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