H.B. 703 78(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


H.B. 703
By: Solomons
Local Government Ways and Means
Committee Report (Unamended)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Currently, if a property is located in districts that are appraised by two
different appraisal districts, the property may have two different
valuations. These values may be different by several thousand dollars.
Appraisers are encouraged by statute to coordinate to have the same value,
but this may not necessary take place. 

House Bill 703 would require both districts to adopt the lower of the two
valuations. 

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. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 703 amends the Tax Code to require appraisers  of two different
districts to communicate and accept the lower of the two evaluations on a
property. If a protest, appeal or other action has the effect of lowering
the appraised or market value of the property, the appraiser of the
district in which the action took place must notify all other appraisal
districts affected and the districts shall reduce their evaluations
accordingly. This bill affects only appraisals for ad valorem taxes.  

EFFECTIVE DATE

January 1, 2004.