     manner that  makes the property suitable for industrial or
1-18     commercial use, other than  agricultural use;
1-19                 (2)  was vacant during the development or improvement
1-20     and remains vacant;
1-21                 (3)  has been publicly offered for sale in the ordinary
1-22     course of  the owner's business and is available for purchase or is
1-23     under a contract  for purchase; and
1-24                 (4)  is not leased or rented and does not produce
 2-1     income.
 2-2           SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect January 1, 2000, and
 2-3     applies only to ad valorem taxes  imposed on or after that date.
 2-4           SECTION 3.  The importance of this legislation and the
 2-5     crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
 2-6     emergency and an imperative public  necessity that the
 2-7     constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
 2-8     days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.