BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 541
By: Seliger
AUTHOR'S/SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Currently, a local appraisal district may post photographs of individuals' homes and property along with detailed floor plans on the Internet. Numerous ranchers and owners are concerned about the safety of their families and property due to photographs of their residential properties being posted on the web. This is a concern because thieves and vandals may access this detailed information and this dramatically increases the vulnerability of the property; especially second homes such as ranches or lake houses, where the owners are not present all the time. S.B. 541 makes it illegal for appraisal districts to put photographs and floor plans of residences or property on the Internet.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 25, Tax Code, by adding Section 25.027, as follows:
Sec. 25.027. INFORMATION REGARDING CERTAIN RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY. Prohibits information in appraisal records from being posted on the Internet under certain circumstances. Provides that this section is inapplicable to an aerial photograph that depicts five or more separately owned buildings.
SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2005.