HBA-JLV H.B. 2978 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2978
By: Dukes
Ways & Means
4/19/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Currently, properties in an area with a historical designation are eligible
to apply for a property tax abatement.  The designation of the historical
area is based upon certain criteria, including properties with significant
historical trends or events, properties with distinctive design or
construction, or properties at least 50 years old with the original porch,
siding, and windows intact.  Many would like to see the continuance of
historical preservation in areas of historical significance, particularly
among families who expend time and financial resources for the preservation
of such homes.  House Bill 2978 includes as a criteria for designation as a
historical site if the current property owner is related to the previous
owner within the first degree of consanguinity. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 2978 amends the Tax Code to provide that an ordinance or other
law adopted by the governing body of a taxing unit may include, as a
criterion for designating a residence homestead as a historically
significant site in need of tax relief to encourage its preservation, that
the preceding owner of the homestead was related to the current owner
within the first degree by consanguinity. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

January 1, 2002.