SRC-TJG H.B. 2043 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 2043
78R5367 RCJ-FBy: Griggs (Brimer)
Intergovernmental Relations
5/13/2003
Engrossed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently the deadline for a chief appraiser to release the ballot for an
appraisal district board of directors is October 30th.  However, the
deadline for each tax unit to submit its vote is November 15th.  This
allows only 16 days to meet, discuss each nominee, and submit a vote. Some
taxing units  meet only once a month, which arguably would not provide
them with an opportunity to view the ballot before the voting deadline has
expired.  H.B. 2043 proposes to delay the voting deadline until December
15th, allowing an additional month for taxing units to submit ballots. The
bill also increases the number of days to submit a nomination to fill a
vacancy on a board from 10 to 45 days. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

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

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Sections 6.03(j)-(l), Tax Code, as follows:

(j) Requires the chief appraiser, before October 30, to prepare a ballot,
listing the candidates whose names were timely submitted under Subsections
(g) and, if applicable, (h) or (i) alphabetically according to the first
letter in each candidate's surname, and deliver a copy of the ballot to
the presiding officer of the governing body of each taxing unit that is
entitled to vote. 

(k) Requires the governing body of each taxing unit entitled to vote to
determine its vote by resolution and submit it to the chief appraiser
before December, rather than November, 15.  Requires the chief appraiser
to take certain actions before December 31, rather than 1, to the
governing body of each taxing unit in the district and to the candidates.

(l) Requires the taxing unit to submit the name of its nominee to the
chief appraiser within 45, rather than 10, days after notification from
the board of directors of the existence of the vacancy, and requires the
chief appraiser to prepare and deliver to the board of directors within
the next five days a list of nominees. 

SECTION 2.  (a) Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2003.

(b) Requires appraisal district directors to be appointed as provided by
Sections 6.03(j) and (k), Tax Code, as amended by this Act, beginning with
the appointment of appraisal district directors in 2003 for terms
beginning January 1, 2004. 

(c) Makes application of this Act prospective.