78R8073 RCJ-D

By:  Smith of Tarrant                                             H.B. No. 3232



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the collection of costs incurred by a municipality in 
remedying substandard conditions on a property.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Chapter 342, Health and Safety Code, is amended 
by adding Section 342.0075 to read as follows:
	Sec. 342.0075.  COLLECTION OF EXPENSES AND INTEREST.  (a)  On 
the request of a municipality, the person who assesses the ad 
valorem taxes for the municipality shall 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.  
The tax bill must show the total amount due, and that amount must 
include the ad valorem taxes, expenses incurred, and interest 
accrued.
	(b)  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 shall pay to that collector 
those expenses incurred and the interest accrued.
	(c)  If the person who assesses or collects taxes for a 
municipality is not an officer or employee of the municipality, the 
municipality shall negotiate with the person a reasonable fee to be 
paid to the person for services performed by the person under this 
section.
	SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2003, and 
applies to the collection of an expense incurred by a municipality 
and the related interest accrued before, on, or after the effective 
date of this Act.