S.B. 853 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS S.B. 853 By: Madla Business & Industry Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Currently, a person can solicit a homeowner for the service of applying for a property tax refund from a tax appraisal district or other governmental body on behalf of the homeowner. S.B. 853 would require a person who solicits a homeowner solely by mail or by telephone to pay a fee for the service of applying for a property tax appraisal district or other governmental body and would require the person to disclose to the homeowner the name of the governmental body before accepting money from the homeowner. 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 the heading to Section 41.0051, Property Code, to read as follows: Sec. 41.0051. DISCLAIMER AND DISCLOSURE REQUIRED SECTION 2. Amends Section 41.0051, Property Code, by amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (c), as follows: (b) Requires a person who solicits solely by mail or by telephone a homeowner to pay a fee for the service of applying for a property tax refund from a tax appraisal district or other governmental body on behalf of the homeowner, before accepting money from the owner or signing a contract with the homeowner for the person's services, to disclose to the homeowner the name of the tax appraisal district or other governmental body that owes the homeowner a refund. (c) Redesignated from subsection (b). Makes a conforming change. SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2003. EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2003