H.B. 2844 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS H.B. 2844 By: Casteel Licensing & Administrative Procedures Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Currently, licensed real estate brokers, salespersons and appraisers are only allowed to perform property tax consulting services connected with single-family residences. This limitation poses a problem at times when a real estate broker handles the sale of a farm or ranch to a client buy may not provide the property tax consulting on the same property. HB 2844 allows a real estate broker, salesperson and appraiser to perform property tax consulting services for farms and ranches in addition to single family residences. 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 Amends Section 1152.002(a)(8), Occupations Code by adding farms and ranches to the existing list of property tax consulting services a licensed real estate broker, salesperson or appraiser may perform in addition to single family residences. EFFECTIVE DATE Upon passage, or, if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect September 1, 2003.