H.B. 2043 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS H.B. 2043 By: Griggs Local Government Ways and Means Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND 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. HB 2043 proposes to delay the voting deadline until December 15th, allowing an additional month for taxing units to submit ballots. This will allow ample time for every tax unit to meet, consider the ballot, and submit votes. 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 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 SECTION 1 Amends Section 6.03, Tax Code, to require the timely submission of Board nominees in accordance with subsections (g), (h), and (i). Amends the deadline for voting by taxing units to December 15th instead of November 15th, and allows tabulation of the results to be announced December 31st rather than December 1st. Additionally, the bill allows 45 days, instead of 10, to submit nominees to the chief appraiser for vacancies on a board. SECTION 2 Specifies effective date. Provides that appointments in 2003, for terms that begin January 1, 2004, shall be according to this Act. Application of law regarding a vacancy on a board is prospective, related to the effective date of the Act. EFFECTIVE DATE This Act has immediate effect if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all members elected to each house. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, it takes effect September 1, 2003.