SRC-VRA H.B. 3232 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 3232
78R8073 RCJ-DBy: Smith, Todd (Brimer)
Intergovernmental Relations
5/16/2003
Engrossed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

H.B. 3232 amends the Health and Safety Code, Chapter 342 (Local Regulation
of Sanitation). Chapter 342 contains recent legislation permitting
municipalities to assess clean-up expenses on property found to be in
violation of sanitation ordinances, following notice to the property
owner. Current law also permits the city to file a lien statement with the
county clerk; the lien is inferior to tax and street improvement liens and
carries an interest rate of 10 percent.  H.B. 3232 would permit a tax
collector to put on the property tax bill the expenses due a city under
Chapter 342. 

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 Subchapter A, Chapter 342, Health and Safety Code, by
adding Section 342.0075, as follows: 
 
Sec. 342.0075.  COLLECTION OF EXPENSES AND INTEREST.  (a)  Provides that
on the request of a municipality, the person who assesses the ad valorem
taxes for the municipality must include on the ad valorem tax bill sent
under Section 31.01, Tax Code, to the owner of a property a separate item
for the expenses imposed by the municipality, including accrued interest,
under Section 342.007.  Requires the tax bill to show the total amount
due, and requires that amount to include the ad valorem taxes, expenses
incurred, and interest accrued. 
 
(b)  Provides that at the time the property owner pays the ad valorem
taxes on the property to the person who collects the ad valorem taxes for
the municipality, the property owner must pay to that collector those
expenses incurred and the interest accrued. 
 
(c)  Provides that if the person who assesses or collects taxes for a
municipality is not an officer or employee of the municipality, the
municipality must negotiate with the person a reasonable fee to be paid to
the person for services performed by the person under this section. 
 
SECTION 2.Effective date:  September 1, 2003.
  Makes application of this Act prospective.